Fuming.

Calm seas and a touch of pink in the sky was how the day started. It has been quite cold especially in the shade but there was a lot of sun (shame we didn't have it yesterday) until eventually the pink evening became a pretty sunset.

I dislike being cross but honestly ....... after a morning in Mach at the library with our friends where our laughter was almost drowned out by the toddlers in the children's corner the first thing I did when I got home was to walk down to the pharmacy. This was to ask why I'd been given less than half my usual amount of painkillers when I collected my monthly prescription last week. Not even enough for two a day. 

The answer was that the surgery had only put the smaller amount on this month's prescription. Off I went to the surgery to ask them what had happened. It turns out that the Hwyl Dda, our local health authority has put a cap on the stronger painkillers. Apparently people shouldn't be on them long term. If only they were able to cure chronic pain at the stroke of a pen as well.

The receptionist at the surgery said this had happened to lots of their patients and the solution was to make an appointment with the doctor so that he could confirm that I did actually need the painkillers. Considering it is the doctors who initially write the prescriptions and then check how we're doing at our yearly check-ups this seems like a complete waste of both the doctor's and my time.

I could have a booked appointment at the end of the month or take a chance and phone at 8.30 to get a quicker appointment. Whenever I've done that I've usually been seen the same day so I'll ring in the morning.

I was so cross that I that wrote a stern email to the complaints department of the health authority and then posted on four local FB groups suggesting anyone else affected also complain.

Having got that off my chest I headed into the garage to give the inside of the window frames a freshen up with a coat of paint. I may even give them a second coat though it is just a scruffy garage/workshop.

Then with a sore back and arm from going up and down the stepladder to do the masking tape and then the painting I gave myself some time off (plus painkillers and an icepack, my usual end of afternoon routine) to watch 'We bought a village.' before going down to photograph the evening sky. 

That was when I had to put out some seeds as no sooner had I gone outside but there was a dunnock telling me that all the morning seeds had gone and could it have some more, please? It's got me well trained. I don't like to put too many seeds out as it attracts the rats.

PS The youngsters with the ponies on the beach the other day were part of Welsh Border Vaulters based in Oswestry and one of the girls is a triple British champion.