11th December, 0835

Around an hour ago, I had my  mother on the phone to tell me she'd just been advised that my aunt Margaret had finally passed away. around 2300 hours last night (10th December), without pain. I somehow knew she'd make it through the day - I don't know why, but the thought just stuck with me, and she almost did.

Thanks to everyone for all your kind words of support, from several different countries, over the last few days.

Do ducks on the River Lea eat yellow sticky notes?

So, not overlooking developments over the last two days, but I had matters to attend to in Ware today, including buying another little something for Caroline a certain very loving someone who will remain nameless! :)

I left Royston by bus on the 331 due at 1030. I've heard stories about potential passengers being offended when a wise-crack is returned when the destination of Ware is mentioned, and the ticket office person/bus driver responds with 'where', for a laugh. Well, mine didn't today, thankfully! It was very cold out today, so I had my jeans on for the first time since surgery! Oh... such a different feeling without the bulge!

The bus was ok, and the ride just over an hour, and both DAF's up and down shook and rattled, as they usually do, but it wasn't too bad.

Got into Ware, and had a look around the shops, including the market stalls, and then the post office. I had some time to kill, so wandered along the River Lea, in the direction of the Arriva bus garage in the industrial estate. I knew where it was (the drivers hanging around in uniforms for crew changes on the 310/311 and 724 were always a giveaway!) Anyway, as I walk along, I see a packet of yellow square sticky notes on the river bank. Is this what the local ducks enjoy as a delicacy? (No I'm not quackers!)

Anyway, once I got there, not everything, but I found quite a few leaflets under cover of a thick layer of dust - I'm getting good at this! Some old, some new - new TfL January 08 fares & tickets guide (which is not on the website yet, but I found them there)... along with the Sept 07 editions, which I could not locate on our recent London trip - only the older ones.

Walked back to the main part of the town centre via the railway station. I got a few things, including lunch at Gregg's the baker (as I'd not had one in ages!). Interesting points was that there were some rather agressive builders digging up the road outside, and had been there all morning! Not only giving them a headache, but they'd not had a delivery of many things that morning, presumably ice on the road or something!  Anyway, I got what I wanted, and got ready for the bus back to Royston. The bus was around 20 minutes late in passing through Ware, but we were only a few minutes down once we got back (the bit north of Puckeridge seems to have quite a lot of running time, as we ended up six minutes early at Braughing on the way down!)

Herts CC have issued a 'Service Changes' booklet with all the new January 2008 Royston area timetables - the driver on the 16 Town Service had a few today (that's who I nabbed a copy from on the way home!) and I will attempt to scan some of it later on.

Fell over not far from home - not too bad, I had jeans on, remember? Hate it when my mind goes blank... but I just stand up and get going again. Knee bruised and battered, but it wasn't so bad - esp. with the jeans!

All in all, a generally good day - setting me up now for a busy week and a bit coming up!

p.s. Also inspired by thebustocrookes, I noticed this Trainspotting-esq item in today's Metro, picked up with the winter timetables at Ware Station.