Saturday 8th August was a very busy day for me. I was at the laptop in the morning and then Captain Caveman and I had the viewing of the nearby flat that we both liked the look of. Captain Caveman had put both of us down to help with a neighbourhood litter picking mission at 10am but he was unable to go because of a gout flare up. Instead, I went and I met some new people and had quite a good time. It was hot and sweaty by the time we finished and I had to have a shower before our next appointment at noon. The property was a 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom flat with a decent sized hall way and kitchen/living space and even an outdoor area with views of the River Don and a parking space. We both liked it and decided that Captain Caveman was going to look into getting a mortgage appointment so that he could perhaps put in an offer. The mortgage appointment was made but the next available one with Captain Caveman’s preferred provider wasn’t until the second week of September.
Our next mission was for me to return to the opticians, with Captain Caveman so he could help me choose my glasses and pay for them. Vision Express do an eye care plan where you pay a monthly direct debit over 2 years (interest free) and it works out 20% cheaper than paying for the glasses. It also includes a free eye test, accidental breakage and loss protection as well as free adjustments and servicing. Captain Caveman was very helpful at the opticians but we did make the lady serving us laugh at his bluntness. When we were choosing the colour of the prescription sunglasses and my transitional lenses in the normal glasses – he made some comment about not getting the colour that made me look like a sex offender!
I ordered my 2 pairs which apparently was a good deal and came to a total of £436, after discount, despite me picking the lowest priced frames and that included 50% off the second pair. I paid the first £19 to set up the plan but Captain Caveman had to put the direct debit in his name starting from September. I was so happy and they would be ready in less than 2 week’s time.
I was ready to get back home as I had a headache but Captain Caveman fancied a pint in the Fargate pub. It had opened earlier this year and we’d not been in yet. It was £8.44 for a pint and a half and, although the pub was nicely done out, I wasn’t a fan of it. It was dark inside and a somewhat depressing feel to it. The clientele was a bit to be desired too and it reminded me of a flat roofed boozer on a rough estate. Captain Caveman had started to have a flare up of gout so I’d questioned him drinking beer (a trigger for gout) but he insisted beer or wine doesn’t affect it, just prawns or mushrooms which I’d not seen him have in over a year! We had to go to Boots to buy paracetamol and ibuprofen for £1.74 so that he could relieve the pain a bit.
In the evening I had been invited to one of Vanessa’s 60th birthday celebrations, which we had planned in the diary for quite some time. It was an 80s night at OEC in Hillsborough, next door to the dog track.
I met Vanessa and her gang of celebrators in the foyer at 6.30pm and most people, especially Vanessa, had made an effort to dress up in the appropriate 80s gear. Luckily, Vanessa had brought some extra props too so I could borrow some to jazz up my outfit.
The cost of the ticket which included the meal, a band, singers and the DJ was £35 and it was definitely worth it. The food was excellent, the music was brilliant and we all had a lot of fun – with lots of dancing. Vanessa had a plan to avoid drinking too much or spending loads on wine which was a genius move too. She bought a bottle of wine and some soda water (which came with an ice bucket) for about £24 and lasted her all night. I didn’t do this as wasn’t sure if I’d drink a full bottle but still spent £15.53 on 2 glasses so Vanessa’s idea was a good one. There were 10 of us in total and I’d already met 2 of Vanessa’s entourage which was nice but it was great to meet the others. I managed to insult Vanessa’s best mate by commenting on her wig which turned out to be her real hair! One of the youngest in the group had to get the Rennie’s out as the meal was fantastic and the puddings very rich! The food was delicious and plenty of it too, I had the chicken with lots of roast potatoes and vegetables. The chocolate brownie was super sickly but fabulous and I managed to eat most of it.
By 11pm some of us were already flagging a little and couldn’t see us going the full distance to the 1am finish! The less mobile of the group got a second wind at some point and was giving it what for on the dancefloor, having ditched her walking stick! It was such a fun night and we all really enjoyed it. Taxis and lifts were sorted and we were on our way home before midnight. Vanessa’s son dropped me off so I didn’t have to get a taxi alone or walk home which was very kind and Captain Caveman was already in bed when I got back. He’d been out to support friends at the Transplant Games in Sheffield and his foot was really hurting him.
Gratitude List
1. Flat viewing and finding a potential new home for Captain Caveman
2. New Glasses with help from Captain Caveman
3. A fab night out for Vanessa’s 60th birthday.
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