I can almost say that I have learned the sequence of the flashings-on-and-off of that little hourglass, when I try to start FreeCell. First it flashes for a while, then comes a patch when it appears steadily, then a couple more teeny tiny flashes � and then either success or failure. Although twice, I think, on �failure� evenings, I have coaxed it forth by wandering around the blue screen that says �Microsoft Solitaire Collection� and clicking away, both left and right. It came up good as gold tonight, just when I need it to get me through these last two draughts of my colonoscopy stuff.

 

Jane, I�m a blind follower if ever there was one. I don�t think I�ll be ready for another drink of this stuff much before 9, anyway. I am interpreting the instruction to get it down within half an hour to mean that I can start 15 minutes before the specified time.

 

Today went quite well, and this time tomorrow it�ll all be over. Helen�s husband David is an expert in such things � he had a bad go with diverticulitis, ending with an operation in which part of his gut was removed and the ends joined up. (It seems to have gone well.) He had both -scopy and -graphy and says that the latter was worse because they blew air up his bottom at the last minute and it was very uncomfortable. There�s nothing about that in my instructions, which seem pretty comprehensive. So I won�t worry. Maybe they do things differently in Greece.

 

Anyway, knitting, and, as so often in the past, I am deeply in your debt, especially (as so often) to you, Tamar. I didn�t know that corrugated rib was less stretchy than ordinary rib. I do now. I unpicked that neck (on wee Hamish�s Calcutta Cup vest) yet again, and re-did it in k2,p2, and bound it off in a stretchy bind off recommended by Mary Lou: and it worked. I can now pull it on over my head. I left a bit of the right-hand shoulder open, since I had so thoroughly messed it up. I think I can incorporate a small pearl button if need be.

 

I spent the rest of today�s knitting time tidying ends, no small job with Fair Isle. But I can tell you that I heard from Hazel Tindall herself (when I did a class with her once at the EYF) that she conscientiously weaves in ends when she is preparating a sweater for a competition, but otherwise she ties tidy knots like a normal human being.

 

I had a look in our Ravelry group yesterday. It doesn�t sound as if there�ll ever be an EYF again. (Edinburgh Yarn Festival)