The news from the dermatologist is that as far as the outside of dad's head is concerned there is nothing to worry about. Of course, it is the inside that causes all the concern.

Rachel managed to persuade mum to let her take her to a medical centre to get her finger looked at this afternoon. She had tried to get mum out of the house earlier in the day, but mum had invented a few displacement activities or distractions to stymie this. One of the distractions was an investigation into which items of her underwear ought to be cleaned. Rachel took this opportunity while it was on offer and has, I hope, got that problem sorted out.

We've arranged a combined outing and visit to the psychogeriatrician on Tuesday: Rachel will entertain dad while I get mum into the doctor. Then we will all rendezvous for afternoon tea at one of the cafes near the beach up the coast.

Then it is a month before we need to take dad to see the cardiologist for a pacemaker tune-up.

Dad has been complaining of deteriorating eyesight and wants to see the opthalmologist, but this is not necessary. His problem is that he has mislaid both his glasses and his big magnifying glass. I hope they turn up soon.