Unfortunately all the moving parts of this particular mission didn't align this afternoon - as Ms S is bed bound, the drop off of her medicines was timed to coincide with her carer being there at 1330...however, as I discovered when standing outside Ms S's door and speaking to her on the phone, the carer had arrived early at 1300, and had already departed.

So all I could do was explain to Ms S that I'd return the medicines back to the pharmacy and that another volunteer would deliver them to her (hopefully this week) when the carer is in her flat and able to open the door for them.

I'm aware that Maida Vale isn't really that far west in the overall scheme of London, but for someone who's normally out East, it made a pleasant change of scene- and as I'd been near Paddington, today's shop for Mr R proved an easy and pleasant walk and explore of a new 'hood.

As per last time his list was detailed and easy to follow, and even in this inflationary times, Mr R has the prices right as we still got change from his crisp £20 note. Overall a very pleasant way to spend a damp Monday afternoon, and Mr R was very grateful for this week's assistance.

A return visit to Ms H to build more of her IKEA furniture, but when I arrived it was clear she'd managed to get some additional assistance, as various wardrobe shells were now in her living room, and there were a couple of other people (hard at work) assembling various items.

She quickly put me to work upstairs building a hanging unit and a small storage unit that sat below it - "these are the easy ones" she said, and on the whole she wasn't wrong, albeit it was a precursor of things to come....as once I'd completed these and asked what was next, she indicated she had a bunk bed that needed building downstairs in her living room, and being the ambitious sort and up for a challenge on a rainy Saturday afternoon I agreed to do this - fortunately I hadn't made dinner plans...

I'm a flat pack fan, and remain amazed that something like a bunk bed can be built using two different sized Allen keys (and a hammer), and after judicious following of the step by step guide, the frame and slats were in place, and it was starting to look like a (double) bed - the issue now was the lack of space to get round each side to finish it off, so much breathing in was required...and eventually it was all done.

Ms H was delighted and commented (positively...) on my building skills and diligence - "Adult Lego" she called it - albeit you certainly don't ache as much after building the Death Star or Apollo 11 out of hundreds of plastic bricks...

Week 2 of back to shopping on a Friday morning for Mrs S and it's as if the break never happened - list was ready, money and Waitrose token on the kitchen table and a quick catch up with Mrs S and it was off out into the Friday morning sunshine.

As always I was very appreciative of the detailed list which left no doubt as to the items to be gathered - Mrs S has discovered the nightmare that is "chocolate bar shrinkflation" , so was adamant I should only get her a bar of Lindt (bigger size for your money, or at least for now...). I also discovered you could buy frozen spinach...friday's truly are school days on the shopping front.

Ms D had spent yesterday in the care of the NHS, so she was keen to update me on how her day had been (eventful...), but she seemed in good spirits post the visit and hopefully her various aches will soon be a thing of the past.

She was though keen for me to go to Specsavers as she didn't think her hearing aids were working properly, and so it proved for one of them - a very helpful lady gave them an inspection, replaced the non functioning one and provided me with more batteries, and so hopefully normal service will resume on the audio front. The weekly shop around the aisles proved straightforward in comparison.

It was a great, simple task with the help of fellow good gymers.