Hello again everyone. Thank you to Chem, sue, fourq, Here, Ring, Glad, cake and Finally 
Definitely a small update this time! There hasn't been much chunking going on since my last post. You could say, in fact, that The Chunkometer has almost ground to a halt. It is only temporary, God willing, and I hope to get back in to action after the end of the summer holidays. I have needed - and wanted - to be with my family and my friend has been very under the weather both emotionally and physically. It has seemed best to give him - and me - a break from all the upheaval and to support him in other ways in the time I'm able to free up at the moment. I have still made sure that the rubbish and recycling bins have gone away stuffed full and the nearest neighbours' ones too in the dead of night just before collection, as that is always deeply satisfying (!) and to help keep on top of things for when I restart. Other than that, I have helped him with his supermarket deliveries, cleaned the bath, taken another little spin in the Twin Tub and - with all the rain - he is now the proud owner of a heated airer and some moth traps and repellent. And perhaps the most important part, I have kept my chunking and scrubbing arm limbered up by sharing some comforting soup, cups of tea, cat cuddles and - of course - cake.
Oh yes, Chem, you must get a new foster cat and tell us all about it. I also can't be the only one wanting to hear more about fourq's gangly Galgos. Puss has thawed, sue, but I live in hope that gift-giving will have been purrmanently withdrawn, especially if I keep up the claw trimming. I hope you are conquering Paper Mountain, Ring - don't forget to pack a flask of tea, dry socks and a Kendal Mint Cake. You can get help for your Moth Porn addiction, you know. 
The insurance advice was really helpful, Here - for me as well as my friend. He has been doing small things, yes cake - bringing used crockery downstairs, washing up, putting the dry dishes away, wiping the work surfaces after use, cooking, putting things straight into the new bin and recycling tubs. All small steps, but it is progress in the right direction and getting into new habits and maintaining them is hard, as we all know. He was worried recently to tell me a cat treat had rolled out of paw's-reach under the oven and a cauliflower leaf has fallen behind the fridge. In one sense it was a good sign, but I told him he really must not worry about that because these things happen and it is his home - I want him to feel relaxed and enjoy it, not to worry - the difference is now, it's so easy and quick to sort out little things like that and it's done straight away, or fairly soon at least, so that it doesn't start to mountain up again. You're right, Glad, it can seem all-consuming at times and I think more of a break over a couple of weeks or so is just the ticket at the moment.
My condolences Finally on the loss of your dear parent. I have the feeling that you will have done a fine job on their behalf. I really appreciate your kind words.
And finally for now, good to see Chem and fourq engaging in The Battle of Who Has the Biggest Spider. If the felines and canines won't step up, there's nothing for it but for Chem to stop reading and for fourq to sleep standing up with one eye open. Come back Barry, my little pal of chunking the stairs long, long ago, all is forgiven...
Take care everyone - I hope all is well with you.