There’s no place like home…..

It seems longer than a week since my last post, probably because it was so eventful. There’s been a few tears, and laughter but so pleased to be home.

Last Saturday Nina and I enjoyed a massage, another day at the pool relaxing, enjoying the knee popping DJ ‘s tunes and just after the set finished we heard toe curling screams from the beach behind us. A distraught women in a bikini screaming as it appeared her husband had been drawn under in the water. We watched events unfold as he was pulled under, the waves increasingly torrid. People could see what appeared to be his lifeless body being moved towards a rocky outcrop, but he was pulled under again.

The services were called, and there were 3 boats with searchlights out that night, but to no avail.

This was a chilling reminder to Georgina and I on how fragile life is, and how things can change in an instant. We talked about how the loss would have a ripple effect on so many people not least his wife and family. We also wondered how she was faring. I felt very keenly being apart from my loved ones too, no contact since last Tuesday when I needed the reassurance that they were ok.

On the Sunday we were fairly somber reflecting on the events from last night. I visited the little onsite chapel and lit a candle and said a prayer.

The pool beckoned and whilst the thoughts lingered we continued to relax and enjoy our holiday.

Monday and an early start as we were to visit Spinalonga a leper colony until the late fifties, made famous by the Victoria Hislop book The Island.

A coach trip to Elounda, a boat out to the island with a great commentary really brought the book to life.

We embarked on the boat for the return trip, had lunch some free time then on to Aghios Nickolas.

Georgina and I opted for a walk round the lake, then had an iced coffee and something to eat before the coach back to the hotel.

I was so pleased when Georgina said she’d had a lovely day and it was good to get out and about, although once again we reflected on the randomness of someone losing their life.

Dinner that evening was Indian themed and we enjoyed the ambience of the hotel entertainment.

It was also the day we heard that Thomas Cook had gone into administration, but our TUI rep was blasé that we would be fine for getting home, and we checked the CAA website for flight details, so all seemed fine.

Tuesday and Wednesday were chilled days, very hot but we made the most of it.

Wednesday we weren’t due to fly till 10:15 do we enjoyed another pool day, had dinner and collected to transfer to the airport. All seemed fine!

We also had news from Kilimanjaro, Kevin had to come down after 3 days, Joe had oedema on the brain, and few more minutes if he hadn’t descended he would have died! Andrew though made it. This was gutting news, but I knew Kevin would rationalise it all and agree that the journey was the important thing. I was also so proud of them all to even attempt it.

Suffice to say all did not go as planned at the airport. We were on standby and had to be transferred to a nearby establishment – hotel.

The CAA staff had a difficult task and we were upset by TUI’s lack of assistance, guidance, support for us.

The highlight the following morning was ‘Rico’ the tabby kitten. Georgina wanted to adopt him but it was a no from me.

We had three calls: you’re flying to Geneva; no you’re not; you’re flying to Athens, then onto Heathrow – all in the space of 25 minutes.

It was a fraught time but after 30 hours and a wonderful service from Stuart Armstrong cars, we arrived home.

Straight to bed to sleep. Friday morning and I got up, collected some bits, did some washing then waited for the intrepid trekkers return.

A phone call from Kevin whereby he regaled me with the stories of his helicopter rescue due to ‘jelly legs’. Joseph’s close shave and they great time they all had bonding and sharing which must have been wonderful for them all. What a memory for them all! Just hope the Insurance covers the cost!

I returned to work in the afternoon and had a lovely evening out at a Turkish restaurant with the leadership team bolstered by are two fantastic new colleagues.

Home after 11:00 pm, shattered but pleased to be home and surrounded by family. I appreciate all I have and cherish every moment: good, bad and indifferent. Xxxxxx

💕💕💕💕💕💕