My little life

The Drake’s Passage 1 and our first landing

The captain kept his word and with it being Drake Lake, the time was made up to arrive at Half Moon Islands. We saw and heard our first whales and icebergs galore as we glided into our anchor point. The peace and tranquility was phenomenal. The depth of colour of white and blue extraordinary. I am in awe of nature and loving this landscape.

So it was time, as we were gentoo penguins for the duration of the trip, to be called to go out on the zodiac to the islands. It was cold, but all our layers worked brilliantly. There was a little snow, but the wind and waterproof jacket did its job.

We saw chinstrap penguins and a few fur seals as we used walking sticks to traverse the rocky, icy terrain.

Our first landing certainly lived up to our expectations, and we returned to the ship to refresh and have dinner. We enjoyed a drink in the explorer lounge where there was a very special cask of whiskey on board, and an interesting game of German scrabble.

Getting set for Antarctica

We booked this trip to cruise with Hurtigruten expeditions and our ship is the Fridtjof Nansen ( an intrepid explorer).

We embarked on the ship and our cases were in our cabins. We did the ‘housekeeping’ elements and made our way to the cabin via the very impressive lift.

A sail away was arranged for about 5pm, but we had an inkling something wasn’t quite right as the glasses and tables were taken away. An announcement by the captain was that there was a piece of metal sticking out that needed to be removed and all efforts locally had not been successful. They had sourced one but he was in Madrid and had to be flown in. This delayed the start of our trip by probably 24 hours.

There was one particular passenger that expressed his annoyance and frustration but the majority were reassured by the captains honesty and openness.

This meant a jig around for day 1 as we would not be at sea. The expedition team did wildlife watching, a photo walk and a museum visit. We also had time to collect our sartorially elegant jackets and boots.

The sun shone and the diver was successful so we set off with 15ft less of metal.

Tierra del Fuego….

We flew from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia, it was a very early start! We were greeted by the sight of snow and mountains and began a bus tour of the National Park, Tierra del Fuego, Land of Fire. It was named this as when Magellan passed the archipelago in 1590 he saw many fires along the coastline . These fires were probably from the aboriginal inhabitants.

We saw some beautiful lakes, mountains, birds and plants. I learnt that lichen on trees is a sign of good air quality and that the winds cause some of the trees to grow horizontally.

The southern most post office is sited here, although the private owners have closed it as it is falling to bits.

Next stop from here is back to Ushuaia where we embark the ship.

Antarctic experience Part 1

It may take some time to document this trip and do it justice, but I have to start.

Part 1 covers the first few days in Buenos Aires.

Hello

Write a letter to your 100-year-old self.

So how did I do in the last 37 years? Hopefully I’ve visited all continents, have spoiled my children and grandchildren, and loved, laughed and lived fearlessly.

Will peace be any nearer to being achieved for the world?

I hope to be living a simpler life having shared my valuable possessions with those I love and a bucket load of memories made.

River will be 40 ( wow) …… Andrew will be 73, Joe 69 and Nina 66, older than I am now. I hope they will all be fulfilled and have made their own way and we share in their success and support them in any loss.

Life is for living, take a chance, be kind and see where it takes you

Mothering Sunday 2024

It’s been a busy week, time with River, catching up with friends, a trip to London, and a post op check up

I feel so much better and raring to go. I can get my trip planning boots on. I was lucky to get some instruction on smartphone photography from jetblacksquared and hope to use a few tips very soon.

I’ve enjoyed a quiet Mothering Sunday, with messages from far and wide, and brunch with Georgina and Kevin. A few bijou gifts were exchanged which prompted a few tears.

We are so fortunate to have so many strong role models in mothers, grandmothers, aunts, cousins and friends. Being a mother is so rewarding, with moments of heartbreak, joy and hope: hope that you’re doing the best that you can. There is no manual, so you’re mainly winging it, with love, determination and support. I wouldn’t have it any other way

Approaching the Ides Of March

The saying is Beware the Ides of March (15th March), but I don’t want to dwell on a negative connotation.

February with extra day has come and gone, and March is going to be full of lots of exciting things.

I definitely feel a lot better this week, and have managed to get a few things done, been to the cinema, met a friend for dinner, went out with River and I even managed to cook for friends, something very simple but good to be able to do it. We had some vaccinations as we need them for our trip to Tasmania. I also learned a bit about taking photos with my phone: some tips and tricks and Lego bricks! Watch this space…

Next week is very busy and I have my post surgery check up next Saturday, which I’m sure that will go smoothly.

The weather is set fair this week , so I’ll be walking a lot more and getting some light gardening in too, especially with the nights drawing out.

I’m looking forward to a trip up to London for lunch and meeting some fabulous women.

Recovery

So almost two weeks post op and every day I’m feeling a bit stronger.

The first week left me feeling a wee bit sorry for myself, but a pamper session from my daughter and a visit to my cousin lifted my spirits.

This past week I removed the wound dressings. I was expecting three small incision marks, but was shocked that two were small and two were larger than I thought. I changed the dressings and all seems to be healing fine.

I also had a bit of reality check with news reports of conflicts around the world showing the harsh realities of war and some wounds that may never heal. I realise how fortunate I am.

I walked up to town yesterday which perhaps was too soon, but I must keep the momentum going to increase my strength. I’ve had a lovely week, enjoyed time with River, watched Rugby, been visited by friends, even a bit of bulb planting.

Skipping to surgery

Almost a year ago I had a call from the GP who advised I had to make a few changes to my diet, exercise more and take vitamin D. Vitamin D was low and cholesterol was higher than they’d like.

So I decided to take up skipping ( as you do!) and make some other changes.

My goal was to start off with a hundred and build up. Suffice to say I did about 10 felt a twinge and took a breath, managed another 5 but the pain in my right side was too much.

I went to the doctor’s who diagnosed a muscle strain, but even with high strength pain management this didn’t help. A trip to Paris saw me trying to sleep sitting up, pain was excruciating.

I visited the osteopath who said he felt it was gallstones. I went back to the doctors who again reiterated a muscle strain.

By mid April and with little respite a third doctors.visit resulted in a variety of blood tests, MRI scan and ultrasound arranged.

There were a few hairy phone calls which really frightened me, and the ultrasound was the final test at the end of May. They found a gallstone measuring almost an inch.

What a relief that it was this. I got a consultation in July and it was about a four month wait for surgery.

A date in November had to be cancelled due to pre op assessments not being done in time. A rearranged date in December was cancelled once I’d been admitted as blood tests showed a slight infection.

I’ve been panicking about the rescheduled date as I need to be fit for our big trip.

So Monday was surgery date number 3 and finally the op has been done.

Now to recuperate and heal. It’s still early days, but as always I’m impatient to do things, but I have to be sensible.

I’ve looked into what can cause gallstones and it’s cholesterol or salts that build up. Low Vitamin D can also have a bearing. It can also be hereditary: my Mum had her gallbladder removed in 2001.

I’ve made dietary changes, and don’t drink alcohol, I try to walk as much as I can, and I am taking Vitamin D supplements too.

I hope that I feel the benefit of the surgery within the next week or so, and build up my strength for March.

First trip in 2024

We booked to go to Cardiff last year and for me, this is the only foray into the 6nations tournament this year.

I had high hopes it was to be a good match.

Our plans had altered since the tickets were purchased, and we arrived in Reading by road and then the train to Cardiff and we made in good time.

Cardiff was mild but raining, with the roof closed making the rain a mini inconvenience.

The match was a thriller with Scotland comfortably ahead at half time, and adding another try when the second half started.

That was it though, as Wales turned up and Scotland were well and truly overwhelmed by the Welsh side. Whatever Warren said at halftime worked!

Scotland held on by the skin of their teeth, first win on Welsh soil since 2002 and retaining the Dodi Weir cup.

A fantastic opener for Scotland this tournament.

We used this trip to test out some of the clothing etc we have for our upcoming trip in March ( more to follow)

July to December 2023

It’s been a full six months, with trips to Harrogate, Dublin, London, France, Barnsley, Seville and Scotland. Very frustrating that my operation to remove my gall bladder has been cancelled twice, but hopeful that it should be done by mid February.

We’ve had so much fun with River, and news of a new grandson in Australia due July 2024.

Georgina has started a new job, and the company have been amazing.

Joseph has moved studios and that is going well.

I’m desperate to plan some trips away, so after my op I’ll be full swing with that.

2023 has been full of great joy, and great sadness, but I have a feeling that 2024 is going to be the best yet! we start off with our nephew’s wedding so that’s a joyful start indeed. I wish everyone a healthy and happy 2024

July to December 2023

We’ve had so much fun with River, and news of a new grandson in Australia due July 2024.

Georgina has started a new job, and the company have been amazing.

Joseph has moved studios and that is going well.

I’m desperate to plan some trips away, so after my op I’ll be full swing with that.

The Royal Clipper June 2023

And so it began

And so it ended

We travelled to Rome, where we had a wonderful morning then we embarked the ship.

Day 3 Naples and Pompeii

Day 4 Capri

Day 5 Sicily

Day 6 at sea

Day 7 Katakolo and Olympia

Day 8 Corfu

Day 9 Kotor and Perast

Day 10 Dubrovnik

Day11 Hvar

Day 12 Rovinj

Day 13 Venice

Then home to a rainbow.

I’ve resisted cruising for a number of years, so when my cousin Jo suggested we go with them I felt it was the perfect opportunity to try. The ship was awesome, the food and the staff superb. We revisited places we’d been to before, and experienced new ones. There’s so much to see and do, which can make it tiring. I had to get to grips with my fear of heights, if I was to get down the gangplank to the tenders.

The weather was beautiful apart from a couple of cloudy days, this provided welcome relief.

Our last day/evening in Venice was magical, one of the most special evenings of my life. I got emotional whilst standing in St Mark’s Square after our dinner at Alle Testerie. I cried doing the video too.

There is so much I could write, my dear and beautiful friends (this is a reference to our guide in Kotor and Perast), he was a ⭐️, I will let the videos do the talking. Enjoy!

It’s been a while….

Food, family and a proposal

After meeting a friend for lunch today, she asked me about my blog and whether I had stopped it.

Life has been busy and whilst on our cruise in June we met a lovely couple and he introduced me to the Snapseed app, and the use of iMovie. I’ve been playing with both, and this afternoon I made a concerted effort to document the cruise. This video was my effort to get me up to the point of the cruise. I will try to do the cruise ones all on one post if I can.

I must confess it’s been quite emotional looking at the photos to make the movies. I hope that those who flow it (is it now a vlog ?) enjoy it.