I’m 16 days into my holiday and enjoying every moment. Mixing high energy touristy type days visiting abbeys and historical sites alongside quieter days of reading, walking and journaling. Dad is looking a lot weaker than when I saw him last year; the effects of the stroke are certainly showing. He needs a cane to walk and a wheelchair for longer journeys. He has lost 20% of his cognitive functioning and as an 82 year old Lancastrian, proud and determined, yet quietly struggling with his lot in life. We have had some great outings, the first since his stroke last August and enjoying some home cooking together.
The first weeks weather was cool, cloudy, around 15 degrees, took in a Premier league football game another one coming on the 14th May. Went for a lovely walk across part of the Darwen moors in drizzly rain, a stereotypical “moorish” day, then on to a country pub for a pint and a fish finger butty (read sandwich). Only in the north of England could you buy something like that! Fortunately the fish was home made crumbed whiting.
My trip to Barcelona was memorable, weather in the mid to high 20s. The "Sagrada Familia" Basilica was a vision, an architectural wonder of the modern era, construction began in 1884 by Antonio Gaudi and due for completion in 2030 (google it). Paella, some Moorish architecture, stories about Hemingway and Picasso’s legacy everywhere. Stayed in a youth hostel and met some delightful people from all over the world. Cooked gazpacho and grilled vegetables for the hostel one evening and sipped Cava, Spanish champagne. Visited a winery and took a train ride into the countryside, eating peaches warmed in the Spanish sun and tomatoes that were warm and succulent. Drank a coffee with 4 old Spanish men, we used universal nods and smiles to convey a sense of generosity and friendship. Walked and walked around Roman ruins, aging buildings, read about Catalan history and walked in the Pyrenees with snow still on the ground.
Came back from Spain on Friday 13th to a wet, cold day in Manchester. Spending warm moments with my cousins, two of them have new, unused pasta machines. Am about to change that! We are having a cooking class on Wednesday evening making potatoe gnocchi, pasta and Tart Tatin (fancy French for apple tart).
This week spent in Blackpool. Went for a walk along the promenade last evening. It was blowing a gale and wind chill was 4 degrees, brisk and enjoyable though. Off bowling with Dad tomorrow and lunch with his mate of 50 years. On thursday we are off to visit Fountains abbey, a world heritage site in Yorkshire and Friday travelling to Birmingham to visit my sister and her family for the weekend. Departing the UK on the 24th and back on the 26th straight to Western General for treatment.
This post is only a part description of my experience here, many more stories to share. My thanks to you all and gratitude for your constant prayers, best wishes and support over the last months. Sitting with my Dad at the football, I had a tear or two in my eye, thankful that I have managed to fulfil a couple of "bucket list" wishes. One was to see Manchester Utd play (Dad's team). That realised, I will embrace him next Tuesday, perhaps for the last time knowing that our time together, although short was rich, endearing and blessed.
Blessings
RayO