This was a true labour of love as there
were sooooo many sequins and beads and with my numb fingertips it was a bit of
an effort to sew them all. But the job has
been done and I am proud of my achievement. They are really just decorative but
I might just put in a few sweeties! Target met!
We had a good lunch up in London with our friend Elaine
(Lilah’s other grandmother). She was here on a business trip and passing
through London. We had a good old chin wag and drank a toast to our lovely
granddaughter.
We have spent this week in France with my son. daughter-in-law
and grandson. The weather was a bit cold and foggy but we had one warm, sunny
day.
Our first stop was at Chateau Chartreuse just outside
Bethune – such a beautiful hotel – my kind of living.
We then went on to Montreuil. Montreuil was the setting for much of the early part of Victor Hugo's novel Les Misérables. The last time we were here was in early July just prior to my op
and then I could not even manage the walk from the hotel to the ramparts due to
shortage of breath. It was so different this week – not only did I get to the
ramparts but walked the 3kms round the town! This palliative surgery has
certainly improved the quality of my life! It was a sunny clear day and the views were breathtaking (not a good choice of word!) I was not breathless in the
slightest but so tired and legs felt like jelly – a good lunch soon rectified
that! Target met!
If you’ve taken the Eurostar south from the Channel, you may have noticed, as the train rushes across the flat Flanders fields, the geological anomaly that is Mont Cassel - a 500ft hill standing out from the plain like a pyramid in the desert. Next time you take the car to the Continent, it is worth the diversion to aim for the hill and climb the broad cobbled road that eventually winds into the historic town of Cassel. Legend has it this is the hill the Grand Old Duke of York led his 10,000 men up and down. The day was so foggy we could see nothing from the top but we did all sing the nursery rhyme (with actions) at the top. Ethan really enjoyed that.Not sure what anyone else would have made of this spectacle! Brits abroad!
Alan was delighted to be able to take his elder son to the
Brasserie de St Sylvestre – where the best beer in the Universe (Trois Monts) is brewed. A rite of passage for Jon as he approaches middle age!
These couple of weeks have also been tinged with sadness. A cousin of mine died. My sincere condolences and sympathy to Peter's wife Margaret and all the family.
My friend and fellow mesowarrior Denise died last week from this awful disease. It was only a month ago I was chatting to Denise - so young to have been taken. My sincere condolences and sympathy to Denise's partner and family.
My thoughts are also with Peter - another mesowarrior - who is now in a hospice where he is being well looked after. My thoughts are with him and his wife Elaine at this difficult time.
Sending positive thoughts also to Steve and Jan who are going through chemo at the moment - stay strong my friends.
Tess .
