The weeks seem to fly by now. We have been getting out and about
since my last posting.
My oldest friend Janice and husband Tony were down in London
for a long weekend from their home in Yorkshire so they hopped on a train and met
up with us in Canterbury. We had a good old chin wag over a drink in The Foundry and then a good lunch in The Olive Grove. I have known Janice since 1961
when we started secondary school together. I remember our teenage years
clubbing in Klooks Kleek in Hampstead - now we are comparing photos of our
grandchildren!
Another outing to Canterbury – this time to the Food and Drink Festival. It was so busy with lots of stalls selling their produce – most
of it Kent produced or companies that have businesses in Kent. We came home
loaded with cheeses, quince jelly, a variety of apple juices, meat puddings,
pork pie, and pasties. It is great to be able to buy fresh produce. We had
lunch in the newly opened Quex Barn restaurant which was lovely. We are very
familiar with their other restaurant in Birchington so we were eager to try the
new one.
Last weekend we were up in Leicester. The main reason for
our visit was to attend the 8th Mesothelioma Patient and Carers
conference. We arrived early Friday afternoon so were able to do a bit of
sight-seeing. The clock tower and cathedral were worth a visit. I was impressed
with the ‘flower’ arrangements in the cathedral – presumably done for a harvest
service.
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| I spy a cabbage |
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| I don't think Alan's carrots would look quite so attractive! |
We had a quick visit round the Richard III exhibition and found that
very interesting. We were amused at some of the information displayed ‘Who was
Richard III?’ ‘ he was called Richard III because there were two previous Kings of
England called Richard. Queen Elizabeth II is so called because there was a
Queen Elizabeth before her! We have heard that they are dumbing down the
history syllabus in schools but....!. Another fact which Alan took great
delight in telling me was that after Richard was killed one of the ‘insult’
injuries he had given to him was a dagger up the anus! Ouch!
We walked round the famous market where it seemed everything
was ‘4 for a pound’. A little known fact is that Gary Lineker used to work in
this market on his father’s stall. Secretly I think Alan thought he might be
doing a shift!
No visit to Leicester would be complete without a visit to a
Curry house. We went to ‘Chutney Ivy’s' after a visit to a local hostelry which
brewed its own Hoskins beer – Alan’s verdict was ‘delicious’!
The conference on the Saturday was a little disappointing
with regard to speakers and information given. Sadly for ‘old timers’ like
myself there does not seem to be any new trials or treatments on the horizon.
So we just have to keep on keeping on. It was great to meet up with fellow
warrior Steve and his lovely wife Linda. Steve is doing well at the moment and
enjoying life which is great.
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| Steve and I sharing a joke |
I want to share a couple of photos of the grandies. Thomas
the tank engine paid a visit to Tunbridge Wells much to Ethan’s delight. Cannot
believe my little man is 3 next week!
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| Gaby, Ethan & Thomas |
Tim & Anna & Lilah went to Niagara-on-the-Lake for a
weekend break. This picture is of Lilah looking out of the hotel window at ‘the
big wah wah ‘ (translation – the big shower).
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| Room with a view |
I have an appointment with my oncologist on Friday to
discuss my recent scan. Next week I have my flu jab and 3 teeth extracted and
hopefully some news on if/when my chest drain can be removed.
As always my thoughts and prayers are for my fellow
mesowarriors. For Ernie and Ian who are suffering at the moment, for Beccy who
has just lost her dad, for Lou who is
still going through chemo, Jan who is coming to terms with her cancer
progressing and having to manage a stomach drain, Mavis who is anxiously
awaiting scan results and Steve who should be packing for a trip to Budapest
right now – enjoy! To you all and all others suffering I send you my love. Tess
x
