The old ones are the best....

It's my birthday today, in times past this would have meant a wild night away in a hotel accompanied by way too much food and drink....This year? Well, we walked round to the corner shop (7 minutes, 10 seconds) and got a bottle of wine and a bag of crisps each. On the walk back we spotted a big kite being flown on the grassy patch next to our house and decided to check it out. Never been in the "park" in the three and a half years we have lived here. Better than expected. We walked to the bench and sat for me to have a rest, just in time to see the kite wrapped around the nearest tree...... We opened the crisps (not the wine!!!). Andrew had Walkers new offering - Chilli and Lemon flavour. Wrong, wrong, wrong......just not working at all. Spicy, lemony, crispy, yukky. Me? Lovely bag of Smiths salt "n" shake. Did I share? No, It's my birthday!

The paper run

On your marks get set .... go. 8 mins 23 sec to the local Londis for a couple of papers and a pint of milk. Return trip 7 mins 44 sec.

Will keep you posted on further runs.

Cheesy leeks......

Yesterday was my first out patient physio appointment and our first trip back to St. Georges hospital since they wheeled me out on a stretcher to The Wolfson. Whilst wandering along on my stick to the Physio department we bumped into my surgeons registra. A rather portly Canadian chap, who I kid you not practically wet himself on the spot to see me walking. He practically RAN into the hospital no doubt only to burst straight into theatre and proclaimed, its OK! She can walk!! Our careers are saved!!...

What with it being Wimbledon this week the weather is awful. Wet and really unseasonal cold....We decided to cheer our selves up with some good old carb's and comfort food. Roll up Cheesy Leeks...! Basically this is fried leeks, fried bacon, some spring onions and a really cheesy sauce in a dish - baked in the oven. Yummy and comforting served over jacket potatoes. Only about 4,000 calories a serve. We could barely move off the sofa for the rest of the day. Shouldn't be food for June though........

Finally its gone dark...

The very first night we spent in our house both Andrew and I woke (very early) in the morning and commented that as well as getting rid of the hideous lilac on the walls we needed some blinds. That was on a dark January morning three and a half years ago. A lot has happened in that time but still no blinds graced our windows.

Four months ago I finally ordered some, and yesterday Richard came round and did a wonderful job of putting them up. I was previously in charge of DIY, Andrew has not a clue. He's going to have to learn..!!!

Last night we slept in a properly dark room and I actually slept in for the first time EVER in this house. Can't believe it took us so very, very long.

This is the way it is

It might appear that life should have become easier for us upon Mel`s release from hospital, however this is not proving to be the case. We had a lovely few days in Rye, removed from reality. However the world of personal chefs and tea in bed is not where anyone other than a lottery winner or a Russian oil tycoon can stay for long. Still, not even an oil tycoon can buy health and mobility. Mel is going to have to regain what function she can through hard work and determination. Even with that her recovery will never be complete, she will be permanently disabled, it will always be making the most of what she has. We all take for granted we can move, walk, swim, jump, stand on tip toes.... The realisation that her fight has only just begun can sometimes seem overwhelming. Coming to terms with this will be a long and painful process.

We have just had a wonderful (and slightly drunken!) evening with the hosts of The Wood Vale Diaries, who have helped us believe that we can keep on moving forward and shown us that friendship and love will truly conquer all. Peace, Love, Respect and a massive thank you to WOOD VALE DIARIES!!!

Bye, Bye Wolfson

We have been quiet on the posting front....I was finally released from the care of the NHS Wednesday lunch time. We have wizzed down to Rye to celebrate and are currently holed up in a suite at The George in Rye. It's amazing to only have to share the room with Andrew, be able to choose the channel on the tv and not hear the drone of electric wheelchairs. Which brings me on to, well, wheelchairs. Clearly I have now used up my portion of NHS funding. The wheelchair they have dispatched me with (top picture) can only be described as a right old bone cruncher. I am also, frankly, embarassed to be seen in it. Whilst out and about in Rye today we spotted four old dears in the same model. I dont mean to seem ungrateful, the NHS have been very good to me but I have an image to protect here! I'm very lucky that I can walk, however the distances I can manage will be short and slow, therfore a decent wheelchair is as important as a good pair of shoes. And its an excuse to shop........ I have spent some time surfing this afternoon and have my eye on a "Street classic". Check it out!!!

Food I am dreaming of........

I am lucky, although I am "hospitalised" during the week (although only till Wednesday!!!) I can go home at the weekends. Other's are here full time. The food is terrible. Like, really, really terrible. I have no idea how they expect people to get well on it. Earlier today a few of us sat around talking about foods we miss whilst here and what we would eat RIGHT NOW if we could. The following were loving talked about...

Nutella on toast.
Southern coated "curly fries"
Pink wafer biscuits dunked in hot chocolate.
Roast Chicken.
Big Mac, minus the gherkin.
Banana and sugar sandwich.
Pickled onions.

Tinned Mackerel in mustard sauce.

Pistachio ice cream.

This reminded me of conversations that Andrew and I had about food whilst travelling. After months of rice and curry I developed an extraordinary craving for breaded deep fried garlic mushrooms. The type you get at the Harvester, with dip. I was determined I was going to have some as soon as I got home......needless to say once home the thought of crossing the threshold of a Harvester once again filled me with the proper amount of fear. I wonder how many people will actually be making these "missed foods" part of their celebratory meal upon release?