Weren't we lucky with the weather! Monday morning we awoke to grey skies and as I walked across to the Kaboush I was lucky enough to see a heron diving for fish on one of the lakes. The pods that had protected the Royal Box and the Orchestra were being dismantled - the whole area was beginning to look a little sad.
Breakfast at the Kaboush was eaten under an up and down sort of atmosphere. Relief and sadness mixed together. Half way through the morning I was able to get a lift to the station and was soon up in London - a drizzly miserable day.

I'd hoped to have lunch with my friend Rowena from the Burma Star Association, but she had a lunch appointment - on a Monday for God's sake! Anyway we nattered on the phone for a while and then I found a reasonable place to eat and whiled away some time before I was due to catch a coach from Victoria. An uneventful journey got me into Hanley on time, Frank picked me up and I was soon in the land of "creature comforts" and total relaxation after the past few days. It was so good to see Frank and Maureen and I totally chilled out for a few days there.
However, I needed to see Aunty Betty and with great trepidation the next day I arrived at Bucknall hospital. Yes, it was a shock, and Yes, she has great obstacles to overcome, but Aunty Betty is still with us albeit in a very frail and submissive condition. She cannot move her right arm and leg and control of her mouth is obviously difficult. We had lots of conversations that went nowhere because she couldn't remember the words. We had lots of silly nonsense conversations too, but she did know me and knew we should have been doing something together, however fleetingly. One part of my mind is willing her recovery and the other part is trying to come to terms with her inabilities.
After seeing her I left the hospital and climbed Ash Bank in the autumn sunshine. I thoroughly enjoyed the walk but oh my goodness, once I had the Ash Bank Hotel in my sights all I could think of was a refreshing lager, it had been some walk. So I rang Maureen and we all arranged to meet there before going back to their home.
Great night with them as always.
Jenny arrived the next day and together we explored the delights of Hanley - not much! No desires from either of us to return. After lunch we went and found Aunty Betty again. She had had her hair done and I thought she sounded more coherent. Leaving was very difficult not knowing how soon I would be back or how much she could recall of my visit.
After such a roller coaster of emotions I was very anxious to get back to Kent as a step on the way to getting home. However, little boys soon bring you back down to earth and I had a lovely afternoon with them having a "Take-away" in the Savacentre.

The following day was very much one of total indulgence. I'd booked a Cathioderme Facial and massague for myself with the odd bit of waxing thrown in - oh it was so good. I also visited the Oad Street Craft Centre and bought some wind chimes for our gareden prior to having a most superb lunch. Would have been better if I'd shared it with someone but hey I had a Fish Salad Platter to die for. Mackerel, Prawns, Crab, Smoked Salmon, Fresh Salmon, Salad, Brown Bread, Mayo, Caramelised Onion et al - it was wonderful.

That evening it was 'The girls night out' and we all met up at the Ship and Traders on the Island. The place was very noisey but we had such a great time. It was only a great time because we are such mates because there was such an interchange of news between us all but my God Roni's had the most impact because she had to tell us she had been diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Staggering news, but because of the way she delivered it we were able to react in a positive way. My God she must be so scared, I hope we can help her. She is such a gutsy person but she will still need our help.




Had a wonderful weekend with the Kelseys and managed to catch up with my friend Mary at Goar Farm for Sunday lunch but hey I wanted to go home. Very early on Tuesday morning (5.30am) Andy and I set of for Heathrow for my flight back. I was worried about my excess baggage which actually went through no trouble at all - however the security procedure involved taking off shoes and jewellery before being declared "clean".
It was so good to see Jeff once I had collected all my baggage at Larnaca and within an hour and a half we were home once more.
Now it is time to catch up with life here in NC.