Well first I have to admit that silicone barbie didn't make it to Germany or Belgium, sorry to disappoint - frankly she kept peeping out of the new bras - so with much regret barbie spent the weekend in her box. I took Polly the pin cushion instead, polly isn't as "bouncy" but she stays where I put her.
Anyway early departure 6.30am after sleepless night convinced I was going to forget something,passport, medication, thermometer!. The coach driver took the scenic route to the channel tunnel, resulting in us arriving 5 mins late for check in and out crossing being rescheduled. As we were by now an hour late we got caught on the Antwerp ring road, the tour guide was surprised by this - not sure why a rush hour is a rush hour regardless of where you are. The driver who was reaching his driving limit and needed a break was falling asleep, we could all see his head nodding and there were gasps of horror, I had visions of hanging upside down. We made him take a break so didn't get to the hotel till 10.30pm, but better late than not at all; we ended up eating at 12.50pm.
But the Christmas Markets in Dusseldorf and Cologne were beautiful, wonderful smells of cinnamon and spices - there was a lot of pushing and shoving!!, but we soon learnt to let go of our polite english nature, ahem excuse me, and join in the free for all. Must admit very warm in the crush.
Stopped off in Bruges on the way home on Sunday but had a dodgy tummy, unfortunately didn't realise this until we were in the town, then we went the wrong way. Have you ever tried to walk quickly in that situation!! The thing with needing the loo abroad is that you need to keep finding 20 or 30 cents - I was wondering if they did a prepayment card for frequent users:o). Have to admit I didn't feel that great, felt really tired and I didn't partake of the hot chocolate and brandy :o(( - but I'm gonna have Irish Coffees' over Christmas instead:o)))) So the only alcohol to pass my lips was half a cup of gluhvien! Sorry I know I've let the side down. But for all the tummy problems and tiredness, I'm so glad I went and that my chemo worked around it.
I then had a really flat day on Monday - dozed most of it away - but hey I needed it so its fine.
Round 3 next week and Silicone Barbie is gonna be swapped for something a little smaller.
Take care all and have a great christmas
Love
Carol xx
FormerMember
I recognise some of the problems associated with coach drivers on the contintent. We went to Ostende for a day. The drivers came form Scotland and had absolutely no idea of how to get from one pick up point to the next. Result was that when we finally arrived at our destination the drivers had to have their rest time and we could not leave Ostend until 10.30. This was in the middle of November!! We were all blocks of ice when getting back on the coach. Another time my husband and his brother were hoping to visit Bouloung ( spelt wrong too tired to check correct spelling) and the drive almost ended upin Brussels! Feel so sorry that silicone barbie was not able to enjoy her first continental visit, and so sorry about the upset tum. What a shame you had to miss the lovely chocolate you will have to make up for that over Christmas.Continental loos are something aren't they. I had to take my grand daughter to one when she was about 5 or 6. It was one of those self cleaning ones and I happened to sit her on at the wrong moment. Well I didn't realise what wask going to happen. Strange noise, the seat rotates,shejumps off and we both stand there in amazement! No real damage done thankfully!
Oh well, Carol, Shame about the chocolate and brandy, I was looking forward to that on your behalf! Sorry about the tummy bug too, but heh, you went and you had fun and you proved to yourself that there is life after chemo. And what's wrong with having a day off to recover? The main thing is that you enjoyed it and you got off your bum and did something unusual instead of moping about feeling fragile. So well done you.
The main thing was that you did it - you were brave enough to have a go, despite all the problems, and you have had a good time amongst the rather troublesome hiccups. The markets must have been lovely and very atmospheric, and as you say, you did the steep learning curve to learn how to get those elbows working! Sorry about the gippy tummy - always a risk with holidays, and also with treatment for cancer, so I think we all know about that one and sympathise!
Sending love and hoping you have a great Xmas. xxxx Penny
