Post 203: All good things come to an end.
With the key in the door and the meows at my feet from Mr Vicious — who sounded very hungry — I stepped into our home after a mini break away from the trauma and administration of life as a patient. And lo and behold, a pile of letters lay scattered across the hallway floor awaiting our attention.
All good things come to an end.
Welcome back to normality.
As I turned the lights on and my Darling followed me in, it was business as usual for Mr and Mrs U.
I’ll get the kettle on and you…
———
The trip back was as easy as pie and surprisingly quick. The Avanti train zoomed from Carlisle to Euston in an amazing three and a half hours, its carriages banking elegantly around every bend. Us oldies will remember the Intercity 125 trains of the seventies — that’s pretty much what it felt like, whisking us south in style.
Whereas the trip north had been marred by a drive-by from the only train that could get us to London, this homeward journey was perfect — apart from my constant fidgeting with a numb bum and swollen legs.
Like my Darling, with her own travel-weary body, we settled into familiar routines, switched on the TV, and enjoyed sitting down with a cuppa — this time a seat our own choosing. Even with the quick journey, we both found that travelling with just one small suitcase was harder work than expected. Life simply takes more effort now.
Our eyes had dried after a few tearful farewells, and the holiday — as always — shot by with its customary quickness. Having no car meant we relied on our wonderful hosts and our eldest son for lifts here and there, which made everything easier.
Our last full day was especially lovely. Our eldest took us into Carlisle for a few things — one being a hearty brunch (becoming a bit of a habit now), followed by a slow wander through the Cathedral’s beautiful interior. The ceiling was breathtaking: deep blue and painted with golden stars. The east window, vast and richly coloured, is said to be the largest of its kind. It was stunning. (See photo.)
Before leaving Carlisle, we popped into the McVitie’s factory shop — something I’d wanted to do for ages. We parked nearby, followed the signs bypassing the security gates, and entered a small, slightly chaotic market-like space filled with shelves of Carr’s and McVitie’s treats stacked high. The prices were curious — most items seemed good value, a few real bargains — but that didn’t stop me filling a basket to the brim with my favourites.
Our final stop was the old RAF Great Orton airfield, now a nature reserve called Watchtree. Once home to three WW2 concrete runways, it’s been reclaimed by the wild. We caught a fabulous sunset as we hurried along the last stretch of the two-mile perimeter walk. Deer darted in the distance, and among the hedgerows we spotted blackcaps, wrens, and a few of the bigger black monsters that rule the skies.
So ended a glorious trip — full of fresh air, pub meals, café cakes, and more exercise than expected. My weight has definitely crept up, and my rib is still a nightmare, but all in all things are okay. We both ache, but that’s just part of the deal these days.
That’s the holiday wrapped up. I’ll share the photos over the next few days.
I hope your week was a good one too.
