Post 422: Dinner Out at the Place (But It Used to Be a Palace).
Although we had a lovely time, the day was marred by my sudden and fierce pain attack of the spine and lower torso. That thankfully went away after fifteen minutes and tomorrow will hopefully not see a recurrence.
It started with a short drive to a place that’s more a palace and, when I say I used to see the Queen attend with her cousin the Church while she was visiting there, you’ll understand.
We would visit the local belltower that my Dad and I, and a cast of many others, used to ring at.
It was always a special occasion when the Queen arrived a few times a year but, in my eyes, just a lovely 
️ distraction when I was a little boy.
There used to be the odd policeman when she came, but not many people knew apart from the ringers and the rector. But I can’t remember the fuss and bother we now see with the royals. It’s so sad that this world has changed so much, so quickly.
But anyway, we were not at the church (where incidentally my Mum will be buried with her Mother in a few weeks), but at the palace.
We arrived and the long willowy grass was waving over the edge of the one-car-width driveway. One wonders how many restraints are put on building and upgrading this hotel now.
The car park was much the same as the drive and, as there were no markings on the ground, the parking rows were interesting to say the least.
We were dressed in our finery, all new suits for us, as we walked up the ancient steps and into a wide corridor with wonderful floor tiles where all was wonderful splendour, but aged splendour and nearly gone forever.
We were asked if we wanted a drink in the lounge but we declined and were led into the main dining room.
We could have chosen any seats as we were the first in, but my Darling chose well and sat with a view out to the rear lawn where I could imagine the young royals playing in their day. But we were left watching the deeply interesting young kids who were part of the wedding party below us darting between the croquet hoops and hammers and at the end of the garden where a summerhouse designed like a dove cot interested the kids and setting their imaginations off I’m sure. It certainly made me think about the grandchild to be and all the attention and fun they will have when they come.
Yes, this table will do very well.
We had a few reservations about this Place from lore and Facebook, so we hadn’t very high hopes about what we were in for, but as it was we were pleasantly surprised.
The details in the room may have been jaded and of a different age, but the food and wine were on point.
I won’t go on about the food unless you want me to…
No, OK.
But we had three courses from a sumptuous menu and, even with leaving food on each course, we were both stuffed by the end of it.
The children in the garden reminded me of my earlier days in gardens and parks and I wanted to run around with them with all their innocence and childhood strength. But those days are gone.
They didn’t see the royal ghosts that walked around these previously decadent walls and lawns, when these large old trees were just little plants.
Three and a half hours at that table sped by without being noticed. We were shocked and I bet the bride in her finery was too, while struggling to find time to chat to all her guests alongside the trays of empty glasses and bottles passing her by continually.
We headed home after a wonderful evening out and something that was such a pleasure, with so many energetic strangers enjoying their day too, became a moment, a memory locked in our souls forever.
We came home much better for having had the experience of the Place — my Palace.
My Darling wanted nothing more than to get to bed, which we both did.
My Darling went out like a light. Our goodnights just before, however, were strangely more loving and cherished than normal.
It was then I heard the curtain pull over in her room and the nighttime sounds of that other house disappear, replaced with thunderstorms as per her ritual.
———
I later wrote a letter to my cancer specialist nurse in the morning, which is as brief as it needs to be. It’s all I need to say…
“My Darling doesn’t know it yet but, after we came back last night from the meal at the Place (Palace), between 9 and 9:30pm, we crashed into bed after a sumptuous meal.
By the way, I’m OK now.
(We) got home.
Went to bed.
I was sitting on the edge of the medical bed (in another bedroom from my Darling) when I suddenly got a growing pain in my back. Difficult to locate but, in a minute or two, it became horrendous.
This is a pain I’ve only had three times before and this time, because I’m now not very flexible, was much worse, so I was in a fix.
It took up to 20 minutes of writhing on the bed and, in the end, using a cushion to cuddle around.
I was screaming and in tears. I can’t tell you how painful it was — there aren’t enough numbers. Ten out of ten for sure!!
The weird and only new pain came from my groin, which, when I touched my genitalia lightly, seemed to light up with pain.
The pain was hard to locate but seemed to be in my lower torso and spine, but I haven’t got any pain anywhere now, barring the 5th or 6th vertebra up, which has become more painful in this last week, but I did not like to tell you about it.
The pain last night was, like the last times, so bad, but then gone with the wind.
My Darling didn’t wake up. She has thunderstorm sounds on in her bedroom from Alexa and luckily didn’t hear my screams.
I thought I’d mention it.
I don’t think it requires a spinal MRI but that is your call. I’m OK now.
I’m on lots of morphine and had just taken some when, 10 minutes later, the pain came.
I don’t know where the back pain came from or where it was inside me, just to say it was lower torso, but I will tell the hospice later today.
I hadn’t done any strenuous exercise at the time, nor bumped it. I just thought you should know.
Kind regards,
Mr U”
I went to bed eventually and slept well.
I hope for no more incidents or accidents tomorrow.
Take care.
Good night.
