Awake and up all night

It’s lovely to dream Gill! We’d like to do a tour in Scotland over to the West Coast and the Islands-one of my favourite places in the world. We are looking at hiring a camper van to do that as buying one is way beyond our reach and it’s fun to plan these things even if they can’t ever happen.

We managed fine in a small camper van in NZ-it had everything we needed and it was just a brilliant trip. We were away for a month travelling in Australia, NZ and Bali, but only NZ was in the van. I can’t drive so always get driven! 

Hope Annette is ok-don’t seem to have seen her for a while.

Sarah xx

Me too Sarah.  When I posted earlier to Mel, I was hoping Annette would appear, but hopefully she's getting some much needed sleep.

That holiday must have been the proverbial dream come true and you must have a great collection of photos to look back on.  As for us getting away, we'd need a chauffeur to do the honours so that's out... back to the elusive lottery win. xxx

It was funny really-we were sitting out in the garden in the sun, trying to decide where to go on holiday. We decided to put bits of paper with all the destinations we fancied into a tub and give it a shake up and then pick one. We had loads in there and NZ was the pick! 

My OH has family there, but I have family in Australia so we decided then to do a trip that combined both since we were going all that way anyway! We got a travel company to do a plan for us, and there was an option to tag a few days somewhere at the end so we chose Bali for that. Complete relaxation after driving right up the coast of Australia and then the drive in NZ. 

We LOVED Bali, so went back there again twice. It’s on the hopeful list for OH’s 60th birthday but I’ll have to be a lot more mobile for such a long trip again. I haven’t travelled that far again since having 2 stomas and being so stuck with my walking, but we got to the Maldives for my 60th using a wheelchair there and with my stomas behaving themselves, so maybe anything’s possible!

Sarah xx

Glorious.  Fingers crossed you can make it to Bali for the big 6 0.  If you do get the hip replacement, you could put it on hold, recover sufficiently and then go?  And tell the stomas to keep behaving!

In all honesty, my OH isn't fit enough just yet and we've never been adventurous in the travel department either.  What we'd really love is a week in a caravan, near Bridlington.  There's trains and it's only around seventy odd miles away, so far from an impossible dream.  Hopefully next year.

Big hugs xxx

It’s a couple of years away, so plenty time to replace non working parts of me I hope! I’m the older one in this marriage but I’m just glad I’ve got the chance to get older! 

Keep that holiday goal there to work towards Gill-it doesn’t matter where it is you’re going, it’s everything about just being away and enjoying life. The day I was diagnosed with cancer the first time was the day we were due to fly to Bali on our second trip so obviously that was down the pan. 

But we made a plan then that we would get there again, and we did. In fact we chose exactly the same date for a year later and we went and did everything we had wanted to do when it was cancelled. Got home from that second trip, had a check up and my cancer was back but we’d had that fabulous trip and the memories to keep us going through the next things we had to face.

We still make plans and have goals-we are always looking to future things to look forward to. We prefer to think that way and look forward to silver linings than think about anything that “might” happen.

Sarah xx

Blimey, you must have been gutted when all that went on at the time, but good for you - you had to wait but it didn't stop you. Superb determination.  I hope they crack on with the hip so you'll have plenty of recovery time.  I told you previously, when my auntie had one, she was up and about much quicker than expected; late 80s, one lung, major heart problems and other health issues.  A strong woman and I loved her loads.

We think the same way as yourself.  Whenever I start going on about what we'll do when OH is more up to it, I always say when, not if, and I get a thumbs up. I occasionally let my mind drift to a dark place but hardly ever now: it happened a lot in the first few months but I never raise any of that stuff with him.  It's one day at a time and we like Annette's sign off as a reminder - it stops the odd slip.

Enjoy your day and the video call.  I'm just hoping the rain holds off till the washing's dry, but if it doesn't, I like it anyway  xxx

Hi Sarah, Annette is ok, she's birthdayed out, and spending lots of lovely time with her family, lucky her.

Well ladies, I've never thought of going on a campervan holiday, but I do love the Scottish Highlands and Islands, well I was born there, and go back to see family as often as we can, they live in Banavie, close to Neptune's Staircase on the canal and it's lovely to take the boat out to sea on a calm day.

I'm off to Ayr next week, just 3 nights, with some of my cancer friends, all girls, meeting up with a friend from the forum on the way home for dinnerat a lovely place she's booked, then back to Scotland on the 15th, stopping a night with another friend from the forum, on the way, she's not on this forum, then on to Banavie then Oban for a mini cruise around Mull, a birthday present, I'm hoping it's not windy as it ain't no cruise ship, I  think the captains name is Pugwash, it's sorting out a fraud today, lovely, xxx

Morning Eddie

Well, that all sounds fabulous! You certainly get about and get to meet up with loads of friends. I love a boat trip but have never fancied a cruise. Short trips or ferries are fine though, and I’d go on the boat in your picture if I could actually get on it! 

I’m very glad to hear Annette is ok-it’s been so difficult to keep up with others without being able to message folk. 

Sarah xx

Hi Eddie.  It's all sounding fab and I know you'll enjoy it tremendously with your ladies. I went up to the Highlands many years ago and it was gorgeous - breathtaking scenery!  I'm relieved Annette's well too.  The boat trips make me envious as I love being on the sea; anywhere near it actually, and the sounds and smells are hypnotic.

After our lottery win, a job will be open for a chauffeur.  I think you'd look dapper in a peaked hat...

Love to you and Sheila xxx

SarahH21 said:

but we got to the Maldives for my 60th using a wheelchair there and with my stomas behaving themselves, so maybe anything’s possible!

Brilliant

H