Life's ups and downs

As exciting and uplifting as the first part of 2018 has been- so eventful and worrying it continues.

I do however have good news about my hand - I can drive the car again. I'm not out the woods yet, but at a snail's pace, I have had some improvements happen.

For others near and dear to me, there were however some more unfortunate occurrences which have also impacted on me and my activities.

My adopted mother in law had a nasty fall. At 88 any fall is nasty and this one was no exception. The bone high up just below the hip joint broke in a most nasty fashion. All jagged and deep. Ambulance, hospital and surgery was necessary for her to be able to now work on rehabilitation and hopefully a return to the independent lifestyle she is accustomed to living. Thankfully my left hand is not a deterrent to being helpful in her time of need. Lovingly I take care of some of the needs she has, along with her son. He lives quite a distance away- so the on the spot stuff I take care of as soon as the needs arise.

Meanwhile I am also working hard on the rehab of my hand. Slowly but surely things are looking more positive. I'm wearing a pressure 'sleeve' and that has helped enormously to reduce the 'burning stinging nettle' feeling I was experiencing. I can bend my fingers a wee bit more- making an arch. All looking promising I have to say.

Last Wednesday was another shocker. My brother in law had a heart attack at work. I'm still trying to get my head round it. Due to the immediate and most effective actions of one of his colleagues, he received the right treatment and was whisked of to hospital with flashing lights and screaming sirens. Straight to surgery and an immediate placing of a shunt saved his life. Such a dramatic event cause lots of emotional backlash...! We are ever sooooooo thankful at the outcome. He is now home and recuperating. It'll be months before he can return to work- but thankfully he lived to tell the tale.

It has been a rollercoaster year all in all. Hoping our last few months of 2018 are a wee bit more relaxing and stress free.

Each and every day is a gift- the unexpected is always around the corner. I'm thankful for every sunrise - and try to live life to the full. The experiences shape me and always will. The thing is to learn from everything that comes on my path. And as long as I keep my experiences in perspective - and know when to laugh and when to cry- I'll be just fine.

Signing off now as I am due at the physiotherapist shortly.

If you want to know how I got on at physiotherapy- Click on this link

Friendships and an energy boost

I am going to boast, again, about our weather. It's October, in the northern hemisphere that means Autumn. Our temperatures range from 16 to 25 degrees and loads of sunshine with little wind. Some of my friends had already banned their summery cloths to the back of the wardrobe, with the idee that they wouldn't be needed again for 6 months.


Last Friday we, a group of 8 friends, embarked on our annual weekend away. We have been doing this for 12 years now, with a turn about couple arranging the place and activities to keep us occupied from Friday afternoon to Sunday evening. This year we strayed from our usual timeframe of early July to early October. Keeping our fingers crossed for good weather. Well, mother nature obliged. We had sun all weekend and temperatures of 24 and 22 respectively with Sunday being slightly cooler at 18. No complaints here I can tell you.


We travel in pairs. As friends Harry and Hinriette wanted to take their bikes, we traveled with them. All 4 of us had no work commitments for the Friday so off we went after coffee and a relaxed start to the day. Our destination was Nunspeet in the province Gelderland. Very green, slightly undulating due to the ever present sandy underground, which for century has altered it's shape after heavy storms and windy weather patterns. You can read more about it on Chris Booth's Website. Chris, a New Zealand sculptor is responsible for a beautiful creation depicting the area's identity.

On our way we stopped off at a lovely wee 'Inn' called 't Hilletje in Kootwijk, where we enjoyed lunch while sitting outside reveling in the sunshine. As we went on our merry way we also took in the sights at a Sculpture Park. Items of wood, stone, bronze and sand in numerous shapes and forms greeted us there. We were most impressed and pleasantly surprised. Had no idea such a beautiful park was relatively close to home ( about an hour's drive).

Towards the end of the afternoon we arrived at the hotel. We walked, biked ( well I stayed back at the hotel as I still can't use my hand so couldn't steer the bike), ate, drank, laughed, chatted, discussed, agreed and disagreed, slept, and enjoyed just being together. On the Sunday we left the hotel and spent a short time in Apeldoorn, this to kill some time before our organised tasting and tour of the local beer brewery, De Schavuit.

We love playing tourist in our own country. One doesn't have to go far to have a great break away and learn more about one's homeland. And how wonderful to do that with friends.

After the recent 10 weeks of laying low and being hampered after my hand surgery, this boost to my morale and the effects of the laughter was an energising tonic much needed and gratefully received.

Click here for the link to my videos

I'm going to work on the video of this great weekend adventure. This is a very appropriate activity as I recall and relive some of these precious moments. By committing this weekend to video I am also able to share my fun time with family and friends highlighting Nederland and it's scenery to boot. The next couple of days wil see me splicing, editing and adding sound to my still somewhat amateur skills as a movie maker. Never too old to learn.