Appointments made.

 

What a relief. I received a message from a friend. Her birthday is 4 days after mine. It said, " All people born in the years 1953 and 1954 may ring and make an appointment for their vaccination agains Covid-19."

Despite lots of things that 'can't' happen, we were able to have a few days away in all safety and complying to all restrictions laid upon us.We had the privilege of staying in a lovely 2 bed unit friends had built on their rather long and lovely property in the province Zeeland. An absolutely stunning piece of the Netherlands waiting to be discovered and enjoyed.

Anyway, being away didn't mean we couldn't ring the National number to make an appointment to have our vaccination shot. Phone in hand and personal details all prepared I rang the number. " All the receptionists are busy at the moment, we will get to you as soon as possible." I wasn't surprised. The phone was set on speaker and I patiently waited my turn. After about 10 minutes this very friendly male voice spoke to me. I gave all the information required and mentioned that my husband was standing next to me. Was it possible he could make use of the same phone call. So helpful..of course he could. In fact the appointments would be made adjacent so we could go together on the same day, same booked time slot.

I am no lover of needles. My husband even less. Last Autumn I had my very first flu' shot. Never felt a thing and had no flu' type symptoms as a result. I am counting on the same experience. On the other hand. Hubby has a fear of needles. He is slightly concerned he may faint or at least feel rather weak kneed and passed up the opportunity for the flu' shot for that reason. So it will be interesting to see how we get on.

The relief and euphoria we felt was weird. I was very keen to have the shot but had no idea how thrilled I would be once we had a date. It gives perspective and the outlook for some more freedom to move around more safely. I won't be racing off to the shops or seek out crowded places. Not my style to start with. But at least when I am somewhere where there are a number of people I will feel safer and more relaxed. Maybe I will share the grocery task with my husband so he doesn't have to do it all the time.

The second shot is early June. That will be the icing on the cake. Maybe, just maybe I can go and visit my children still this year. Oh I so long for that moment.

I haven't retired- I will return!!

Hi there trusty readers

Yes it has been a while

Shortly I will be able to pick up te reigns again after a short absence.

Not planned but unannounced - life got too busy

But you haven't been out of my thoughts

Plenty of subject matter to want to write about

Now to get my A- back into G and reschedule my days and activities

After having shifted, visited my (grand) children Down Under and trying to finish unpacking, re-organise my writing space, hanging up pictures and trying to start my plants on the terrace, I am slowly approaching that lovely bright light at the end of a very long tunnel.

Be patient, I will be back - SOON, maybe sooner than I think or at least imagine.

It was Easter Monday.
Our trip away..together.
The 3 Fijnekam males and I.

It all started in 2007.
Pa ( opaopa) turned 79.
What to get someone of his age??
Something that is of value to him - TIME!

A holiday destination was easily chosen ( secretly). Zoutelande, a place in Zeeland where the Fijnekam family spend many a summer together. We elected to go for 2 days and one night. Pa wasn't a hotel frequenter at all ( up until then) and due to his needs ( he uses a catheter on a regular basis during the day and with strict timing and hygiene) so we wanted to gently try out our idea - to take him on annual holidays - to places he himself hadn't visited. And for long weekends. So we started gently in Zoutelande.

Needless to say, it was a huge success. Pa LOVED the surprise and a whole new world opened up for him. And our reward- a hugely warm feeling of thankfulness and joy. How wonderful we have the opportunity to share, create lovely memories, but most of all - care for pa and enjoy his company while we are rich enough to have him with us.

To date: after Zoutelande, Volendam, Harlingen, Lemiers-Limburg, Park Hoge Veluwe- Hoenderloo, Zandvoort and 2012: Egmond aan Zee.

All these places had a special meaning for pa. We surprised him each time, getting in the car and not telling where we were heading. Half the fun really! For example - pa hadn't been to Limburg since he was 18 or 19. On his return there he was 82. Youthful memories revisited. Leen and Arie have got to know their dad even more personally now - with all those special memories shared.The weather also played the game and behaved in the most co-operative manner, we have not had a rained out weekend yet!

Volendam (2008)

Harlingen (2009)

3-Landen Punt Limburg (2010)

Zandvoort (2011)

Boer'nKinkel, Hoenderloo ( 2011)

Egmond aan Zee ( 2012)

Leen and I had spent a long weekend in Egmond aan Zee last year with friends. We thought the location was ideal for pa. He can't walk far, loves the sea and especially boats. We decided on a unit this time instead of hotel rooms. And boy was our weekend a success. Beyond all expectations.

The first thing pa organises when we give him a date for our weekend away is his binoculars. I remember what mum's first thing was that went into the boot of the car before she visited; her sewing machine! Funny, memories, they pop up willy nilly. A warm bath feeling. Anyway, a week or two before we leave we inform pa not to make any appointments for that particular time. Then he starts " fishing". He thinks we aren't clued up....hahaha! Small, sneaky comments hoping we tumble in to them. We DON'T!

During our time away I take numerous photos. Knowing pa doesn't get around much in cold weather I make photo albums for him to keep him warm in the winter- reliving the experience. He has quite a library of them now. The latest one already made and ordered.

Having a unit instead of a hotel room, we had more time together and also spent more relaxed time this way. I had organised plenty of yummy breakfast food which we enjoyed at leisure. Also having a wee lounge area gave us opportunity to " hang about" in a relaxed more personal way that in a hotel lounge.

Funny, we started organising these weekends for pa - and I think we look forward to them as much as he does.

I truly value these weekends and hope we are able to enjoy may more in the years to come.