We’ve been living in Dorset for two years now and have only returned to my home town once in that time. I have no desire to go there although I do miss my friends hugely. Some of them have been here to visit and I keep in touch with my closest friends on virtually a daily basis via Facebook. That invention really does make a big difference to many people and enables them to keep in touch with friends who they might otherwise drop off the radar.
Anyway, as I said before, many things have happened but the biggest and most important, which has had a major effect on how we live, is that Dave had both his kidneys removed in 2010. They were causing him so much ill health that it was the only option. So he now dialyses three evenings a week at the nearest hospital which is 15 miles away. We’ve got used to life this way now and it’s ok. Dialysing saves his life to put it bluntly. He’s had a number of other health problems in the two years which have removed him from the transplant list but we’re hoping that he will soon be back on it.
Dave had to give up work due to his poor health and I do a number of different jobs including supply teaching, volunteering in classrooms and Clerk to the Governors in two schools. It’s a great life as we get plenty of time together to do as we please plus lend a hand with the grandchildren. And what a wonderful place to spend our time too! We’re as in love with where we live as we were when we first moved here. The novelty certainly hasn’t worn off!

….long time, can I still do this? To be honest I’d all but forgotten about this place but a timely reminder from my host to pay up made me wonder whether I should close or try to make the 10 euros a month worthwhile. So I’ve spent some time reading back through my posts and it’s made me nostalgic for the many hours sourcing favourite artists and creating beautiful themes. Facebook is now where I do all my talking and will remain so but when I get the time I’ll write a little here and play around the with the templates, graphics and colours.

In brief though, just in case anybody of old happens by and is interested in what I’ve been up to for the last two years: A LOT!! Very brief indeed but I plan to write more as time goes on and fill in a few gaps…….

A new year, a new decade and a time to reflect, for me anyway. Looking back on 2009 fills me with sadness. I find it hard to believe that this world has been without my mum for almost 10 months! I still can’t believe that she’s not going to walk through the door or be at the end of the phone when it rings. Very sadly, I now contemplate that if mum was still here I would still be in my home town. It’s all thanks to her that we are here now, in a place that we adore. Oh but what I would give to have her back

I now have much more time for reflection. If I was still working, I’d have gone back to work yesterday. It was then that it really struck home what I’ve actually done! Having worked for more than 20 years it’s quite strange being unemployed. I feel guilty at getting up late. I still think that I only have a limited amount of time to get jobs done. Years and years of having a time limit dictated by the school term! I’m getting my need for children’s company satisfied by all the babysitting we’re doing. Robyn is of the age that I love most….just coming up to 3. Such fun, such curiosity and like a little sponge lapping up everything going on around her. I love how she’s trying to assert her independence all the time, challenging me to come up with different strategies which make her think she’s still in control. I love how keen she is to learn new things and how easily she does!

Lastly a couple of photos to give you an idea of how it looks around here, more later. Bear in mind that for the last 40+ years, I’ve lived in the Fens, renowned for it’s flatness….even a mole hill looked out of place! Now, I can look out of my window and see this…….bliss!

down our lane

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