Early morning dip

 Saturday dawned hazy and warm, Steve and I took ourselves off to the beach for an early morning dip.

We wandered through a little area with stone built creations, it was really lovely.

The beach was fairly deserted when we got there

 A couple of ladies 'saluting the sun' and a runner.

We headed off into the Atlantic.

Now I want to say it was bracing, but truth is it was warmer than the swimming pool!

A lady came in as we were making our exit.

We headed off to grab a coffee, I got waylaid by a 'Spar'.

Those of you who know me well, know how much I hate doing my shopping at home, but as soon as Im abroad I love a supermarket.

I could write a (very boring) book on my favourites in various countries. I can see that on The Times best seller list!!!!!

Steves favourite coffee shop was closed so we wandered back to the 'ranch'.

On the way we saw the lady who had been in the sea, she was with her husband, they acknowledged us in French.

Nothing strange there, but these two had come up with an ingenious idea. How to dry your towel.

They were walking up to their hotel holding the towel between them letting it blow in the breeze. Genius!!!!

Pooltime was now the order of the day until Tracey disappeared, we all got a text message summoning us for lunch!

Two grazing boards were on the dining room table when we got in. This was  part of Steves birthday celebrations  and very  good they were too.

Made locally by an English lady, very good idea!

We went back to the pool for more swimming and sunning, its a hard life!.

We were dressed and ready for dinner in record time as we're going to 'Sanctuary ' 

We were on the rooftop restaurant which also boasted, hot tubs and loungers.

The food was exceptional, my caprese ravioli with so good as was the creme caramel 

We sat watching  a 'million ' flights coming in, amazing how many there were, and then wandered down the strip, before getting into a taxi and heading home.

A bit of TV and bed time.

Day 2 on the windy Isle

 

After a very early night and a lovely much needed sleep, it was time to start the holiday properly.

After doing my 'chefy'thing and poaching eggs for breakfast, Tracey Steve and I headed out for more supplies, getting side tracked on the way by the lure of peppermint tea in the sun.

It was decided that this was a pool day, as probably all my days will be (and I'm good with that, lots off r and r).

A swim was on the menu and after lunch more swimming and sunbathing.

We were invited to join the last bingo session of the season .......and I won

Before we knew it, it was 6pm and we took our sun tortured bodies back to the villa, where quick showers and changed and off in a taxi to the harbour.

We headed off for a Mexican meal at Emma's cantina.

Wowsers it was good and finished off with a chocolate tequila.

We had a bit of a hairy taxi ride home, I am sure in all my days I've never been in a taxi that overtook 5 cars on a pitch black road  but hey, there's another tick on the 'things to do' box.

And with a fabulous moon shining down on us, bed was calling before I knew it.

And now day 3 begins

Off again

 

It always seems like a good idea to go on holiday, even just for a short break, but at 1am Thursday morning, I was not so sure.

I'd not had much sleep Tuesday into Wednesday due to wearing the 24hr ecg, so thought I'd at least get a couple of hours kip on Wednesday night. Ha, ha, said my brain (and also that of the rest of the crew), so taxi arrived at 2am and four very tired souls set off to Leeds Bradford.

Leeds airport is a little bit of a mess at the moment as they do major renovation but after the first sip of champagne in The Saltaire  bar, it was all forgotten.

Our flight boarded and we were on our way.

We were all desperate for sleep, but it was fairly illusive for all of us except Cathy.

We arrived in Lanzarote and 'oh joy' now not only do you queue to get your passport stamped you now queue to go through the electronic gates too.

Anyhoo long story, put to rest, we were in a taxi and short hop to  our home for 4 nights (11 nights for the others).

We decided to get changed and go and have lunch, and it went bit awry. 

They did cocktails, they didn't do Dry Martinis but they did 'sex on the beach' and boy did we go for it.

A nice afternoon swim to shake off tiredness was followed by heading to the villa and unpacking......not! Cava and hot tub.

We eventually decided to get ready to go out for dinner. And headed to Jazz Bistro, where the sliced chicken breast in port and mushroom sauce comes highly recommended by the 3 of us that had it.

A quick trip to the supermarket and a walk up the hill to the villa.

I had my face cleansed and nightie on before 9pm and was asleep before my head hit the pillow.

Musing over holiday spots

 

I spent my lunch today  reading a piece about 'The Paris Syndrome', it's where people see no more of France than the capitol city.

It lead me down a rabbit hole thinking about all the places I had visited in France and loved and Paris is not on this list.

So where do I rate.

Nantes,

A beautiful city in the West of France, 6th largest city in the country. There is  the restored Chateau des Ducs de Bretagne, which is steeped in history.

There are the remains of the Roman walls, from when they set up 'holiday homes' in the area ,a beautiful Gothic cathedral and the stunning LU  building ( I love their biscuits).

It is also about an hours drive to Puy du fou, which is absolutely amazing. 

Limoges

Situated in south west central France, this beautiful city is the home of porcelain and a Gothic Cathedral ( yes there is a recurring theme). 

The Gare de  Benedictins and Hotel De Ville are both stunning building and the 'little train ' tour around the city is worth the ride just to take in all the sights.

The gardens around the Cathedral are beautiful and you often find people having a 'pique-nique'.

The porcelain museum , was amazing, but that really is right up my 'rue'

Beauvais 

A town about 75km north of Paris and a world away from the  the whole Paris syndrome.

A gothic Cathedral ( that has collapsed more times than I've had hot dinners) is just one of the sights

 A tapestry museum, and  'Pompiers' museum are worth seeing. 

There are also war graves.

This is a beautiful little town and somewhere that I cannot wait to return to.

Le Touquet Paris Plage

I cannot even remember how many times I have been here, I love it very much It was built  really as a holiday resort for English people by John Whitley an English business man, during the 'roaring twenties' it grew and grew, boasting the biggest casino in France ( and the idea for Casino Royale, as Ian Fleming was a regular visitor)

The sand dunes see a lot of bike racing and there is often sand yachting down on the sea front.

The market and market place is great to visit as well as the open air swimming pool. I fell in love with this place in the late 80's and it has never lost its shine in my eyes.

Reims

One of the most popular cities in the Marne, which I expect has a lot to do with the production of bubbles.

It was also as popular in Roman times, of which there is much evidence.

The beautiful gothic Cathedral ( yep another one, and a stunner) is worth a visit. 

And it wouldn't be a visit without tasting the fabulous  biscuit rose de Reims ( a twice baked biscuit often dipped in a glass of champagne).

The pedestrian  centre is ideal for lunches with a few drinkies, if like me you stay in a hotel along there too.

From here you can visit so many wonderful champagne houses both  well known and small producers, ( usually superior to mass produced) 

Epernay

Famous for its 'Avenue de Champagne' this town is worth a visit just to have a wander. The champagne was stored in the cellars that were built into the rock that the town was built on.

Also lesser known for sugar production and also hat making.

Whilst in the Champagne region, Dizy and Bouzy are worth a visit ( if only for photo op). 

Troyes still has its medieval half timbered houses and is a lovely place to visit.

The whole region has hidden gems.

The South of France.

Some parts of the SoF are not my cup of tea as like Paris you have the St Tropez, Nice, syndrome. However  Marseilles is a must visit. a melting pot of Franco/Arab living, it has surprise after surprise. The Eden Theatre between Marseilles and Toulon is regarded as the oldest cinema in the world.

Biarritz

An elegant seaside town in the south west of France, which was the holiday spot of European Royalty in the 1800's

There is a seafront casino ( if that's your thing), all very old glamour

It is a great spot to imagine what  life must have been like back then.

 A place I must get back to.

Oh I got lost in my love of France and forgot all about Calais ( not just a ferry stop off), Honfleur, Deauville ( old school glamour). Stella Plage ( lovely seaside town)

Mont St Michel which is 'my place'.

 Vire in Calvados, a lovely town which was heavily bombed by the British during WWII

Garron in Mayenne, a small town but worth an overnight stay.

I could go on ( and on and on), but this was really just to hint that there are some amazing places to visit in France. Go to Paris once and then travel and see other places.

I love France.......................

..and am now looking to book a holiday there soon.

And the bookings begin

 

So, I am now fit to fly and getting myself into full booking mode, however, for the remainder of this year I have decided to spend my time in Mijas ( I'll be buying a house there soon!).

So my countdown is 

11 weeks

17 weeks

22 weeks

and scarily this takes us to the end of 2025.

We are nearly at the end of July so over half way through the year.

Mijas has become my happy place after taking over from Mljet. I have that ache to go back to my little island haven, but then I remember how far from the mainland we were in an emergency and book another holiday to Mijas.

Looking ahead to 2026, my plans include a former part of the Soviet Union and  heading back to France I'm tossing up between my beloved Champagne -Ardennes, and Limoges ( both places I love).

There are also new work plans afoot, and we will see how this pans out towards the end of the year.

My wonderful personal travel agent Dale, is currently living his best life, travelling around the world, so he will have lots to tell about adventures when he eventually comes home. The champers is on me Dale.

On home soil, I am hoping to get to some cricket before the end of the season, and cheer on my lads.

And now I need to do some work and earn some pennies ready for my adventures

Itchy feet

 

Well its now over 4 weeks since my op and I am struggling with serious 'itchy feet', my need to get on a plane is quite overwhelming, however I have at least another 4 weeks before I can even consider looking. 

And therein lies the rub.......... it takes me to school holidays, now don't get me wrong, I don't mind children, but when it comes to holidays , I prefer mine without them.

And so I am now looking at another month at home.

I am planning a couple of cricket trips and I have a big birthday party to attend in a couple of months so that will have to suffice until I can sort out where I want to go.

Life is slowly returning to normal for me, and after 8 months of living a strange kind of normal, it all seems a little odd.

I have been putting together ideas for trips early next year and some are looking as if I could be booking them soon.

Croatia is not on the cards ( sadly), I loved Mljet but the memories of last October ( and the boat of doom in May 2024) are still very deeply carved in my memory.

What I am doing at the moment is spending as much time in my little garden as possible and reclining on my zero gravity lounger which is the best thing I have  ever bought.

Didi had them around the pool when she lived in the Vendee and I loved them then, took me a while to finally buy one.

And so it is just a waiting game, and I am not a very patient person ( or patient!).

Maybe I will finally get round to decorating the shower room...........................

A packed bag

 

My journey began at 6.45am on 7th June 2025, although in reality it really began back in October 2024 in Croatia.

It's been at times, a frustrating 8 months, but finally the day dawned  when everything would be sorted.

This time, no mad dash to a first aid post in a National Park, no talk of helicopters, no transfer to mainland by car ferry. This time Fin picked me up and  dropped me off at Woodlands Hospital in Darlington.

I'd be lying if I said I was fine, my legs were shaking so much I could hardly walk in.

However, walking into the calm and serenity of the building and being whisked off to my room was enough to calm some of my fears.

The first thing I noticed was the quiet, everyone went about their duties without loud voices, or clanking trollies.

A perfect backdrop  to calm you.

My room was at the back of the hospital, to be honest front or back your view wasn't great, Morrisons or the Beefeater/Premier Lodge  or other random businesses.

I wasn't here for the view.

Sadly there was no champagne to greet me (maybe a suggestion??!!), but the'ward hostess' was taking my orders for food after my op, in no time at all. And then the big guns arrived.

First the nurse who would be looking after me.

Second the anesthetist, who imparted more on my heart, and  low potassium (again).

Third my consultant/surgeon, who I have had total faith in since day one.

I was due to be first down at 8.30am but was moved down a slot.

10am came round very quickly, a relief really as back to back 'Bargain loving Brits in the sun'  was getting on my nerves.

Having been issued  some 'sexy hospital lingerie' (or netty knickers as my nurse referred to them), and my socks, I walked down to the theatre.

And here's were the real fun began.

The canula that was inserted into my hand was quite painful, they adjusted it, and administered the anti sickness drug.......which promptly showered all three of us.

So everything was started again.

I went off to sleep and knew nothing until 12.20pm when I opened my eyes to see the smiling face of a nurse. She told me it had been keyhole, but I'd not been too good through the op, however I would be going up to my room soon.

For someone with wild blood pressure at just the smell of a hospital/doctors surgery, it had crashed. However here I was, minus the pesky gallbladder and all done keyhole.

Back in my room I still really had no idea what day it was, remember me wandering around Dubrovnik off my head on Tramadol?, well it was like that occasion on 10 x Tramadol.

I uploaded a pic on Facebook (absolutely totally off my head), and then Tracey phoned. Ive no idea what I was saying but hearing a friendly voice made me feel better.

My consultant came to see me, apparently the pesky gallbladder put up a fight, obviously not wanting to be removed, but he got it out eventually.

He really is my hero.

Tracey and Steve came and so did a chicken salad sandwich, I think I inhaled it.

I had been on a liver reduction diet for 2 weeks and then hadn't eaten since 6pm Friday evening, so seriously this was the best sandwich I'd ever had.

I seemed to be in a lot of pain coming back from surgery, however 3 cups of peppermint tea eased that completely (just gas).

I am not really sure of the rest of the afternoon, I do know that my blood pressure was improving from the 105/50 reading when I got back to my room.

I still wasn't allowed to get up.

My consultant came round again and said that I would be able to go home later, as all things were looking good.

And I was dressed, loaded up with a bag of drugs and home, (well Traceys house) by Saturday evening.

Sunday morning saw me with a bit more colour and no pain, I took 2 paracetamol just in case and that's all the pain relief Ive had.

Every day I felt better, of which the thought of not having another attack has to be helping.

I have been absolutely spoilt rotten and cared for impeccably at 'The Bateman Santorium' ( or Tracey and Steves house as it is commonly known)

It's very exclusive, It's only taken in 3 patients in the last 3 years to my knowledge ( me being one of them)

I'd give it a 5* on Trustpilot and that's just for the breakfast in bed!!!

Some great cricket on TV (and radio), zero gravity sun loungers, and wonderful food have all played their part.

I've had surprise visits from my work colleagues, lunch out, and a trip out for a facial. I have just been spoilt so much that I've been goggling 'squatters rights'!!!!!.

It's hard to believe it's only a week, I feel like a new person, its made me realise  how much impact  that malfunctioning little organ had on my life.

Im still on the road to recovery, but Im doing good.

And Woodlands Hospital? 5* in my book,  after a trip to visit a friend in Darlington Memorial on Wednesday evening, with noise and chaos, that lovely little private hospital, tucked away on a retail park gets my vote.

And now?

Well shower, hair wash and get ready to watch cricket, I could get used to this recuperation malarkey