Our week of high's and low's

When we left for Eastbourne last Monday little did we expect to travel down, not once, but twice within 4 days. The first visit to my Dad and Step mum Norma went extremely well. We arrived in time for lunch after travelling for 4 1/2 hours. Ian was ever so pleased to have arrived as our new Peugeot must be one of the most uncomfortable cars for long distance driving ever. ( Numb bum for most of the way!) The weather was sunny and while sitting in their conservatory what should appear but a Green Woodpecker. I have never seen one before so was very glad my camera was near by.

 After catching up with all the news we then went to a very posh hotel for our evening meal. Lovely food and excellent service that beats the normal pub fare that one gets used to along the canals. On Tuesday morning we said our goodbyes and headed for Milton Keynes to 'coo' over Oliver our new grandson.


Ian with Oliver'



Our Daughter-in-Law 'Iwona' and Grandson 'Oscar'.


We spent another two days with the family enjoying playing at Grandparents and as we had our car with us we took the opportunity to have it's MOT done. Another job out of the way! Then came another first for me. A Hedgehog that was alive!!! I have seen so many drowned in the canal or squashed on the road that to see this one running along Colin's fence was marvelous. Thankfully the Hedgehog was only meandering along very slowly so I was able to run up to the bedroom grab the camera and run down again before it disappeared.

On Thursday morning we said our goodbyes again. and headed north to Swadlincote to fetch the Woofits from Christine's before making our way back to Stafford and the boat. All was going well until just before arriving at our daughters.That's when I got the phone call. It was Dad to say that Norma had been taken ill and was now in Eastbourne hospital. She had developed fluid on the lungs and was finding it difficult to breath. As Dad was disabled he needed someone to look after him and so he asked if Ian and I could return for a few days until Norma was back on her feet. After explaining the situation to Christine, she agreed to keep the dogs for as long as necessary. Dad told us his neighbour could look after him that night which gave us a chance to get back to Stafford, have a word with Peter the Harbour Master about leaving the boat for longer then anticipated, do our washing and pack our bags with extra clothes just in case we needed to stay for another week. We had Thursday night on board and left the next morning armed with extra dog food and Judy's medication and then headed  back to Christine's to drop it all off. The dogs couldn't make out why we didn't take them with us and Christine told us later that both dogs sulked for hours!Then it was off again to Eastbourne!
 Dad was as good as gold. Never complained once.  Ate all the meals I cooked and hopefully enjoyed them,  It can't be easy having your grown up daughter telling you what to do but he took it all in his stride. I suppose some good came out of us going back. I got to spend more time with Dad. At 84 one forgets he isnt getting any younger. Norma is in her 80's too and to manage Dad for over 40 years is no mean feat. He lost both his arms in the war and has had to have nearly everything done for him in all that time. I think she should have a sainthood. Mind you what he can do with his false arms is amazing. In days gone by he even took to woodwork and made a garden bench and chairs which Christine still uses to this day!!!
Norma stayed in hospital for two days. The surgeon took 2 Litres of fluid from her lungs but said that she would have to have an operation at Guys hospital in London to stop the fluid from returning. She now awaits the appointment which, as one knows, could take forever!!!!!! As Norma felt so much better by Monday both Dad and Norma agreed that we would no longer be needed and could go back to the boat. Before we left we had a chance to see a bit of Eastbourne and Beachy Head.



Looking from the pier





View from Beachy Head with the Pier in the distance.

  


The old Lighthouse

  So here we are!! Its now Tuesday and Ian has taken the car back to Sandiacre.Then once he's back we will settle our bill with the boat club and again be on our way! It's the IWA Festival at Burton next on our list  but as we still have over a week to go until the festival starts its going to be a very leisurely cruise to Shobnall Fields.