Plans went slightly awry

 May 10th

Just lately, the news has been all about Hepatitis C and the infected blood transfusions in the 70s and 80s. Didn't think any more about it until this morning when I suddenly remembered that Easter 1984, I was trodden on by a horse as it tried to jump a gate. My friend Pat and I were looking forward to going for a ride, and it was my job to get both horses out of the field. A third was left behind, and my closing the gate on him mad him very excitable. Not wanting to be left behind, it tried leaping over the gate. The gate collapsed, I went flying, had to let go of the two horse's lead ropes and that bloody horse's hoof landed right onto my abdomen. I got up straight away, called to my friend Pat to help me get all the horses back, and luckily saw them cantering along the road into an open field. That gate was slammed shut, and it was only then that I suddenly started to feel unwell. No mobile phones in those days, so all Pat could do was to drive the car back to the house, where Ian and Keith were keeping an eye on the children.

So the reason I'm telling you all this is I ended up being rushed to hospital with blues and twos blaring, ending up at The Leicester Royal. Unbeknown by me (I was pretty well out of it by now) I deteriorated rather rapidly and an emergency laparotomy was performed. Turned out the hoof had trapped my bowel on part of my spine and a big tear had appeared. I was in intensive care for quite a while, and it took a very long time before I was back to my usual self. So my worry was, did I get a blood transfusion during the op. Phoning the doctor this morning for access to my records, I was told the hospital where the operation was performed was the only place I could inquire but in those days, there were no digital records so quite likely after 10 years, the records may be gone. All I can do is to phone the Royal and find out. Once I know, I'll put my findings on the blog.

This morning then, best laid plans, well it went a bit wrong for us from the start. Ian had sat for over an hour last night, scrutinising the Historic Homes book, as well as NT and English Heritage. It was all planned, go to Cadhay today, stop overnight at a wild camping spot nearby and tomorrow do Downes House, both were in the direction of Exeter. First, though, we had to leave the farm. The road (or should I call it a dirt track with more potholes than smooth surface?) was quite long and as a corner was rounded, there in front of us was a front loader. It was obvious what he was doing, filling potholes and then smoothing them out. With no passing place, all we could do was wait until he had finished the task, that took quite a while!

 

Following the sat nav directions, we reached the A35. From there, it was about a 40-minute run to Cadhay House. Pulling up to the gates, a no entry, private road, made us wonder if the place was open. On the gate post was a sign. Oh, for heaven’s sake...it didn't open until 2.30 this afternoon! Well, we were not going to hang around for 3 hours, so plan B was put into action. Head for tomorrow's destination, today!

Lunch was had in a lay by on the A30, a phone call was made  to Downes House to see if we could get on the tour. We had a positive response and, on enquiry about motorhome parking, said the owner would have to be asked first. Within 10 minutes the owner of the property, Henry Parker, said he would personally make room. Wow, now that's what I call a result. 

So this place will probably not be a well known to some, but General Sir Redvers Buller, GCB, GCMG, VC,  was famous for winning a VC in the Zulu War of 1879 and relieving Ladysmith from the Boers in 1900. To read the history click HERE

When I saw these beasts arrive near the lovely manicured lawns, well, I did a double take. But worry not, as the lawn and field were divided by a ha-ha.

We arrived by 13.30, had a walk around the house and our guide met us outside the house at 14.15. Only us and one other couple were on the tour so we got to see much more than if there had been a crowd. An hour later and very impressed with the Bullar story and the house which was immaculately presented (which, by the way, is still home to Henry Parker, so no photography allowed) we left for Down St Mary where we hoped to stop overnight. The first place we tried was just a car park but judging by all the trees and those cars underneath covered in droppings, we decided against. The next stop was 5 minutes along a lane where a large lay-by was mentioned in the Park4Night App. Hmm, not ideal, so we tried to book into a CC site, the only one anywhere near this area. It was a no because their fields were still waterlogged, and we would be in danger of getting bogged. So the lay-by it was then.

 Lay bys have been used by us in the past and what we found was the local car drivers beeping at silly times in the morning in annoyance. I can't say I blame them, I expect some vans and motorhomers have left a mess.  Needs must, though, so it will be what it will be.

And wildlife