So unexpected.

 15th May

 Today we would have been on the ferry to France and although my suspected melanoma turned out to be benign, (phew) Ian is still under investigation. All of his tests have come back favourably, but still the NHS won't let him go. So for now we will remain at Langley Mill. In a way I'm glad because a week ago our chairman Norman (ECP&DA) and very good friend of ours passed away. It was all very sudden, he started to feel unwell last Wednesday morning, an ambulance was called, and he was taken to Queens Med, Nottingham. Unfortunately, whilst there, he had a massive heart attack and although the medical team worked on him for an hour, they were unable to restart his heart.  To say we were in shock was an understatement, and it has knocked his wife Shirley for six. So for us, to still be here, has meant we could support Shirley during this awful time. We have decided, even if Ian is signed off from the NHS, to stay until after the funeral. As yet, that is still to be arranged. I keep expecting him to come and say hello and talk society matters and football with Jim and Jenn. He supported Crystal Palace and hoped his team would win against Manchester City in the cup final on Saturday Now he will never know.  He will be truly missed. RIP Norman

This photo was taken at Shardlow Inland Port festival last September. 

Shirley, Richard Parry and Norman

 

Bad news maybe?

 May 1st

 Not a lot has happened since the Pie and Pea outing, hence the lack of my usual ramblings, The only bit of excitement during March (apart from the Pie and Pea) was the partial eclipse of the sun on the 29th!

Without the appropriate camera lens filter, I wondered how to take it, but the opportunity came when I happened to glance down between FS and the bank and noticed the reflection in the water. Perfect, especially as not a ripple was had on the water.

April came and went, with the only break in the monotony of staying static, being a trip to Nottingham arena to see Jeff Wayne's musical version of War of the Worlds. It was spectacular and well worth the price of the tickets. Jeff Wayne, even in his eighty-first year, still had the stamina of conducting the orchestra for the length of each 50 minute performances.

 

War of the Worlds fighting machine.

With our holiday abroad looming, we moved into the Great Northern basin ready for the holiday to Europe mid-May, the excitement was building, the motorhome got ready, and we even went with it to a weigh bridge just to make sure the limit of 3.5 tons was obeyed. But sometimes things happen which are out of one's control and unfortunately this happened to us both.

It's all to do with the NHS grabbing you and refusing to let go. 

Long story short, a mole was found on my back which may be a melanoma. Last week I had it removed, and the stitches came out today. So far the results haven't come back but the way the nurse removing my stitches spoke, it probably was what I had feared. Going away then, for 2.5 months, was probably not a good idea.

Secondly Ian, who feels remarkably well I might add, had been losing weight, and now he too is under the thumb of the NHS. The outcome of that is still being investigated.

So for now everything has been put on hold, times are uncertain and all we both can do is hope for the best outcome.  If everything comes back clear then we will still go abroad, if it doesn't.....well let's not dwell on that too much.