I've just got back from my holidays. It's been two of the best weeks I've had for a very long time. The first week was spent in Devon with Hubby's family and the second in Cornwall just the four of us. The sun shone every day but it wasn't so hot that I couldn't cope with it. We were so lucky as it meant that we got to spend lots of time on the beach building sandcastles, flying kites, body boarding and playing boules.
Week 1 was spent in a caravan in Woolacombe. I had never been there before but some of the school mums had recommended it to me and we weren't disappointed. Although the site was a bit hilly, it did mean that you had great views of the beach and out to sea. I would definitely stay there again. They were really helpful with regards to my 'medical condition'. They put a second fridge into the caravan free of charge to store my TPN fluids and when I had to get an emergency delivery of supplies they took the delivery at reception and then drove the items up to the caravan for me.
There were 15 of is altogether (not in one caravan!!) which also included my friend Liddy from Germany. It was great to spend time with her and we even managed to have a couple of hours in the onsite spa together where we took the selfie below. I put 4 extra dressings over my Hickman line to stop it from getting wet and managed to have a little time in the dry sauna and wet steam room. It was great as it meant we had time to sit and chat but also gave me some time away from everyone.
This might sound like a horrible thing to say but what I've found after spending so many months in hospital this last year is that I can't cope with lots of people or noise for long periods of time. I think it's because I got used to my own company and the quiet of the wards and being around 15 other people all day was too much for me at times.
Most days we went to the beach in Woolacombe as it was closest and also beautiful but we also ventured to nearby Ilfracoombe (below). It was a lovely fishing town and we enjoyed fish and chips in a restaurant on the harbour before confusing a poor girl at an ice cream kiosk with a mega order of 15 ice creams!!
All this fun did wear me out though and one day I stayed in the caravan while they all went out. I tried to be sensible and listen to my body and when I was tired I rested or if we went out I used the wheelchair. Although not ideal having the chair meant that I got to go out when I fusing have the energy to walk.
The best bit of the holiday was having so much quality time with Hubby and the kids. Here they are modeling their new crocs. I've got loads of great pictures but I've always said that I would keep them anonymous on here because in 10 years time I don't want them getting teased because their friends manage to find pictures of them in this blog.
After a week with the masses we drove down to St Ives and stayed in an old fishermans cottage just metres away from the beach. (If you're really nosy, google Cherry Cottage in St Ives to see it!) I went to St Ives a lot as a child and I was really excited to take my own kids there and relive some memories. The picture below shows the beautiful harbour.
Although the cottage was in an amazing location it was small and spread out over 3 floors. The bedrooms were on the top floor, then you had a lounge/dining room and the kitchen and bathroom were on the ground floor. The stairs were steep and it was far from ideal for nighttime loo trips but when I booked it I had expected to be a lot better than I am currently. Despite this we still had a fab time.
The other downside was that it didn't have any parking. We ended up putting the car in a long stay car park about 5 minutes walk away which doesn't sound too bad except that it was a 5 minute uphill walk. And it was such a steep hill. Luckily we parked up and only used the car twice during the whole week as there was so much to do in St Ives.
One of the times that we ventured out in the car was to go to the Eden Project. Hubby and I had been there over 10 years ago when it hadn't been open for very long and it had changed so much. All the plants had obviously established and grown but the whole site seemed to have got bigger and it was much more than just the 2 biospheres as it was previously. Here I am in front of the sunflowers.
We met a very good friend there. Her daughter is in the same class as Big Girl and it was lovely to share the day with them. They're such a lovely family and have been so supportive of me, Hubby and the kids over the last few years. Here is me and Jane at the end of the day, happy but totally exhausted.
Aswell as being right next to the Tate and on the 'surfers beach', the location of the cottage meant that we were never more than a 10 minute walk from most parts of the town. We were able to stroll through the cobbled streets in the evening, browse the shops, hubby could have a drink in the pub without having to worry about driving and we could see all the sights. Whilst we were exploring some of the alleyways and cut-through see came across this bin. It cracked is up...we have such a childish sense of humour!
I was meant to get a delivery of my TPN fluids on the Monday of the second week. By lunchtime I hadn't heard anything do I contacted them only to find out that the driver had gone to the cottage, not rang me and just pushed a card through the door. Luckily had taken extra bags of fluids and equipment with me so I was able to manage but I was a bit cross because if I hadn't then it could have caused a real problem. But it was only a minor glitch and it didn't spoil the holiday.
On the days that I was feeling tired or a bit upset that I couldn't go and bodyboard or play in the sea with the kids I reminded myself that this time last year I was in hospital and soooo poorly. I am so grateful that I was able to go and just watching my kids play made me so, so happy. There are so many things now that I am grateful for- things that before I was ill I would take for granted. Like watching a beautiful sunset, holding hands with Hubby, watching my kids sleep or listen to the laughing. Feeling the sand between my toes and listening to the waves crashing on the beach is quite possibly one of my favourite ways to spend my time. I would never tire of looking at this view.
I would love to live by the sea and run a B&B but at the moment that's simply a pipe dream as I need to live close to St Marks for my treatment at the moment.
I could go on and on waxing lyrical about what a fabulous 2 weeks I had but I think you get the picture! It's made me realise that what little money I'm able to save whilst trying to live on benefits is not going to be spent on stuff but on experiences- Things that create memories. I do feel like I have to make up for last summer being so crap and over the next few weeks I've planned sleepovers for the kids, walks in the country park, a west end show and a trip to the Olympic park to see an international basketball match just to name a few things. I don't want to wear myself out so am planning these things carefully and my days schedule in an afternoon nap. So far I've been out of hospital for 3 weeks, one more week and that's a new record for 2014! And 2013 come to think of it!
One of the moments that made us laugh was sitting having breakfast on our last day in the pub overlooking the beach. I had taken the kids to the toy shop to buy souvenirs and spend some of their holiday money. Big Fella got this fart machine key ring. So while we are having breakfast he starts pressing the buttons. "Muuuummmy!" he said.
"It's not me" I protested. "It is. You can fart now they've joined you back up" he told me matter of factly. Out of the mouths of babes eh??
NB x
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