I wish my grandson a safe trip

Tomorrow my 16 year old grandson is off to Uganda with the scouts. They will be running a summer camp for children for the first two weeks and then the final week will be a holiday. Dillon and another lad will be running a Drama workshop which they have been planning for quite a long time. They have all worked very hard for the past year to raise the required money for the charity who organised the trip. This involved bag packing, cake making, quiz nights, coffee mornings to name just a few of the things that I know about. I can't remember the final sum raised but it will help with building an extension to a school so it's very worthwhile.

I'm sure that the trip will be a wonderful experience for him and all the others who are going. Have a safe trip Dillon I'll look forward to hearing all about it and seeing all the photos when you get back.

Archives:
2007: How do you solve a problem

How can this happen!!!!

How can a hospital make such a mistake!!!! Let me explain......

Yesterday my mother was due to have laser treatment to one of her eyes, well that was what we thought when the appointment arrived in the post and it was certainly what the consultant told us when we saw him back in May.

You might remember me writing at the time that, having completed an assessment they were quite certain that my mother should NOT have her cataracts removed as she would be unable to lie still without moving for up to 45mins.

We got a taxi to the hospital and arrived in plenty of time for our 12md appointment. I was a bit surprised that we were sent up to the day theatre and not the out patient clinic but we were expected so I didn't worry. I did feel irritated when they told me that I couldn't stay with my mother as they needed to prepare her and when I asked how long 'the procedure' would take I was told the Doctors won't be starting until 1:30pm and they might be late so if you want to go away and come back we can ring you as it might be 3 or 4 hours. I thought this was ridiculous for laser treatment that is supposed to be a very quick procedure. It was pouring with rain I had no intentions of going all the way home and I didn't want to traipse around the shops so I said I was staying and I was told I could wait in the day room. I had a paper, book, and some crosswords and a bottle of water but no food!

I just get settled in the day room when a nurse came to the door and in a very loud voice asked 'is there someone here with Mrs C'. She went on to ask me if I have my mother's teeth as she couldn't find them and she wanted me to go and sort it out. My mother had her teeth when I left her and for goodness sake what is wrong with the nurses searching!. Anyway I went back to the room my mother was sharing, with another lady, and found them in the bottom her bag. I saw that she has a cup of tea so that was good. I returned to the day room and settled down and gradually everyone else left and I was alone.
After about an hour a very handsome young doctor came in and asked me to come and see my mother. As soon as I got into the room my mother blurted out 'they were going to take my cataracts out, they put eye drops in and got me all ready'. I couldn't believe my ears.
The doctor was very apologetic and said he had checked the notes and it was an administrative error that it was the fault of the hospital that they had got the wrong procedure booked. He went on to say that they couldn't do the laser treatment today and it would mean another appointment. I said I wasn't very happy as it had cost us over £20 for taxi fares. The Doc couldn't tell me when the next appointment would be except sometime in September.
I think we were both a bit shocked really as this could so easily have ended in disaster for my mother if the mistake hadn't been noticed in time. Now I've had time to think about it I'm actually wondering if I should make a formal complaint. I think the least they could do is refund the taxi money but I bet they won't. For my mother, who had geared herself up for this, it's back to waiting another few weeks.

Archives:
2007: Fun Monday-27

Witty Wednesday # 106

A few weeks ago when Embee and I were at the garden centre I noticed this.....now what do you think they were trying to convey!
I don't think it was 'buy one get one free' or if it had another 'f' they might have been asking us to leave!!!LOL

I pinched this from John
and Daffy knew I was a country gal when she sent me Technology for Country Folk..(click to make it big enough to read)

Today I'm taking my mother to have her laser eye treatment. Fingers crossed it will help but as the cataract will still be affecting the other eye I'm not convinced it will make that much difference.

Archives:
2007: What me clumsy never!

A place to sit!

Beccy and I noticed this amusing little seat outside one of the shops in a little place called Clifden where we spent two nights.

Archives:
2007: Victorian Chimney Pots+ Update

Fun Monday # 126 A messy house!! + My 1,000th Post

It just so happens that this Fun Monday is also my 1,000th Post.


Gattina has challenged us to show her what we would call a messy place and put a picture of it in our post. She wants to compare, if she is messy ...she says:

It can be a room, your basement, the attic, a drawer or whatever, but it has to be messy!

This was easy for me as, I'm sad to say, I do have quite a messy house so my guess is Gattina's home will look like a palace compared to mine. It always used to be our cellars that were very untidy but we had a good turn out a few months back so I decided the garage is the place I'm going to show you today.
As you can see it's actually quite small; it hasn't been used for a car since we first moved in 23 years ago. It is top of the list for a good turn out once Embee retires from work which is likely to be around September time. I can just about get to my freezer and would you believe under all that rubbish there is an exercise bench and weights! Oh and a solid dining room table that once belonged to Embee's aunt and is looking for a good home!

Even worse than the garage is Embee's study but I can't even get in there to take a picture. He's going to be very busy when he does finally retire....or maybe he will change his mind and keep working!!

Archives:
2007: Open Letter

China # 12 Yantze River Part 2 Trackers(Boatmen)

After sailing through the three Gorges (that's another post) and upstream of the Wu Gorge, which is the longest gorge, we transferred to another steamer to get to a tributary of the Yangtze River near Badong County. Our guide for this part of the trip was delightful. The Tujia guide, had a beautiful voice and, together, with the boat captain she sang a tradition love song. Apparently this is how young couples communicated if they lived on different sides of the gorge. The trackers way of life is gradually being eroded as the the river rises and tourism is very important to their local economy. We were told they would do two of these trips each week. Some boatmen take a couple of days to row their boats back to their villages. The rise in the level of the river means lots of the villagers have had to move from their homes along the shore.
We were a little apprehensive when we saw the small sampan 'pea pod' boats that were going to used for exploring the Shennong Stream. The boats are rowed by 'trackers' and they are incredibly fit and strong. In places the boats were pulled by trackers in the same way that the enormous junk ships were once dragged up the Yangtze (now really a show for the tourists). The trackers used to pull the boats naked but this no longer happens. I didn't want to disappoint you so I found a picture!
It was well organised and we all had to wear life jackets. The seats collapsed to make it easier to get people on board.
In places the gorge was incredibly narrow.
As I've said the strength of the trackers was amazing and we even had races with other boats...ours won, managing to overtake a couple, our contribution was all vocal, urging them on and cheering.With all the cruise ships it can get very crowded in some places as you can see below. This is where the boat is pulled around for the return journey.Some of the views we saw.This is a new bridge recently completed and saving the locals a lot of time when they want to cross the river. It seems to be well used. Across the bridge we noticed a make-shift shelter among the trees and assumed that this was home to someone.
I've really enjoyed re-living this part of my trip through doing this post....I hope you enjoy seeing the pictures.

Archives:
2008: No Archive
2007: Niagara on the Lake

It never rains but it pours Episode # 4 Almost there!

Embee had planned to finish laying the boards, plugging the holes and giving the them a second coat of oil while I was away in Ireland. However, the weather contrived against him so as today promised to be sunny, he decided to try and complete the task and I'm pleased to say that he has finished, except for replacing the spacers under the railings.

It still needs a little sanding and some more coats of oil but Embee reckons this could be done at the end of the summer. We managed to pack everything away before the rain started at 5:45pm.
It will be lovely to have it back in use, you don't really miss something until it's not available. I intend to put some tubs of flowers back and sit out with my coffee tomorrow -weather permitting of course!

Archives:
2007: Witty Wednesday-14

G Hotel Galway First Impressions

The drive from Dublin to Galway was uneventful and we had no trouble finding the G Hotel, but we were were not particularly impressed with the outside as it was part of a small shopping complex.
However once through the door it was everything you would expect from a top hotel. The staff were efficient and we were quickly checked in and shown around the facilities; below is the largest sitting room. The interior was designed by Philip Tracey
In this lovely sitting room you can enjoy a little peace and quiet.

Not quite sure about the silver balls hanging from the ceiling!
This is the view we had from our bedroom window. Although the main road ran outside the hotel, with the excellent glazing there was no noise. These beds are the most comfortable beds I have ever slept on, I would love to have one at home, I don't think I would ever want to get up.
Philip Tracey is famous for his hat designs and there are pictures in all the bedrooms.
Even the bedside lamps looked like a hat.As we were shown to our room we were given a welcoming cupcake. My one criticism would be that there was no kettle in the bedroom and it would have been lovely to have a cuppa without having to go down and order one. However there was a complimentary bottle of water in the fridge.



We had our cocktails in this rather dazzling room. Beccy had a Mojito and I had a 'Casanova' described as 'A sharp tasting cocktail designed for men who like seducing woman'! I chose it because it was champagne as well as raspberry puree and apple juice. Tell me do you think it looks like a drink a bloke would choose?
Below is one corner of the restaurant where we were about the enjoy breakfast when I took this photo. I won't go into detail but the all the food was excellent. While we were there we used the spa facilities, Beccy had a body wrap and head massage; and I had a body massage. Following this we relaxed with a fruit smoothie and we both agreed we enjoyed being pampered and we would like to stay there again.

I have my son-in-law to thank for this luxurious stay, he was away working in the north of the country, while we were enjoying ourselves, it doesn't seem fair somehow! I think Beccy is planning to go back with him in the not too distant future and I'm sure he would enjoy it as much as we did.

Archives:
2008: I should be so lucky
2007: Briam

Killiney Beach in July

On the last day of my recent trip to visit Beccy and the grandchildren we decided to take a walk on the beach. Even though there was quite a strong breeze it was sunny and warm. The beach was deserted, which is quite unusual, and I think it might have been because it getting towards lunch time. I took this little video of the beach and the family having some fun.

Ben decided on the games, and the boys v girls...the object was to try and get a big enough splash from the stones to get the opponents wet. His second game was a surfboard race with stones being the riders on the pieces of wood. This is good old fashioned fun using imagination and things found on the beach. Better still it cost nothing and was fun! I thought it was a most enjoyable way to spend my last morning with the family.
If you are wondering why I said 'ow' it was the shock of getting wet and if you are also wondering why my grandson was wearing a hat in summer it was to keep his hair straight!

I will be showing you some more pictures of my trip when I have time to process the photos.

Archives:
2008: Witty Wednesday-57 Speech Therapist and Visitor Update
2007: Fun Monday-26

Witty Wednesday # 105 Cruise Diary

Thank you for this one Daffy.


Cruise Diary

DEAR DIARY . DAY ONE

I am all packed and ready to get on the cruise ship. I've packed all my pretty dresses and make-up. I'm really excited.

______________________________________________________
DEAR DIARY . DAY TWO

We spent the entire day at sea. It was beautiful and we saw some whales and dolphins.What a wonderful vacation this has started to be. I met the Captain today and he seems like a very nice man.

______________________________________________________
DEAR DIARY DAY THREE

I spent some time in the pool today. I also did some shuffle boarding and hit some golf balls off the deck. The Captain invited me to join him at his table for dinner. I felt honored and we had a wonderful time. He is a very attractive and attentive gentleman.

_____________________________________________________
DEAR DIARY . DAY FOUR

Went to the ship's casino did OK ... won about $80. The Captain invited me to have dinner with him in his state room. We had a luxurious meal complete with caviar and champagne. He asked me to stay the night but I declined. I told him there was no way I could be unfaithful to my husband.

______________________________________________________
DEAR DIARY .. DAY FIVE

Went back to the pool today and got a little sunburned. I decided to go to the piano bar and spend the rest of the day inside. The Captain saw me and bought me a couple of drinks. He really is a charming gentleman He again asked me to visit him for the night and again I declined. He told me that if I didn't let him have his way with me he would sink the ship. I was appalled.

______________________________________________________
DEAR DIARY . DAY SIX

I saved 1600 lives today... Four times!

Archives:
2008: Special Visitors
2007: My 300th Post

Swingball Champs

I know some of you will have seen this on plurk yesterday evening but I know Embee would like to see it.
I was beaten by Ben about six times but I think Beccy did much better.

If all goes to plan we are going to see the new Harry Potter film later today.

Archives:
2008: Fun Monday-75 Daydream to Reality
2007: Beautiful Painting

Postcard from Connemara for Fun Monday #125

Our hostess this week is Mariposa she says

Let's talk about TEARS. What images spring to mind when you hear the word ‘tears’? Have you ever had tears of laughter and tears of joy? When was the last time you had tears of joy? Tears of laughter? Tell us about it!

Well I'm actually on holiday staying with my youngest daughter this week so I'm slightly bending the rules. We are having a lot of fun and one of the things we did was a ride on the beach at Cleggan in Connemara. We woke up to rain on Saturday morning and began to wonder what we had let ourselves in for but it did clear sufficiently for the duration of the ride. I haven't ridden for a few years and we had to be assessed to show we could control a horse by trotting and cantering in a ring. As you can see Beccy looks happy enough on Rocky.

I suppose you want to see me on my horse, Tom, just prove I really did the ride. This is the beach and we rode across to Omey Island which you can only do at low tide.
Afterwards I was so stiff and sore the tears I could have shed would not have been tears of joy. Nevertheless a beach ride has been on my bucket list so I would not have missed it for the world. Sadly I do now realise that my riding days are over as the old joints are no longer supple enough.

Archives:
2008: A Partisan's Daughter
2007: Gifts from France