Yes a month has passed since I last blogged! I have been busy though. Following my surgery in September I have been a bit limited in my movement and activity and confined to home. The weather improved, I was allowed to do more-as my healing process had meant I could walk, or hobble around, better, and I was able to drive again. I have still been dependent on elbow crutches for most of the time, for anything more than a few yards/metres, but I was getting more able and active. So I have been using that opportunity to get out more-plus the English weather has been glorious.
I have been rebuilding my muscle strength, and I have a long way to go, after nearly 6 months of inactivity. And I do get really tired. So I've been to the Gym and worked mainly on my hips and thighs-the quads.I've been swimming too, but find it hard work, after 20 or so lengths.
I have also had a break away in Portugal. I needed to get out and thought I would need some warmer weather, so Portugal seemed like the right place to go, as I love it so much in my retreat of nearly 30 years, on and off, where I have had an apartment for 7 years. The weather turned out to be just as lovely in England when I went! But I got away from the same old walls and windows for a week or so. I had got to know my walls too well over 6 months!
Portugal had just declared it was in economic problems. Sadly I saw that in evidence, and quite frankly I have seen it coming. It such a shame. The Portuguese are such wonderful people, and they work so hard at being hosts. I always say that as long as you keep it simple, then the Portuguese are so dependable and good at it. They can give you the perfect tonic of rest, relaxation and recovery.
I stay in (Praia da) Luz, famous for the disappearance of Maddy McGann, in fact I overlook their old apartment from my balcony. In defence of the arguments that the parents were neglectful leaving the children alone that fateful evening, I can seriously say that Luz is exactly the place, one of few, that you could leave your children alone in. It is the perfect peaceful laid back and non-threatening place. But obviously the one where the evil villains feel comfortable too. It is a wonderful place and continues to be, but it has suffered from the Maddy affair. Things have changed, and some things have changed for the worse, whilst some change is always inevitable. The economy has prompted other changes. Perhaps the weakness in the Police investigation was because of attitudes and people being too laid back thinking that Maddy would come back very soon and that any thought of abduction was too ridiculous to contemplate in a place like Luz. It still seems difficult to take in.
As well as rebuilding my muscles, I have also been in the process of terminating my employment. That takes an effort. I had hoped that my lack of mobility may have allowed me to retire, but I have had to be assessed, and the result was that ONE DAY I may be better than ever! That is good, if it happens, but does not help me now. The assessment was exhausting too-could not get a car anywhere near the place! And I did not take my electric buggy. There was a way, but it was not signposted. Equality hey? Recognising issues and implications for those that may be affected? Another joke!
Oh how the English weather has been lovely in April. I have been able to enjoy the garden and do some outdoor activities which tend to exhaust me, but I feel better for them.
And now we are looking forward to a Royal Wedding to round off the month-and the weather has started to deteriorate!
I have been rebuilding my muscle strength, and I have a long way to go, after nearly 6 months of inactivity. And I do get really tired. So I've been to the Gym and worked mainly on my hips and thighs-the quads.I've been swimming too, but find it hard work, after 20 or so lengths.
I have also had a break away in Portugal. I needed to get out and thought I would need some warmer weather, so Portugal seemed like the right place to go, as I love it so much in my retreat of nearly 30 years, on and off, where I have had an apartment for 7 years. The weather turned out to be just as lovely in England when I went! But I got away from the same old walls and windows for a week or so. I had got to know my walls too well over 6 months!
Portugal had just declared it was in economic problems. Sadly I saw that in evidence, and quite frankly I have seen it coming. It such a shame. The Portuguese are such wonderful people, and they work so hard at being hosts. I always say that as long as you keep it simple, then the Portuguese are so dependable and good at it. They can give you the perfect tonic of rest, relaxation and recovery.
I stay in (Praia da) Luz, famous for the disappearance of Maddy McGann, in fact I overlook their old apartment from my balcony. In defence of the arguments that the parents were neglectful leaving the children alone that fateful evening, I can seriously say that Luz is exactly the place, one of few, that you could leave your children alone in. It is the perfect peaceful laid back and non-threatening place. But obviously the one where the evil villains feel comfortable too. It is a wonderful place and continues to be, but it has suffered from the Maddy affair. Things have changed, and some things have changed for the worse, whilst some change is always inevitable. The economy has prompted other changes. Perhaps the weakness in the Police investigation was because of attitudes and people being too laid back thinking that Maddy would come back very soon and that any thought of abduction was too ridiculous to contemplate in a place like Luz. It still seems difficult to take in.
As well as rebuilding my muscles, I have also been in the process of terminating my employment. That takes an effort. I had hoped that my lack of mobility may have allowed me to retire, but I have had to be assessed, and the result was that ONE DAY I may be better than ever! That is good, if it happens, but does not help me now. The assessment was exhausting too-could not get a car anywhere near the place! And I did not take my electric buggy. There was a way, but it was not signposted. Equality hey? Recognising issues and implications for those that may be affected? Another joke!
Oh how the English weather has been lovely in April. I have been able to enjoy the garden and do some outdoor activities which tend to exhaust me, but I feel better for them.
And now we are looking forward to a Royal Wedding to round off the month-and the weather has started to deteriorate!
