It's Friday. Good Friday. Not good weatherwise. It's been blowing a gale. It's Heather's birthday today. Sorry Heather. In all my travels I forgot to send a card. Mea culpa. Mea culpa. Mea maxima culpa. (I may be atheist but I did the spot of Latin and went to a few Roman Catholic services in my time). In my defence life has been very full on and very full of people since I arrived back in Scotland and even more so since I arrived home to visiting friends ensconced in Tigh na Mara. Not that I haven't enjoyed it all. I have. But it's been a challenge trying to find time to do 'things' in between eating bacon rolls at Café Torino and The Woodlands and eating Anna's and Sue's meals. I haven't cooked a meal since I left Napier.
I still haven't even begun to think about my remaining New Zealand blog posts. New Zealand seems so long ago and so far away. Well, of course, it is far away. And before I know it it will be long ago. I miss The Family and my friends there dreadfully. I miss the heat and the sun.
It's cold and wet and very windy here and I can feel everyone looking at me and saying "It's your fault. We were having a lovely spell of weather until you set foot on the tarmac."
I now have two weeks to get myself straight and fit before I go into hospital for a knee replacement. I never cease to be amazed at what can be done to keep us alive and kicking.
Oh and when I was in NZ I fell in love - again. This time, however, it was a much safer sort of love from some of my past encounters. A friend was working in Australia whilst I was in New Zealand and lent me her car. I had never driven one before. I hope that I drive one again.
And as if one kindness wasn't enough when I reluctantly gave it back a couple of days before I returned, another friend lent me his. People can be very kind.
I still haven't even begun to think about my remaining New Zealand blog posts. New Zealand seems so long ago and so far away. Well, of course, it is far away. And before I know it it will be long ago. I miss The Family and my friends there dreadfully. I miss the heat and the sun.
It's cold and wet and very windy here and I can feel everyone looking at me and saying "It's your fault. We were having a lovely spell of weather until you set foot on the tarmac."
I now have two weeks to get myself straight and fit before I go into hospital for a knee replacement. I never cease to be amazed at what can be done to keep us alive and kicking.
Oh and when I was in NZ I fell in love - again. This time, however, it was a much safer sort of love from some of my past encounters. A friend was working in Australia whilst I was in New Zealand and lent me her car. I had never driven one before. I hope that I drive one again.
And as if one kindness wasn't enough when I reluctantly gave it back a couple of days before I returned, another friend lent me his. People can be very kind.
Nice folk. I wish someone would lend me one.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the knee.
Yes Adrian I think it may be on my bucket list (well perhaps if I had one). The knee is just a leap into the unknown.
DeleteAll the best for your knee surgery, Graham!
ReplyDeleteI wonder whether the pain of missing the NZ part of your friends, family and life would have been less severe had you returned to better weather.
And yes, it's a hard life and so stressful between all those bacon rolls and other meals :-D
Thanks Meike. Better weather always lifts the spirits a bit doesn't it?
DeleteA cuppa before the knee op? Wiesmier(at)hotmail.co.uk
DeleteAbsolutely Andrea. I'll email you.
DeleteIm so glad you had a good spell of heat over here. Will set you up for surgery and another winter. Hope all goes well... You will need a strong knee so you can keep a foot in both camps visiting the people you love....
ReplyDeleteThanks Fiona. A foot in both camps... I like it!
DeleteIt sounds like you're in fine form. Yes, get in shape for knee surgery. The better shape you're in the better outcome you will have.
ReplyDeleteThanks Red: good advice. And, yes, I do feel in pretty good shape (apart from the knee!).
DeleteGood friends are a treasure :) And I agree with Fi, your weeks in New Zealand probably were better preparation for your knee surgery than Scottish winter climate could offer. Wish you best of luck with that. And then there's spring and summer to look forward to!
ReplyDeleteThanks Monica. I'm sure you are right.
DeleteLooks like you've fallen in love with Germany; now try driving an Aston, your love may rise to passion!
ReplyDeleteCro I spent most of my life with sensible cars like Standard, Humber, Saab, Volvo and, of course, my trusty Nighthawk (Honda Accord Tourer) which I've had for nigh on 14 years since it was born. I did have a little MG once upon a time and an MX5 for 10 years in New Zealand (open top warmth). However the Golf GTi was something completely different and whilst I've driven cars from Bently to Alvis the taught acceleration and speed for overtaking the huge trucks on New Zealand's single carriageway State Highways was very satisfying. I can imagine that an Aston would be a whole new experience but I'm not holding my breath until I have that good fortune. I have to admit that I didn't actually like the BMW although I was more than delighted to have it for a few days.
DeleteSome my think you live a charmed life Graham. Your six weeks in NZ seem to have passed more happily than you imagined and to have two cars lent to you - well that's just the icing on the cake. How has your bad knee been affecting your life? Must be pretty bad if a new knee is on the menu.
ReplyDeleteYP I probably do have a charmed life in many more ways than you could know. My life has been one of adapting to various things that have occurred to my body since I was 14 and I'm fortunate that none of them have prevented me having a Very Good Life. My knee problem would be a disaster for you because I can't walk very far and haven't been able to for a long time. However croquet was a fortunate occurrence because it's played in soft shoes on lawns so the trauma to the knee is minimised. Walking shoes or pavements are difficult with which to cope. The knee has been bad for years but I've been fortunate in that if I'm sensible the pain is bearable. Just working around the garden has become a problem now though so the time has come for a new knee and thanks to our wonderful NHS I shall be getting one.
DeleteYou do have fine friends to lend you are car or 2. Good luck with your knee operation. I hope you have a speedy recovery.
ReplyDeleteThank you Lynda. I do indeed have fine friends.
DeleteI hope you will be kicking again very soon after your knee replacement! You mightn't be picked for this season's team...but you'll be ready for next season! :)
ReplyDeleteAll the best, Graham. :)
Thanks Lee. Yes I think this season my playing may well be compromised!
DeleteHope the knee replacement goes well GB. Will be thinking of you, xx
ReplyDeleteThank you Helen.
DeleteKind-hearted friends are the very best friends to have....both cars look like fun to drive.
ReplyDeleteWishing you well with your upcoming knee surgery GB.
Virginia the Golf GTi certainly was. Thanks for your good wishes.
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