Beechwood cancer care centre

Beechwood Cancer Care Centre
Max and I attended Beechwood cancer care centre, today.  The appointment was preparation for counselling for Martha and Katy.  The therapist was finding out what they are like, and how they have reacted so far to my diagnosis, operation and treatment programme.  Both Max and I liked the therapist; we both think that the girls will respond positively to her.  We spent an hour sharing Martha and Katy's very different reactions to my news. 

I was also given a referral form to access support for me.  I will be able to access counselling support, and it also seems that there are other support options available, like reflexology.  I am interested in attending the counselling.  Throughout the process my treatment has been professional and efficient.  I have a range of people who are supporting me, and I am amazed at the level of support.  However, all of this support is treatment based.  It will be good for me to have some support and time to consider my emotional response to diagnosis and treatment.  My first appointment is at the end of August.

Scarf session
We attended the scarf session.  Hmmmm... it was not what we were expecting.  It was an opportunity to try on hats and pre-tied scarves, and then to buy them.  Not really my thing. 
We dropped into fabric shop on the way home and bought two pieces of fabric to make square scarf - we are going to try to follow a you tube guide to tying scarves.

The rest of my day
We walked my run route and a little bit more.
I slept.
Watched a film.
Had a bath.
Pottered about (I am still listening to Les Miserables)
PS.  Steroid side effect - mucking up your menstrual cycle - this is true.

Waiting for Martha and Katy to come home
They come home on Thursday evening.  I sooooo want to see them.  It seems like months that I haven't been with them. 
Tomorrow evening, Max leaves (she will pick up Peter as he comes back from Herm, in Bristol); Chris Biddle arrives.  The wig is waiting!!

Well done England - we retain the ashes!

My sporting history since the operation is:
Andy Murray wins Wimbledon
Chris Froome wins La Tour de France
England retain the ashes - cricket

What's next?  The world athletic championships start 10 August.  I will be watching!!

A**ehole - a steroid moment!

First wet walk
Max and I start the morning with a walk.  This is my first wet walk - it is raining, and we go out in gortex waterproofs.  The good thing is that I have no doubt that the only thing to do, is to go out for a walk.  I want this routine to fall back on if I am feeling poorly.

We walk down Edge Lane today, and up through Longford Park.  We drop into doctors for a prescription, chemist, and the parcels office.  We return home, exercised and satisfied with doing jobs along the way.

Drugs timetable
I am then tightly tied into my drugs timetable.  I cannot eat after 09.50, so set about making a good meal to tide me through.  I make a delicious fish pie, using the Pembrokeshire potatoes that my Dad sent me in an electric pump box (I thought it was an electric pump).  I am full and very happy.

I then need a sleep and go to bed for an hour (after antibotics).  I wake to take the anti-sickness tablet.  Chemotherapy tablet goes in my bag for correct time.

The Bank
On the way to the hospital, we drop into a bank, so that I can pay in a refund for a jacket of Martha's.  After this, Max is driving back towards the hospital on roads that she doesn't know.  I say straight on, and Max starts to pull into the left hand lane, however this takes you left, so I advise her to stay in middle lane.  A van then passes my open window and the driver shouts out "you are clueless".   Max does not hear this at all.  All Max can see and hear is her usually polite and restrained sister, shouting "A**ehole", with her head hanging out of the window.  I have never done anything like this, ever.  It must be the steroids.  So, Max and I are laughing, and screaming at what I have just done.  Very funny indeed!!

Wig
I then decide to accept the offer of a free wig.

My appointment
This is reasonably on time.  I have taken an Abba CD and found it reasonably comfortable today.  The CD helps because I can judge the time by the number of tracks.  I emerge from the session singing "Waterloo".  Max and I sing this all the way to the car.

My new wig!

I took Max to a scarf tying session, but unfortunately it wasn't on.  Maybe tomorrow.  While there, we found the wig department.  I don't want to wear a wig - I think it will be uncomfortable and hot, however, we decided that because it was FREE then maybe I should get one.  I can wear it for fun at any time!!  Here are my trials.  Which one would you choose?

 Red and blond streaks.

 My hair net.

 Hmmmm.... Looking a bit like Mum here.

Longer and dark.

Short and Blond.

I chose the longer and dark.  She is called "Melody".  Maybe I will meet you when wearing my Melody wig ...

Louise came round for a good chat, and brought cake from Alex and Michelle - a beautiful lemon cake.  The picture is Louise wearing Melody.  I think she is about to start singing...

The cake is going down very well!  Delicious, thank you.

Made it to church (partly)

Walked my run route and a little more
Up and out for walk this morning, and Lisa Watson joined us too.  I walked Beech Road and back, and then my old run route.  I am very happy with how I am getting on.

Katy is NINE
Katy has had her ninth birthday on Herm.  I have spoken with her twice, and she has been bubbly and full of beans.  She opened her present from me, while we were on the phone and said it was "EPIC".  Max could hear her across the room.  Her gift was a baseball bat and ball.  Later in the day she told me that she hit it hard enough that it went behind Jamie's tent.  I guessed she meant it went along way, and said so, and she confirmed this very proudly.  She had pancakes for breakfast, and a BBQ lunch.  She liked her birthday cake, too.  I am very proud of her.  Her conversation is good on the phone.  I missed being with her.  I want Martha and Katy to come home, now. 

I went to church
I have not made it to church for many months.  I decided to go today, however, I have learned about my limitations. The vicar was there, and gave me a big hug, which was very warming.  I made it there very well, but could not stand during the service, and found myself wondering about how long I could stay.  I ended up leaving immediately after communion, and going straight home to bed.  The topic of the service was about how to handle death.  Every reading was about how a different person dealt with death in a different way.  The sermon analysed their approaches. 

Continuing to potter
I have cleared out another drawer of my filing cabinet.  Just one left to do now.  It works very well.  I sit quietly and go through files, and throw into a big pile.  Max comes and takes waste paper to paper bin.

TV
Other than that, I have watch the tele.  I watched the Percy half blood son of Greek God film, which I enjoyed.  Martha and Katy will love it - I have recorded it.  I watched Frasier too - which was fun.

Helen makes it to the top of Scafell Pike

Well done, Helen.  We are all really proud of you.
Good night all
love you loads
Sarah xxx

Now walking my run

I can walk my run route
With Max with me, I decided to try my run route, but walking.  We had a really nice walk in beautiful sunshine, and I am proud that I have built up to be able to walk my run route.  I am walking 3 miles each morning, and building up a muscle base. 

New outfit 
We then headed off to Sainsbury's - I am checking out the supermarkets for their organic food range.  The other reason for going there was to get Katy some school shorts.  They did not have any of Katy's favourite shorts in stock, but Max and I found a sale rail.  I went home with a pair of floral trousers, and a dark blue t-shirt, and a scarf.  I spent a total of £19.  Max got a fab dress.

Sainsbury's sell a good range of organic food
On organic food, I had to conclude that Sainsbury's offers a good range of organic products, and they offer online shopping.  Right now, it looks like I am going to use this shop as my main provider, and I will top up from Unicorn.  This is my way of managing my money.  I have looked at Asda (very poor range), and Morrisons (basic range, but handy as local shop). 

We had breakfast in the café and read the papers.  It was very relaxing. 

 When we get home, I take my anti-sickness drugs and have a sleep.  Chemotherapy drugs when I am awake.

Sorting out my bedroom
I spent a while clearing two drawers of my filing cabinet.  I have two more to do, but enjoyed pottering my way through different files and throwing lots of stuff away. 

Katy has her birthday barbecue
In the evening, I call Katy to wish her a happy birthday BBQ.  This is the first time I have spoken to her since I left Herm.  She tells me that she loves me.  The Katy tells me about how she has caught large crabs.  She is happy and enjoying her BBQ on the beach.  Martha tells me about the crabs too.  I am very happy that they are enjoying themselves, and don’t appear to be missing me at all.  Katy will be nine years old tomorrow.

The crazy fly
Max and I have a quarrel with a large fly that is buzzing crazily around her bedroom.  It leaves her room, and guess what, it is buzzing around my room.  We open the windows wide and turn off the lights to encourage it to fly out of the room.  Max guards the door.  I pick up a folder and smack it to whack it outside and throw the contents of my folder across the room.  The fly has gone, hopefully not my documentation!  Max and I are laughing about it, and considering checking that I have not thrown any papers out of the window.

John Lewis Refund
JL refunded all delivery charges and apologised.  I now wait for local "expert" to have a go...

Radiotherapy 2/30

Max was with me.  We were met by Clean Lynn my cleaning therapist, who double checked that my preference was to go in alone today.  I went in alone.

Before the appointment, Max and I made sure I followed all the guidance on taking of drugs.  I could not eat after 10am so had a veggie haggis omelette and salad at 9.30 am (I have food in the fridge that is going out of date, so I am eating in date order.  Haggis today!).  I took my anti-sickness pill at 1pm, chemotherapy pill at 2pm and radiotherapy appointment at 3pm.

I didn't go in till about 3.30 pm.  On Monday, I will ask how many people are in front of me, so that I can make a judgement about where to wait.  It would have been good to wait in the garden today, for example.

Max tells me that I was in the appointment for 15 mins.  It feels like 15 hours!  It was lots quicker today, than yesterday because the team had made and checked all the measurements and were ready to go.  I have the option of taking music with me, but I forgot to take my ipod.  I will remember it on Monday. 

Here is the imprint of my mask on my forehead.  Yesterday, this imprint was across my forehead and down my nose.  Beautiful!!

Dishwasher not fitted ...

The fitters couldn't get the old dishwasher out, so I now have new dishwasher in the kitchen, and instructions to get a kitchen fitter to come and dismantle the unit so that the dishwasher can be removed.  Next attempt will be the 5th attempt!

First - Bev gave me wrong date (our fault)
Second - Fitters come with dishwasher, but are not trained to remove integrated dishwasher.  Web site assumed that because we ordered non-integrated dishwasher, that the current one was non-integrated.
Third - Trained fitters come, but without dishwasher.
Fourth - Trained fitters come with dishwasher and can't get old one out.
Fifth -   let's see ...

My drugs regime linked to radiotherapy programme.

“6 Fields Brain” – radiotherapy and chemotherapy programme.

Date	Time of appointment	Last time to eat	Time of anti-sickness tablet	Time of chemotherapy tablet	Co---trimoxazole (antibiotic)	Allowed to eat
Fri 2/8/13	1500	1000	1300	1400		1500 - 1600
Mon 5/8/13	1450	0950	1250	1350	Take 2 x 480mg	1450 - 1550
Tues 6/8/13	1030	Do not eat	0830	0900 - 0930		1030 - 1130
Wed 7/8/13	1530	1050	1350	1450	Take 2 x 480 mg	1550 - 1650
Thurs 8/8/13	0945	Do not eat	0745	0815-0845		0945-1045
Fri 9/8/13	1345	Do not eat	1145	1215 - 1245	Take 2 x 480 mg	1345 - 1445
Weekly programme
Mon/Tues/Thurs/Fri	1125	Do not eat	0925	0955-1025		1125 - 1225
Wed	1430	1330	1230	1330		1430 - 1530
Wed	Meet consultant

This programme continues until 12 September 2013

Drugs regime

Chemotherapy –              Temozolomide                                  Take once a day before radiotherapy.

Antibiotic –                         Co-trimoxazole                                 2 x 480 mg every Mon Wed and Fri

Anti-sickness -                   Ondansetron                     Take one every day 30 mins before chemotherapy tablet

Anti-sickness -                   Metoclopramide              Take one tablet up to three times a day.

Steroid -                               Dexamethasone              1 x 2mg every morning with food.(ask about how to take this when on morning appointment)

Stomach protector          Omeprazole                       Take every morning before breakfast

Start of radiotherapy programme. Session 1 of 30 ...

Radiotherapy programme starts

I shall begin with a little aside.  When I gave birth to Katy I had a cleaner, who helped me at home once a week.  Whilst the standards of cleaning were excellent,  I ended up letting her go.  She was training to be a psychotherapist…

I arrive promptly with Louise, who has kindly given me a lift.  We are guided immediately to Ian at the radiotherapy desk, who then works through my dates and times for the coming week, and puts me down for a regular slot from the 9^th August onwards.  I have a mixture of different times to attend over this week, and then from the 9^th I have the same time appointment each day.

We sit down to wait for the appointment, and very quickly, I am taken for a preparation interview.  In this meeting we establish what is going to happen, the potential side effects, and that I have not got my chemotherapy drugs yet.  My attached nurse has the day off, and has left me a note with some written guidance on preparing correctly for each appointment. 

Come back in an hour

I am asked to wait for the appointment, however, the nurse returns to tell me  that I have to take the chemotherapy drugs one hour before the radiotherapy.  A student nurse delivers the drugs, which I take, and then wander off to read the paper in the garden.

Cancer care centre

However, on the way to the garden, I find a cancer help centre, and go in to ask about using supplements during treatment.  I am guided to another department, where I have a long conversation with Anita, who tells me that they cannot guide me on diet.  She tells me that they only help people who are inmates, and people who have head and neck radiotherapy.  Her manner indicates that she does not think that this is me, and looks very surprised when I say, that is me.  I just can’t help looking well!

So, I find myself talking to a woman that I vaguely recognise, who asks me if she knows me already.  I ask my usual question “do you play hockey” to which she answers “no”.  And she quickly remembers that she was once my cleaner.  Yes, she was Lynn, my old cleaner.  Lynn is counselling me, in preparation for my first radiotherapy appointment, and how I want to laugh out loud and tell how it was …

When I return for my appointment, I am accompanied by Lynn.  Lynn  has given me a stress star to squeeze and breathe to.  It has five points on it that I can use to highlight people I love.  “It was made with love”.  She talks about fundraising, and I tell her that I have been fundraising for Christies for some time.  Next event – the 2015 London Marathon.   I have been told that my mask is a “shield”, and that it is there to protect me and help staff be precise in their work with the x-ray lasers.  I am taught some relaxation techniques like lifting my heels and then letting them relax, whilst breathing out slowly.   “Squeeze your knees together; and now relax.  Breathe out slowly”. 

 

Through my appointment, I have Lynn holding my hand and guiding me through each stage of it.  The help I found most useful was that she did tell me what they were doing and why.  I am fixed to a bench with my eyes shut, so to be given this information, really helped me to pace myself;  “you are over half way” was a joyous piece of information.  Lynn of course disappears for the actual x-ray part of the process, and then returns as the staff make adjustments to my position, and set up machine for next x-ray.

Radiotherapy session 1

So, what happens?  Bear in mind that I have my eyes closed.  They have a series of x-rays to perform.  The bench that I am lying on moves me into the correct position.  This feels like a slide, or for some x-rays, this was a juddering sideways (it felt like it was sideways, but I don’t know).  The staff are putting something on my “shield” (sorry the name has escaped me, maybe a diode??) – they do this for every x-ray that they perform.  At one point something is touching my neck and I murmer for them to move it (I cannot open my mouth).  This is done happily.

For all the x-rays, the staff are very careful to check every measurement over and over again, and they do not proceed until they are confident that they have the correct measurements and direction of x-ray beam.

When the x-ray is taken, I see light blue flickering light through my eye lids.  I think I am being lit up like someone in a giant magic experiment.   Or being recreated, like Hugh Jackman in the film, "The Prestige"  (This is a film that I would recommend - it is the story of two competing magicians.  Michael Caine also plays a key role in the film).

I am concentrating on my breathing.  Deep breath in, and then slow exhale.  This is working for me and feel relaxed.  Lynn mentions “Hern” (not Herm) and I am annoyed by this.

 And it is all over.  It has taken about 20 minutes, but Lynn tells me that this is the longest session, and as I proceed, the sessions will get shorter.

I still have Lynn talking to me, outside the radiotherapy room.  I tell her that I think I can do it well tomorrow on my own.  She says that she “knows I can”.

In the toilet after the event, I can see in the mirror that my “shield” is imprinted on my face.  I have a grid across my nose and my forehead. 

Planning for Martha and Katy ...

Martha and Katy

I have to organise Martha and Katy around my radiotherapy times.  My day will be, that someone will come to collect the girls, then I will go to Christies and return, and girls will be returned to me.  I have a list of Chorlton mums and dads available times, so will be calling to ask for help within the next couple of days.  This is where my summer gets tricky...   Martha and Katy come home from their holiday on 8th August.

Thank you for giving dates to Sarah McCall.  Anyone else who could help, could you send and dates through to me sarahc1208@btinternet.com or to mobile phone.  Thank you so much.

Good night everyone
love
Sarah xxx

A good day at home

My walk is getting longer
I am up with the dawn and the beautiful birdsong, and struggle to get more sleep.  I go for my walk before 8am and make it to Jackson's Boat and back very comfortably.  I am not far off being able to walk my old "short run".  I feel very relaxed when I am walking;  I am gently out of breath, able to think and feeling good about myself.  Those of you from Chorlton will be familiar with these views, but for non-chorltonites, here is a little of what I see en route.  It is a beautiful part of the City.

 This is the bridge across the River Mersey to the Jackson's Boat pub.

Here, I am nearly home.  The bridge at the end goes under the road.  This is the cut, that flows through to the River Mersey.

Back home, I finish breakfast and then head back to bed for a sleep.  I am woken by my Mum calling, which is an amazing habit that she has - she somehow knows the worst time to call.  I say I will call her back.  Margi calls and we have  good chat.  They are going to come over to celebrate Katy's birthday on 9th August. 

I am already stuck and cannot make clear arrangements - I know I have an appointment at Christie, but I do not know the time, so our plans are that they will come over, and I may or may not be here.  During my first week at Christies, I will be given a regular time for my radiotherapy - I just don't have it yet.

Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy

I am visited by appointment, by two professionals.  I am feeling very well and feel slightly embarrassed that I have no clear symptoms to share with them.  I can complete all the tests comfortably, my right side is working normally, I am walking regularly.  The OT agrees to order a grab rail for my bathroom;  this is a physical piece of help that I do need.  It is easy to get disorientated in the shower and lose your balance.   They also tell me of other help that is available, should I need it as I go through the treatment programme.  I could have a seat to sit in the shower, or have the toilet height raised, for example.  They give me their phone numbers so that I can call them, if I need any further support.

Anna Dawson

Anna was one of my colleagues at Chorlton High School.  I discovered from Gill and Vanessa that she is pregnant - due 17th September.  She is so looking forward to being a Mum and I know she will be brilliant with her baby.  It was really good to see her.

Mobile Massage

Late afternoon, I have the luxury of a massage and eyebrow shape.  The lady who came was really friendly, and very professional.  I really enjoyed the experience, and amazingly have more money on the voucher to have a repeat session in a few weeks.  I am going to try my first ever facial, I think.  Any suggestions welcomed!  Thanks so much for this, Sally.

Dave drops in, which was a great help - I am doing very well, but still need help moving things up and down the stairs.  We have a good chat about lots of things.

Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy starts tomorrow

I will be going to Christies every week day for the next 6 weeks.  Tomorrow my appointment is at 11.10.  I will also have a meeting with my radiotherapist who will give me chemotherapy tablets and guidance on how to take it.  During my first week, I will negotiate a regular time.

Martha and Katy

I have to organise Martha and Katy around my radiotherapy times.  My day will be, that someone will come to collect the girls, then I will go to Christies and return, and girls will be returned to me.  I have a list of Chorlton mums and dads available times, so will be calling to ask for help within the next couple of days.  This is where my summer gets tricky...  

If you have not given dates that you could help to Sarah McCall, could you send them through to me sarahc1208@btinternet.com or to mobile phone.

Good night everyone
love
Sarah xxx

On yer bike!

Hi there, I wish I had a picture of this, but I went out on my bike today.  To get fruit and veg from unicorn, I worked out that if I got there by bike, I could then push the bike home, and the bike would take the weight of the shopping.  I felt absolutely fine on two wheels.  I have to say that when I got home, I was very tired, but the whole trip was a big success.  (I will add photo tomorrow)

I was meant to have a dishwasher delivered.  The delivery men called about 9am to say they were on their way, and they checked that I had the dishwasher at home.  I don't!  The last delivery men came were unable to remove the integrated dishwasher, so took the dishwasher back with them.  When John Lewis called about the delivery, I have to say that I was not as diplomatic as I could have been (I am blaming it on the steroids).  I was very curt, and explained that this was the third time the dishwasher had not been installed, and that I was about to start radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and that I would not be able to wait in for delivery men to arrive.  Fortunately the caller was very diplomatic, and he has given me a two hour delivery slot 7 - 9 am on Friday.  Let's hope this works out.

I have a lunchtime sleep, and then start dusting my bedroom.  I am proudly sitting in bed between perfectly clean chest of drawers.  I have rediscovered my jewellery, cleaned it and started wearing it.  I listened to the radio as I enjoyed a spring clean.  My best moment is Kate Bush singing "Running up that Hill" - I felt really good.

I made juice using the fruit and veg.  I have eaten well today - a good balance of fresh and cooked, lots of colour.

At the end of the day, I went for a walk.  I am walking a little bit further every day.  Today, I walked to the meadows, and as far as the river Mersey, and then returned along the cut.  I was gently out of breath, and walking at a reasonable pace.  Tomorrow, I will extend the walk again - I will go to Jackson's boat and then return.  My muscles are starting to return, which helps me feel positive about myself.  I will carefully get myself in good shape. 

I have a busier day tomorrow - Occupational Therapist and Physiotherapist are coming to see how I am getting on.  I would like a hand rail in the bathroom, and some key exercises.  Anna Dawson from Chorlton High School is dropping in, and it will be good to see her.  I have arranged a mobile massage for late afternoon, using a voucher from Sally.  Thursday is my first radiotherapy appointment.

Have a good night.  Love you all.  Sarah xxx

Thank you for your gifts

Thank you Bev, for this.  I will read and let you know what I think.

Louise's mum, Cherry has sent me this book, which I will use to keep adjusting my diet.  I am aiming to eat a low carbohydrate diet.  Thanks Cherry, this is so kind of you.

Sally has sent me a voucher for a mobile massage.  How fantastic.  I am in the middle of agreeing an appointment for the masseur to come to my house.

 

Thanks to Nicky and David in London, how sent these beautiful flowers and some lovely chocolates.  It is so thoughtful of you, thanks loads.

Health on Herm

My health on Herm was mixed.  I have had very little time when I have had a headache, and apart from the morning of fever, I have taken no paracetemol.  My only drugs have been 2mg steroids and omerazapole which protects stomach against the steroids.

My first night, I had terrible diarrhoea.  I had to keep getting up, walking to the toilet and allowing my bowels to eject painful liquid.  It felt like a few men were having a fight in my belly, over and over again.  The next morning, I ate eggs and anything that could help, and it all settled down.  I think my body is rebelling against the diet of raw food, and so I have increased the amount of food that I am eating that has been cooked. 

On the Sunday, I woke with a fever, and had to fill up with paracetemol to get the fever down.  I wanted to go to church because I like the service, and because on Herm, we always sing "for those in peril on the sea".  I love that hymn!  Dave advised against going, but I decided that I could do it.  I did not stand, I was seated only, but thoroughly enjoyed the service.  The fever did settle down, I am glad to say, and I managed to pack my bags and be ready to go.

Before I left for Herm, Sarah (piano teacher) helped me see that I have lost the digging/ticking/bed squeaking.  These noises have stopped, I am glad to say.  When they stopped, I don't know.  It is something that has stopped.  Maybe all the gaps in my brain have now disappeared, so there is no brain tissue moving around.  I don't know, but I am glad that it has stopped.

Herm was beautiful

Good afternoon!  I have had my holiday in Herm, and really enjoyed the break.  I wish I could stay longer, but have to be delighted that I made it there at all.  Here are some snaps from the holiday.

 

 

 

If you want to watch it, here is a video of the girls having their sleeping bag fight.  Two boys from the tent opposite, aged 5 and 2 joined in shortly after, and really enjoyed pushing the girls over.  Katy was really sticky with sweat!  http://youtu.be/De6btVT3OyA

Katy at Belvoir bay.  This is Martha and Katy's favourite beach.

Me, sun bathing.  Swim suit was perfect, thanks.

Castle building with Dave.  I wasn't up to digging.  I did walk down to the beach and walk back - this is a difficult walk up a very steep path.  I was very out of breath, but very proud.  The next morning my calves and hamstrings were stiff.  What a fabulous feeling.  I am building muscle again in my legs and arms.

 Dave and Martha walking down to the harbour.

 A pose on the way to the harbour.

Katy and I walked back up the hill from the harbour together.  There are three routes you can take.  Around the cliffs, which Martha did with Dave, and they spotted 8 different types of butterfly, using a guide to identify them.  

Up the path

or through the Woodland Walk.

Katy and I took the Woodland Walk route, and found these beautiful and vibrant natural flowerbeds.  We like these :)

 

 

And finally, we did have rain storms and thunder.  I saw a thunderbolt strike the sea, which was pretty shocking and impressive.  I also saw a rainbow.  I really felt like I was being offered all the Herm experiences in a compact set of time, very blessed!

When I left the island on the evening of the 28th, I got onto the Trident (the ferry to Guernsey) and Martha and Katy waved me off like I was getting on a bus into town.  They understand that it is the best solution for them to stay and enjoy Herm, and have accepted this. 

 These pictures were taken today, by Dave.  I am back home.   This is Katy and Ella, Amber and Martha.  They are good friends who play together every year on Herm.

 Spot Aunty Bev!  Bev, Amber, Martha, Katy.

Katy - what a brilliant pose!

 

On my last night, I stay with my friend Ali on Guernsey.  Ali and I got to know each other on Herm when we were 11 onwards.  They camped there every year, and so did we.  As uni students we both went to Loughborough Uni, both studied PE (in different years) and continued our friendship. He eldest daughter is moving into Year 6, as is Martha.  She also has twin boys who start school in September.   I think Martha is starting to understand that her friend Amber, could become a life long friend too.  This picture is of us at 4.50 am, about to go and catch the "red eye".  Ali, Jean-Luke (hubby) and Georgie, Alex and Charlie all go to Herm for a week in a cottage, and will have good times with Martha and Katy.  Martha and Katy plan to invite Georgie for a sleepover in the tent.

Another friend of mine, Paul (who I call Ingy) came over, which was magic.  He is an amazing man, who always shows what is in his heart.  He had been to Bermuda as the commentator on the Island Games, had been running cliffs with his son, and was incredibly proud of his family.  He always inspires me.