Exploring the South Downs on my Birthday

One of the 'perks' of being a self-employed instrumental teacher, married to an engineer at Land Rover, is that we're no longer tied to school holidays.  This means that we can celebrate my end of November birthday with short breaks in areas that are completely new to us.

 

This year we decided to explore the area where the South Downs meet the sea.. the gorgeous Seven Sisters National Park and Beachy Head Estate.  We stayed at the lovely Tiger Inn in East Dean.  (Our bedroom was the window at the right hand corner of the building).  It's a 'walker's pub' rather than 'boutique' style and we enjoyed every minute.

 

 

We walked for miles along the coast... towards Beachy Head..

 

Then back to the National Trust Tea-rooms at Birling Gap.... and on over the Seven Sisters..

 

The views in-land were equally lovely...

 

On the second day part of our walk took us through Friston Forest and down the even more gorgeous village of West Dean..

 

Before heading out to the coast again at Cuckmere Haven,..

 

The 51st (GRRR!) birthday shot!!!

 

It's an awkward journey from Worcester to this part of the south coast.  It took us almost five hours on Friday afternoon.  Nevertheless it's definitely somewhere that we'd re-visit.  The walking was fabulous and the pub (which was a lucky internet find) was just what we wanted.

 

On the way home we picked up Thomas's ashes from the vets.  For those of you who believe in such things... you won't be surprised to read that he's a very active spirit at the moment.  I've heard him eating biscuits in the kitchen and 'agitating' a metal handle on the cabinet in the dining room.  He still shares the sofa with us (there's a cold patch) and pinches Mark's spot when he stands up.  (The first time it happened, we laughed because Mark sat down, looked slightly puzzled, then said "I think I've sat on Thomas").  This morning I heard him meowing and felt him jump on the bed.  To be honest, it feels like we still have a cat at the moment.  I'm sure that it will calm down eventually....

 

I can't believe that it's the 1st December.

Where has 2017 gone??????

Jx

Losing a Loved One...

Yesterday morning we had to make the horrible decision to say 'goodbye' to our beloved 'cat-child' Thomas.  He was over 20 years old, with an immense interest in life and settled in his ways.  Until the end of last week we believed that he might be the cat that lived for ever BUT he had terrible arthritis through his legs and back.  We managed this with pain killers and it became clear that we couldn't keep on top of his pain with the dosages that we could give him.

 

On Monday the vet gave him a opiate pain killer through injection and gave us four further doses to administer over the next 36 hours.  She told us that this should make him very sleepy and give him some relief.  Sadly he responded badly to the drug and started to move round the house even more.  His eyes were dilating and it was clear that he was hallucinating.  After a phone consultation with the vet, we popped him in a safe place and waited for the drug to clear his system.

 

By Tuesday lunchtime I had to find the objectivity to say that the kindest thing would be one more trip to the vets....  We kept him as comfortable as possible with as much standard pain killer as seemed appropriate so I know that he wasn't stressed or hurting.

 

For anyone else who's been in this situation, you'll know that WE'RE stressed and hurting a lot though.  In the last 24 hours I've become a 'domestic demon' and the house is starting to sparkle.  There's something about routine actions that really helps.  I went on FB yesterday afternoon to let people know.  This morning I couldn't bear the absence of a little sleeping cat in the lounge so I decided to come up to the study and post this...... So here's Thomas's time with us in a few pictures.

 

Spring 2003..he came to us from Blue Cross as a youngish cat. 

He's always been tiny (about 3.5kg) so we thought he was a teenager.

We found out subsequently that he was about 5!

 

 

Christmas 2005 - my all time favourite photo of Thomas.

He never jumped into the tree but he loved watching the sparkling lights.

(In fact he loved bling of any type and would even wear my most sparkly necklaces!)

 

On neighbourhood watch in our bedroom window.

He spent SO much time doing this.  He was desperately territorial and this was the perfect vantage point to watch the cats across the road...

 

2011 - Crashed out in his cat bed.

By this stage he was about 14 years old and his default setting was a good sleep in a warm place.

 

2012 - Helping with paperwork....

 

A few weeks ago...

He spent the whole of summer 2017 soaking up the heat in the conservatory.

 

God I miss him.

Jx

Pictures From a Heat Wave

We managed to get two complimentary tickets for Friday at the Three Counties Show this year.

Mark finishes work at 1.00 so we popped over to Malvern for a few hours in the afternoon.

It was lovely to see all the care and attention that went into the displays..

 

 

We were just in time to see the final stages of the first phase of judging.

(Although we missed the 'parade of champions', where the best of each breed walks round the ring)

 

There were dark clouds over the Malvern Hills and it had already started to turn incredibly hot and stuffy.  However we were lucky that the rain didn't come our way..

 

I always take lots of photos of the vintage caravans.  Secretly, I'd love to have one and use it for quirky holidays.  Sadly Mark doesn't share my romantic vision (He can see all of the limitations and none of the 'bygone luxury'!!!!)

 

We've pretty much moved outside for the last five days.  We even got a new (larger) umbrella to keep some of the sun off the patio.  I spotted it in the Sale at the local garden centre on Saturday.  It was perfect for our Father's Day lunch on Sunday...

 

In the evenings Mark and I just move the chairs and table from the conservatory to the patio.

While I love my new conservatory, it's thermal efficiencies make it WAY too hot for these temperatures...

 

I keep moving my hanging baskets around so that they don't get too burnt up and dried out.

I've made far more of an effort with the planters this year because I know that we're going to be around all summer to enjoy them.

 

On Monday I went up to Cannock to collect two new fuel tanks for Mark's projects. 

Here's Mark checking them out on the decking. 

 

...And everyone's been making the most of the calm evening weather.

These flew over last night..

 

Thomas is way too hot...but I can see that he's not in pain at the moment.

He likes to start the day on his favourite chair in the conservatory.

Eventually it becomes way too hot (for anyone - not just those with a fur coat!)

 

...Then he sprawls anywhere that he thinks he can feel a draught.

 

Much as I love this hot weather, I think I'm ready for the cooler, damper couple of days that are forecast for the end of the week.  Ness and I are doing some flute and harp stuff for the local church on Sunday.  My harp has been extremely irritable in all the heat and actually broke two strings this afternoon.  I need some less extreme weather to 'calm it down' before the performance!

My Brave Mum.. and a Thomas Update.

Over the last few years my Mum has taken part in several research studies aiming to improve future management and care of Huntington's.  She knows that she's unlikely to see the benefits of these herself.. but she's keen to do everything that she can.  Generally these have been talking or co-ordination tests, with some monitoring of brain patterns etc.  Nothing too invasive or painful, just time-consuming.

On Sunday she left some paperwork with me that outlines the latest research project.  This requires a completely different level of involvement from the patients.  Basically she will go through a screening programme - then donate some of her cerebrospinal fluid (which surrounds the brain and spinal chord) for this latest research programme.  The CSF will be used to identify and evaluate biomarkers and pathways for HD (and other conditions).  It will also allow the researchers to develop a greater understanding of the Huntington protein, which causes HD, and some chemicals produced by the brain that are also thought to be closely associated with HD.

I'm popping round to their house tomorrow morning to find out exactly how serious she is about taking part.  Knowing my brave and determined Mum, I expect that she's pretty set on doing it. 

I think I've said it before... but I'm always super-proud of my Mum!!!

There's better news on the Thomas front too.  He's responded well to the increased level of pain killer and has lost the 'distant' look in his eyes.  I think (hope and have EVERYTHING CROSSED) that his time on the planet may be counted in weeks again.. rather than days.  He wanders round the house, cursing the heat and generally shouting at me for non-specific failures.  That's Thomas 'back to his normal self' for the moment.  Thank you (and purrs) to everyone who left a comment on my last post.

Hope you are all enjoying the weather!
Jx

Sad...

 

It seems that Thomas - my beloved elderly cat child - is coming to the end of his days.

We've had several other occasions over the last fourteen months when he's been very ill and we've been able to help him with tablets/pain medication but for the last week or so, he's just been restless and unsettled.  I know that. at 20 years old, we were on borrowed time with him... but you can't help hoping that you're going to squeeze another few months of time together.

I am SO upset....

 

 

For many reasons, it hasn't felt like the right thing to go on a two week holiday this year.

We had our long weekend at Spa circuit in May and there are no plans to travel until October.

However, we're very lucky to have a beautiful part of England on our doorstep....

 

On Friday afternoon we went for a walk on Hartlebury Common (near Stourport in Worcestershire).  It was a perfect 'early June afternoon'... warm but not roasting and gorgeous skies.

 

We made our way down from the common to the bank of the river Severn, then followed the tow paths into the canal basin/marina.  It's been restored over the last few years and is a fascinating place to explore.  The combination of locks and docks makes it feel a little like a Escher painting!!

 

Mark always has time for a Sundae!!!

 

We walked up the High Street and took a quick look in one or two of the shops.

I found a lovely cotton skirt for £2.95 in a Charity Shop. 

It's blue and cream and the label says that it was made in Italy.... perfect when the weather improves!

Then we retraced our steps back up to the car park on the common

(and came home to the challenges of elderly cat care....)

 

Jx

Projects, Plans and Other Time-Consuming Activities...

 

Here's a recent photo of Thomas.  If cats could speak, he'd be saying

"Mum, please BE QUIET!  Why don't you do something peaceful like a blog post??"

So here's a flavour of what I'm up to...

 

~ There's been lots of instrumental teaching.  I've picked up another harp pupil AND did some coaching for a Year 13 student (which ended last week).  A number of my pupils have also asked for extra time or additional lessons for various reasons.

 

~ I've been asked to learn lots of material on both the harp and the piano so I've had to expand my practice regime.  I'm now starting piano practice at 7.00 each morning (good thing we're detached!!).  My sister and I have got a medium term plan which involves some challenging flute and piano playing, so I need to brush up my technique.  I'm currently re-learning one of the late Beethoven piano sonatas which I studied at Uni. (back in the dark ages!!).  It's hard to explain just how good this makes me feel... but I'm sure that you fellow musicians out there will know what I'm on about!

 

~ We went away for two nights over the May Bank Holiday weekend.  We stayed at the lovely little 'motel style' guest house that we normally use for the Donington Historic Festival.  It's a great set-up for the car and fabulous value for money.   The weather was SO COLD but we still enjoyed the first racing of the season.

 

 

~ My Blue Discovery was finally towed away by the insurance company last week.  Sadly the Silver one also has had to go back to the garage that we bought her from... She has several issues that need to be sorted while she's still under warranty.  To be honest, Mark could fix her.  It's just that he's so busy with work, other jobs at home AND his building/maintenance programme for the Marcos cars.  Unfortunately, dealing with all of this is extremely time-consuming because the Garage where the Silver car is being fixed is over 30 minutes drive away...

 

~ There's been a steady stream of low-level jobs to deal with in the house - Such as the light bulb in the extractor fan popping; small things breaking and the whole boiler system developing a curious resonance in the loft!! (Which was resolved by cleaning all the lime-scale off.........!?)

 

~ AND the tray in the Shower has cracked... leaving a nasty stain on the lounge ceiling.  Grrrr!  'Kevin the Builder' is coming at 12.00 to start the process of removing the old shower and replacing it with a nice non-leaky new one.....

 

Thomas is not going to be impressed by all the mess and dust from this latest disruption!!!

Jx

 

It's All Too Much..

 

I took this photo yesterday afternoon of my 'cat child' Thomas, nose down in his bed.

 

At first he was in a massive grump after I'd failed him as a 'cat parent' by

- taking him to the vets AGAIN.

- refusing his request for wet food at midday (which he never has anyway)

- playing the harp when he wanted to sleep.

Cruel mother!!!!

 

The amusing thing is that he went into a deep sleep in this position.

 

After all the worries and upsets he caused us last week, the last few days have been much better.  He's as stable as an elderly cat can be.  He's eating lots, drinking enough, moving more easily with the pain killers, and his heart/thyroid medication is keeping his weight up too.

 

I know that he feels better because he's started to communicate properly with me about everything again.  He's an incredibly verbal cat, so we call this combination of miaows, purrs and tail swishing 'staff training'!

 

Fingers crossed that we have him with us for a while longer yet...

Jx

 

At Last...

...Some blue skies at the weekend!

 

Mark and I had flexible plans for this morning.  If it continued to be wet, cold and windy we were going to do some serious tidying up in the cupboard under the stairs.  If it was dry (and preferably a bit sunny) we would go for a walk along the lanes and canal tow path to the north of our village.

 

So here are some 'snaps' taken on my camera this morning..

The Droitwich canal at Porters Mill.

 

 

Winter sunlight through a gap in the trees.

 

 

..And a glorious winter blue from the tow path

 

Mark has had major work stress recently - and I've been worried about several situations - so it was really nice to get outside and remind ourselves of the good stuff.

 

Thank you for leaving lovely comments on my last post.  Thomas is increasingly settled and content.  The pain relief has allowed his jarred back to settle and his front paws are fine.  He's worked out that it's me rather than Mark who is adding stuff to his food to make him feel better.  As a result he was a bit anxious when I went out last night with Mum and Dad.... Aw bless him!  We've got a review with the vet next Wednesday, then hopefully we can just carry on for a bit.

 

Other stuff that's 'on my radar' at the moment..

- Dad's asthma is very bad.  We spent a lot of last week clearing rooms and moving stuff at their house.  The builder is coming in next Wednesday to clear a space for the lift in the utility room.  We did all the sorting and moving upstairs... including clearing the entire little bedroom/study to make space for the lift's upstairs position.  I moved all the dusty books etc. but the whole job has made him feel very unwell (and he's VERY stubborn about this!!)

- This week I have to clear the lounge, dining room, hall, stairs, cloakroom and hall cupboard for the new carpets to be fitted.  Expect plenty of photos of this project!  (I'm also project managing new doors and a new conservatory... exciting but slightly scary.)

- I'm also bothered about my sister's health again.... but that's something for another post really.

 

So - if all else fails - eat another cupcake!!

This absolute 'gem' of a construction was my treat to myself on Thursday.

It was called a 'Chocoholics Delight' and they weren't kidding..

..chocolate cake, scooped out for a genache filling; white chocolate butter cream, two beautiful soft centre chocolates, chocolate sauce and a dusting of cocoa powder

 

 

Yummmmm!

Jx

This Week.. A Miscellany

 

Thomas, my beloved elderly cat, had to go back to the vets for another check up.

Last year we came very close to losing him in May to an overactive thyroid.

He was ill again in November, when the vet recommended that we 'tweak' his medication.

 

The good news is that he's stable again, has put on a bit of weight and his heart sounds good.

Hopefully he'll be with us for a while longer yet.  He came to us as a young cat but he's always been tiny so we're not sure of his exact age.. I hope that he'll be one of those cats who goes on for years because he's certainly lives a life of pampering, adoration and indulgence!

 

Here's the 'little prince'...

 

 

Things have moved on quickly at Mum and Dad's house.

They were lucky to be offered an 'ex-demo' lift which the company had used at a trade show.

This came at a preferential price (although still not a cheap option!) and moves the project forward without much of a waiting time.  It looks like they'll have the lift installed in a few weeks.  I've promised that I'll make plenty of time available next week to move stuff around with Dad.

 

At the same time, I'm project managing several jobs that are taking place here.

We got a really good deal on some new carpet, which is going to be laid in the hall, stairs, landing, lounge, dining room and conservatory.  It's one of those super-hardwearing, stain-resistant carpets (that is really needed when you've got someone with HD in the family).  It will also much smarter now that I'm working from home.

 

AND we're going to have a new front and back door installed.

 

AND we've got a roofer to come a fix the leaks in the roof.

 

AND I've got a price to replace the entire top of the conservatory - which has also been leaking and generally showing it's age.

 

We haven't just had a lottery win.  It's just that we bought the house when it was brand new 22 years ago.  We've been able to 'live lightly' with the carpets, white goods and other fixtures since then.  The roof should have been fixed several years ago but we 'got by' with a tarpaulin in the loft....  Now that I'm at home most of the time - and can be flexible about access for the builders etc - we can finally get some of the jobs sorted.

 

It's a little bit scary because I've never done this sort of thing before...

but I can't wait to get all the stuff that's been irritating me sorted!!