Today was another perfect day - a cloudless sky and the smell of spring . Having braved Aldi (supermarket - I am now hooked on finding bargains ) in the morning , I decided we would go to Killerton our local National Trust House and gardens in the afternoon which is only a couple of miles from us . Having watered Veronica (euphemism ) got her into her coat ,transferred her to her wheel chair , got her scarf on and gloves (why are they so difficult to put on another person ?) I was already exhausted and wondering whether it was going to be worth it . Still I persevered and pushed her up the ramp into the fart (nickname for the Fiat Doblo ,stupid name which has replaced my beloved VW Passat )And so we set off . Killerton has ample disabled parking bays and a ramp which avoids the steps down to the " way in" which is through the stable courtyard . However the courtyard is cobbled and almost impossible to cross in a wheel chair especially as it also has a gully which you have to get passed. Veronica leans heavily to the left and forwards in her chair and there were several moments when I thought I had lost her .When we got to the ticket desk I suggested that since this was the regional headquarters of the National Trust they might consider a better access for wheelchairs . The very nice lady said I could have driven up to the house about half a mile up the drive , left Veronica there , driven back to the carpark and parked the car and then walked back to the house . I didn't like to mention that if I leave Veronica anywhere she will be bellowing GEORGE GEORGE GEORGE until I return .
Still we made it up to the gardens and there were carpets of daffodils and primroses interspersed with blue periwinkle and cyclamen . Magnificent magnolias with creamy candles and even the odd azalea in bloom .
I managed to make it to a favourite spot where there is a memorial to the fallen local men from the two world wars which overlooks the rolling Devon countryside bathed in sunshine as it disappears into the distant haze - hence the photograph .
Written by
Georgepa
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How can such peace and beauty be?! Lovely, George, thanks. It's nice to see all that green. We are in the awkward seasonal transition, when winter's pure white and stark black and clear blue are replaced by soggy, muddy browns and untidiness. No green grass here. The little daffodil and tulip shoots and the sudden flirtatiousness of the winter birds promise better things, but then there's a nor'easter heading our way over the weekend, with more snow! Winter is not done with us yet!
My mother turns 90 this year, and, as part of several celebrations planned, she is going to Wales next week with two of my sisters and a son-in-law and a grown grandson. I wish I were going, too, but I love the thought of them seeing such a spring. Will the rhododendrons be blooming, I wonder? (We won't think about how horribly invasive they are.)
Your trip en wheelchair seemed to be worth the cobbled ride as the picture and the beautifully descriptive words portray . In fact, I don't know what is more beautiful, the picture or the words describing the picture.
Beautiful place, so peaceful, this spring weather certainly lifts the spirits, I'm hoping to visit our 'local NT house soon, Lyme Park, will check out the access before we go 😊
Worth the effort for that lovely sight but I think the same now as it is exhausting isn't it. I've saved your photo intending to paint it one day, along with the dozens of others I've saved with the same intention. I love the contrast of the misty background and the vibrant foreground, the shadows of the distant trees and the little dog also looking at the daffs from a different direction.
I want to paint it NOW.....too bad, no time. One day though.
X
PS we didn't go out yesterday. I've just received this quote via Facebook which describes yesterday in the SE exactly:- It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade. Charles Dickens.
Can you imagine what S.S. Would say, or the Health and Safety police, if you left V for the 10 - 15 minutes it would have taken you to get back to her. Is there someone to look after her, while you do this? I was once told to leave S and my Mum, who has Alhzlmers, at the hospital entrance, while I parked the car miles away and would have to get a bus back!!! Needless to say, when I got back, S was on the floor and some receptionist was rushing to get a PLASTER! No first aider there!!!
Oh thank you thank you thank you for the daffodil shot! I just purchased little bundles at the grocery store for a mere $2.95 American dollars (I too like a bargain:). But a little bouquet pales in comparison to your majetic field. I have been there when the doing seems overwhelming and halfway through you ask yourself if the effort justifies the end result but I am glad in this case you got your just reward. Keep up the goodwork caring for your lovely wife and keep fighting the fight.
Hi and ahaa.. another American! I'm in VA, a caretaker for my elderly Daddy with PSP, most people here seem to be from the UK and they seem to get FAR more outside help than we do here in the US, and the medicare is so complicated and takes so long. Have you had experience with this? ~Sheila
Yup! And the only way we seem to get any help is if we pay dearly for it. I usually end up paying out of pocket and billing medicare for reimbursement which does not always happen. People usually mistake my husband for my father. He is older than me by a decade but was very youthful before PSP got its nasty claws on him.
Our doctor said we have more advanced medical care here but the UK has more services. They do seem to have an incredible amount of services available to them but our doctor has done very little but watch him deteriorate. So so much for better healthcare. It took several doctors to even get a definitive diagnosis but that seems to be a common thing from what I have seen posted here. We had hoped to be part of a drug study but he did not qualify I am on the west coast -CA. easterncedar is on the east coast but I think she is originally from the UK.
You are a good daughter to be taking care of your father.
My father passed away a very long time ago (non-PSP related) and I regret to this day that I was not able to be there and help my siblings care for him.
My heart goes out to you and your father.
Please take time for yourself as well so you do not burn out.
WOW! What a beautiful photo and what an outing. It sounds like it was an amazing day. It is just crazy how with PSP some days are good days and then others are just soooo terrible. Here is to the good days!!
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Another Downturn for my sister
Spring in Philadelphia 
Another smashed tv table!but hubby ok!
