Postcard from Como!

[Hilly22]

I haven't been very active on here for a while but thought I'd say 'hello' with this photo of our "room with a view" which I took yesterday when the sun was shining.

Making the most of seeing beautiful places while we still can ... my medication makes me a bad traveler, my normally slim ankles are unbelievably swollen - I blame the journey, the heat and the Amlodipine. It's raining today and much cooler, so I'm watching our view with my feet up.

It brings to mind the first time we visited New Zealand. Arrived in Auckland, went to get our hire-car and got chatting to a couple who'd flown over from Australia for the weekend. I told them how lucky they were being able to visit such a beautiful country for the weekend and they told me how much they envied us having Europe on our doorstep. It's so true, and I don't always appreciate that enough.

I do hope you're all as well as can be, my friends x

[jeanjeannie50]

Looks so lovely, soul food!

Wish I was there. Enjoy every moment.

Jean

[Hilly22 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Wish you were here too Jean, would love to chat with you ... wearing our kaftans of course 😂

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Hilly22]

Of course. Love and peace .✌🧘‍♀️

[Edm174]

Looks absolutely beautiful enjoy the scenery 😄😄xx

[Hilly22 in reply to Edm174]

Thank you Edm. I hope all is well with you xx

[Edm174 in reply to Hilly22]

Hi things are definitely better my husband back at work after is op all went well!! They have decided that I am in permanent AF and that the medication is doing its job so only on bisoprosol now ! Took me off apixaban as Chad score of one, so I’ve reduced my hours at work and are enjoying my free time 😄

[Hilly22 in reply to Edm174]

Oh that’s great news all round 😊. I’ve been thinking about you both and wondering how your husband’s op went. Enjoy your free time 😀

[BobD Volunteer]

Lovely to hear from you and jealous as heck. Italy is my favorite foreign country and Milan/Monza my favorite part but Lake Como is lovely. Thank you.

[Hilly22 in reply to BobD]

Hi Bob. You can join Jean and us - you know the dress code 😜

It stopped raining so we took the boat across the Lake to Bellagio. Currently soaked to our skins!

Amore dall'italia xx

[wilsond]

Hilly,how lovely! I hope you have a lovely holiday,never been to Como but was lucky enough to go to Lake Garda once,thought the whole area was stunning! Enjoy your trip xx

[Hilly22 in reply to wilsond]

Thank you Wilsond. Hope you’re ok xx

[wilsond in reply to Hilly22]

Hi! Yes,see my EP on 31st May to discuss whether he feels he wants to go ahead iwth ablation or not,given my improvement.

I am looking forward,in a strange way,to next Monday for a trip to the dental hospital,after a 6 week wait to get a tooth abcess sorted out......two lots of very strong antibiotics meanwhile!!! Always something?,,,,,,,!!! Have a great time xx

[Hilly22 in reply to wilsond]

Good luck with the EP and the dentist. Had a tooth abscess a few years ago - such a relief to have the tooth (a back one) removed. All the best my friend, let me know what happens xx

[wilsond in reply to Hilly22]

Will do.,,,,,xx

[Dawsonmackay]

I don't know you at all but sounds lovely. Can I join the group? I had swollen ankles last week and finally subsided. I hope your ankles enjoy the lovely scenes too and diminish. All the best.

[Hilly22 in reply to Dawsonmackay]

Aww thank you. If I take the table off the balcony we can get about 8 people on there. You’d be most welcome. We could make tea for all (got some wine in the fridge too, but don’t tell Bob) 😝 x

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Hilly22]

Just heard that my 2018 wine is now ready and a pallet is waiting for me to arrange collection. All 28 cases.! Coming to Devon when you get back?

[Hilly22 in reply to BobD]

Ooh Bob how fabulous. Is it Italian? Is it red? Yum 😋 we’re on our way 😂

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Hilly22]

New Hall Vinyard Essex. A medium dry white which is sadly all too drinkable. I am part of a group who lease part of the vinyard and are therefor wine growers in our own right so do not pay tax on what our vines produce. Our Bachus grape produces a very nice wine.

[Wightbaby in reply to BobD]

But of course, Bob.......many good things come from Essex!!!

[Hilly22 in reply to BobD]

Wow! And a bottle for every day of the year - perfect 👌🏼

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Hilly22]

Sometimes but not often they last a year!

[Hilly22 in reply to BobD]

Hmm I suspected as much (only kidding!) 😉

[doodle68]

Hi Hilly what an amazing view , I hope you are looking at it with your feet up to reduce your ankles . Enjoy your time there, peace and relaxation is good for the heart

[Hilly22 in reply to doodle68]

Thank you doodle. It stopped raining so we took a boat across the lake and got soaked! My feet are back up again now x

[Kaz747]

Ah, beautiful. We celebrated my 50th birthday in Italy and had a wonderful few days at Lake Como - we stayed at Verenna. Bellissimo! Enjoy!

[Hilly22 in reply to Kaz747]

Grazia Kaz. It is truly bellissimo. Lovely place to celebrate a birthday - or just being alive 😊 x

[Hidden]

Beautiful!

[Hilly22]

Lol 😂 how did you guess?

[Suzy1954]

Beautiful lake Como. Enjoy 👍

[Gillybean123]

What an amazing view. Enjoy.

[fairgo45]

I'm British but have called New Zealand home for the last 20 years

The beauty of this country is its diversity and wonderful scenery and lovely kind gentle people _perfect same size as the UK but 60 million less people if you get the chance come visit godzone

[Hilly22 in reply to fairgo45]

You are so lucky Fairgo. I adore NZ and the people. My daughter married a kiwi and has lived near Napier with her husband and three children for the last 13 years. We’ve been over 5 times for 3 months at a time. So beautiful it literally brings tears to my eyes.

Lovely people, and the way they came together with so much love after the tragedy in March says so much about them 😍

[fairgo45 in reply to Hilly22]

So true and we have a prime minister that has so much empathy for people that even Australia want her for their PM

I also live in Napier Hawkes bay best place in the country

[Hilly22 in reply to fairgo45]

I wish all political leaders were like Jacinda ❤️. We urgently need her as PM in the UK too!

Wow, small world. My daughter lives in Taradale near The Mission.

I agree, Hawkes Bay has everything, from the subtropical climate to the views, the warm people, the beaches, the food, the lifestyle and the wine! I’m so happy that my grandchildren are growing up there. Enjoy xx

[fairgo45 in reply to Hilly22]

I used to live in taradale still shop at New world im guessing your daughter lives in church road or there abouts she will probably hear

the Elton John concert for free in February

It's a great area to bring up children

As you say small world

[Hilly22 in reply to fairgo45]

Amazing coincidence, the world is getting smaller with every comment. She lived in Birdwood Street for a while, and now lives in a farmhouse in the hills behind Taradale. Gorgeous views.

They love going to the Mission for the concerts and special meals out. My daughter has a friend who sings there sometimes. I’m quite sure they’ll be hearing and seeing Elton John too.

I really enjoy shopping in New World.

I’ll message you sometime with more details.

Love from Italia to Aotearoa 😊

[lovetogarden in reply to Hilly22]

Hard to have your grandkids so far away, but what a great excuse to visit NZ as often as possible. We’re heading there soon, looking forward to it.

[Hilly22 in reply to lovetogarden]

Oh you’ll love it. I forgot to mention how clean it is too.

Yes, it’s so hard. Saw them all a couple of years ago so must go there soonish. Only problem is saying goodbye when we leave. I’ve resisted asking them to come back to the UK as they have such a great life and it’s good to know they’re happy.

Going to have to splash out on business class, ouch! Otherwise I’ll look like the Michelin man when I arrive lol 😂. The Air New Zealand sky couch is another good option.

Have a wonderful time, and thank you for your kind understanding words 😊

[lovetogarden in reply to Hilly22]

Business class is the way to go for sure! We're doing that as well, saved lots of airline miles to pay for it!

[Alan1947]

Is that the Grand Hotel Maggiore ? We stayed there.

[Hilly22 in reply to Alan1947]

It isn’t, we’re staying in Cadenabbia, but you must have had some gorgeous views of Lake Maggiore from the Grand Hotel. I visited Stresa by Lake Maggiore years and years ago ... beautiful x

[lovetogarden in reply to Alan1947]

Ah, that was my first question! Putting those hotels on my wish list! what a stunning view. Enjoy your stay Hilly22.

[Hilly22 in reply to lovetogarden]

Thank you. We’re at the Hotel Britannia Excelsior. It has a floating swimming pool on the lake 😊

[saulger]

Have a wonderful holiday and enjoy the amazing view. If you are up to it, try the village of Moltrasio and have lunch at Hotel Caramazza. 50 Years ago it was amazing !!!

[Hilly22 in reply to saulger]

Thank you so much saulger. I’ve just looked it up, and sadly, it seems that the hotel Caramazza is no longer there. We might have a look at the village though, it sounds lovely x

[saulger in reply to Hilly22]

It was amazing and the food was out of this world. It was called Pensione Caramazza and was owned by a princely chap and his sisters who did everything. It was legendary but, alas, all things must pass. Have a lovely time and take care.

[saulger in reply to saulger]

Just found this. Another nostalgic person searching for Caramazza...

tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g...

[Hilly22 in reply to saulger]

That’s where I found it too 😀

[Hilly22 in reply to saulger]

I felt bad breaking the news to you but lucky for you that you got to have that unique experience. You take care too x

[saulger in reply to Hilly22]

All the best and enjoy the view and Italian food. Regards.

[Paulbounce]

Looks lovely Hilly - perfect place to relax and unwind.

Enjoy.

Best,

Paul

[Hilly22]

If only! It’s complicated but I’ve never been 100% normal you see lol 😂. I was on Amlodipine before the AF, for hypertension. I was also on Perindopril which counteracted the swelling but I had to stop taking that when my potassium levels were shown to be dangerously high.

The only medications I take for AF are Apixaban and bisoprolol (was on atenolol before the AF). So if I had an ablation my medications wouldn’t really change.

My AF/flutter is paroxysmal and I can usually stop episodes fairly quickly by using vagal methods. If this ever changes I’ll definitely consider an ablation.

Long answer ... told you it was complicated!

[Hilly22]

Swings and roundabouts. I believe that Amlodipine is one of the best calcium channel blockers available for protecting the heart, and all drugs of this type can have swelling as a side effect. I can no longer take an ace inhibitor so I take a beta blocker and Amlodipine. The problem isn’t constant, it’s seasonal and is worse when I travel. Ankles aren’t normally swollen. But saying that I do plan to ask my doctor at my next appointment if anything better has come on the scene. I’ll let you know 😊

[willec49]

What a beautiful spot. Enjoy every moment.

[Hilly22 in reply to willec49]

Thank you 😊

[myrnalynn52]

If you have to enjoy with your feet up that is definitely the view to look at. Enjoy a wonderful holiday and view.

[Hilly22 in reply to myrnalynn52]

Thank you 😊

[MazzyB]

Looks amazing have a wonderful time ❤️

[Kevinder23]

Looks so beautiful enjoy ❤️