Just got back..

[Biggurl]

Hi All

This is my first (and probably only) blog.

I suffer from Asthma and mild to moderate COPD and live near Southampton (very poor air quality). Some days I can hardly draw breath and just making the bed would see me sitting down to get my breath back.

Last week, my husband and I (so very regal sounding LOL), went to West Wales for a week in a lovely cottage miles from anywhere. We visited Laugharne and the fantastic National Botanical Garden of Wales as well as other places.

I found myself walking up the hill in Laugharne with no puffing - it was slow progress, but without the breathlessness slight inclines usually leaves me with. The NBGW had lots of inclines and rugged areas which I managed really well - I was sooo chuffed with myself. I had more energy too. The only time I had an issue was visiting Llanerchaeron House and climbing lots of stairs.

Back home now and already am short of breath and lethargic.

We are now planning to go back this time next year and now our 'Lottery Dream relocation' is West Wales!

[Hidden]

Hi there! Sounds as though you had a lovely holiday,& can now dream of where you'd like to settle down!

Why would this be your only blog? Do pop in from time to time!

Cheers Wendells xx

[Biggurl in reply to Hidden]

Hi Wendells,

Thanks for your comment. I do pop in and love reading the blogs, jokes and comments, but have never felt the need to blog before.

I just felt sooo good there that I wanted to share it.

Gx

[scrobbitty]

Hi Biggurl - good blog

It's amazing how we all differ when suffering from similar lung conditions. I used to live in North Wales four years ago and moved darn sarf to the Bournemouth area. Although my lung state has worsened dramatically since the move, I have found my breathing easier down here than when I return to the wild hills of Wales. That may be due to the brooding mountains and the ever present grey mist though in that part of the land of sheep. West Wales is a lot gentler and less damp so I believe.

Keep buying that lottery ticket and may your dreams come true

[Biggurl in reply to scrobbitty]

Thanks Scrobbity

I am really touched with the positive comments.

Bournemouth used to play havoc with my catarrh - apparently, the pines aren't good for it. Southampton is awful for asthmatics - big oil refinery doesn't help, plus an awful lot of traffic.

We were staying about 12 miles from Laugharne and were quite high up. The air felt very smooth and lovely. Hardly any traffic, so no fumes and only had one day when it poured with rain. The rest were all fairly clear.

I know that North Wales is a bit damp at times.

Thanks again for your lovely comment.

LGx

[Hidden]

I had the same experience in York shire last year , not so easy to move there though , hope you achieve it.

Regards

Jan

[Biggurl in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Jennyren. We all need a dream and relocating somewhere has always been ours. I love the West Coast of Brittany and that would always feature in the lottery dream, but West Wales was fantastic.

LGx

[Hidden]

How interesting.

I was often told I should move to the seaside because for people with allergies and allergic asthma that's the best place to be.

As others have said, don't make it your only blog!

koala x

[Biggurl in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for the comment Koala. I love the site and get a lot of help and pleasure out of other blogs and jokes.

I have to admit, whenever we do go to the coast and get a good lungful of ozone, I always feel better.

LGx

[laig in reply to Hidden]

I would have thought that the wind at the seaside would make you breathless' I don't breathe as well on windy days'

Gail

[Lynne1955]

What a lovely holiday. I know both those places well. I originally come from Wales (the Gower) and my sister lives there now after many years in Canada. She is severely asthmatic and finds the air better there.

Lynne xx

[Biggurl in reply to Lynne1955]

I have always classed myself as Welsh (my first name is Gwyneth), but was actually born in Shrewsbury. My Mam was born in Pembroke Dock and my Brother and his family live near Swansea, so we spent some time with them, this added to the enjoyment.

LGx

[Lynne1955 in reply to Biggurl]

Well, most of Shropshire was in Wales once. I live on the Shropshire border with South Staffordshire.

Lynne xx

[Hidden in reply to Lynne1955]

Hi Lynne I have always wanted to go to Gower, specially the Gower Peninsula ever since reading a book by Susan Howatch (Oxmoon) I think it is with some of the main action taking place on the 'worm'. One day...

Bev x

[laig in reply to Hidden]

My husband and I towed our caravan to the Gower Peninsular about 17 years ago.There are a lot of very narrow lanes which aren't very suitable for caravans therefore there were a lot of tent sites but not many for touring caravans.There are however a lot of static caravans H ow they got them down those narrow lanes I don't know.I had visions of them being dropped in by helicopter'

[Lynne1955 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Bev. Lovely to see you again. My sister lives on the peninsula at three cliffs bay. I love worms head but its quite a walk to it from the parking area, probably over a mile. It's an area I know we'll since a child.

Lynne xx

[Hidden]

Welcome Biggirl, so glad you had a great holiday in Wales, I think air quality plays a big part in how well we do, air pollution of any kind can affect us, humidity, damp and even a lot of rainy days can affect my lungs, yet I find on higher ground I am better. Some locations by the ocean can be good breathing too, but generally I think good air quality is the key.

Just blog when you want to everyone else does

Enjoy

BC x

[Biggurl in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for the kind comments BlakeyC. I do try and excersise my lungs, but have felt so rotten lately, it was an effort. So it was a great delight to find that my get up and go returned and I was able to walk some distances albeit slowly. (You get to see more that way anyway LOL)

[Biggurl in reply to Biggurl]

Whoops, forgot to sign off

LGx

[hufferpuffer]

It sounds like a wonderful holiday Biggurl, please dont dissappear now as I love your name so much!! All of Wales is very beautiful I live in the North on the Isle of Anglesey where the wind blows over the Irish sea to us ( Eire the land of my birth and kin )... remember '' Happiness in life depends on the Quality of your Thoughts ~ Budha ~ '' you can use the power of your mind to take you to the places you want to be and it will make you feel calmer and you will find your breathing easier, I hope all your dreams come true and you find that special place. x

[Biggurl in reply to hufferpuffer]

Thanks Hufferpuffer. I do agree with the Happiness in Life quote. I try not to let things stress me out too much.

LGxx

[SecondLife]

So pleased that you enjoyed your holiday, we discovered the same thing. We used to live in the Midlands and we came 'down south' for a birthday celebration and hubby discovered he could do so much more. The nail in the coffin for us was when our old local Council did an air quality test in our village and it came back below standard. Anyway we moved just over 2 years ago to the Somerset/Dorset border and, according to his annual tests, his breathing has improved. Good luck

[KingoftheCocktails in reply to SecondLife]

I moved from Torquay to Nottingham.Sea air to damp for me

[SecondLife in reply to KingoftheCocktails]

I guess the air quality affects us all differently, there is 10 miles and some hills between us and the sea

[Biggurl in reply to KingoftheCocktails]

I spit my Guinness out when I read this King! LOL

LGxx

[Biggurl in reply to SecondLife]

Have always known that the air quality in Southampton was bad and I find that now the slightest thing can start me off. Especially bonfires. The only things we could smell last week was; manure, wild garlic and ozone and no sob at all. Happy lady

LGxx

[Hidden]

Yeah I find Torquay quite damp King. Very pretty but not the best place in the world for those with lung problems.

Bev x

[KingoftheCocktails in reply to Hidden]

I want to come back oneday to visit my old haunts!

[Biggurl in reply to Hidden]

Sea Air is fine if the weather is dry, but coupled with rain and mist = wheeze.

LGxx

[copdber]

Sounds wonderful, a holiday always does you good. Looking forward to getting away myself for a few days next week.

[Biggurl in reply to copdber]

Hope you have a great time away next week.

My husband is a college lecturer so we are tied to school and college holidays. This year though, because we lost our beautiful ragdoll cat in January, so no ties at home, we have been away every 6 weeks so far this year. I think the novelty of being able to go away 'at the drop of a hat' (without having to arrange cat sitters), is wearing off. But last week was the first one I managed without breathing issues.

Enjoy yourself copdber.

LGxx

[copdber in reply to Biggurl]

I'm glad you could enjoy the break I'm sure it will do you good.