Just an update to say my husband and I arrived home last week from our beloved Portuguese campsite on the Algarve. We had a wonderful welcome there from so many Multi-national fellow campers. It was really heartwarming. Word flew around that we were back and we had so many visitors we couldn't believe it. The (nice) downside of it was that we couldn't get sorted out on our pitch because no sooner did one set of friends go, another set would turn up. I found it pretty exhausting but we had masses of offers of help.
It took us a few days to get sorted out and relax properly, mentally as well as physically. I think we were a bit overwhelmed at what we had done in 'Running Away' but didn't admit it to each other, at first. I remember thinking on the journey, as we drove down, what a long, long way it was if we had to drive back in a hurry. Quite silly, really , as we would have flown home, should the need have arisen. Anyway, once we were all set up, and netting laid all over the ground around us to keep the dust down, we gradually really settled and had a very happy time. We made more friends as we had gone there at the time we would normally have been thinking about packing up to come home, so met others who camp there later than we usually do.
Our children and the older grandchildren had presented us with some euros at the party they gave us before we left England, bless them, and we used these to have lunch out quite often which was really appreciated.(€8 -10, £5.60 - £7 for three courses and wine and coffee!! A very good exchange rate helped a lot) I loved the no-cooking-days!! We had an unusual heatwave and I was thrilled to swim in the sea again, something I'd wanted to do for some years. When we saw that the weather was forecast to be even hotter the week we had to pack up we were able to amend our ferry booking and stay another week, thankfully.
Unfortunately, as we were driving North through Spain, the car broke down, in an area where they were having the highest temperatures since records had been kept. What a nightmare day that turned in to!! Thankfully, we had insurance with the Caravan Club, who helped to get us sorted out. Car on the pickup truck, when they eventually managed to locate us, and caravan towed behind, we were taken to a campsite before the car was taken away to be repaired. After the car was repaired we had to again amend our booking on the ferry from Bilbao (North Spain) meaning we had another week to wait. We had been hot in Portugal - now we had incredible heat to cope with - up to 38c!! Even though the pitches had shade netting over them to help keep the caravans cooler, it didn't help much. We couldn't bear to go in to bed until at least midnight as the caravan was so, so hot. Still, we did take the bus into the lovely little city of Caceres a couple of times and in the narrow old streets we were able to find some shade and admire the beautiful old buildings. We also had a day when we were able to drive through lovely countryside to Trujillo, another beautiful old town. After that we (again) headed to the North Coast and waited a couple of days on a site in a really picturesque area at the foot of the Picos de Europa Mountains. The scenery, with the mountains coming down to meet the sea was incredible - and I again did something I've wanted to do for years. We drove up into the amazing Picos de Europa for a day. So, although the car breakdown was a nightmare at the time, we went on to have a super adventure!!
Now we're home and are getting back to reality and normality - and are soooo pleased to be back with all our family. I'm just so lucky to have been able to do all these things and am really grateful to have been able to make such wonderful memories with my much loved husband
I must stop. I can't believe the time. I fell asleep for most of the evening so then wasn't ready to settle down at bedtime. My long-suffering husband is happily snoring next to me but I'm probably disturbing him.
Hoping you are all managing to have some good times even if you also have some bad,
With love, Solange
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Solange
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Hi there .. It was lovely to hear of your adventures. Yes, I do think you're fortunate but it has taken some courage too. What an exciting time you've both had. Xxx
Now I'm finding courage to tackle the waist high weeds in the garden, lol!. Still, one of our son's kept the grass under control, thankfully.
Love, Solange
Great to read your post - what an exciting trip.... I too camped near Caceres - in 1966! And in the Picos more recently. You do convey the pleasures of camping really well, including managing the unexpected.
Hoping your return is a bit of rest from all the excitement and things go forward as well as possible for you. xxx
Hi Mac, I was going to say what a change you would see in Caceres now but on reflection - it's such an old town it probably hasn't changed much. So glad you've had the experience of camping in the Europas. How lovely! I'm a fraud, really, camping with a caravan is very different from camping with a tent.
Sounds like a wonderful crazy hectic time!!! It's good to be 'normal' sometimes. Really enjoyed your description of your adventure, I felt like it was my adventure! Love M.B. X
Hi Mummy Bear. ( great name!) So glad you enjoyed reading it. Having posted it I suddenly wondered was I being tactless, talking about it when so many others are so poorly. Hope things not too bad for you, Solange. Xxx
Not tactless at all Solange!! It's always uplifting to hear anyone enjoying life with this disease. We all have our ups and downs but need reminding sometimes to focus on the ups!! I'm currently nearly 3 months into Avastin maintenance (scan soon) following second line carbon/gem/Avastin. Hoping for good results as feel pretty well at the mo on Avastin alone. Enjoying ballet and (slow!) running again despite achy joints/muscles. Just had some bladder pressure night time worries which I'm hoping aren't anything sinister. Glad you are doing well after quite a few set backs. One of my ballet teacher's favourite phrases (she's in her 70's!) is 'bash on' and we're certainly doing that! Much love. Mummy bear. Xxx
Very impressed, Mummy Bear with your Ballet and running. Well done!! I sympathise with you with the aches and bladder pressure at night. Horrible having to keep getting up in the night Good luck for a happy scan result.
I'm seeing my Onco this week but she said "No" to me having scan or blood tests prior to my appointment. Now, four months post finishing Avastin I find that quite scary, not knowing what's going on inside.
Hi Solange,vwelcome back. Your trip in Portgual and your adventure in Spain sounds wonderful. Your friends had obviously missed you in Portgual but wasnt it nlovely that you wrte given sucjh a warm welcome back. Hope you are keeping well. Ann xo
Thank you, Ann, and I've just seen the photo of your gorgeous little Granddaughter. Congratulations! Hope her big brother likes her. So glad you fitted your super holiday in first - you're so busy.
Lovely adventure Solange! Glad you coped with the "events" sent to test you! At least you got a relaxing break in between and experienced new places. Nice wee boost and lovely to get home again.
Yes, It was a super boost- and I actually think my brain must have benefited as well. My memory seems a little bit less 'Chemo-fied' , or should I say 'Chemo-fried'? Tee hee!
Love, Solange.
Great to hear you both had a lovely time, forget about the car cars can be fixed. In spite of all you obviously enjoyed the trip. Hopefully you will get there again in the near future. At the same time you are probably happy to be at home amongst family and friends at the moment
I have not logged on for quite some time only to find your Most happy post. You bring much joy and I am delighted you enjoyed your holiday. It has been more than a year since we chatted but your posts always brightened my days while I was in treatment.
I just received the all clear (NED) report from my oncologist. I am still working part time for retirement days are not far ahead. Thank you for your joyous post.
Lily-Anne , I'm so sorry. I've just read your post re having to have a scan. I'm so sorry!! I do hope the scan shows nothing too sinister. What a roller- coaster this b disease is. Keep your chin up,
Loved reading this post, how wonderful you were able to have this adventure. Travelling and happy times with family and friends - 2 of life's greatest pleasures.
We used to do even more of a cheat's camping in mobile homes mostly in France but I quite hanker after a caravan or motorhome and the freedom of the open road ..... !
Wow , what an inspiring account , so uplifting to read and reminded me of all our years camping , more often than not , having the car breakdown at some point ....
Hi Angela, yes, car breakdowns when fully laden with camping gear- typical!! LoL
I think our beloved old car may have to retire pretty soon ............ Then big decisions needed about next step. How much longer will we be able to go roaming with the caravan? Doesn't this pesky cancer hang over you and make various decisions hard? Still, I've been very lucky and got away with it for eight years - must think positively!!
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Really enjoyed your description of your adventure, I felt like it was my adventure! Love M.B. X
Good luck for a happy scan result.
I'm back
Hospital is my new home!
Anyone had a drain at home?
Hopefully home tomorrow... 🙏🏼Q
Stoma explosion (literally!!!)
