Parker and M’Lady The Return

[Estellemac]

Got in at 6pm last night. This stage was the longest and most exhausting of our epic journey. We did the Helicopter trip Monday over Grand Canyon so Las Vegas was a busy end to the tour.

Four planes and two connections four airports. Booked assistance for all of it even though I really don’t like it. But needs must when the devil drives. I am doing nothing for 3 days not even unpacking. I will instruct Parker on his duties once he regains consciousness. I let him have a lie in as he has worked hard with the luggage and other things he’s uncomfortable with. Such as people. He gets into a tizzy if everything isn’t run military style for timing and organisation. We had to move flights as the connections didn’t leave enough time for someone of my ability to make it. I don’t think Mo Farrah would either considering the size of the terminals. Then we were in time for an earlier train but the tickets were not valid for that one. The amazingly nice train guard sorted it all out for us though with no jobsworth attitude. Extremely helpful kind and considerate. Must have noticed I had lost the will to live at this point.

I got back to a letter from my Hip Surgeon for an annual review. This will establish (or eliminate) the cause of pain in that hip, buttock, groin area.

I am now on the don’t stop reduce slowly regime for Pred. I think it must be slowing down for me now as I had no real problems whilst away. (I have a dream and live in hope).

Not starting still Monday once the normal travelling fatigue has gone and my body gets back to being home.

Parker is pushing his luck a bit now as I want me breakfast. I have made my own tea this morning for goodness sake. If he doesn’t shift them cases soon there will be an incident and who will be sorry then!!! As I sit in a state of pain and agony I will whinge all day on how it was his fault for lying in bed. Even though I am tired I am not good at lying in bed or sleeping till I feel better. Always been like that even with PMR? I don’t move much but I don’t sleep either. Parker slept on every plane and the train. That’s his speciality. Going unconscious regardless of when and where. He even does it during conversation mostly with the family though. It’s been a fantastic time glad to be in my own bed with a kettle to hand. Why does no one in the states understand a Yorkshire Brew? I didn’t have the kettle due to luggage weight restrictions to Las Vegas. Stayed in the Vdara on The Strip and they don’t come as standard in the rooms. Neither does tea or coffee. Weird. Well I will now go to poke Parker in the eye to get my food and refill the tea pot I will write his shopping list so he too can eat later.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Glad you’re home safe and sound - if shattered😉

Can’t beat your own bed and a proper cuppa!

[SnazzyD]

Oh for goodness sake the man’s had a holiday!

Reading your travel log made me feel exhausted. My uncle used to say that one doesn’t feel right until one’s camel has caught up. I think he meant that one’s mind and spirit travel at camel speed and until they unite with the body one feels out of sorts.

[Estellemac in reply to SnazzyD]

Love the camel analogy 🙏

[Estellemac in reply to SnazzyD]

Me Camel is happy now 😄

[SnazzyD in reply to Estellemac]

Gosh, that’s good going; he had to come a long way!

[Hollyseden]

Oh Estelle I love your posts. Sounds like you have had a grand adventure. Well done you. I actually laughed out loud when I read about how easily 'Parker' sleeps. You must have hired him from the same place as I hired my OH. 😂😂 He also has that special knack of sleeping easily. Very annoying isn't it. Sometimes he has the cheek to snort in his sleep, this then wakens me and I don't get back to sleep 🙄 Love reading your posts. Good luck with Parker.

[Lonsdalelass in reply to Hollyseden]

Same here with mine, must be a man thing? He can sleep anywhere, even on a washing line, not that I've ever tried him out there! Ha!

[Jud666]

So glad you have both enjoyed your wonderful trip, also glad you are both home safe and sound, hope to see you in Leeds in December.

[karools16]

Thank you for your wonderful holiday posts and pics.

[York54]

Welcome home 😃😃😃😃

[bunnymom]

I will never understand why planes from the same carrier can't land close to to each other.

[Rugger]

Welcome home! Own bed and Yorkshire tea, what more can M'Lady want? But what happened to "Penny" - did she stay in Vegas?

Good to hear you've had no flares during the trip - fingers crossed you may be on the home straight in more ways than one.

My OH is asleep as soon as his head touches the pillow - what a gift!

[Estellemac in reply to Rugger]

Penny decided Parker couldnt function well with familiarity and works better from a distance with clear concise instruction. So its back to Boss Lady now.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I'd go without clothes to include the travel kettle - small and very light but boils enough water for a cup at a time. Trouble is you have to think 45mins ahead for a kettle full in the USA - what makes them think their electrical system is a good one?

My husband can be asleep BEFORE his head hits the pillow. But complains how hard it was to get to sleep...

[Estellemac in reply to PMRpro]

My kettle and illegal teabags are worth the food import charges. They might not bother me though as the body odour from not having enough clothes might deter the search at customs.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Estellemac]

Never had a problem in umpteen trips to the USA or the Far East (or the one to Oz if it comes to that though they do at least sell half-decent tea)

[Estellemac in reply to PMRpro]

I think the tea was Bells. That was good. All accommodation did have kettles and tea except I. It was when we went out it proved a challenge. The water has to be boiling. I was amazed though at how Customs was much less stressful than my previous trips. There was an incident once with a tangerine as we entered Orlando. It scarred me. I watched to much Border Control too on the TV prior to me going. Nothing like you see coming out of those suitcases on tele happened when we went through. I was worried about 6 weeks worth of meds especially steroids. Soon as I said I had my prescriptions they were fine.

[Lonsdalelass]

Sounds like you've had a great time, and good for you, going away like that on what sounds like an incredibly exciting (but tiring) vacation. It makes me feel more optimistic about booking a holiday myself, as we all need something to look forward to. Our eldest son and daughter-in-law live in Florida and we have managed a visit to see them each year so far, so would like to go again next year, and now reading your post inspires me to go for it. It's just the thought of travelling and keeping tabs on times of doses etc to factor in whilst on the move that puts me off, but I am not going to let PMR take over my life! And neither do you by the sounds of it, so good on you!!!!

[Estellemac in reply to Lonsdalelass]

Thats the spirit. Nothing should control what you. Family are important we are here for such a short time. Lets make the most of.

[Lonsdalelass]

By the way, couldn't agree more about the tea.......and even the so called 'kettle' we once had in a hotel room in Dallas a few years ago was more like a jug that could only hold the capacity of one mug of coffee!

[Estellemac in reply to Lonsdalelass]

The Vdara hotel in Las Vegas had a full kitchen and not one piece of equipment in it let alone a kettle. Just didnt get that? They usually have a coffee maker as a minimum.

Probably because you could order it from Starbucks in the lobby off the Ipad in your room and this little wheelybin Robot brings it to you for £10 a cup.

[Maisie1958]

Love your posts. Your Parker is a good ‘un. Definitely “a keeper”

All the best x

[Estellemac in reply to Maisie1958]

Hes got a good few miles in him yet. Especially whilst hes working and earning mo ey for my next holiday.

[AndrewT]

Dear Estellemac,

Thanks for you, long, detailed and amusing 'Travel Log'. Yes, you are right, about the Americans NOT having tea- they don't have Sweet Pickle either. Relish, in every conceivable form, Very occasionally Piccalilli....BUT no 'Normal' Sweet Pickle. As regards Parker, be 'Kind' to him- after all, he hasn't had a Decent Cuppa for ages! Seriously though, I'm glad that you enjoyed, your Holiday. One more, Very Important 'thing' though....

Welcome Home.

AndrewT

[Estellemac in reply to AndrewT]

Hi AT

I actually introduced my eldest son to Piccallilli last Christmas. He does live in London with his French wife. I suppose considering I sent him to boarding school as an omeaba he didnt inherit Parkers love for Branston either. As cheese was also a tad dodgy in the US Branston and Piccallilli wasnt greatly missed. For a french person putting Branston jam on cheese (or cheese on fruit cake as we do in Yorkshire) is an arrestible offence. Cécile welcomed Piccallilli though?? They then introduced me to Epoissé cheese. Its very strong and squishy. Soooo smelly like a mouse has ceased to exist behind fridge. Absolutely gorgeous though.

[piglette in reply to Estellemac]

I LOVE Epoisse cheese. I leapt into action this year when my neighbour gave me a huge overgrown zucchini. I dragged out some empty jars and made Picallili, I was really proud of myself. It has got to be stored for three months before eating so it may of course be dreadful. I am intending to give it as Christmas presents as I managed to make quite a few jars. I was also able to make zucchini soup and still have some zucchini left over. I intend to save some of the seeds for next year.

[Estellemac in reply to piglette]

We call them Marrows in UK. I used to do a small garden project. I would get the veg we had grown and show the young people how to cook it creatively. We would slice it in half scoop it out, mix it up with minced meats, potatoes, herbs and spices. Then slow roast it whole. They were amazed at how nice veggies could taste never having tried them before. Never tried pickling as yet.

[piglette in reply to Estellemac]

It was not a marrow originally but a courgette which became overgrown. Are marrows overgrown courgettes?

[Estellemac in reply to piglette]

I will ask Parker again he said it was a Marrow. Billy Cotton made a song about one I used to drive the kids daft singing it.

Billy Cotton & His Band - The Marrow Song

youtube.com/watch?v=3yYYtmV...(Not working as expected?)