Trip to Spain - warning - photos!

[Ursula_I]

Dear everyone

I had such a lot of wonderful encouragement from you all about my holiday to France/Spain (by train) so I hope you don’t mind if I share how it went!

It was absolutely amazing and I am so glad I did it. However, I did have regular temperature spikes which I didn’t exactly ignore, I made sure I had rest days and generally speaking my temp went down again… only to go up the next day… (I got roundly told off by the oncologist when I got back for not going to hospital while I was in Spain. I had paid a large amount for full insurance so that wasn’t the reason.. I was just sure I wasn’t ill with neutropenia. I went along to A&E when I got home just to be sure).

We went by Eurostar to Paris, then TGV to Barcelona and fast trains to Madrid and Valladolid. We also hired a car and driver (luxury!!) for a day trip to Avila. It was all incredible… if a tad hot 😂

Here I am with my boys in Madrid

[Ursula_I]

And this is a photo of a wedding we chanced upon in Avila!

Horse and carriage

[Ursula_I]

I’d love to post more photos but it’s a right old faff! So the last one is me relaxing in our accommodation in Valladolid.

I am so happy I went. I got to spend precious time with my elderly parents and three of my four sons. Yes it was very arduous, yes I was absolutely exhausted when we got back, yes I had to go in to A&E!!!, but it was worth it. My son with Down’s missed me terribly though and he is only just getting back to normal behaviour. My amazing husband looked after him though so of course he was fine…

Love to you all and I hope the summer is treating you well.

Lucy x

Courtyard

[Hidden in reply to Ursula_I]

Absolutely wonderful and so pleased you went. We have to make the most of our precious time. We are off Ito Bavaria by train in October via St.Pancras Eurostar. Bit apprehensive about it but we have to enjoy ourselves.Best wishes and you all look lovely

[Ursula_I in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. You too will have an amazing time! I had one of those sticks that have a little chair seat that folds out. If was brilliant for long queues and art galleries!

[Hidden in reply to Ursula_I]

Great idea x

[Tolife_18 in reply to Hidden]

Have a great time in Bavaria! Please share the pictures when you can!

[Hidden in reply to Tolife_18]

I will. It’s on my bucket list to go and at last we have booked it 😉

[bracelets1]

What a beautiful family you have! I am very happy you decided to go and even more so that you are happy with your decision. Now you can start looking forward to your next excursion 😚

[Ursula_I in reply to bracelets1]

Thank you! Next trips are to Dorset (by car) and Edinburgh (by train)!

[Hidden in reply to Ursula_I]

Go for it😉👍

[Tmbj]

So glad you enjoyed your holiday with your beautiful family, time for us is precious and you look so happy in your photos.Thanks for sharing take care xx 🤗

[Ursula_I in reply to Tmbj]

Thank you! Precious is the word!

[Nocillo]

Sounds fabulous!! I used to live near Madrid and know all the places you mention. So happy you were able to go and not have too much trouble. You’ve got wonderful memories now!

[Ursula_I in reply to Nocillo]

Lucky you! Yes, fantastic memories. And I managed to make contact with a friend from 30 years ago, by going to her front door in Ávila and knocking on her door!!! Literally had no other way of contacting her. So that was a brilliant result, too.

[USIrishcolleen]

Ursula_l,

Nice pic of you all! Sounds like a wonderful time!

Best,

Colleen

[Ursula_I]

Thanks Colleen!

[Guitarbella]

Thank you for sharing photos of your wonderful holiday🌈 You have given me encouragement for my upcoming Norwegian fjords cruise, as I was worrying so much about “what ifs” and had lost sight of having fun and just enjoying the moments🙂

Despite everything, it is possible that we can live our best lives and make precious memories.

Take care.

Xx

[Hidden in reply to Guitarbella]

The Fjords are beautiful. We have been twice. Last cruise was May. I just want to do it again. Have a fab time xx

[Guitarbella in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. Hoping to make precious memories with our daughter & son-in-law.

[Ursula_I in reply to Guitarbella]

You will have a brilliant time! Just take it steady x

[Guitarbella in reply to Ursula_I]

Will try to pace myself, but so much to see and so little time🌈x

[debbiedo2063]

So glad you went and enjoyed yourself . Lovely photos too.Give us all inspiration to not hesitate and make precious memories.

Debra xxx😍

[Ursula_I in reply to debbiedo2063]

Thank you Debra. You are right. No point waiting! We only have one life!

[8576]

Thanks for sharing your nice holiday! Lovely pics and now I am inspired to maybe go as well via plane to England and then train to Germany. It will be an arduous trip but something my husband has been yearning to do only he can't go alone. He needs an escort. You didn't write about your temp increase and what caused it. Please expound.

Cheers, June S.

[Ursula_I in reply to 8576]

Go for it! You will have an amazing time! Honestly, the fast trains in continental Europe are brilliant.

I am not sure what caused the temperature spikes. I think maybe I had a viral ear infection as my ear was a bit sore. It did go up to 38.0 on a couple of occasions which is why he was so cross with me. But I didn't feel really ill so I figured I'd be ok, I think my digital thermometer is not entirely trustworthy...

[Justme153]

You look absolutely wonderful and Happy!!! Your boys are such handsome young men!!! I'm glad you enjoyed your trip. Memory making are the best kinds of trips!!!

[Ursula_I in reply to Justme153]

Thank you. I think so too though I am a bit biased 😊

[Andersl]

Well done. You managed your holiday sensibly whilst having fun. You know your own body

[Ursula_I in reply to Andersl]

Thank you. If I had felt ill ill I would definitely have headed to the doctor

[Mary115]

Congratulations Ursula on a wonderful trip and positive memory maker for all..

[Ursula_I in reply to Mary115]

Thank you Mary

[love2golfwell]

So happy you were able to enjoy this wonderful trip with your family! Love the pictures! Spain is beautiful. I traveled there when my daughter studied abroad several years ago and took the high speed train from Madrid to Seville which was great. Hope you get to go on many more adventures!

[Ursula_I in reply to love2golfwell]

Thank you! Who knows... not looking too far ahead. But I hope so!

[Totheriver]

So glad you had a great trip!!

[Ursula_I in reply to Totheriver]

Thanks!

[TNVol]

Glad you were able to enjoy your holiday with the boys. Sounds wonderful and the photos verify that. Manon

[Ursula_I in reply to TNVol]

It was wonderful!

[DDIL1]

What a beautiful Fay and memorable trip. Glad you enjoyed your time.

[Ursula_I in reply to DDIL1]

Thank you

[Bettybuckets]

Inspirational to us all! Go while you can is the message I got! Beth

[Ursula_I in reply to Bettybuckets]

Yes indeed. "No time like the present"!

[mariootsi]

So glad you enjoyed your trip! What a beautiful family! Great photo.

[Ursula_I in reply to mariootsi]

Thank you!

[Missmaddie615]

So happy you went and lived for the moment, what a Blessing! And what a beautiful family you have! Your photos say it all- So glad you were able to enjoy and relax!

[Ursula_I in reply to Missmaddie615]

Thank you x

[Teddielottie]

Lovely pic of you and your boys … glad you had such a good time ! x

[Ursula_I in reply to Teddielottie]

Thank you x

[Hidden]

How lovely you got to see family, friends and enjoy being abroad, with your small football team. Very handsome family.It does us all good to hear of adventures.

Hope you are planning your next trip?

Clare

[Ursula_I in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Clare! My brother has invited us out to Valladolid for Christmas so who knows…

[Fiercefighter13]

What a beautiful picture of you and your boys. Even through the fever spikes and worries, it sounds like you had an absolutely amazing trip! Happy memories of beautiful places, perfect!!

[Ursula_I in reply to Fiercefighter13]

Thank you. It was definitely worth it. X

[life8888]

I'm so glad you went! I hope you made many wonderful memories.

[Ursula_I in reply to life8888]

Yes I did! Thank you.

[Nature613]

What a wonderful family vacation photo. You look absolutely joyful and beautiful and your sons are very handsome. So happy you got to do this. It’s great to travel and spend time with your children too. Best wishes for your next travel adventure. Take care.

[Ursula_I in reply to Nature613]

Thank you! And you are right - now they are grown up (oldest 24, youngest 16) there are fewer opportunities to go away together. It was magical x

[MyMiracle13]

So happy for you Ursula. Your parents must have been over the moon seeing you and your sons after a long time.

[Ursula_I in reply to MyMiracle13]

I hope so!!!! They obviously have their own needs (aged 83 and 77) and I think we were able to look after them too and we were a pretty harmonious group! Fantastic memories and togetherness for all of us. Highly recommended!!

[viennagirl]

Thank you for sharing your wonderful vacation. I am happy you came back without any side effects other than wonderful memories. I am inspired. Hugs Marlene

[Ursula_I in reply to viennagirl]

Thanks Marlene. Yes, get planning! You won't regret it. X

[Hidden]

I am so glad you you had a good time . You have a very handsome crew . Luann

[Ursula_I in reply to Hidden]

Thank you, Luann. X

[Timtam56]

How beautiful. Sounds perfectly wonderful.

[Ursula_I in reply to Timtam56]

It was, thank you!

[viennagirl]

Thank you Ursula. What is holding us back is the cost of travel insurance. All the companies I contact won't cover pre-existing conditions and my husband had a stroke last year. He is doing really well but if something happens that they can connect to the stroke it could cost us a lot of money. And I have mbc. I don't know if I need to worry about that because I am stable. I probably should talk to a travel agent to get information as to who is a reliable insurers. Because I am itching to travel. Thank you for sharing your wonderful adventure. Hugs Marlene

[Ursula_I in reply to viennagirl]

My insurance was pricy but comprehensive, covered me though I am undergoing chemo. It was with Allclear insurance.

[viennagirl]

Thank you Ursula. But a funny thing happened this morning. Right after I sent you my reply outlining my concerns regarding Travel Insurance I started watching the weather channel Global BC and on that channel they advertised a travel insurer called MEDIPAC. I don't know if you are in Canada - their web address is medipac.com. The ad on TV said it covers existing conditions and covers all ages. At this time I have done a preliminary search and it looks quite affordable. It is approved by the Canadian Snow Bird Association and the Canadian Legion. I will talk to a travel agent so I can choose some dates. So I am getting hopeful that we can travel soon. I will also make a note of the Allclear Insurance you mentioned. Thank you so much. You have brought me some good luck! Hugs and safe travels Marlene

[Ursula_I in reply to viennagirl]

I am sure you will find the cover you need. Good luck and safe travels!

[mizcaliflower]

Good for you Ursula! That sounds so exciting! I say Live. It. UP!!!

[Ursula_I in reply to mizcaliflower]

Thanks! Hope you get the chance, too!