Tuesday 6th November

The last 5 hours of the flight seemed to pass much quicker. Once again we tried to sleep and only managed to doze now and again. We amused ourselves with the in flight videos and music, reading on and off and doing the usual walk around and stretching to keep the blood moving . I'm sure the support stockings helped, though they did itch and it was very tempting to push them down to my ankles.
Finally we were over Sydney and we enjoyed the most spectacular views of the Opera House, Harbour Bridge and Sydney all glowing in the early evening light. The buildings all lit up made it all very impressive. Truly a great welcome home.
As we were nearly an hour late because of London we had to wait until they could open up a gate for us to disembark. We sat there on the tarmac for another 15 minutes as they looked for a tug to finally pull us us to the gangway and hitch us up.
Arrival at Sydney we went through the duty free and purchased a replacement camera, unfortunately all too late for the blog, which seems to lose some of its, whatever, without the photos.
We picked up our bags and made our way through quarantine and customs.
As we had been in Rural France in the last 2 weeks I had to go through my bags to get my shoes out so they could inspect them. Beatrice had thrown hers away before she left so didn't have to produce hers.
Shoes out I pulled the socks out forgetting that I had also stuffed the golf balls Michael had given me so I spent some time chasing around the customs hall after them as they bounced around. With my golf balls recaptured and my shoes sterilised and the stones crushed that had been caught in the treads we went out into the arrival hall to be greeted with waves and shouts from our two dear daughters whom we had missed very much and were now so happy to be with once again.
We loaded the bags into Marisa's car and drove home through the rain and the dark for Beacon Hill.
Tired and exhausted we were happy to be home once again after nearly three and half months. It all felt very strange, however we knew it wouldn't take us long to sort ourselves out and settle back in once again. Knowing that our trip would all seem to have just been a dream.
In conclusion we have to say we have enjoyed our adventure and if you have been glancing at the blog every now and again you would have read that we have been lucky enough to have met some great people and seen some great places and enjoy the opportunity to live in France as a local.
I've enjoyed writing these notes and hopefully you have enjoyed reading them.
We are happy to know that Mum is safe and settling in and happy with her decision and with her email and skype up by next week we will be back in contact with each other once again.
Over our jet lag, I now finish off our blog and say goodbye until our next adventure when ever that might be.
Thank you.

Monday 5th November

Up early,bags packed and downstairs we ate our breakfast and wondered how Mum was getting on. We were all so proud of her and knew that she deserved the care and attention she would be getting at Primrose Lodge.
Suddenly it was taxi time and finding him already waiting outside we took our bags out and he loaded them in the back.
Goodbyes again as we hugged and kissed Sue thanking her for letting us stay with her and for all the help, love and care that she continues to give Mum.
Our taxi driver whisked us away through the back streets to avoid all the morning traffic and in no time at all we were dropped off at Terminal 2 to check in.
Everything went very smoothly, our bags were checked in, thankfully not being required to pay excess baggage, through the security gates and into the terminal departure lounges.
Nearly 3 hours before we could board our flight, we had a coffee and read the newspapers keeping an eye on the board to see our gate number for boarding.
We were back in our usual seats in the rear of the plane, just two side by side next to the window just as we had requested.
Regrettably we sat there at the gate for an hour as we had to wait for some transit passengers who had been delayed from another connecting flight.
Eventually we took off for Singapore which we would see in 12 hours time.
Needless to say sleeping didn't come too easily to either of us as we looked over in amazement at other passengers around us who had already put their eye shades on, wrapped their blanket around themselves and fallen asleep.
I ate all the meals and against all advise on flying drank the wine and had a whisky. We managed to doze on and off,read a bit and watched a few movies and TV programmes to pass the time away. Stretching our legs on a regular basis we walked around and made use of the space behind us to do some other exercises , eventually arriving at Singapore in a torrential down pour.
We all had to disembark taking all our hand luggage with us as they were going to clean the plane.
It was a good opportunity to stretch our legs again as we walked the terminal looking at the shops before reboarding the plane and going through all the security checks . It is very satisfying to know that all these security checks take place and that everyone is scanned.
Still raining we took off for the last leg of our journey and once up above the clouds we were into the clear blue sky and sunshine heading for home.

Sunday 4th November Christchurch

Today Mum decided that after she had finished her cup of tea in bed and had a brief look at the paper she would join us for breakfast at the table.
It was just like old times as we sat there and chatted whilst we ate our cereals and toast.
We were waiting for the arrival of Sue who was coming down to help Mum sort out some of her clothes that she would be taking to Primrose Lodge.
We decided that Sue and I would take mums suitcase, some photos, pictures and other personal items to her new home so we could have it all in place for when she walked into the room, to give it a more homely feel and also placing Dads photo and watch by the bed, in the usual spot.

The fridge was almost empty as most of the perishable food had already been eaten, however Beatrice was able to put together a great baked potato with a mushroom filling and a green salad, which we all sat down at the dining room table to eat with a little wine to help ease it down.
The time inevitably arrived for us to load the car with the last few items and make our way to Mums new adventure.
Making sure the power and heating had all been turned off we closed the front door and walked down the stairs and out to the car.

10 minutes later we drove into the forecourt and parked the car. It was great welcome that Mum received from the staff who remembered her from the time she had a previous spell there recuperating for a few weeks.
Walking into the room it felt so better as many of Mums personal items were in place as she was helped to her chair and offered a welcome cup of tea which she eagerly accepted.
We chatted and discussed where the computer could go and which chair she would have Michael and Richard bring from the flat when they visited later in the week.

It was a very emotional time as I said my goodbyes to Mum, not knowing when I might be able to visit her again. However it was a very good feeling knowing that she would be well looked after with all her meals prepared for her and plenty of company when ever she felt like it along with one of her oldest friends in the room next door to her.

With the knowledge that when the spring comes and if Mum is feeling a lot stronger she has the option to return to her flat for the summer if she wishes to.

We returned to the flat once again to pick up Beatrice and collected our bags and making one more check that everything was OK before we locked the door again.

The three of us set off for London as we wanted to cover most of the trip before it became dark as Sue prefers not to drive then.

As we sped up the motor way we were chatted about how we thought Mum was going to settle down in her new home. However we were all happy with the fact that Mum had made the decision that she felt she should be somewhere she could get some help, with her meals all provided and help at hand if she needed it. She will also have other people around her so she shouldn't feel so lonely during the winter months.
Sue remarked on how light the traffic was as we passed through the countryside. The leaves on the trees were all turning a beautiful golden colour as the Autumn sets in. The light of dusk gave it all a magical appearance.
Stopping of at Kate's apartment to see how she was getting on after she and Stuart had spent the day moving her things back in after the damaged roof had been repaired.
We then went back to Nos 61 to have dinner and enjoy a good whisky and a bottle of red wine ,or two.
It had been a long and emotional day and now it was time to say goodbye to Stuart as he was leaving early in the morning and we wouldn't be seeing him again before we left.
We ordered the taxi for 7.30 in the morning to take us to Heathrow said goodnight to Sue and went upstairs to finish our packing and try to get some sleep.

November 3rd Christchurch

Today we spent the time helping Mum with her bits and pieces.
With Sue coming tomorrow to help her,she started to sort out some of the clothes she wanted to take with her.
The three of us sat around the table and talked about all sorts of things as Mum joined Beatrice & I celebrating our 40th wedding anniversary. A day we shall both remember for the emotion that we all felt, as our eyes glistened with tears.
I sit here typing this as Mum is having her afternoon nap, the flat is very quiet as Beatrice sits on the balcony and only the sound of the clocks ticking and the occasional whirring of the laptop breaking the silence

4pm
Mum is up and we have our afternoon tea and cakes.

Christchurch Friday 2nd November

Another glorious start to the day. Clear blue sky the sun shinning and an expected 16-18 deg for this autumn day.
Spent the morning with Mum who felt she a had a lot of things to do. So we helped around as she went through her papers and saw to any bills that were outstanding and required paying.
We had been invited out to lunch at Jo's so we made our way round to her flat next door.
We all enjoyed a great roast lamb lunch with some of the best baked potatoes I have ever tasted. cooked her own special way, finished off with baked apple and all washed down with a good bottle of Australian Red.
Sitting around laughing and talking it passed so quickly and as Mum was looking quite tired it was time for us to go home so she could have her afternoon nap as we had to be ready to entertain some of the neighbours at 7pm for drinks and nibbles.
4pm and we had a visit from an old family friend whom we have known for 40 odd years, who also lives in Christchurch and has been good at keeping in contact with Mum.
Mums nap over, a sandwich for an evening snack we were ready for our guests who arrived at 7pm.
With plenty of sherry on hand and the nibbles we sat around laughing and talking until our last guest left at 9pm.
A very exhausted Mum went to bed having had a very busy day.

Thursday 1st November-Christchurch

An eventful time has been had by us all.
After Mums fall she was looking very poorly and when the carer visited us at 6pm last night we asked her to check Mum out to see if we should call an ambulance. To cut a long story short we then had the district nurse attend us who arranged for an on duty Doctor to phone us. After a long discussion he arrange for a paramedic to the house to assess Mum again. From his examination an ambulance was called and Mum & I found ourselves on our way to the Royal Bournemouth Accident and Emergency to ensure she had not fractured her hip.
It was the first time I had been in an ambulance however Mum is an old hand at all this as it had only been a couple of months ago that she had been going through the same thing when she had been quite ill.
We arrived at the hospital at around 10pm and over the next 4 hours she was assessed again and had many x-rays. It was decided that she should stay there overnight and for me to be sent home, so I caught a taxi arriving back at 230am feeling quite tired and finding Beatrice sitting up waiting for me as I hadn't taken the front door key with me.
Poor Mum she has certainly been through some troubled times lately but just gets on with it and hardly complains at all even though she must be in some pain.
Went back to the hospital at 1030 today with Beatrice to see Mum and was relieved to hear that she hadn't broken her hip, however was bruised and still very shaken up.
She had also been visited by the physiotherapists to check her movement range and then to give us some advice about her care.
Much to Mums reluctance she now finds she has to use her mobile walking frame, however it gives her more confidence and stability and makes it much easier for her to move around. Some thing she should have been doing before and not disguising it as a tea trolley and hiding it in the kitchen, making us unaware that she even had one and should be using it.
We came home with Mum,she eat all her meals on meals lunch and then went to bed for nearly a four hour sleep.
Penny visited us in the evening and gave Mum a bath and helped her into her dressing gown. Another good meal and after a sly little tipple she was happy to be back in bed at 930pm exhausted but feeling a little better.
It had been a beautiful day, almost like summer with the temp up to 19 deg.