The run up to Christmas was really nice and something we'd not experienced on home soil for a few years. We have the benefit of the car, friends and family on hand, and of course time to kill before that all important Op
First up were Gina & Baz with whom we had a very enjoyable booze fuelled afternoon and turned out evening at a local pub, the Horse & Jockey
The highlight was when the obligatory quiz kicked in and a now very obviously 'excitable foursome', in total contrast to the incoming teetotal old uns', took exception with one of the provided answers
Being half Kraut I knew for sure the former East Germany was called the DDR but alas the very stern faced quizmaster insisted on only what she had answer wise in front of her
(she showed me her best 'Google is Wrong' face)
Imagine the absolute pleasure and voiced jubilation (thanks Gina) when we made off with the top raffle cash prize a few minutes later......
Amusingly and quite bizarrely after this windfall we were reluctantly asked if we wanted to take part in more card games involving low prizes then informed we could not take part in what can only be described as 'Il Gordo' cash value wise
Reason being the 'Regulars' would object if we made off with that too!
Tell you what Missus, pass us our coats we're off
Keeping a very happy Gina from not being torn apart by the local wolves was quite challenging and yet highly amusing
The run up was spent visiting the local town of Matlock and visiting Nina's folks before they left for two months in Spain
Always a good nosh up at the In Laws....
The four of us visited the local 'German Themed' pub one day and sampled the wheat beer and highly calorific, but tasty fayre
Christmas Eve saw a more sombre moment when we finally laid Mum's ashes to rest under one of our beautiful local trees
A stunning location (in our opinion) and a really nice place to touch base with her in future years
On Christmas Day we drove down to spend the festive period with Emilja & Richard and accompanied by her dad Michael and Martyn we all spent a really nice day together
On our return we were met with fire like skies
Just the one shot here from a night spent with Pat & Jane at the usual haunts in Bingham post Christmas
Nina's last opportunity for Vino Blanco
The symbolic shot representing Nina's week in the QMC Nottingham
Op day arrives and we arrive in good time at 0645 hrs after getting up at stupid O'clock
The previous week was very stressful as Nina developed a bad cold a week before the Op and only really picked up a bit the day before
On arrival the Anaesthetist (or Gasman as I childishly called him) gave her the all clear and down she went......
5 hours later and a very surprisingly awake Nina emerged on the ward where I awaited her
She spent a week on the ward, latterly in her own room and after recovering enough to go home we called via the British Red Cross to pick up several home contraptions to make life easier for her
During my daily visits I parked up at The White Hart at Lenton close to the QMC, avoided the nightmare of finding a space at the hospital, and availed myself of their daily carvery most days
The mutual arrangement with the Landlord for parking there worked really well and was a no brainer food wise for me
Back at the RV LPG is burned and the gaff is heated to patient temperature
We soon get back in the swing of things post Op as of course we've been here before but crucially the bedpan is not needed as she has a 'hopping frame' and a frame that surrounds the loo
We return quite soon to the QMC this time to get things started in the Physiotherapy dept. A really good working relationship is forged with our appointed Physio and its clear Jamie knows his stuff
Mick our Landlord comes up trumps with an essential piece of workout kit, a section of sewage piping
Our loaned wheelchair gets us out and about albeit in freezing conditions to the local towns and villages this one being Leek
A cracking lunch with Pat and Jane at the Wheatsheaf in Baslow whilst they stayed on the local MCC site for a few days
A week later and Mandy & Simon stay for a night on the farm then together next day we visit Carsington Water
This was enormous fun for Nina as we hire another of those buggies and together we traverse the numerous routes around the huge reservoir
Great to be out in the sunshine for a change and followed by a really nice lunch in the on site restaurant
We make a note to self here to return again soon and repeat the walk on a similar weekday
Excellent venue with friendly staff
Back at base my repertoire of Man Food is sampled as I settle in to the role of chef but to be honest its no real chore as we seem to be eating out a lot at the mo
My late afternoons are taken up with strolls around our immediate vicinity and I'm in a routine again now. It of course revolves around looking after Nina but I get time out each day which I spend walking and the occasional trip out on the bike
Nice to see the snowdrops all around us to be followed by lots of daffodils. Its cold and grey most days and we miss Spain terribly BUT there is definitely a change in our environment now
Nina is very positive now and managing her difficulties a lot better buoyed up by the prospect of being able to walk again relatively soon
We are currently half way through our 'down time' in that she can't weight bear for another four weeks but we are doing OK and getting out most days via the wheelchair
Every local man's Nemesis if asked would surely be 'the shopping trip to Meadowhall'
(I feel your pain)
BUT......on suggesting a trip there last Monday (moment of madness I know) we arrive and promptly disappear in to the Bose shop (the only shop of interest to a guy) so not such a bad trip eh?
On exit (with two sets of headphones) we amble around to the food hall which we never visit traditionally and we look up to see the neon sign proudly displaying the name WETHERSPOON
There is a God after all......
