Flying visit to UK

Sorry you haven't heard from me for a while and thanks for writing I appreciate it. The reason for the hiatus was a quick trip that I made to England to see my last surviving uncle who was a great part of my life particularly my childhood. He was a sailor in the Royal Navy so you can imagine the glamour my sisters and I attached to that. I learned suddenly that never having been ill since he was 29 years old here at 77 he had been given just a couple of weeks to live being diagnosed with a brain tumour which was inoperable. I dithered about going to UK but in the end just had to do it. He would have done as much for me. Although he was fading fast by the time I arrived he recognised me and was able to speak a few words on that first day that I saw him. He slipped into a semi comatose state soon after and his motor skills quickly deteriorated. However he was calm and comfortable and in no pain. My cousins and aunt were really generous and gave me lots of time with him and knowing that hearing is the last sense to go, I chatted away about family things. I spent about two and a half days with him and then left knowing it would not be long, and also knowing by that time that he had heard me. It was actually a really moving but rewarding experience. He died as I flew back to Guyana and his funeral with full Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm pomp takes place today. He would have loved it.

As soon as I landed at Heathrow I had to buy hand lotion. My skin already felt dry from the trip. Moist soft skin is one of the joys of Guyana. Traveling is a nightmare these days with liquids and gels all needing to be measured and packaged. Doubly difficult if like me you are only taking hand luggage and have no where to put those bottles of shampoo and cream. I of course bought an English newspaper and in fact a different one each day which I brought back for Mick - he has only now finished reading them all. They are quite huge literary tomes. How the Brits get through them each day I do not know..........and the weekend ones!!!! I also bought an apple as soon as I landed (sorry it is half eaten before I thought to share it with you). It was absolutely great. You can get them here but they do not taste the same and are not crisp as those in Britain.

When I left my Uncle in Salisbury, Wiltshire I sped up to London to meet up with Gavin, our eldest who is preparing to return to Canada in a few days time. Unfortunately he will return to Ontario but this time with his fiancee who hails from Hamilton and Toronto. He has what sounds like a great job, again on the cutting edge of media innovations with Cineflex (not sure if that is how you spell it). 'Twill be challenging but hopefully enjoyable and satisfying. As they have offices in To. Montreal Dublin and London I am sure he will be travelling a bit too.

I had a great meal with him at the Duke of Buckingham Pub/restaurant completely organic so I REALLY enjoyed it and my system did not rebel with so much pure food. As well one of my sisters was able to join us so a good catch up on family matters was had by all.
The following day Gavin and I went to Norfolk to see my parents who at 84 and 86 were remarkably well and still dancing and enjoying life though not branching out too much now. they seem to spend a great deal of time looking after their elderly and frail neighbours it seems! Here's a picture of my father neeling and trying to learn how to programme his phone with music with Gavin....... and my mother who is still as sharp as a pin and the great emailer these days with lots of questions for her techie grandson. She has a bit more backache now when dancing but it doesn't seem to stop her.

Then I left for Guyana. It was a sad reason to go but I was so happy to see my Uncle before he no longer recognised me...and my aunt and cousins and especailly happy that I had time to see my parents, sister and Gavin so for me it was a good visit.



I know many of you have been to the Caribbean for Winter relaxation and I must say that Trinidad was a bright colourful place - at least the airport was. They were preparing for the Carnival on the coming weekend so glamour was everywhere around the airport..... and of course everyone wanted to know if I was there for the Carnival.

I started my journey from Gavin at around 8am and arrived home at 4.30 am UK time. I was pretty exhausted and could hardly believe that I had been away. Had to concentrate pretty hard to keep on track for the next few days!