Tuesday 19th December
Your perfect star twinkles in heaven
So shine on brightly my Angel son
Safe in our hearts is where you are
Nothing has ended, it’s only begun
Missed so much at this time of year
Precious sweetheart, beloved one
xxxxxx
A grey looking Porthmeor Beach
Cobbled Fore Street looking pretty at dusk
Monday 18th December
On the last visit to my oncologist, following a CT scan, a small ‘gnurgly’ was seen on my spleen. It had been mentioned a couple of previous times to no consequence, but now the radiographer’s report suggested further investigation was warranted. So, no food since last night, and only water this morning.
Upon arrival at the unit, just after 1:00pm, form filling was followed by blood sugar testing, which was fine. The technician then went to collect the radioactive trace injection. He returned carrying what looked like an extremely heavy tool box. I thought, ‘Wow, that must be a massive injection!’, but it was merely a huge lead-lined box to protect from the radiation. So then the liquid was pushed into my veins, the technician declared me radioactive ☢️☠️🤢☠️☢️ and I had to wait an hour for the liquid to reach all parts of my body……
The scan itself was fine: the first part was head to knees, taking about fifty minutes, back and forth, stop and start, don’t move…..Then I had to turn around for the second part: knees to toes, which only took twenty minutes. Time to go, and after over three hours in the unit, I was ready. It was now dark outside, the whole afternoon had disappeared through a tunnel…..And now I was starving and very thirsty.
A quick bite to eat and a cappuccino, then a drive home in the dark, whereupon I am now drinking copious amounts of water to flush out the radioactive trace. Apparently I must not go near pregnant women or young children for twenty four hours….
Glowing all the wayyyyyy………
Thinking of you my sweetheart, as always.
Beloved Angel son
xxxxxx
Homeward bound, after sunset
Lights of the cars mimicking how I feel…..
And, we came to say hello again
Your solar snowflake looked lovely
Sunday 17th December
Love you forever
My little fella
So kind and clever
Forget you never
I did endeavour
Keep us together
Such a sweet treasure
Who brought us pleasure
Precious Angel son
xxxxxx
My little fella. Universal Studios
My little fella. SeaWorld
My little fella. Robbie’s, Islamorada
My little fella. Hawaiian Luau, SeaWorld
My little fella. Brother’s 24th birthday
Saturday 16th December
My Angel up on high
My darling sweet boy
Missing you today
And all those dreams of joy
My Angel up on high
My precious sweetheart
Thinking of you today
Even though we’re apart
My Angel up on high
My beloved son
Loving you always
Your earthly life is done
My Angel up on high
My treasured little man
In my heart forever
I’ll love you all I can
Xxxxxx
A cloudy harbour this afternoon
Friday 15th December
Look forward, not back
But when I think of you
I’m thrown off track
Those memories to pursue
Good times to unpack
Before we said “Adieu”
The past holds a pack
Of joy and love so true
Missing you my darling
Precious Angel son
xxxxxx
Bit of a swell hitting Lambeth Walk
Dark and stormy over the harbour
Thursday 14th December
As the tinsel, bells and holly
Start to decorate the stores
I remember the excitement
The simple fun that was yours
As the Christmas music plays
Bringing back memories of you
I try and remember good times
All the fun things you would do
As the Christmas cards are posted
I can no longer sign your name
Finding it just so difficult to write
Since a sweet Angel you became
Missing you so much poppet
Darling Angel son
xxxxxx
Wednesday 13th December
Making memories for you
When we’re on holiday
Although you’re not here
You’ll not fade away
Sharing all that we do
In my heart you’ll stay
Dearest Angel son
See you again someday
xxxxxx
Sunbeams peeking through on our stormy drive back to Cornwall
Tuesday 12th December
Our last morning of our holiday, and as we had a few hours spare, we took a taxi to the Centro Vasco da Gama: a large shopping mall, festively decorated, with access to the walk along the River Tagus.
We stopped first for morning coffee and eats, sitting outside on the terrace warmed by the sun. Such a wonderful view, looking out over a large, metal sculpture of a Sun Man, by Jorge Vieira, then on to an avenue of fluttering flags. A perfect vista.
As it was so warm and pleasant, we took a stroll outside to the river walk, past all the flags, on to a view of the Vasco da Gama Bridge: with a total length of 12.3 km, it is the longest bridge in Europe.
We had a final wander around all three levels of the mall, noting that it was now becoming much busier, stopping for another coffee, then finding a taxi back to the hotel, then a shuttle on to the airport.
And there we are, with a 130 mile an hour head wind, the flight took two and a half hours, (a little longer than planned), landing in the rain, with a welcome home temperature of 4°C. Brrrrrrrrr……..
Thought about you all the time.
Precious Angel son.
Miss you so much.
xxxxxx
Very large decorations in the mall
Looking festive
Morning coffee with pastel de nata and almond tart
Homen Sol
A sculpture by Jorge Vieira
The Metro station opposite
It is a tall metal thing
A perfect blue sky
Looking back towards the mall
River Tagus, Vasco da Gama Bridge and cable cars
A pretty walk along the river
Fluttering flags in the Park of Nations
And their reflections
Another sculpture
That metal man again
Monday 11th December
It had been exceptionally windy last night, with the first rain of our holiday lashing against the windows of our hotel at three in the morning. When we went for our early walk, leaves were strewn all across the roads and on top of cars.
This was our last day in Badajoz, and we began with a pleasant breakfast of café con leche y tostadas con jamón, queso y tomate. (My Spanish is slowly improving…)
Our son picked us up at midday and drove us a few miles over the border into Portugal where we said our goodbyes, and shared lots of hugs and kisses. We caught the coach to Lisbon, and arrived three hours later.
It has been a lovely vacation, sharing time with our younger son and his girlfriend. We had spectacular weather, and went to fabulous places. Tomorrow it will be back to England and the cold, grey, dismal conditions…… that is, if the plane can take off. The storm that has gone through has caused travel chaos, I believe. We met some fellow travelers in the reception, and they were supposed to fly back to Holland today, but their flights had been cancelled. Oh well, we shall see.
Thinking of you sweetie pie
Beloved Angel son
Always and forever
xxxxxx
So many leaves on the ground this morning
Beautiful blue sky behind the Catholic Church
The Guadiana River, Badajoz
Puente de la Universidad
Sunset over Lisbon
Sunday 10th December
As we slowly awoke this morning, we could hear intermittent clapping and cheering, and on looking out over the balcony, we saw many runners along the promenade. Using social media, I found out that the Málaga Marathon was taking place, right in front of our building, with over three thousand four hundred entrants. Such a beautiful morning to pound the pavements…. young, old, on bicycles, and in wheelchairs.
We checked out of the apartment at midday and went for a walk along the beach at El Palo, to the east of where we had been staying. The marathon runners were long gone, to be replaced by dog walkers, families and Sunday strollers. Stopping at an outdoor café, we had coffees, then the local speciality ~ espetos ~ or barbecued sardines, and calamari: so very good.
Then began our long drive north west, back to Badajoz. Our son took control of the driving, a long journey of over five hours…….And so, our little Spanish sojourn is soon to come to an end. We have had a fabulous time, with amazingly warm weather for December, visiting some terrific destinations, eating local delicacies, and spending quality time with our son and his girlfriend.
Not forgetting you, my darling.
Beloved Angel son.
xxxxxx
Some of the marathon runners in front of our apartment
The beach at El Palo
Sparkly waves
The boys found an outdoor gym
Better to sit and relax…
Or you could try and work out how to use the apparatus
Frankie Angel Bear waiting for lunch
Enjoying the warmth of the December sun
Espetos y limón
Frank liked calamari
Fish cooked on a boat shaped barbecue
Warm, even in the shade
The Journey of My Left Foot (whilst remembering my son) 