Both excited and scared at the same time, having lost so much confidence since Keith died. In our nearly 40 years together I rarely did things on my own, and have done so little travelling by plane that it is all new to me, especially the likes of Heathrow airport - turn me round twice and I will have had it! But I can talk and I am sure I will manage. I had a shock when Tam was trying to book the travel insurance for me as the first quote came up at £900! Just because I'm waiting for another ECG - this one at the hospital. But you can't be specific. Need to phone the Hospital tomorrow now.
A packet of wild flower mix I bunged in a pot came up with Viper's Bugloss. The longed-for Exotic-looking flower from my Observer's book of Wild Flowers, which I got when I was 6. I was 30 before I found it growing for the first time, in the Purbecks.
I'm too tired to write much tonight. It's been a full-on week with Rosie, and cooking up a toddler Salmon Curry (mostly coconut milk with a tin bit of Turmeric and grated fresh ginger), fell foul of a Rosie-I-don't-want mood . . . Rosie has had a couple of late nights (from late sleeps when we've been somewhere in the car) and so I don't get to be able to switch off. I am feeling my age this week!!
I have the little Fair on Saturday so have to prepare for that tomorrow. Saturday will be a rest!! At least I get to sit down once I'm set up. Back later, and I'll answer comments on yesterday's post tomorrow.
Wow! You are going to New Zealand, lucky you. I'm sure you will be fine and as you say you can ask. You're much braver than me, I hate flying, did it once to Spain and if I hadn't had to get on the plane to come home, would probably still be there. We drive to France still and have been all over Europe by car. Mum wouldn't fly either, so it probably came from that. Please take lots of photos. Natalie did New Zealand on her 'world trip' after Uni. She loved it. Xx
ReplyDeleteWell, when there's no other option, flying it is. I'm sure I will take 100s of photos but need to get my new laptop speaking to my cameras, as the camera on my mobile isn't up to much.
DeleteI still have Europe to come - just been on the very edge of France and into Belgium, and a few days in Florence. So much more to see.
Oh, New Zealand. How wonderful!
ReplyDeleteIt will be so good to see my dear friend again - we've only met up once since she left the UK back in the 1970s.
DeleteHow exciting to be off to NZ but I fully sympathise with you at feeling overwhelmed by the thought of doing something on your own. But I'm sure you'll be fine and Tam is there to help you prepare. Apart from going off to France to be an au pair for the summer when I was 17 I've never had to do anything alone. I find the thought of having to speak to strangers quite terrifying but there is every chance I'll have to manage by myself one day. I recently had to book travel insurance for us and waited until after I'd had my toe surgery as I guessed answering 'yes' to 'are you waiting for treatment?' would bump the price up. Good luck with it all.
ReplyDeleteI'll be phoning the hospital this morning to try and expedite my ECG. They were contacted by my GP a month ago now, and I will say I'm up for a cancellation as long as it's not a Monday in August.
DeleteThe flowers are so pretty, I always enjoy the wildflower mix surprises. Never heard of Bugloss. The tiny blue and white morning glories? are adorable.
ReplyDeleteGood for you for doing NZ solo It will be such a confidence builder, won't it.
They do look like wee Morning Glories don't they? Really eyecatching.
DeleteNZ solo will certainly be a challenge, but I'll come out stronger for it.
Open a Nationwide flex plus account..I think it costs £18 pcm if I remember correctly..amongst other things you get travel insurance..you may have to pay a little extra due to any health pri or length of trip ...but far better than the equivalent of the cost of another ticket!
ReplyDeleteThank gz - that is a brilliant idea. Will look into that today.
DeleteWe live in Wellington, and it would be great to meet with you if you are spending any time in the capital. It's freezing cold here at present (8.5° feels like 5°!!), being midwinter, but hopefully it will be warmer by the time you arrive.
ReplyDeleteHaven't worked out an itinerary yet - just a vague, go to Queenstown for coach trips up into the mountains etc. I can't do Hot, let alone V. Hot, so November which is your springtime I think, would suit me better. If I am heading your way, I shall let you know.
DeleteI know that travel insurance costs are crazy. We ended up paying what would be one of our return flights for our holiday this year. Crazy!!!!
ReplyDeleteVery pretty flowers.
God bless.
I should have checked them before booking, but hey ho. It's a learning curve.
DeleteFunny, gz! I had come here to say 'talk to Gwynneth' and here you are. I know my 36 hours with 3 kids and a puppy about did me in.
ReplyDeleteThanks Debby. OMG, 3 kids and a puppy - I wouldn't have lasted the course!
ReplyDeleteYou are much braver than me, my confidence is still gone.
ReplyDeleteWell, mine is hiding in the cupboard right now, so I need to get it out and polish it off.
DeleteI am sure you are brave in ways I would never even think about.
DeleteThe small flowers that look like morning glories are Convolvulus tricolor 'Blue Ensign' - they are one of my favourite small flowers.
ReplyDeleteThank you for that Rosemary. Not one I have come across before. Beautiful.
DeleteYou will absolutely love it once you get travelling. Alan's Mum's last holiday was to Tasmania, a totally solo trip in her early-seventies to stay with family. She came back a different woman and absolutely brimming with confidence. She went blind a couple of years afterwards but the memory of that holiday kept her going.
ReplyDeleteI came back more confident after our Jordan holiday. I am worried about the airport, but if necessary will turn up at the "Help me out" kiosk and get them to help Granny . . .
DeleteI do not envy you going out of LHR, horrible place, I spent too much time getting planes all over the place from it though I daresay you will be going from Terminal four or five. Hope your not getting dropped off by car. I used to catch a railair coach from Reading sight easier that getting dropped off and paying the earth for it. Hope you have a nice time down under
ReplyDeleteThanks for cheering me up Billy! Yes - being dropped off by Gabby in her car. Will look into the railair coach from Reading. Thanks for mentioning it.
DeleteI really admire your spirit of adventure, good for you , you'll have a lovely time I'm sure.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the wildflower pic, so lovely.
Alison in Devon x
Well, it needs a blardy good polish!! Like Jordan, I will be terrified until I am on the plane. Moreso this time as on my own. Glad you like the wildflowers.
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