On 6th September the hub and I flew to the UK from Australia via Singapore. Not a bad flight, just so long.
We sat opposite a family with three children who were all coughing and sneezing – danger signals for us, as the hub suffers with COPD (emphysema). Sure enough, he picked up a germ and on our second day in the UK, he was admitted to hospital as he was having trouble breathing. The doctor thought he might have a blood clot in one of his lungs because of the long flight, but after x-rays, etc., they said it was a virus, complicated by his COPD. He was in hospital for two days then discharged, with medication.
The doctor said he would be fine to travel, so we drove up to Scotland to visit family and friends.
We stayed with my brother and his wife who live in a little town called Peebles (my birthplace).
Tweed River, Peebles
I haven’t seen my brother and his family in 25 years, and it was wonderful to catch up with them all again.
The highlight of the visit was a pre-arranged meeting with my sister whom I have never met before (long story), and we got on like a house on fire! We are alike in a lot of ways – she is a very matter of fact, down to earth kind of person who loves and works with animals and loves the land. Her hubby is a Gamekeeper and my sister is very much hands-on helping him. She is bubbly and bright and fun to be with, and I think if I lived in Scotland, we would be great pals. As it is, we have to make do with the internet, but that’s ok – at long last we have met each other!
sister-in-law, me and my "new" my sister
My brother had arranged a big family reunion, so I met nephews and nieces for the first time, and great nephews and nieces too! It was wonderful and very emotional.
However, the hub started to get really sick again with a hacking cough, temperature, etc. Long story short, we drove back down to England and I took him straight to the hospital where he had been admitted when we first arrived in the UK. It had gone from a virus to a chest infection - and he now has pneumonia. So our traveling has been curtailed for the time being until he feels better, and able to get back on the road. He has started to improve today, so things are looking up.
My mother is 91 and has been in a Nursing Home for the last seven years following a stroke. I was worried that she might not recognize me when I visited her, but she did! She was smiling from ear to ear and couldn’t take her eyes off me. She held my hand for the whole two hours we spent with her and both staff and some of the other patients kept coming to have a look at me! Now they know that I’m not a figment of her imagination!
I felt a bit like a celebrity, with all the fuss!
Mum looked really well and was able to talk to me a little, and she never lost the smile from her face. We took some pics but haven’t uploaded them from the camera yet so please bear with me!
So that’s my trip so far, more to follow as time and internet connections permit!
Barb, I know comedy and satire are my nature, but nothing funny about being sick. My thoughts & prayers are with you…
Sincerely,
CW
Thanks Charly, much appreciated.
Hey Barb…Hope your bubby’s health is back to full capacity…sounds you have enjoyed very amazing family reunions…There is nothing like a huge family reunion so embrace every special moment…Take care
He got worse again Rayya, but is now on the mend – the last three days has been good for him. In spite of him getting sick, we have enjoyed our vacation, and it has been wonderful to catch up with family and friends again, but we are now ready to get back home and pick up our little dog – we’ve really missed her terribly.
We fly out tomorrow from England and after spending a night with out son and picking Poppy up from our friend who has been looking after her, we will be back home in our own house by Saturday. . . can’t wait!
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Have fun…!
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Pneumonia can be such a scare. Since I am slow at catching up on blog posts, I hope that by now Paul has fully recovered. Other than that, family: family, family, family and more family! What a tremendous gift you have been given. I cannot imagine having to spend as long away from my family as you have yours. We live quite some distance from our family too though not nearly as far as you! It is such a celebration when we make our annual trip back home. Absence does make the heart grow fonder for us. I hope this joyful journey continues with a healthy husband and many more stories of joy!
Tara
Thanks Tara. I don’t think he will fully recover till we get back home to Oz, but he is certainly a lot better. The sun has started to shine so that’s a good thing!
It has been wonderful catching up with family from all over Scotland and England! Still another week to go yet!
Hey, I am so happy about your visit and Paul will mend in due time. The photo is so nice to see. I would love to see Scottland! Due share all of it and photo’s too.I know it is hard going back and forth with bubs know that we are praying for health, wealth, and happiness. The good Lord will give you strength during it and bless you all the more, this I know. I Pray for supernatural Healing as it is HIs will to heal. AMEN xoxo Jackie:)
Thanks Jackie, I appreciate all your thoughts and prayers.
Barb I am so upset to hear about Paul. I do hope he is improving. Please give him a big hug from me.
On the other hand, apart from Paul’s problems I know you are having a great time with your family and re-visiting places. Great that your Mum knows you and you are able to chat with her.
I’ll look forward to seeing all your pics when you get back.
Angela
Paul is finally on the mend Angela, although it’s going to take some time to get fully fit. He’s had pneumonia in the past and I remember how he was then.
Other than that, we are enjoying our time here, seen some of both our families but more to visit!
Mum looks good and so happy to see me – she doesn’t stop smiling when I’m with her!
Looking forward to seeing you when we get back home. xx
I am so pleased your Mam knew you pal and you got to spend time with her , your sister and the rest of the family . Not so good news for poor Paul . You have looked forward to this holiday so much . The weather has been pretty rotten and still is . been raining here and cold . Hope Paul is feeling a bit better soon pal . Hugs to you both .
Margaret xx
I’ve been visiting mum nearly every day since we got back to England Margaret, and she is always so happy to see me – a big smile on her face when she sees me walking towards her! My other brother was there yesterday, so we went for a coffee afterwards and had a long chat.
Paul seems to be on the mend at last.
Hugs to you Margaret – and thanks for subscribing! xx
What an amazing visit… This is such a happy post and I was looking forward to hearing about your journey… Do keep us posted and enjoy your stay.
I’m finally catching up on everyone’s blog. Thank you for your patience!
It is an amazing visit Eliz, and in spite of the hub being sick, I am enjoying it immensely!
What a dramatic visit! Like two novels worth of stuff, all in one post! Your head must be swimming —
Prayers for the husband, and the mom, and the new sister, and the rest of the family –
and hugs to the heroine. (That’s YOU!)
Yes, the first week in the UK certainly did contain a lot of drama – my head was swimming! Thanks for your prayers, and especially the hugs! xx
i hope your hubby is on the fast road to recovery! how scary to get really sick so far from home!
it is wonderful that you met a long lost sister and got along so well!
He ended up with pneumonia, so has not been well at all poor soul; we have been going back and forth to the hospital since we came back from Scotland to England. However, he seems to be on the mend now, so fingers crossed.
More stories to come on my “new” sister!
So nice to hear from you, Barb, but I’m so sorry about your husband!!! What a hassle … How wonderful it must have been to see your Mum and all the others.
I’m leaving tomorrow..
The hub ended up with pneumonia Rebekah, and I feel like I’ve taken up residence at the hospital! Anyway, he seems to be on the mend now. The damp weather here doesn’t agree with him!
Have a wonderful holiday back home in Sweden; I’m looking forward to hearing all about it.
Aw lovely reunion!
Thanks Vix, the reunion was awesome!
Your poor hub. I hope he recovers soon enough to enjoy some of his holiday. Other than that, this was a lovely, happy post to read.
The hub’s chest infection turned into pneumonia Tilly, very scary, and he couldn’t breathe properly because of his COPD (emphysema). The English weather is no good for him – now I remember why we emigrated to Oz!
Hope hubby is better soon!! Can’t wait for more of your trip stories and pics!!
Thanks Donna – more to come on my trip – watch this space!
Hope your husband is on the road to recovery. Sounds like a grand visit with your mom and with your people in Peebles!
I can’t imagine going 25 years without seeing one of my brothers ~ the longest it’s ever been is 3 years.
We had a wonderful time in Peebles with family Nancy. We are separated by thousands of miles, and do the best to visit as often as we can, but this is the longest we have been apart. The reunion was sweet.
Hope your husband is completely well soon. So glad that you’re getting to see your family though.
He seems to be on the road to recovery at last. It was great seeing my family. More stories to follow on my trip.
I am so glad you got to Peebles! I hope your hubby gets well and finds enjoyment in his travels! It is wonderful that you are reconnecting with family and history!
Peebles hasn’t changed much since I was last there years and years ago; it’s still a beautiful little place that still holds my heart!
Hi Barb,
Lovely to hear from you, I’ve been wondering how you got on especially since the weather was so bad whilst you were over here, it’s not always so windy/wet!! Sorry to hear about hubs yet I was pleased to hear about your new sister and how nice that your mum recognised you!! I expect you’ve loads to tell us and I look forward to your stories and future posts/photos etc. Take care and look after hubs.
The hub’s chest infection turned into pneumonia Marcia, and I feel like I’ve taken up residence at the local hospital! He seems to be improving now, so fingers crossed. We are back in England now, staying with our friend who lives in Lancashire and she is spoiling him rotten!
It was wonderful to meet my sister for the first time, and I was so happy that my mum recognised me; she looks quite well for her 91 years!
More stories coming your way!
I didn’t realise you were still in England Barb, but if you need any help whilst you’re in Lancashire I’ll do anything I can to assist. Hope the sun comes out a bit more for you, it can be lovely when the sun shines, it’s not always so grey here……
Yes, we are staying with a friend in Colne (near Burnley). Her house looks over to Wycoller – I’d forgotten that Lancashire has some beautiful countryside and she and I have been able to get in some fantastic walks around the area.
Thanks so much for your offer of help Marcia, it’s very much appreciated, but we will be fine – my friend is spoiling us rotten! Paul seems to be on the mend now, so that’s a relief.
I wish I could get over to see you but don’t think we will. Seems a shame when we’re only a hop skip and a jump away. We are supposed to be going down to Plymouth next week to visit family, so I’m hoping and praying that Paul is up to it. xx
My momma had COPD, so I understand what you are going through. I hope the hubby gets better fast and that the rest of your trip is enjoyable for the both of you.
You will understand then Shell – I thought I was going to lose him at one stage. His health is still a worry but has started to improve. We still have such a lot of family and friends to visit yet!
Enjoy the rest of your trip.. every day at a time… and may Paulie improve rapidly, so he can enjoy some of the trip at least… xx
Thanks Kaye – he has started to improve at last. Missing you all. xx
Hi,
I’m so sorry to hear about your Hubby getting sick. unfortunately there is just nothing you can do when on a plane, it’s hard enough facing the 22/24hr flights, without the extra worry of watching people sneezing etc around you. I hope he feels better soon.
I absolutely love your photo’s, can’t wait to see more, and how wonderful it must be to meet all these people that you have never had the chance to meet. How great also to be able to see your Mum again.
Glad you liked the photos Mags, more to come!
It was great seeing my mother again, especially because she recognised me. Meeting my sister was awesome.
Your post brought tears to my eyes – what a wonderful gift this trip was for you! I was so moved by the family connections you’ve made. How heartwarming. I’m so happy for you! I LOVE the photo of Peebles; can’t wait to see more!
Aww, thank you! Peebles is such a pretty little place, it hasn’t changed much since I was last there, and it still holds my heart!
I echo what Granny says. We want to hear the whole story of the new sister! It sounds intriguing.
So sorry that hubby is not at all well. I hope that he will soon be a lot better . I will pray for him.
enjoy the rest of your holiday and get home safely to OZ
IThe story of my sister is very intriguing Patrecia – I may write about it later.
The hub has been really sick but now seems to be on the mend – it’s this awful English weather – now I remember why we emigrated to Oz!
So glad you were able to see your mom, how nice and so touching that she knew you, of course she did you are her little girl. And so wonderful to see your brother and his family after 25 years.. That is a blessing
Sorry your husband has been ill, hope he will continue to improve and maybe you can stay a bit longer.
So wonderful to be with family and what a gorgeous church and beautiful area of Scotland you are from and visiting. Just breathe taking.
Have safe travels and enjoy your family and friends and continued quick recovery for your husband.
It’s great seeing my mother Cathy, and I was relieved when she recognised me. I’ve been visiting her in the home almost every day since we got back down into England from Scotland.
My other brother was there today when I went, so it was nice to catch up with him. Still have one other brother to visit yet – when the hub is feeling well enough to travel.
Hope he is feeling better, he is still ill with pneumonia, any better? hope so,
i will be off line for 3 dyas starting tomorrow, my son in law is having a procedure done for bladder cancer so i will be at my daughters for several days, keep them in your prayers.
glad you are able to spend time with your mom, it is a nice, warm feeling, will be difficult to return home on one hand , yet there is no place like home.
so sorry to hear the hubs got ill, but happy to hear mum is doing well. we hope you have a great time the rest of the trip!!!
Thanks for your lovely thoughts.
Great to have you back.
Want to hear the story of the new sister!
Hope hubby gets real better soon.
Lots of love.
I’m still in the UK – in England this week following a week in Scotland. I’ve been back and forth to the hospital with the hubs and feel like I have shares in the place!
Thanks granny. xx