Freedom!!

I saw the consultants

last week and...

they are both delighted with my progress

As for the pain in my back.....

I'm told it may never go....

I won't know..

how good..or bad

it will be..

for at least another...

12-18 months!

The good news is...

that the fusion seems to be working and

the bone grafts are taking...

so that should stabilize my spine..

against any more slippages!!

AND!!!!!

I'm aloud to DRIVE AGAIN!!!!

Short distances for now....

and I have to say

it's still very painful trying to move my legs...

and the muscles have degenerated

so that sometimes, I have to physically

lift them ...by hand...sort of..

so I won't be tempted to drive too far.

BUT

I can get out without having to bother

any of my wonderful friends

who have stood by me

on those many non-driving times

over these last six and half years!!

Actually...

I'll let you into a secret.....

Now that I CAN drive....and go out

I don't particularly WANT to!!

Isn't that typical?!

I wonder whether you have found yourself

thinking just the same thing?

Do You know....?

I just love to chat to you like this...

while we meander

around this beautiful garden.

It's one I can easily manage on the crutches

that I'm told I'll be using for some time.

So I can concentrate totally

on all the interesting things...

that you're sharing!

It's one of my favourites places..

and I know I've brought you here before

But...

every time I come...

I'm struck by something different....

something that takes my breath away...

and it's soooo good

to share it with you.....thank you!

Again....I have brought you

to the walled garden at Picton Castle

The flowers are just so beautiful

at this time of year

It seems to go from one...

"OH, just look at this...to the next"!!

One of the many things...

 that I love about this garden

is the change in shapes and texture

where ever you look..

Strong and tall

against

sweet and delicate!

Paper thin poppies

against

strident succulents!

The contrasts....

The beautiful blue sky

and 

the red....red...roses!

I so enjoy this place

and really hope you do too?

At this time of the year...

some local villages

have 'open gardens'...

when some of the homes open their gardens

to raise money for charity.

I love going to these

...and...

last weekend we went to one

near my daughter's home.

We called in for a cup of tea and

sat in the garden

relaxing whilst

the children played...

Suddenly my daughter said...

"You've got a butterfly on your sunhat, Mum"

Now...

I HATE having my photo taken

and I had no makeup

or any idea of what I looked like

when I crammed my sunhat on....

but....

I just felt I had to show you these photos...

that is...

only if you promise not to laugh...

or...

make comments...like...

'the camera doesn't lie...'

Plus

I had to stay really still

so it didn't fly way

Worth it though!!

Feeling Better!

My dear blogging friends

A very big THANK YOU......

for all the kind thoughts and messages..

winging their way across

land and ocean.

I so appreciate each one of you!

As we walk and talk together

I just wanted to take you to one of my

favourite places.....

a garden centre and nursery

that also has two restaurants.....

one with a decking overlooking the gardens

and ponds.

I've brought you here before

but I come again and again .....

so I hope that you will keep enjoying it with me!

My friends have brought me here

several times over these last weeks....

just before my op...

and certainly since I had it four weeks ago.

The food is excellent...

and the peace and tranquility...

just quieten your soul!

Hold on a minute.....

Now what can those be?

I haven't seen them before......

No, I really don't know what it is!!

This is my wonderful friend (who has really kept my spirits up by taking me out every few days....)

investigating this flower for me...

how far does friendship go??

I still don't know what it is!!

We walk to our favourite place to sit and enjoy

the peace and tranquility...

and always...

breathe a sigh of relief....

 when we find that..

nobody else has taken..

what we consider 'our place'!!

From here

there's a lovely view of the ponds

and in the other direction....

and look at all those fish.....!

We love to sit and watch them jump

on a lazy summer afternoon

I find it a wonderful place

to be at peace...

but others

have a different agenda.....!!

now....what can he see...?

Those darn fish......

probably!

The operation went well and people

are saying that they can see 

that the pain has gone from my face.

I am also told by so many

that I'm walking straighter......

I am just so grateful.

It's been a long six and half years

of being in wheelchairs, on crutches 

and in so much pain.......and

operation after operation.

I do so hope that

this will be the last and that I will be able

to cast aside these crutches

(I have been told I will be on them for a while longer)

and be able to go on my favourite

coastpath walks

and be free to do so many things.

It's true

You don't value things until you loose them!!

I enjoyed the walks...

and the holidays abroad...but..

in a way

took it all fore-granted!

I think (hope)

that I have been learning....

not to rush hither and thither....

To not fill my days so full..

and feel pleased when I have been able to slot

yet another 'important' thing in.

To take time and enjoy

the beauty that is all around me...

the friends that have rallied around...

and unselfishly helped me.

I learnt to blog during this time...

and have made so many friends all over the world.

Thank you all.... 

for supporting me through....

 ....my highs..

and lows!

It's been a like

a series of stepping stones....

each one bringing

a new view of life....

or a new thing to learn.....

Through you all and your craft stories and pictures

I learnt to crochet...

( I have just finished I pram cover for a friend's grandchild)

I already knitted a lot

but I've learnt to be more adventurous

and have even joined a Knit a Long!!

Tangled Yarn Phoebe Knit a Long

I've had the wool for 3 weeks

but haven't yet started!!

I am awful to start things....

I keep putting it off.

Afraid of getting it wrong....I expect!

I love the colours of the pattern

but unfortunately

they don't suit me so I bought these...

Lastly....

Someone else who enjoys the gardens!!