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!!