https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=AYRjvH1NGVo&si=wI2E5j64Nf_mA1Eh
“Just a song before I go
To whom it may concern
Traveling twice the speed of sound
It’s easy to get burned
When the shows were over
We had to get back home
And when we opened up the door
I had to be alone
She helped me with my suitcase
She stands before my eyes
Driving me to the airport
And to the friendly skies
Going through security
I held her for so long
She finally looked at me in love
And she was gone
Just a song before I go
A lesson to be learned
Traveling twice the speed of sound
It’s easy to get burned”.
Last Blog this side of Porto I promise.
As you may know,Barbara had a slip and fall last weekend resulting in a new hip on Sunday last, at Heartlands Hospital. We were all extremely grateful for the care she received there. Meantime, I was really concerned about the dilemma that the Camino suddenly presented. “ Should I Stay or Should I Go?” To quote another song title.
It was only after Barbara’s transfer to Solihull Hospital, Thursday 7th May, that things became a little clearer. Solihull is more of a post operative place for patients with surgery like hip replacements.. – REHABILITATION.
Today, Friday 9th May, Hannah and I visited Barbara – Solihull Hospital is more village- like than Heartlands and from our very first steps inside , we felt welcome. ( this is not to decry Heartlands which serves more purposes on a grander scale ). It was just the ambience,I guess.
A hip replacement,from a sudden fall, apparently presents different challenges than those that are long awaited ( sometimes overdue). The recovery time …ie mobility takes longer and can often be more painful at times, which makes regaining mobility a lengthier process. Whilst there, we were fortunate enough to witness nursing carried out patiently and diligently. The bonus for Barbara, Hannah and myself was the chance to talk with the two physio-rehabilitation experts looking after Barbara and gaining some valuable advice on how we might adapt our house to better suit Barbara’s homecoming and continued rehabilitation.
It was only after their appraisal of Barbara’s predisposition and feistiness that we we felt reassured that she was in expert,sympathetic and professional hands …literally. Barbara and Hannah were adamant that I must go on the Camino…
Back home, we began changing rooms etc to facilitate a safer and comfortable setting for Barbara, funnily enough Han and I felt quite energised in what became a “ project” almost….seriously it was mainly about shifting things around ….creatively of course. We are not quite there yet but we know what we want it to be.
It is not possible to predict when Barbara might be home but given present progress, hopefully in a few days’ time.
Saturday 9 th May – this time we drove to Solihull and bought a few days ‘ pass for the car park which was very quiet. Being a Saturday not many day patients and the corridors etc were so quiet we might have been in a convent.
In brief, apart from Hannah and myself , we were pleased to welcome Daniel up again from Berkhamstead and later Vickee and granddaughter Martha at the bedside. Two physios came in ( almost rapturous applause ) and encouraged Barbara on to her feet and lots of steps!
Again much credit to the professionals and Barbara’s grit and determination.
And ,so it came to pass that we eventually went back home where Dan and Hannah moved a single bed downstairs to Barbara’s temporary bedroom. Very impressed. We all felt we had seen great progress in terms of mobility and self belief today.
——————————————————————————————
BACK TO THE CAMINO
We shall all walk at our own pace, I would only offer this piece of advice which is to take a bag- break at least every hour, enjoy refreshments despite necessity and smell,the flowers,
It would be unreasonable to assume we should all arrive at our digs at the same time , but please don’t check in until I get there, as confusion can arise about whose rooms are whose…Receptionists understandably won’t know our circumstances.
Look forward to the meet up at Birmingham International Airport on Thursday 14 th.
“I’m dreaming of roads.”
– Antonio Machado –
I’m dreaming of roads
of the afternoon. The Hills
gold, the pine green,
the dusty hens!…
Where will the road lead?
I’m singing, traveler
along the path…
-the afternoon is falling-.
“In the heart I had
the thorn of a passion;
I managed to pull it off one day:
I don’t feel the heart anymore.”
And the whole field for a moment
It stays mute and gloomy,
meditating. The wind blows
on the banks of the river
Evening gets darker;
and the path that slips
and weakly bleach
it blurs and disappears.
My singing is whining again:
“A sharp golden thorn,
who could feel you
nailed to the heart”.
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