Monday 1 October 2012

Stonehenge revisited


Well I drove across Salisbury Plain to visit my sister yesterday, and I am very glad I did, even though I was sort of dreading it beforehand.

I had two nieces in tow when we arrived at the hospital, as one had driven to meet me from a little further away in the opposite direction, and it was good to see them, my nephew, his son, wife and father too.

Although my sister looked like a warmed-up corpse when we arrived (she was asleep) I was amazed and relieved at how bright she was when she woke. We chatted away as ever, but her weight-loss is shocking. I hope she manages to put a bit on during her stay in hospital, and I now think that she will - indeed - be leaving there in a few weeks. I didn't think that to start with.

I told her my favourite and latest joke as she was being hoiked up in bed by the girls:  My friend told me his mother had been very ill recently, and the doctor told him to rub lots of lard on her back. When I asked what effect this had on her, he said, "She went downhill very quickly after that."

I don't know how much extra petrol I used in the Volvo because of the defective air pump (I still haven't got a new one) but I know that a 20 mile detour made when travelling the wrong direction on the A303 couldn't have helped.  Oh well, it was worth it.

P.S. I have just heard on the news that the Russian government (Putin) has convicted the girls of 'Pussy Riot' with 'hooliganism'. Is there such a word in Russian? As I understand it, the Hooligans were the original neighbours from hell - an Irish family living in 19th century London, who were constantly being had up in court for... well, 'hooliganism'.

12 comments:

  1. I know you're more of an Avebury man than Stonehenge, but, for me, it still has that exceptional magic.

    Good to hear about your sis improving.

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  2. Your sister seems to be a very strong woman ...... it's good to hear that she seems to be feeling better and maybe going home soon.
    Stonehenge is indeed a magical place ...... here's hoping some of it's magic penetrated the Volvo and is now working it's magic on you. XXXX

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    1. Something penetrated the Volvo, and it now is making a knocking noise which suggests to me as though it will need a few hundred quid's worth of treatment before I buy another air-pump. Gawd...

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  3. It is years since I visited Stonehenge - it's a long way from here, but I hope that being there gave you some sense of peace Tom - seeing one's nearest and dearest very ill is no joke.

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    1. I regained my sense of peace when I turned around on the A303 and headed toward it again, Weave.

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  4. I lost my father to heart failure, and it's definitely no joke.

    Before he got sick we used to visit all sorts of places, including Stonehenge. Back in the days when you could actually walk into it and sit on the stones. We were the only people there and it was eerie to say the least.

    Glad your sister is better than you thought. Jx

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    1. Thanks Rusty (didn't you sign off as 'C' last time?). I suppose we all succumb to heart failure at some point or other.

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    2. Not unless I forget my name..

      From the official test for dementia: name four animals starting with the letter S. (I have memorised them, just in case....)

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  5. each DGH should be shit hot on nutritional support tom, I should hope your sister has been fully assessed by the dietitian
    ( they are never fat women btw) go figure

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    1. They're not so shit hot that they don't have to be reminded of the importance of finding out the dietary requirements of diabetics by signing up to a 'glucose awareness' scheme and having a certificate on the wall to say so, though. 'Go figure' indeed.

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    2. Oh, and there are quite a few porkers on the ward as well.

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  6. I liked your joke too. I'm sure it cheered your sister up. Glad you had a safe trip even if it was a bit expensive on the fuel - it was worth it.

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