This year I'm off to sunny Spain

[northumbrian_k]

Today’s wet and cold ride back from visiting my wife reminded me that this time last year I was starting to look forward to her respite stay and what turned out to be a particularly wet and windy November cycling trip to the Scottish Borders. Back then, as my 'dementia diary' shows, things were definitely on a downward spiral. I was facing the difficulty of preparing for her respite stay, packing for my trip and finalising the dog’s boarding arrangements without her knowing about any of them.

I had not even considered that she might no longer be living at home with me when I made arrangements for another respite stay to enable my cycling trip to sunny Malaga next week. The fact that she is now in residential care makes planning the trip and life in general easier in many ways. But this will be the first time since she first moved into the home that I will not be able to visit her for almost a week. It is cold comfort that, probably, she will not notice.

 

[Vic10]

Hope you have a lovely cycling holiday! Enjoy

 

[Grannie G]

When I went away for a week @northumbrian_k I sent my husband a card. Mind you my week away was in the UK so I knew he would get it before I returned.

When I went back to visit it was propped up on the table by his chair.

I know it`s not practical to send one from Spain but if you like the idea maybe you could leave on with the staff to present to your wife mid week.

Have a lovely holiday.

 

[Sarasa]

Enjoy the cycling holiday @northumbrian_k . I'm just back from a week away and it was the first time since the first week mum was in the care home that I haven't visited at least twice. She didn't seem to be very perturbed about where I'd been, and if anything seemed a bit more settled.
A friend told me that she sent photos of her holidays to the staff of the care home where her mum was, to share with her mum. I didn't do that, as mum's vision is so poor she wouldn't be able to see them anyway, and I thought it might make her start talking about wanting to go on holiday herself. If you think your wife might like that it is something you could try.

 

[nae sporran]

Enjoy your trip, @northumbrian_k. Would it be worth phoning your wife, or best left alone? I only ask because I called my OH when I was away for a few days in May and we both felt better for it, though she is more aware of what is happening than I think your wife is.

 

[Juba]

Hope you have a great holiday!
I'm just preparing for a few days respite - tho' not going too far with it being the first time... To be honest I'm just really looking forward to getting up in the mornings without being full of fear about what the day might bring.

 

[Izzy]

Have a great holiday @northumbrian_k

 

[northumbrian_k]

Enjoy your trip, @northumbrian_k. Would it be worth phoning your wife, or best left alone? I only ask because I called my OH when I was away for a few days in May and we both felt better for it, though she is more aware of what is happening than I think your wife is.

Thanks for the suggestion @nae sporran but my wife is not capable of using a telephone - she just puts it down and wanders off. She doesn't seem to understand what I say face to face never mind over a phone line. I honestly don't think it matters as her perception of time is also very limited.

 

[jugglingmum]

Have a great time, nice warm dry cycling weather sounds very good given autumn has come early. Winter bikes in use weeks earlier than some years here.

All events out of the normal routine allow a chance to step back and notice changes. You know she has settled very well into the home, and will be as settled as she would be anywhere.

 

[Jale]

Have a great holiday northumbrian-k,

 

[margherita]

Have a nice holiday @northumbrian_k .
Who will your dog stay with? Is he used to be with other people or in a different place to his home?

 

[northumbrian_k]

Have a nice holiday @northumbrian_k .
Who will your dog stay with? Is he used to be with other people or in a different place to his home?

Good to hear from you. There is a lady not far from here who specialises in home boarding ex-racing greyhounds like Knight. He stayed with her for 10 nights at Easter and got on very well with her 2 dogs and others that were boarding at the same time. I am not long back from dropping him off for a one night stay just to get him used to the idea again. I have no worries that he will be absolutely fine. He was having a great time with a new friend when I left him earlier - a slightly nervous but lovely looking 'blue' bitch - inspecting and making his mark in the large, hound-friendly garden.

 

[northumbrian_k]

It is strange being alone in the house. I keep looking for the hound but he is not here tonight. I will not have to make the late night trek for his toilet needs nor tuck him into bed later. Just one day without him has made me appreciate how much company I get from a dog that sleeps nearly all the time, and how much I rely on him now my wife is no longer here.

 

[margherita]

It is strange being alone in the house. I keep looking for the hound but he is not here tonight. I will not have to make the late night trek for his toilet needs nor tuck him into bed later. Just one day without him has made me appreciate how much company I get from a dog that sleeps nearly all the time, and how much I rely on him now my wife is no longer here.

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Hope you're having a nice time in Spain and enjoying your fully deserved holiday
Re dogs. I don't know how I could survive if I didn't have my dogs . They make me feel less lonely and smile also when I don't feel like it

 

[northumbrian_k]

Just been to see my wife for the last time before my holiday next week. I know that she is safe and well looked after in her care home so I need not worry whilst I am away. Besides which, she has decided that she is not going to have a baby after all!