Relaxing and counting steps

We are relaxing, most certainly, after the stressful weeks of house selling and Walter's many trips to the local hospital.    We are also trying to build up our fitness levels too, especially for Walter, and I must say it is working very well.   We can now both walk uphill without becoming breathless.   Which is important here, as this campsite is built on the edge of a hill. 

So apart from relaxing, snoozing, reading and talking, plus a few red wines for me, we are also out counting our steps on our smart watches.   The aim is to now complete 10,000 steps each day. 

The weather has been perfect, sunny, but not too hot.    We woke on Wednesday morning to a fresh new world, the sun was shining, and the mist was rising from the wet grapevines.   It was breathtakingly beautiful.

We drove nearly to the top of the hill overlooking Le Lavandou, and then climbed the steep steps for the rest of the way.    There is an amazing garden up there, surrounded by small cottages and the remains of a windmill.    Di and Mike found this place last April when we were here for Andreena's birthday, and we all walked up there during one evening.    Only then we walked up even more steps in order to get to the top.   The holiday house was about half way up the hill.

This time Walter and I also went for a walk along the fire track, which was very pleasant, except for the dog poo everywhere, which meant we had to look at our feet, instead of looking out at the views.  But I still managed to get a photograph or two.

Walter looking very slim and fit.    Please note the lack of knee support and no stick.    His new knee is nearly perfect, and his leg straight again.    Walter will not be tackling any ski slopes though.    One injury was enough.

We also walked along the front of the beach, from Le Lavandou to Le Faviere, which is a very pleasant walk, and not too hot at the moment.

The view back towards to Le Lavandou.   Not a brilliant photo.

The harbour at Le Faviere, taken from the top of a small hill, which was the only part of the walk that we put any effort into, the rest was just strolling along.   But steps were counted!

A statue of a perfect man, not too many muscles but very trim and fit looking.   I decided it was best that I did not take a front view of the statue just in case my blog was censored and removed from Blogspot.   One never knows. 

As we made all that effort to walk to Le Faviere, we thought it best we ate lunch in a restaurant, in order to give us plenty of energy to walk back again.    So after a delicious pizza each, cooked in a wood fired pizza oven, we started our walk back.

The views on the way back, especially walking down the hill, were really lovely, as usual.   Not many people on the beach though.   So quiet.

In the mornings we have been going for our early morning walk along the back road.   Unfortunately for me, but not for the frogs, there is too much water in the creek, so cannot go for my usual circular walk through the woodland, and then back along the road.   There is too much water to jump across, and I would probably land on my backside in it, if I did try.   Perhaps tomorrow I will take off my sneakers and wade across.   As long as I don't stand on a frog. 

Tonight we went on a short walk, partly along the valley fire track.   I am looking forward to going further as I think the area will be very green and lush.

I have forgotten to mention that the wildflowers are all out still, so there is a mass of colour everywhere.    It is such a lovely time to visit the area.

And as regards to counting steps - ever onwards, so they say.

Camping Manjastre - great to be here

Here we are in the south of France, and guess what?   It is currently not warm and sunny, but quite chilly and rather wet.   In fact the weather has been like this for most of May, we have heard.    The grass is long and green, and the creek that runs along the side of the bottom road is full of water.   We are currently not swimming in the pool, and I longingly think of the warm clothes I left behind in the caravan in the Netherlands.

Never mind it is still beautiful, and very peaceful.  It has been great to also catch up with friends.

So we have spent our time lazing around, reading, walking and spending time with people.

Our trip down was on very busy motorways, which caught us by surprise as we had thought it would be easy.   We had forgotten that it was a long weekend in the Netherlands and in France so Friday and Saturday people were out on the roads trying to get away for a few days, in what was predicted to be gorgeous weather.

The usual bumper to bumper traffic on the motorway between Lyon and Orange.

 We were fascinated by the number of motorway services that have been upgraded and now have huge self service coffee machines.   Surprisingly the coffee is extremely good too.   Walter posing in front of one of the new self service coffee areas in a revamped motorway service stop.   My apologies to the person who suddenly stepped into the photo at the moment I pressed the button.

 We arrived at Camping Manjastre on Saturday afternoon, and very quickly set up our caravan and awning.    So easy now with the lightweight sun canopy and less equipment.   

Our view over the grapevines, very peaceful, secluded and quiet.

The weather on Saturday and Sunday was glorious but it gradually clouded over on Monday, when the rain set in overnight.   It is rather pleasant, hearing rain on the caravan roof, knowing you are warm and dry inside.    I used to find the sound of rain on a tent a little worrying rather then comforting.   Would it leak?   And don't touch the side of the tent, anyone.   But they did, and yes the tent leaked.  Modern tents are so much better, I think.   

A view of Le Lavandou Beach, deserted mostly, as the sky started to cloud over.

 The garden in front of the town hall was beautiful.   Sadly it is only set up for Spring, but I guess it would be too hard to maintain during the hot months of July and August.

 The other half of the garden.

 A view towards our favourite cafe on a very quiet holiday Monday.

 No time to stop at Cafe Centre.   Instead we were looking for a suitable restaurant in which to have lunch.    We chose one that had plenty of diners, not sure if this is a good recommendation or not.   We were happy with our Mediterranean salads, although I am still a bit unsure of the marinated raw salmon that accompanied the salad.   An acquired taste I think.

I went for a walk along the back road, and admired the healthy looking grape vines, which were just starting to set fruit.   I think they have been loving the wet weather.

 Our caravan set up and ready to go.   Walter was reading contently in the corner of the photograph.

 A deserted swimming pool last night.   Still very picturesque.

 The storm clouds approaching us.  And those clouds certainly released a lot of rain.

According to the forecasts the rain has now finished for a while and temperatures are set to rise again.  Looking forward to it.

Kylie's fantastic article about cycling in Houten, Netherlands

My apologies.  I cannot highlight the link below so that you can go straight into the article in the Guardian.    Sadly my IT skills are not good enough.   However it was such a good article that I need to tell people about it.   It is certainly worth typing out the web address in order to find the article.  In fact if you just type in Welcome to cycle heaven: why we moved our family to the Netherlands into Google search the article will pop up immediately.

The article was published on the front page of the Guardian last week and received thousands of hits and shares, plus hundreds of comments.    It was such a proud moment for us all. 

The Netherlands decided to make cycling a priority in the late 1940s and put in place all the necessary infrastructure in order to make it happen.    The town of Houten was then able to plan a town around cycling, with wide cycle paths throughout the town.   Access roads for vehicles come off the ring road, and only lead into each housing area.    The town has also been planned around woodland, parks and playgrounds, which makes it a beautiful and safe environment for everyone.

In so many countries now roads are clogged with cars, making it unsafe for cyclists and pedestrians, and pollution has become quite a problem.      But articles such as Kylie's does make one think about alternative possibilities. 

I realise that the Netherlands is mainly flat, which makes cycling easier but with the increasing popularity of electric bikes there is no reason to let a few hills get in the way of cycling instead of taking the car. 

The link to Kylie's article is as follows:

Welcome to cycle heaven: why we moved our family to the Netherlands https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2018/may/16/welcome-cycle-heaven-moved-family-netherlands-houten-utrecht?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Blogger

A week with our family in Houten, Netherlands

Finally we left Britain, twelve days later than we initially planned to leave.  We gave our house one final check, packed the caravan again, said goodbye to Emma, Steve, Jackson and Isabel and drove to Dover.    A lovely sunny day too, perfect travelling weather.

It was great to see Aaron, Kylie, Mia, Abi and Raphy.   It seemed ages since we visited them briefly at Christmas, and so much has happened in our lives in Britain.

We felt very exhausted when we arrived but soon settled into life in the Netherlands, and we both started to relax after our stressful few months in Britain.  

We stayed at Camping De Vliert, which is a ten minute cycling ride from Aaron and Kylie's house.   Abi and Raphy love spending time at the campsite as it has go karts (skelters in Dutch), plus a games room with table tennis, a football table and a billards table.   Plenty to do.    We also had lunch or afternoon tea together in the caravan, and plenty of chats.  

Houten has sprung into spring life, with green growth everywhere plus flowers and blossoms in abundance.    Great allergy time.    But it is all very beautiful.

Houten has been thoughtfully planned with bicycle paths everywhere, limited access by vehicles, and with parks, woodland, canals and open playing areas interspersed with housing.   As well as being a beautiful place for adults it is a child's ideal place to have space and the freedom to play safely.

Abi and Raphy love the zip wire. 

The area of woodland behind Aaron and Kylie's house, with its tall trees covered in new leaves, and the paths lined with sweet smelling cow parsley.

It was Mother's Day on the first Sunday and Aaron gave me these delicious and colourful chocolates.   They did not last very long.   Yummy.

Walter and I went into Utrecht for the day.    The main railway station has been getting redeveloped for the past seven years.   The latest change has been the open area between the railway station and the renovated shopping centre behind it.    Once there was a walkway between the two, which has been knocked down.    The new look is so much better.    And no need to get wet as there is a roof above the open plaza.

Quite an unusual roof design too.

Another sunny day, with the Dutch dining outside the cafes, soaking up the sunshine, as usual.   A very picturesque area, with a canal and old Dutch buildings behind it.

My favourite tea and coffee shop.   I always stock up on packets of leaf tea here.    Not so much this year as I cannot take it to Australia with me.

We also visited our favourite kitchen shop too, but forgot to take photos here.

There was work being done on the sides of the canal.   It was amazing to see this work carried out from the barges, and also to see all the materials being carried by the barges.

The Dom tower is no longer leaning.   It is straight in this photograph.   No longer the leaning tower of Utrecht.   However the building on the left has now developed a lean.   I can never get these photographs correct.   Adds interest, I suppose.

Now for the good news, for us anyway.   We have finally exchanged contracts on our house.   At long last, and we complete the sale when we arrive back in Britain.   That is after we have the removal firm in to pack and move our furniture and belongings out of the house.    The relief that this has finally happened is amazing, and for the first time in weeks, we can finally start to make plans.

And now we are in Camping Manjastre.    Our perfect holiday destination. 

Close encounters with the hospital system

This is not another whinging blog, you will be pleased, although there are criticisms but they are not aimed at the fantastic staff who work for the NHS in England.

During the past six months, and especially during the last three months, we have had very close encounters with the hospital system in England.

Consequently Walter now has a new knee, which is working fantastically, plus a revamped water system which will ensure that he will no longer have to rush off to the toilet every five minutes.   Not quite but it seemed that way. 

The new knee, which was a major operation, progressed well, with Walter doing his exercises every day, as well as going to the gym and increasing the length of walks.    All went according to plan.

The waterworks problem caused no end of difficulties.   It was not even a serious operation, just a little 'fix up' of the prostate gland.   A relatively minor operation.

So during the past six weeks we have had quite a few trips to A and E, due to bladder retention, bleeding and blocked catheters.     

Consequently we have had plenty of time to closely observe the organisation that is our health system in Great Britain.  

There is no doubt the health service here is terribly underfunded, which in turn has meant a cut in many services, reduction in available beds, and a bureaucratic procedure in A and E, which is stressful for patients, but the only way that hospitals can cope with the huge demand on the service.  Meanwhile the government is haemorrhaging millions of pounds on chasing 'a leave the European Union' dream.  But I must not get too sidetracked here.

A couple of times Walter was discharged from hospital, possibly too early, only to have to return to A and E within a few hours.    Each time he has had to go through the lengthy procedure as if he was a new patient.     In that time he was attended to by nursing staff, but the policy was that a doctor must see you before you are either admitted or discharged, and the time wait for this can often be five hours or more.   

Of course A and E is full of people who cannot get an appointment with their local doctor, or are not near an Urgent Care Centre or are having problems trying to get other medical attention.   And there is no doubt these people put pressure on the health system.  But they are desperate people too.

The wards have many elderly people in them who should be moved onto a care home, but there are no places for them.    One elderly man, with dementia, had been in Walter's ward for weeks.  He was distressed at being in hospital, and very confused, but neither his daughter or the hospital had been able to find a place for him.   As he was prone to wandering off or crying out, he needed one to one care for most of the day and night, which was a task assigned to one of the nursing assistants.   One less nursing staff member for all the other patients.  I think seeing the plight of the elderly patients was the saddest one to witness in hospital. 

We also found out that our local Doctor's surgery will have nothing to do with unblocking or changing catheters, nor will the Urgent Care Centre. 

 The only people, other than staff at A and E, are the district nurses, and in our area the system has been privatised.    The waiting time for urgent care from a district nurse is three hours, which is hopeless when a catheter is blocked.  There are cutbacks in this area of nursing care.

But we are thankful that Walter's problem was not a serious one, and this came home to us when waiting at the A and E department.

Most of all though we would like to comment on the brilliant doctors and nursing staff at our local hospital, Darenth Valley Hospital.    Even though they were often extremely busy, and short staffed, they were always absolutely professional.    Nothing was too much trouble.    They were also friendly, and smiles were readily given.    I also appreciated the fact that I could visit first thing in the morning, and stay for a while.   They never minded that I also brought coffees up to the ward for us even though it was never the official visiting hours.

A view of the our garden from the maisonette above our house.      Perfect weather too.

 Due to our house being packed up and ready to go, we are staying at Emma and Steve's mansion.   A delightful rental, set amongst trees and grass, called 'Church House'.   We love it.   

During the long weekend, when the sun shone and the temperatures rose, we visited Faversham, which is situated 10 miles from Canterbury.   It is next to the Swale, which is a strip of sea separating mainland Kent from the Isle of Sheppey in the Thames Estuary.   It is also close to the ancient road, Watling Street, which connects Dover to London, and was used by the Romans and the Saxons.

There has been a settlement here since pre-Roman times, next to the ancient sea port on Faversham Creek.

Faversham means 'the metal-worker's village'.  It established itself as a seaport in the middle ages, and was one of the Cinque Ports.  It was an important town, and there is plenty of history to read, but too much to put into this blog.

Faversham market.

 The streets are narrow and lined with lovely old buildings

The sunshine and old buildings.   What a great mix.

 It was market day, mostly art and crafts, which gave the town a festive atmosphere.   On the street in the photograph below there were cobblestones which were not covered with tarmac.  So many of the cobblestone streets in England have tarmac on them.

Finally we are off to Holland tomorrow, two weeks later than planned.   Certainly looking forward to it.

The buyer in our chain, who has held up the completion of the sale of all houses, due to miscalculating the release of his ISA funds, is now wanting to exchange contracts and complete the sale straight afterwards.   As nothing is official we are glad we are not sitting around waiting for it.   Also he will have to wait now, as we are not back here until the 11th June. 

Rubbish, rubbish and more rubbish

Sorry folks, that you have to read this whinging blog.    But I need to have a major whinge about the amount of rubbish lying about in parks and the verges of motorways and roads in our part of the United Kingdom.    All winter, which I know we normally spend in warmer places, we have looked at the rubbish and wondered about it.  

Some of it blows off the tops of trucks, or from overflowing rubbish bins, but most of it appears to have been thrown out of the windows of vehicles.     It would appear that once some people finish their food or drink, the best way to dispose of the left over containers is to ditch them out of the window.    Obsessively I have looked, not while I have been driving I might add, to identify the types of rubbish.   As well as plastic bags, cardboard, plastic polystyrene food containers there are empty high alcohol beer cans, energy drinks cans, coke cans, and interestingly, a smattering of bottles that contained water.   Some people are just too lazy to keep the rubbish in the vehicle and take it home.   Do I make judgements about the type of people who drink these types of drinks?   Perhaps not!  But definitely anti social.

The same applies to some car parks, especially where there are fast food shops.   The car park in front of Dennis the Butchers, an upmarket shop in Bexley Park, has rubbish scattered everywhere, mainly fast food containers and empty cans.  There are bins, which are mostly overflowing I might add.     This area is popular with tradesmen, not that I am blaming them entirely.   Anyway people buy takeaways from the hot food section of the butchers shop and then throw the wrappers etc out of car or van windows.   The sitting area, with table and chairs has been taken away from the front of the butchers shop.   It was always littered with rubbish.  Bexley Council have placed the rubbish police there on numerous occasions in order to catch the offenders.   

We have been told that councils are financially feeling the pinch and have had to cut back on services.   Sevenoaks Council must be the poorest as they have turned off all street lights that were on country roads around Swanley and they do not clean up road verges at all in wintertime.   However I do wonder about the verges, lights and rubbish in the posh areas around Sevenoaks.   I bet they are pristine.

A new law has just been introduced, on the 1st April, 2018, to fine people who throw litter out of their vehicles.    However many people will ignore it.  And who is going to police it anyway. 

I am always amazed by the sheer ignorance of some people, who obviously think that a litter law does not apply to them.   But I guess when there is no one to reinforce a law, then it is a open to abuse anyway.

More about useless laws.

There are signs around to tell people they will be fined if they allow their dogs to poo on the street.    Yet, there is an awful lot of dog poo lying around on footpaths.   And amazingly some people put their dog's poo in a bag, and then leave the bag on the footpath.   This is especially so in the woods.   One wonders about the mentality of people.   

The message constantly coming over the loud speaker at Darenth hospital says that there must be no smoking or vaping on the hospital site.   My understanding of this message means that 'site' relates to the area around the hospital buildings too.    The large amount of cigarette butts, littering the paths along the side of the hospital, stretching from the front door to the end of building, is proof that smokers ignore the message.    

Small supermarkets and shops are allowed to give out plastic bags to all customers, without asking if the person needs a bag, and without charging the required 5p, which to me negates the idea of reducing the amount of small plastic bags. And it appears to be an honour system at the self service tills in Asda, as to whether one pays for the plastic bags or not.    So much for changing the law regarding the use of plastic bags.  And it is these small plastic bags that are seen littering the verges of roads and motorways, and in the parks. 

  But on a more positive note Spring has arrived, and everything around us is green.   The grass is long, the cow parsley, wildflowers, docks, stinging nettles and blackberries have grown tall, and the green leaves on the trees are dense.  Amazingly all of the rubbish on the side of the roads, and motorways, is hidden by the sheer greenness, and parks have been cleaned up.   So part of the problem has been hidden until next winter.  

On a brighter note.

I went for a long walk in woodland, behind Emma and Steve's house in Orpington, called Hoblingwell Wood which leads onto another Scadbury Park Nature Reserve.    There is a sporting reserve in front of Hoblingwell Wood.    The wood itself is an ancient woodland and has plenty of history. At the moment the bluebells are out, plus the flowers on the gorse and broom.    A lovely area to walk in as long as you ignore the cans, bottles and plastic bags hidden in the undergrowth.   

Bobbi enjoyed her walk in Hoblingwell Wood, plenty of new smells for her.

Spring has come to our back garden in Joydens Wood.   The small flowering cherry tree has the most blossom we have seen on it.   The pruned silver birch coming out in full leaf behind the small flowering cherry tree.   Such a lovely time of year.

Birthday celebrations two weeks ago, in Emma and Steve's back garden.    Such a lovely occasion, with Steve's family.   Brilliant weather and excellent food, cooked on a small camping barbeque.

And now that I have had a really good moan, I can forget about the rubbish lying around, which is now mostly hidden.   As I will not be here next winter I will not have to spend months looking at the rubbish in the starkness of winter.