Research making all the difference

I imagine that without all the cancer research in recent years, leading to improved treatments and better survival rates, my expectations and mood would be very different from my last blog post.  Chemo therapy was something I had associated with horrible, relentless side-effects.

As it is, thanks to research, there are drugs that help control these side effects – on the whole. Certainly for me they exist but are manageable, enabling me to still enjoy many days between chemo sessions.

Whatever your closest encounter is with cancer – yourself, family or friend – you may like to support this research if you feel able: just click on the link below. Apparently 1 in 3 of us will have some form of cancer in our lifetime, an astounding statistic.

My daughter is doing her bit - perhaps inspired by the Olympics!! 

Just Giving Cancer Research UK   Thank you.

Some pics you never saw at London2012

I know it’s now beyond time to move on and, whilst heading towards all things 'legacy', fill that gaping hole in our lives. Take that seriously or satirically as you wish. Before it all becomes fuzzy and dreamlike, however, I thought you might like a few pics of my amazing Olympics time in buzzing, beautiful  London – from  5 – 9 August .  No more than a few, you understand, from an assortment of many.

Never been sporty, not that bothered, but was lucky enough to have family keen to get tickets and organise the whole thing so I just went along to be … well, sociable, you know? It would be a chance to see my grandchild - that sort of thing.

Wow, and was I lucky! These proved to be some of the most memorable few days of my rather long life, and extra-lovely being able to mix family togetherness with major events – not just Olympics but also an afternoon, hilarious performance of Taming of the Shrew at the Globe Theatre and a visit to Buckingham Palace, including the weirdly fascinating exhibition of Leonardo da Vinci’s anatomical works in the Queen’s Gallery. With three adult children living in London, my husband and I had very handy accommodation; it's times like these that make childbirth etc ultimately worthwhile.

There has to be a photo showing the inside of the Olympic Stadium ... here's one. The whole atmosphere inside the Park was joyous and friendly - a great tribute to the vast numbers of volunteers - all cheerful, willing and helpful. The organisation was supreme - you may have heard.
If I had to say one single word of criticism - it would be ... well, I'll say it at the end. Hate to be negative.


Saw Usain Bolt, Jessica Ennis and here are a couple of paparazzi shots of  our our great Golden Boy, Mo Farah - hurrah!

A varied week? Certainly was. And I only lost all family members once (or did they lose me?) – on the first day, emerging from Stratford Station into a tidal wave of humanity… a moment of panic, but soon resolved;  thanks to mobile phones.

There's one below to prove I was there and, more importantly, to show more of the amazing banks of wild flowers, the first thing that struck me - never mind Anish Kapoor's Orbit and the Velodrome!  Aaah, Shades of Olympian Green ...

There were some surreal moments – watching the Women’s Marathon on our son’s TV, slipping outside to catch them running past just a few minutes’ walk away, close to St Paul's Cathedral, then strolling back to TV to see the Finish!  On the screen we saw the rich kaleidoscope of London - Westminster Bridge, Cheapside, Leadenhall Market and the Tower of London. We could hear a helicopter circling above - probably with the camera aboard taking the aerial views we were enjoying on TV. Closed off to traffic, Southwark Bridge was almost deserted as we crossed it. The athletes ran through a monsoon but the sun came out by the end. 

Night-time brought on a new aspect with spectacular sights to see. The glowing red Beat Box was a great example. The garden? Well, that is our Queen's - Royal Shades of Green!!

This is kind of quirky - the BP Mirror - can you spot me and my husband?

The very colourful BMX track – a child’s dream – except it was no place for children! Littered with broken teeth – I heard someone say.

Borough Market – for those with a penchant for tomatoes and other fresh produce.

I could go on and on and on – but my illustrated ramblings had better stop.

I hope you enjoyed our little trip in London town - not far from Appley Green, you know.

(The one word:  WENLOCK. What were they thinking?)