Celebrating a long life, another new knee and the seventies!

A typical last minute post to record the month of November for Greyrocks, and what a month it was!
It opened with some visits to the capital in preparation for the knee replacement which had been scheduled for the 17th, and some health centre visits for us both and some peculiar blood results for Bob. The knee job could have been earlier but for the funeral of Ruth's father and the flights that entailed. In view of everything we decided that only Ruth would go. She was off the island for 47 hours.

A Lancaster as flown in as navigator by Vic

"Continental" friends were astounded at the passage of almost a month between death and funeral, but it was a well-organised "do" following Vic's wishes entirely.Although cold it was dry. His squadron (153) and the local Aircrew Association did a wonderful job with a guard of honour of eight veterans, several flags - including one on the coffin, representatives of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, and a very detailed and warm tribute by a friend who had used Vic's log book as a reference. (It was Remembrance Day which seemed fitting!) 

Then David made a tribute as grandson, which was also very moving, and humorous in parts! Penny and George had prepared a glorious slide show to music with a wide selection of images. Afterwards most went on to the wake in a local hotel. This was also where the same had been done for Ruth's mother eighteen months before. All other offspring and partners were there and it was quite a family reunion. In particular Ruth had met up with Chloe at the station beforehand and also spent time with her when her train back to Bristol was delayed! Ruth flew back next day, having got very wet walking to the station, but with a pheasant from Waitrose. At Gatwick she discovered she had left the Spanish mobile in the hotel, causing all sorts of difficulties, but sister Penny posted back the SIM and it arrived yesterday morning, thus rounding off a significant summer and autumn's family rite of passage!

Ruth's home for four days

Once returned thoughts turned to the operation five days later. Plenty of people have two prostheses, but no-one Greyrocks knows, so this was uncharted territory in terms of expectation and fear. It was the same (brilliant) surgeon and team, the room was a neighbouring room and less noisy, the food was equally disappointing and the nursing and domestic care just as good as last time. Ruth stayed four nights in the hospital and then moved to the hotel for another three. Bob had been at the hotel all week. Physiotherapy started on the day of "release" and all the professionals say progress is very good indeed. At present Ruth is moving round the apartment slowly without aid, uses one crutch for short walks outside and we have a  rented wheelchair for a month for longer distances.

Being away from Corralejo meant that Bob's 70th birthday was a strange affair! There were appointments with the surgeon and for physiotherapy, but around them we managed a very fine tapas lunch by the Playa Chica, where a tiramisu with candle appeared as a birthday surprise, a shopping trip for new sofas, where a discount was granted on the same grounds, and a delightful dinner at the current No. 1 Trip Adviser restaurant, where a cheesecake with candle was offered! Not bad pickings, Eh?

A birthday reminiscent of Dead Ringers' "The Lone Yachtswoman's Christmas Party" spoof of Ellen MacArthur!! (Link being sought)

In fact the three days in the Puerto hotel were a astronomic treat. In addition to the birthday meals we had two dinners at El Bounty - about which Greyrocks has raved but is now No, 2 on TA, and a posh tapas lunch at a neighbouring Play Chica place. 


Yesterday - bang on time - the two sofas arrived and were assembled. The 14 year old old suite was taken away without ceremony, and last evening Greyrocks discovered that it is much easier to fall asleep in front of the TV on the new seating!