Update

 Dave was transferred to the Sue Ryder Neurological Rehab Centre a week today.  Pip and I were allowed to see him the day before his transfer as we were unsure whether we would be allowed to visit at the new place.  We can visit once his seven day quarantine is over which ends to today providing his second Covid test is clear.

He has settled in well and has a lovely ground floor room with an en suite bathroom. All the staff are not only very competent but very caring and at least four of the clinical support workers are Catholic/Orthodox so contact has been made with the local Parish Priest regarding Holy Communion.  Dave is now thankfully on the correct diet as a result of a visit from the dietician and head chef; not only is the food nourishing it is well presented and appetising. Most importantly of all however Dave is now accessing intensive physio rehab five times a week with additional occupational therapy support of at least twice a week.

The kids and I are bumbling along.  I won't lie my health is pretty rubbish right now and I'm using disability aids in the home and outside to help me get about.  Ben is majorly stressed about a return to college, (we have this every single year but this time it is much worse as a result of Covid)  and activities that Pip would normally attend, are either not running or it is tricky to access due to my own health inadequacies.

 My lovely friend Eva wrote a thorough and detailed list of a home school plan and I had intended to put the suggestions in place over the summer break.  Well that old saying "If you want to hear God laugh tell him your plans" certainly heled true this year!  I have however signed Pip up for a Year 7 English class courtesy of Oxford Home Learning so at least we have Maths and English sorted. Little by little we'll get there :-)

First time seeing Dad in five weeks

A room not only with a view but a place ...

... to dine al fresco!

Wildflower meadow on the estate :-)

Sarah who took Dave for a tour around the grounds yesterday :-)

   

Holiday Round Up

We forgot to take the lead to connect the DSLR camera to the laptop on holiday with us, so here is a holiday round up using some of the images we missed.

Saturday

An Uncle visits, Tewksbury town and abbey.

Sunday
Feeding the neigh-bours, Gloucester town and cathedral.

Monday
Alfresco chef, eating outside and later by lamplight.

 

Tuesday

Beautiful carrot and coriander soup with Uncle Mike and driving the tea trolley afterwards.

Wednesday 
More steam railway pictures 

Thursday
Outside our little cottage on a quiet day. Our last full day here.

Hubble Bubble, No Parking Trouble

Uncle Andy, Dave's brother arrived today and he will be with us until Tuesday evening.  Our museum visit today was the soldiers of Gloucestershire museum
We decided to eat out for lunch and the one place we wanted to visit was this place.  Dave and Benedict had popped in yesterday for a shared latte whilst Pip and I were in the Tailor of Gloucester shop and we were really impressed with the vibe.  We were not disappointed, the food was exceptional, the gluten free range was extensive and the staff were warm and welcoming.

 Bacon and cheese burger served with rosemary french fries.  Dave and I shared a double wild boar burger served with the same fries.  The food really was exceptional.

 Soldiers of Gloucester Museum.

 Battle of Alexandria.

 The Desert Rats, spot the extra recruits!

 Now that is what I call a tidy room and bed!  I'm pretty sure this will bring back memories, eh Dad?!!  Hospital corners on the sheets too :-)

 As you can see this cross was carved with a nail, you can read about it here

Pip looking very much like Frank Spencer

Uncle Andy helping Benedict carry his Bergen back pack.  These packs can way up to 35 kilos, imagine having to carry this, whilst wearing a flak jacket, attempting to avoid enemy fire all in a sweltering 40C.

Reporting for duty.

 Pip and I in the kids area, answering a quiz about the sort of foods found in the second world war rations.

The museum albeit compact was very  well laid out with lots of interactive screens for the kids and plenty of things for them to handle.

I was spared some of the tea duty as Uncle Andy had brought a primus stove and so he cooked sausage and bacon buns for tea.  Despite the cold we ate alfresco:

   Uncle Andy and Benedict discussing the various methods of sausage cooking!

 Sometimes it really does pay to listen to a kid, Benedict cam up with the idea for the onion and chilli garnish as well as the toasted buns.  Looks like those hours watching food network are paying off :-)

 A lovely end to a happy day.