Phyllis and Kosov want to travel on the Puffing Billy train, but it is booked out well in advance. I think possibly because tour companies take out block bookings for their clients. I may be wrong but I think if you rocked up on the day, you might be able to buy a ticket because of no shows, or whatever.
Next week I will be away for a week as I catsit at Sister's. The last full day of my stay, Phyllis and Kosov will come by train to Geelong where I will pick them up from the station and they will stay the night with me at Sister's. The next day, Phyllis will drive us back home.
They want to see the area, and so I told them to come early on the day they arrive, and lucky lucky, the Bellarine steam train is running on that day.
Today, with Phyllis at the wheel, we will visit The Eagle chairlift at Arthurs Seat. If the sky is clear, the views are great, as is the whole experience. I've done it before twice but oddly, I can't find the blog posts. Miss capital city of Peru may join us, or not, as I hope.
I am mending well enough after surgery, and I took specialist advice to take painkiller medication if I felt pain. However, a subsequent call from the hospital pharmacy, once the person realised I was sensible to speak to, said, generally avoid pain medication if you can. Specialist doctors don't have to pick up the pieces of painkiller addiction.
Yeah, I know. My mother was addicted to pain medication and her doctor had to make special calls to a federal health department to authorise her strong painkiller prescriptions.
My grief at Ray's sudden death has reduced. Ray is a memory of 45 years, but I've moved on. I was prepared to live alone until Phyllis arrived into my life, and then Kosov. I can't believe how well I've done in life, to have caring people around me.
I can't avoid mentioning Ray to Phyllis and Kosov on a day to day basis, but they ignore anything I say about Ray. They are not interested. And why should they be? They are 22 year old young men. I can't expect them to understand how lost I feel without Ray after being together for such a long time.
No matter, I function, each day and every day.
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I'm glad you have those young men in your life. Grief never goes away, but it does soften and become much more manageable, thankfully. Have a good time cat sitting:)
ReplyDeleteGrief is a constant, but becomes gentler with time.
ReplyDeleteThe proposed trips sound wonderful. Enjoy your change of scene! 🐈⬛😺😼
That blithe carelessness of youth. We have all been there I think. I know I have anyway, much to my shame.
ReplyDeleteYour catsitting holiday seems quite well timed. I am sure you will enjoy it.
I'm glad you are aware of the painkiller addiction possibility. I hope the boys enjoy the steam train and chair lift trips. Sounds like fun to me. It's good that you still talk about Ray even if the boys don't appear to listen.
ReplyDeleteIt is indeed your life - and you continue to have a life rather than an existence - which is wonderful.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad that the boys came into your life - as I am sure that they are.
Enjoy your time away.
Puffing Billy offers a most delightful experience, particularly during its illuminated evening events. The chief difficulty lies in securing tickets in advance, as they are swiftly sold out. As for the younger generation, they often appear preoccupied with their own affairs. And let us not forget Ray; though, perhaps, it is best not to dwell too deeply upon him.
ReplyDeleteI bet the boys are hearing but not knowing what to say. You're really in a good place now, with mourning taking its place in your day to day. I admire how you handle everything.
ReplyDeleteYou'll never forget Ray but you've made a new life for yourself and that's the way it should be. I enjoy hearing of your adventures.
ReplyDeleteRay will always be a part of your life, but it's nice, too, this new little family you've created.
ReplyDeleteThe chairlift at Arthur's Seat is totally amazing, with the best views I have seen in that part of the city. But a) today is going to be very cold and there is no protection from the cold in the cabins. Rug up. And b) if your friends are a bit anxious normally, prepare them in advance for the anxiety they may feel dangling in the air.
ReplyDelete~hugs~
ReplyDeleteNot many doctors here will go pain meds. Usually they send you off to a pain specialised.
ReplyDeleteThat's very interesting Dora.
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ReplyDeleteEnjoy your stay at your sister's house, and how wonderful your two young friends will come and visit. Loved the links you have shared and been there and looked, read and though how wonderful.
Time heals but it never forgets, you certainly have come a long way with the help of your friends and family, Andrew.
I'm pleased you are aware of the problem some pain killers can cause, so take care.
Enjoy yourself cat sitting, I would be scared stiff allowing a new driver to drive me. Would be braking all the time.
ReplyDeleteWhat painkillers? The oxy type? If only codeine I doubt that you need to have any particular fear. If you were going to become a codeine addict that would surely have happened already when it was more freely available. That your mother's doctor had to seek special approvals to prescribe for her says more about official policy than about your mother.
ReplyDeleteHopefully the worst is past by now.
Good to read that you have moved on, grief-wise. Of course that's not forgetting; it's healing.
Panadeine, but my mother was addicted to very strong panadeine, which caused her various medical problems, especially digestive problems, which we heard about rather more than we cared to.
DeleteI love your pragmatic approach, so glad you are having some nice times.
ReplyDeleteAlison in Devon ( was Wales ) x
Love survives. It is wise to be careful on the pain meds. When I was discharged from the hospital ten years ago, the doc insisted that I had to fill the pain med prescription, I never took one of them.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you're doing well as you are but sad that neither young man wants to hear your stories about Ray. ~sigh~ After his various surgeries, my husband has always reserved pain medication for bedtime. :) Be well!
ReplyDeleteTake a pain killer only if you really need it and then you should be okay. The boys probably can't think of what to say when you mention Ray. You are getting a lot of driving practise in for Phyllis, Andrew.
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