I am back - what a wonderful / heartbreaking nine days.
We arrived on Thursday 16th and were picked up by my cousin, Ken. It is a three-hour drive for him, we were exhausted, so were extra grateful for the ride. We stopped at cousin Allen's grave, since it was on the way. He is buried in a little church called St. Nicholas, in Pidlington, which is on the way home. Alllen's little wooden cross had been knocked over, so Ken took it home to be encased in a concrete pot and reseated on the grave. It was the first time I had been to Allen's grave. He died a cot death when he was just a baby. Ken was the one who found him. There were little deer around the grave, but they ran off when we arrived. We went in the church and looked at the visitor book. Only Ken and his dad had been to visit in all the years since Allen died. It was a long drive home after that, but it was great to have a ride and not be relying on public transportation.
Friday, 17th, We spend the night at Ken's and the next day Ken drove us to Southport, where my brother and I were born. We had rented a flat there for the week. We generally book flat 17 at the Posting House, but this time it was not available, so we booked flat 8. It was smaller, but still quite nice. We went to visit my cousin's widow, Moira. She was bright and cheery, tearing up several times at John's name. She was so amazing. She gave Dave and Ken John's guitars. He had an old one and a newer one. Dave took the old one and Ken the newer one. All too soon, we we wrapped up and headed back to the flat. After Ken left, we popped over to Sainsbury's for milk, tea, bread, biscuits, and some pies, etc. They loaded quite nicely into my backpack. Then we headed over to Weatherspoons for a bite to eat and drink. We were going to go to Silcox, but they seem to have closed down. Later that night, Dave went out to the Cheshire Lines, which is really our local while we are in Southport, and met Cousin Brian for a few drinks. I stayed home and went to bed.
Saturday, 18th, we met Brian around 9 at Cafe Nero, close by the train station and had a bite to eat and a cup of coffee. It was nice seeing Brian. We weren't sure he would make it after the night before. But he did get up and I was so glad to see him. I took the train to Bentham. There were three train changes and I was a little nervous, since it has been a while since I had ridden the train system. I was lucky though, I had the train App and it showed me the platforms and what train I needed to be on. It was a very pleasant train ride. When I got to Bentham, James and John picked me up. John hugged me right away, which was lovely. I was worried that he might be too shy. That night, I got to read to him, play with him and help put him down. We all slept early.
Next day was church. James drove and Hannah walked. She still beat us there, though. I had to be convinced that it was Sunday. I was so sure I had arrived there on Friday and it was Saturday. It took me a few minutes to get dressed. Church was lovely. ***le and Barry were there, so I got to visit with them a little.
I spent the three days I was there reading and telling John stories. I wrote one especially for him. He was thrilled. I helped Hannah peeling veggies and cleaning the kitchen, and doing dishes. I don't know how much help I really was, but I did my best. Hannah was a little frazzled. John was not feeling well, and taking it out on everyone. Poor lamb was really unwell.
Tuesday, 21st, James and I went back to Southport area for the service. We met everyone at the Southport Crematorium (although James and I tried to stop at the West Lancashire crematorium first!) The whole family was there. It was wonderful seeing them. The service was lovely. The Vicar (Sonia) told lovely stories about John. There were beautiful flowers everywhere, one arrangement in the shape of a guitar.
When the service was done, we went to the Old Links Golf Club for the reception. There was a lovely big screen to show the video (which everyone loved) and the food was delicious. Family kept buying Moira drinks, so she was a little tipsy. WHen it was time to leave, we all went to the Cheshire Lines and had a few drinks there, then ate a meal later on. Moira, her daughter Nicky and her sister Carol all went home around 8. We had to pour Carole into the taxi, she was that tipsy. I walked home alone shortly after, sneaking out so I did not have to say goodbye to anyone - they would just have tried to persuade me to stay. It was a lovely night and the walk home beautiful. It always feels very safe to walk about Southport at night, at least where we stay.
By Wednesday morning, I was pretty sick. I think I caught a cold from the kids, so decided to stay at home pretty much. Ken was staying with us until it was time to leave. Dave and Ken went to visit Moira and said she was doing pretty well. Ken and Dave met up with Brian at the Cheshire Lines for dinner and a few drinks. I was too sick so stayed home and had a Sainsbury's meat pie. Dave took John's guitar. Mia, Sarah's daughter, wanted it and Dave felt she had more right. It also solved the problem of getting it home.
Keith picked us up, Thursday morning and took us to Ken's. Dave, Ken, Carol, Vicky (Shaniece) and Harper went out for dinner. I stayed behind, feeling really sorry for myself. I made some toast and tea and went to bed really early. I barely slept though. Every part of me ached and I was coughing and felt terrible.
We left around 4am to go to the airport. We stopped at a motorway services and I got a coffee. At the airport, we checked in right away and walked to the gate. We grabbed a full English breakfast at a cafe. It was delicious.
There were quite a few empty seats so Dave got a row to himself and so did I. Dave did not want to be near me, no one did, I was coughing so much. The last thing he can afford is to be down with a cold with two great gigs this weekend and the negotiating for a contract relating to his company. When we were landing, my ears hurt so much I could have cried.
When I got home, I took a shower, but my ears still hurt, so I went to urgent care and they gave me a prescription for antibiotics. They said I had a massive ear infection and needed antibiotics and lots of rest.
I hope everything is going well.
