Scandinavian Airlines Norge
It is mid summer in Norway and the temperatures hovers around 16 celsius (60f). Not bad for the arctic circle especially given we are only 200 kilometres or so away from the most northerly point of Europe. However, we are engulfed in cloud, which is exactly how I left Manchester yesterday, no surprises there then!
Sadly, during my visit to the UK my friends husband passed away. Graham was diagnosed with secondary cancer only a few weeks ago and despite everything Graham remained a positive and jovial character until the end. When visitors came, Graham could draw himself up and present a model of determination and fearlessness. Susan his wife remained strong but inside, her heart was braking. Their two children and 3 little grandchildren, shocked and devastated. Their son flew over from Australia and on Thursday, his daughter, Laura arranged a special license to get married. At a private and personal ceremony, Graham gave his daughter away. He carried himself with courage and love but most of all pride. On Saturday, Graham passed away with Susan by his side.
Two years ago, I supported my sister as she nursed her husband, Russell. He too had cancer. It is a horrid and cruel disease that not only takes lives but leaves a trail of devastation and heart break. My sister copes remarkably well but inside, I know she misses her husband so much. My visit home was emotional in more ways than one, as it brought back the memories of Russell’s journey and the heart ache my sister still feels. The only relief for both Susan and my sister, is the relief that their husbands are no longer suffering and in pain.
For me, I am just so glad I was able to be there for both of them and help in my own tin pot way that I can. I am hopeless with emotions (I am the sort of person that gets tongue tied, says the wrong thing and just cries) but I am good with practical financial stuff. Give me a task to sort out money and I am in my element, minimise outgoings and maximise incomings, I can do! Helping them to organise and access their finances and pull together a simple budget to guide them over the next few months is something that is second nature to me. I feel very lucky to have two amazing friends that have let me in to their lives at the most sensitive time, thank you. Remember, I am only a phone call away.
View of Norway as I was flying home
After 10 days in the UK it was so nice to see Craig and the dogs. Craig was all smiles and big hugs and the dogs, well they went bonkers. A full on boogie night special with plenty wiggles and loads of whimpers of excitement. A complete change to when I left them in Harstad – low mood with a broken motorhome, a pending huge bill for the repair and living in and around an industrial zone with two dogs who want to roam free. It was not a highlight of our trip but fast forward and here we are with Vin repaired and everyone eager to get on the road.
Let the fishing begin!
Today, however, we took things easy and just enjoyed our time together. Time to unwind, collect our thoughts and just simply chat about anything and everything. We took Mac n Tosh on a long walk to the beach. There they ran around like crazy, chasing peddles and munching on seaweed pods. I could watch them run free and chase each other all day. As they darted in and out of the long grass it reminded me of their flea and tick treatment, which we sorted as soon as we got back to Vin. We give Mac n Tosh Brevecto, a new chewable tablet that we administer every 12 weeks. It is a little more expensive than the conventional flea drops but it seems to do the trick. Mac n Tosh haven’t had any ticks or bites despite the long grass and occasional swarms of mosquitos. Tomorrow, I will also give them their Milpro monthly worming tablet.
Catch of the Day
Time to catch up on the emails, website etc etc. Boy there is a lot happening, what with Boris Johnson elected at Foreign Secretary (shocked and surprised), the Nice lorry massacre and now Turkey’s coup. The world seems bonkers…time to catch up on some happy stuff, travel blog news! Vin felt like a bit of a sandwich with Our Tour just above us and Charlie the Chuckle Bus below us. Good to know we are not the only mad ones doing this!
Then just as we were starting to chill 2 German motorhomes pulled up and a Dutch van. Everyone piled out, had a good chat before setting up the fishing rods. Not long and the reel was spinning. They hurled in a beauty. We are no good with fish but we are reliably told it is a cracking halibut.
By the end of the day, everything started to feel like normal again. Its been a crazy few weeks but now looking forward to life on the road and exploring Europe but first, crack open the duty free. I forgot to mention before I set off, we registered with motorhome fun forum and what a great website. The people were really helpful when I was looking to get from Harstead to Tromso. A treat for Craig Oozo and a nice bottle of red for me. See you tomorrow folks!
Our wild camping spot tonight, nice, quiet secluded bay.
GPS position N069.986705 and E023.306063
Route: Alta
Weather: Low 5 and high 16, overcast with drizzle spells
Joanne it’s lovely that you were there for your friend contributing in the only way you could to help and support them all, in times like that where everyone has there little bit to add to help, you found your place in the nightmare unfolding.
We helped my school friend through 2 losses, once when we we’re just 3 weeks off a trip to America when her husband was crushed at work, it resulted in us getting married out there as we couldn’t bear the fact if that would of happened to us, then her second husband died of cancer in his late 40s, life is so not fair 😔
It’s good that your now back with Craig and although sad to hear about your friend you wrote about it so well…look forward to reading about the rest of your adventure X
That is so nice of you and like you say, it makes you realise life is just too short. X x x
Welcome back to the blog. I hope you are feeling happier now. My husband died of that dreadful disease 10 years ago, after almost 10 years of knowing it would happen, and I miss him still. Enjoy your travels so that when you grow too old to travel, you will have happy memories as I have. I decided to continue to travel in the motorhome alone and can still visit places where happy memories can be savoured. Not the same, but still comforting.
When we new that the worst would happen we did everything that my husband wanted to do, except to visit Norway so your present log
shows me what we missed.
Good luck on your onward journey.
Thanks for sharing Patricia and good on you for carrying on with the travel, your husband would be proud x x x
We have just arrived at North Cape, so tomorrow I plan on building a little stack of stones and saying a prayer for our Russell and Graham who are sadly no longer with us. I will say one for your husband too x x x
Thank you for those kind thoughts and especially the prayer. I thnk he would be proud and he is always with me still. We started going out when I was 14, married at 18, so a lifetime. I will be 78 next week.
Great that you were there for your friend. I’m sure she really appreciated your support. Craig and the dogs will be pleased to have you back. Hope all goes smoothly for the rest of your trip X
Thanks Lin…missed you x x x Not had chance to catch up on things. Where are you are the mo?
We are back home in York now, enjoying time with the family x
Welcome back ☺
Thank you Val x x x big hugs x x x
Did you not Mac nTosh any duty free ( pigs ears ) you skinny crow ,just Craig Oozo& you Red wine ,poor dudes ,wait till I see them ,Now you have done you’re GOOD DEED enjoy the rest of your time together & hope VIN behaves himself,no more breakdowns,he’ll skin the bank Loads of Luv DADxxx woof woof xxx
I did. The dudes got plenty goodies…piggie ears, twizle top things and severL new toys. They toys are now well and truly squeaked !
You are not alone in this world of madness 😁 we joined the ‘MoHo mad club’ ages ago too and love every minute of it. Currently in Trondheim, heading for Bodo. Good luck with the “touch-down at the top”. Kindest, Wayne and Angie😊
Tips for Bodo. Dont book the ferry just turn up. No booking fee and half the price compared to on line. You will enjoy Lofotens, it is fab.
Got it, ta. Bodo tomorrow.😃
You are in for such a surprise x
We have a surprise already, the ferry looks like it’s going to cost £180, I’m sure you got over for about £80, no? We are < 8 m. Cheers in advance.Kindest Wayne.
Gulp that is a lot of money but it will be worth it, I am sure.
“But, for the grace of God, goes I”. Or something like that. A sad time but now, the future. Safe travels.
Cheers Neal.
Hope you are keeping well x x x
You are such a courageous person! What a good thing to do – flying home to stand by your friend! Glad you are back and safe.
Thank you. The least I could do and so wish I could do more x x x
Welcome back – & well said!
Thank you Ann x
We have missed your blogs Joanne ..Welcome back
Thank you so much my little Travel Angels x x x