ann and andy lawrenson

We’ve somewhat reluctantly started packing to leave for Tarragona, mainly because we are waiting with baited breath for something else to go wrong as it inevitably seems to when we make plans! Ann is at least walking short distances now, and we have returned the wheelchair and zimmer frame to Jalon Valley Help (to whom many thanks for their assistance). However, speed of recovery has now slowed somewhat and Ann will need to do a lot of rehab exercise in the next few weeks if she is to get full mobility back.

We had our final concert of the season on Saturday, which went really well. The last couple were for Easter which meant nearly all religious music, so it was good to get stuck in to some secular stuff. We combined for the finale with another MVC to do four songs, and with over sixty voices made a really good sound. I must admit I get a real buzz from it, and wish I had learned to play an instrument and read music when I was young. I remember being sat in the back row of the chapel at Cottesmore school and being told not to sing as I was a “growler”. Thus are our futures shaped! We had a meal with Alun (Bonecrusher) and Ann Price at a massive great Chinese buffet place called WOK afterwards. Excellent company, especially with the Welsh having got hammered at rugby that afternoon, and the food was ok but on a somewhat industrial scale.  

After several days of blazing heat the weather here has broken. It is much cooler (only about 24C) and thunder is rumbling in the mountains. Everyone is hoping it will bring some rain, although it would be a case of far too little far too late as far as the farmers are concerned. We are leaving on Sunday morning and the wifi where we are going is pretty iffy, so don’t be surprised if communication is somewhat sporadic.

Steven, if you read this please look at your e/mail and let me have a reply. If anyone is in touch with him, please forward the message!

Must go, a bit of domestic godding to do. Looking forward to seeing everyone at the end of July. Andy.   

I didn’t realise that I was married to a brilliant sports injuries therapist, excellent cook and domestic god!! Andy has cared for me amazingly well and my recovery has been quite fast.

I can walk about 300 meters, get in and out of the pool, swim and do some aquafit and get around the house without the wheelchair. The bruises have almost disappeared and there is not much pain.

We’ll be off to Tarragona in two weeks time. I’m ready for the next adventure.

After five days of fairly intensive rehab Ann is walking, albeit slowly and not very far, the bruising is not looking quite so livid, and the swelling is substantially reduced. We went out in the car today and had lunch next to the beach in Moraira. I don’t think I’m being paranoid but it’s surprising how differently people look at you and speak to you when one of you is in a wheelchair. 

Friends have been rallying round with enough books and puzzles to last for several years, and all in all things are looking a bit more optimistic. We have to leave here on 20th June and have decided to go back to Tarragona where we stopped on the way down as the site is very flat with easy walking and a really good swimming pool. Before that I have a concert with the choir on the 14th in a big new theatre at Ondara. If anyone hasn’t heard us singing, just put Costa Blanca Male Voice Choir into You tube and we have about ten songs there. We are due to record our first CD at the end of October, so most of you will have a fair idea of what you are likely to get for Christmas. Mid July it’s back in to France to start doing some preliminary house hunting, and then to England at the end of July to get an MOT and catch up with as many people as possible.

Ben will be amazed to hear that I have now sold two of my sculptures and that one of the large ones is under offer. Ann has sold her picture of the flamenco dancer and has been commissioned to do another painting, which is quite exciting. Maybe we will open an art gallery in France, selling the works of friends and relations. It would be a bit more purposeful  than being on permanent holiday!

Owen’s birthday today, the sort of day when we miss the grandchildren that bit more. Can’t believe he’s eight already. Love and hugs from a long way away, and hope he doesn’t get a Wales rugby shirt! All the best, Andy.       

I managed to get in the pool today and have a gentle swim. Wonderful! Ann

Andy is looking after me brilliantly. He has cooked delicious meals, cleaned the house and supervised my recovery and rehab.

We took the plasters off this weekend and were horrified by the extent of the bruising. Never mind! We will be back to normal soon. I am aiming for a gentle swim in the pool next week.

Just a quick note from an internet café to let everyone know that we are still alive! Internet and phone have been cut off as they were being paid on the credit card I lost and had to cancel, and we are having lots of strife getting it back on again. We are taking one of Ann’s legs out of plaster tonight, which she is really looking forward to. Both a bit down at present, the summer has been messed up a bit, and we really have no idea how long rehab is going to take so it is difficult to make plans. We have to be out of the house by June 20th so hopefully Ann will be walking by then. Alun and Ann Price came for lunch yesterday and we had a lovely afternoon. Neither of them would ever score a point from Nicholas Parsons! Spent this morning shovelling two tons of ballast in Alun’s garden. I think I must have accidentally agreed to this in the middle of one of his stories, but it was good to be doing something useful! Hope we are back on line soon. In the meantime Ann’s mobile is about our only means of communication. All the best, Andy.       

Well, Ann has been in plaster for six days now, and I don’t think either of us are finding it easy! I’m not the world’s best at housework and it seems to take me most of the day. Ann hates not being in control, and watches everything I do anxiously. I think we are both looking forward to returning to the status quo!

We were both somewhat surprised that the hospital immobilised both ankles. I seem to remember that the treatment a few years ago was strapping, lots of ice and elevation, and cautious non-weightbearing movement as soon as possible to retain flexibility and strength. Immobilisation seems likely to cause substantial muscle wastage and loss of flexion meaning that rehab starts from a much lower point. If anyone reading this is an expert on ankles please can they drop me a line. 

We have been quite lucky that the landlady has agreed to let us stay until 21st June. Until Ann is out of plaster and we have some idea of how quickly she can get back on her feet, there is little point in trying to make plans, but the sweep through Southern Spain definitely looks off the agenda for this year. Never mind, there is always next spring, and if one has to be stranded anywhere there are few pleasanter places to be. We are going out for a walk every day, which is good exercise for both of us. I am pushing, and Ann is developing symmetrical muscularity of the shoulders and upper arms by changing her whipping hand every one hundred strokes. All good fun, but some of the kerbs are about a foot high.

Have to get back in the kitchen now. All the best, Andy. 

So… here I am, laid up in a wheelchair for two weeks because of a moments lack of concentration and not watching out for the lethal Spanish kerbsides. Unfortunately, both ankles went over and sprained really badly. Luckily though, there are no broken bones.

I am now reading, doing jigsaws, knitting, sleeping and reflecting instead of exploring and navigating! This happened just as we were both looking forward to setting off again. I wonder if someone is trying to tell us we should stay in Spain.

I am being well cared for. Andy is cooking, cleaning and doing all the sorting things out for us. I am trying to be a good patient!

Thank you to everyone who has sent good wishes and messages. Thank you too for the humorous comments!