Grab the moment

replied on 01/02/2018 02:06

Posted on 01/02/2018 02:06

You never know what is round the corner in life and so make the most of what you have.

11 months ago I went for a walk with Fliss and a good friend of mine - Bob. Bob is about 65. 

I don't see as much of Bob as I would like but do see him about 2 dozen times a year and we speak often on the phone when I am at home.

The walk was up over a sandstone outcrop on Wirral peninsula and to a park where we had a bite before walking back. Probably 3 mile plus. I suspect that we averaged no more than 1.5 miles an hour. We stood on the top of a sandstone outcrop looking across the Wirral and I said to Bob 'Enjoy Pal - who knows if we will be able to do the same next year'. In June or July Bob was diagnosed with Parkinson's. Bob phoned tonight having checked his phone and seeing my call that he had missed and hit the dial button. Whilst we were talking it took him more than a minute to walk the 8 feet from the handset base to his chair. He spent two nights this week sleeping in his electric powered reclining chair as he was unable to climb stairs to go to bed. He has a carer each morning to help him to get dressed. 

About 7 years ago Bob cycles from North of France to the South on a three week break sleeping mainly in a small ridge tent and following the canal system. Probably 600 miles with a day or two stops on the route. 

3 years ago Bob went to Menorca and walked The Path of Horses.  http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-2177297/Spain-walking-holidays-Magical-Menorca-foot.html

Bob spent part of his life working on one of the Spanish Islands as a painter and decorator and I know that there was another walk that he had planned. 

So as Bob would say 'carpe diem'

replied on 19/05/2018 08:10

Posted on 19/05/2018 08:10

Since the end of Feb Bob has been mainly housebound. He has had an electric operated bed, his 'electric' chair and a trip to the loo has been a 20 minute assault course with rollator to make the fifteen foot journey. At the start of the week Bob has had to go into a nursing home. Throughout his rapid decline Bob has mustered more dignity and humour than I could ever hope to aspire to. 

We are still on holiday at present but hope to visit Bob soon after our return home on Monday.

near Malvern Hills Club Campsite Member photo by Andrew Cole

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