Episode 12 of my Living under COVID-19 series. A story of surviving, cycling, Scottish holiday memories including the ‘Fairy Pools’
National Cancer Survivors Day was on 7th June. It’s a celebration of life and if you’re reading this, you’re surviving. Share and let people know you’re still here. Or just tell me below!
I’m still here!
A wee story to finish off #NationalCancerSurvivorsDay
22 miles of cycling today to celebrate life. A story about woods, animals, a long straight road with an interesting history and a bombing range.
We had already cycled and walked parts of this route but our new e-bikes mean we can go further in a shorter space of time – i.e. we probably joined about 3 or 4 different walks together which would have taken 8 hours on foot. About a third of the route was on roads, the rest was on forest tracks, some ups and downs. The weather was adequate! But the sights of forest, open gorse and an abundance of animals (including many foals), was absolutely medicinal.
We took an eastern route through the New Forest so we could end up in the village of Fritham for a tea break (flask and biscuits) before setting off west back home via a more northerly route taking us along the ridge to Frogham and then south to home.
There’s some interesting stories to some of our photos, many from the New Forest’s WW2 history. Probably my most enjoyable bike ride this year. Enjoy the photos and like your favourite.
On #NationalCancerSurvivorDay – check out my survivorship article which only really comes out once a year – https://buff.ly/2EnK6Nl
Check out my video clip at our tea stop – https://buff.ly/2MyXY8M
Keep surviving and if you’re reading this post then you are! Photo below of the forest we spend a lot of time in – click this link or the photo to see the rest of the pictures.
Ronny
10 years ago on this day I had the blood test done which kicked off my cancer story. And it was a fairly insignificant event, as a precaution, as a “just in case” check after telling a nurse I thought I’d lost some weight. The form she gave me sat in my in-tray for a couple of weeks, far too busy at work you see.
Fortunately, I did eventually go and and here we are today!
Check out the video where I talk about my diagnosis – https://youtu.be/
And my entire Neuroendocrine Cancer history is here – https://wp.me/P4AplF-PQ
I’m back. Been a bit hunkered down making a podcast and then a video (both should be available in due course and that’s all I can say at the moment). Combined with rainy weather which has been heavy at times plus thunder ……. I’m feeling frazzled! Let’s hope the sun comes out again soon. My Facebook memories came up – this time last year we were up in Scotland for two weeks on a bit of an adventure. I thought I’d share it with you. Check out the lunch we had in Dunrobin Castle where we were attracted by the Scottish delicacies on offer. Click this link or the photo to see the rest of the pictures.
In the meantime, have a great weekend all!
On the banks of Loch Tay in central Scotland last year. We took the scenic route from Dundee to a B&B on the banks of Loch Achilty in the Highlands north west of Inverness. Such a nice place to stay and the location was superb – so nice, I wanted to stay for a week but a tour beckoned! Loch Tay is a bit special because it’s where the River Tay begins meandering down to the North Sea at Dundee, my home town.
The detour north through the hills was worth it. I always prefer taking the high road.
The words from a famous Scottish song:
O ye’ll tak’ the high road, and I’ll tak’ the low road,
And I’ll be in Scotland a’fore ye,
But me and my true love will never meet again,
On the bonnie, bonnie banks o’ Loch Lomond.
Loch Lomond is our first stop on our planned 2020 Scotland Road Trip but it may not happen 
this time last year, we moved from the North East of Scotland to the North West of Scotland, it’s pretty much like going to a different country. The west coast is more ragged, there’s many islands and mountains; and it’s much less populated. After going north to south down the North Coast 500 route (#NC500), after a stay in beautiful Stromeferry, we went over the bridge to the Isle of Skye – a magical place. We had one or two days of inclement weather and we were going back this year to finish off our Skye sight-seeing (…. that’s currently on hold). I introduced you to this #roadrip a few days ago (see https://buff.ly/2MYdriT) and thought I could do part 2 today. However, I’d forgotten how much we did during that trip and I can now declare this is part 2 of 3! I hope you enjoy our memories as much as we do 
#IsleofSkye
#Kiltrock
#FairyPools
#DunveganCastle
Can’t incorporate videos and photos in one post on a public page so will attach two videos in the comments on the Facebook post
My 12 lockdown episodes
In the first update of this series, I explained that I kept my diary going, but again, only on my public Facebook page, so I was prompted to document these on my blog site to cater for those not on Facebook who only see what I produce in blog format. But it’s my intention to also post these on my other public Facebook sites. Because I was self-isolating, Chris was also isolating under the rules and she was also feeling under the weather. During our self-isolation period, the government ordered a “lock-down” (a bit like the shelter-in-place term used in USA) but out of self-isolation, we were still allowed out for some exercise and other essential trips such as doctors’ appointments and shopping for essential items.
The second update is a nice walk to a local beauty spot and back.
The third update is a potpourri of events including hair issues, a broken tooth and my first COVID lockdown injection covering 14/15 Apr 2020.
The fourth update is a story of bikes, ponies, wisteria and Vitamin D covering 16th – 21st Apr 2020.
The fifth update is a story of greenery, sun, adventure and Irrfan
The sixth update is a story of footpath etiquette, sheep, donkeys and dopamine covering 30th Apr – 3rd May 2020.
The seventh update is a story of swans, cycling, VE Day and my 124th monthly cancer treatment covering the period 6th – 11th May 2020.
The eighth update is a story of nurses, trees and Canada covering the period 12th – 17th May 2020.
The ninth update is a story of cream teas, peaks and blue sky covering the period 18th – 23rd May 2020.
The tenth update is a story of the Wall, Swans, Dundee and New Forest History, covering the period 26th – 29th May 2020.
The eleventh update is a story of Walking the Wall, coping strategies and the London Ga68 PET, covering the period 30th May – 5th June 2020.
The twelfth update is a story of surviving, cycling, Scottish holiday memories including the ‘Fairy Pools’, covering the period 7th – 15th June 2020.
Private Group. There’s a constant stream of new members and discussions continue in this Facebook private group (click here to join). The group is quieter than usual but Neuroendocrine Cancer issues continue, people continue to be diagnosed and arrive in need of help – often just someone to listen. London and New York are the biggest two cities represented in the private group and I see them both in the headlines – please take care all.
Thanks for reading.
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Any one have cancer of the arytinoid cartilage spread to both lungs?
you won’t get much joy on this site – it’s my blog site – you would be better joining my private facebook group
Your blog has been so helpful to me. As a nurse and patient, I find the information so highly academic and up to date.
thank you Jean, I hope you are well