Dramatic title huh? Well perhaps it is a little over the top but like everyone else we are surviving the current worldwide situation and just trying to get on with life. With various health issues cropping up and travel restrictions it is still as challenging as ever but we’re striving to make the most of things and remain positive.
Leaving St Leonards
After a month on the Sussex coast in St Leonards on Sea we sadly packed our bags yet again and headed back to our old home town of Maidstone for a few days in our go-to hotel the Premier Inn. We stay so often that we should really have our own room now, the staff seem to recognise us but it’s tough to know with mask-wearing these days.
So with doctors and dentist appointments and lots of time spent with our youngest son Ryan we filled the days over Easter with lots of walks and sociable dinners. Lovely and relaxing until another twist of fate crept up and viciously assaulted us!
Sitting at Ryan’s enjoying some time on his PlayStation playing my new favourite game ‘Planet Coaster‘ (it’s less about building coasters for me and more about plating flowers and trees) I was rudely disturbed by the doorbell. Getting to my feet slowly I managed to stub the little toe of my right foot fairly gently on Ryan’s stylish coffee table.
What was not so gentle was the immediate pain! How did it hurt so much after such a little stub? Within minutes the little piggy was swollen and red and I was struggling to walk. Over the next few days the neighbouring toes bruised up and it became obvious at least one, if not two, toes were broken. Brilliant.
With a new Airbnb booked up in Hertfordshire in the garden city of Welwyn it was soon time to pack those backpacks and be on out way. Not quite that simple unfortunately. Jo was travelling alone as I had a hospital appointment down in Canterbury and was staying at Ryans for two extra days.
Welwyn Garden City
Back in 1920 there was a national drive for civic improvement after World War One and part of the plan was to create new healthy-living towns outside of the Victorian industrial cities of England. Created by Sir Ebenezer Howard in 1920, Welwyn Garden City was the second of these garden cities after Letchworth.
“a town designed for healthy living and industry of a size that makes possible a full measure of social life but not larger, surrounded by a rural belt; the whole of the land being in public ownership, or held in trust for the community.”
Louis de Soissons, an architect from Montreal, was commissioned to design and plan the city in a neo-Georgian style and the first residents moved in at Christmas 1920. The town was designed with scenic parkland and wide tree-lined avenues and the view down Parkway was once bizarrely described as one of the worlds finest urban vistas! Seems a little over the top to me.
The strangest idea from my point of view was the original planners wanted all of the residents to shop in just one shop and the imposing Welwyn Stores initially had a complete monopoly before commercial pressures allowed other shops to move in. It is now John Lewis.
In 1948 Welwyn was designated a ‘New Town‘ and described by The Times as;
“a world-famous, modern new town developed as an experiment in community planning”
And do you know who is from Welwyn Garden City? I didn’t until I did some research but how about these guys?
- Alesha Dixon
- Lisa Snowden
- Una Stubbs
- Nick Faldo
- David James
Know who they all are?
Colourful Little Apartment
So here we are in our colourful, quirky little apartment on the outskirts of WGC, we’re here for a couple of months until June so it’ll be good to be able to relax for a while as the national lockdown really eases off. Comfy bed, decent shower, nice kitchen and smart TV. Everything we could possibly need plus a little bit of outside space if the weather improves.
The arty, stylish decor is a little over the top but really cheerful and homely. Lots of ideas for potential decorating whenever we end up getting our own place again. Particularly interesting is the enormous dolls house in the corner of the living room that was made for the owner by her grandfather when she was a teenager. Fascinating but we’re not touching just in case ………….
Under the Knife
Well not really as there won’t be a knife but you know what I mean. My kidney stone operation has now been scheduled for next Monday, April 19th. After loads of phone calls and a lot of semi-begging I managed to get it booked in earlier than expected so I really can’t wait at all for that. Be great not to be visiting the toilet 25 times a day!
Hopefully once the op is done next week we can get back to some serious JWalking and explore the parks, nature reserves and countryside of Hertfordshire.
06/04 – 13/04/2021
Well it’s great to catch up with you two again. What a lovely area and the apartment looks like a great place to stay for a couple of months. Ouch re the cracked toes and the painful kidney stones! Sending best wishes for your full recovery ASAP.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Apartment is a cool little place to stay for a few weeks, just need these health issues sorted now. Operation on Monday and toes are slowly improving so not so tragic. Hope you’re ok?
LikeLike
Good to learn that you are settling in to your cosy apartment, it looks nice. I’m sure your kidney stone op will go well next week. Did you need to seek medical attention for your toes? Hope you’re not hobbling any more, you have really been in the wars!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nothing I could do about the toes apart from just rest and take painkillers. Trying to get out on short walks but still painful and the stent hurts so just waiting for next week. Can’t wait. Lots of resting and sitting with my feet up so not too bad.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ouch! A stubbed toe is one of the most painful things you can experience! You have my sympathy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such a stupid accident isn’t it? Self inflicted and so painful but hopefully on the mend with a lot of rest and feet up. Takes ages though.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It certainly does!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It must be your turn, Jonno! Funny, well not funny really, how troubles never seem to come singly. Hoping for better times ahead 🙂 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
These things always seem to come in groups don’t they? I didn’t even mention the root canal treatment I have booked in for May did I? Too depressing to worry about. All be over soon though.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh no, bad luck on the broken toes! Hope they recover well, and best of luck fir the kidney stone op.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Toes are just one of those things that need rest, so annoying on top of the kidney business. Looking forward to all of these health issues being sorted out.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh dear…you will need a good rest at your new home what with the toes and the kidney stone operation. Relax and hope you are back to walking soon!
LikeLiked by 1 person
So much relaxing and seriously cannot wait until the operation next week. Just hope it all goes smoothly!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, there is a lot of news in this post. Good to know you’re all settled in a comfortable new home and that the kidney stone will soon be a thing of the past. Not so good about the damage to your toes. Hopefully it will heal quickly and you’ll be on your way again.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just want the kidney stone sorted then well be able to start thinking about enjoying our new place. The toes will get better I’m sure, just time and rest. Need to get out there walking again soon.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good to see that you are settled for a while and good luck with the op next week!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Andy, can’t wait for it to be sorted out and get back to normal life a bit.
LikeLike
Oh dear you are in a bad way. Toe stubbing is so painful, took your mind of your kidney stones I bet. Well hope op goes well and you recover quickly. Your new places looks very quirky!
LikeLiked by 1 person
New pad is pretty good with a real quirky feel. Small but enough for us to be comfortable and for me to rest up. Just looking forward to my operation next week now.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds like you need another year off just to get better, Jonno. Hope all is well soon!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Monday is the big day Mick. Hopefully all goes well then and it’ll be onwards and upwards after that.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Best of luck for then, Jonno!
LikeLiked by 1 person
What an interesting place. Looks cozy. Good luck with your surgery!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s not too shabby is it? Hopefully the surgery goes well and I’ll be back to full strength soon.
LikeLike
That apartment is just too cute!! Wishing you all the best on the surgery.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Rosie.
LikeLike
Gosh you are in the wars but what an interesting location to explore once you’re feeling better. Tread gently.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, hopefully I’ll be on the mend soon and we can get back to our exploring.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The apartment looks really lovely. I’m sorry to hear about your toes though… and I hope all goes well with the op on Monday!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Kate, isolating currently but hopefully it is all systems go for tomorrow.
LikeLike
Plonker! Hope all goes well next week mate. Perhaps you can get a 2 for 1 and get the toe(s) sorted out at the same time! Looking forward to the return of serious bloggin’ when you’re back up and running.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hope the operation goes ok Jon. The apartment looks interesting. Thanks for the information about Nick Faldo, and David James!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Ha always full of useless facts Ben.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good to catch up with how things are going with you both. Hope the op went well and the toes are recovering! Not good at all.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Op was a complete success, toe is healing, and we’re back on our daily walks so all good.
LikeLiked by 2 people