Monday morning and I am still away from home. The glorious sunshine continues and at times the temperatures are way above my comfort zone. I think I was born on a bad day for thermostats… my body copes badly with extreme heat or cold.
My week began well with interesting activities right through to Wednesday night. I was due to move to Elly’s on Thursday and had arranged to meet up with one of my brothers for coffee or lunch.
Alas, I woke with a bug, and after a delayed start I thought I was well enough to keep to my plans…. thinking is one thing….
I set out to join the M50, motorway – a C-shaped ring around the north-eastern, northern, western and southern sides of the capital city, Dublin. I am no stranger to it and have been using it since it was completed in 2005. It is the gateway to reach many of my family and friends.
On Thursday I was headed for junction 13, sure it was a case of taking the slip road followed by a couple of turns and I would be there at my brother’s gate…. thirty minutes at most! Getting to junction 13 slip road was no problem. It was the beginning of a nightmare!
Before you ask, I do not use a GPS, I hate them. I prefer to look at a map, note the places I am going through and follow the road signs.
The area between Dundrum and Sandyford is now like a satellite town, buildings sprouting like weeds everywhere and no recognizable land marks to cling on to. The road signs were confusing. Very confusing. I was going round in circles, the day was getting hotter and my energy levels sinking faster than the air from a burst balloon. I pulled over.
I called my brother and he sorted me out, we had our coffee. I was poor company, but he told me it was the reason he always suggested meeting me on my turf or temporary place of abode, because unless you were actually living in the area, it was impossible to find.
I arrived back at Elly’s house mid afternoon and headed for bed. I slept most of the day and the next. By Saturday evening I was beginning to feel peckish and George tempted my taste buds with tasty morsels. It worked.
Yesterday I was well enough to join the Pratt family for George’s birthday (actual date 17th July) party/BBQ with fifteen people and ten dogs. it was fun! Well worth all the sleep of the previous days! More photos and details to follow.
Grannymar 