We’d been looking forward to this Christmas, our first in England, and in our own home here, for some years. Son and daughter-in-law planned to come from London, and Emily was arriving from Barcelona, bringing her boyfriend so he could enjoy his first English Christmas. The Bolton Posse were also booked in for parts of the time. We’d spent time making things ready for a real family Christmas …. and then the day before Christmas Eve, I got a cold.
Only it wasn’t a cold. I kept on giving myself severe talkings to, and pointing out to myself that a hacking cough and a swimmy head could all be kept firmly under control. Then, at a neighbour’s Christmas Eve party, I passed out. And had to be helped home and put to bed by the family.
The next day, I wasn’t up to anything. Everyone had to turn to and cook and prepare – which actually they didn’t mind at all. I somehow got up for Christmas dinner, which I couldn’t bring myself to eat. I was going to bow out before I put too much of a damper on things when Malcolm too succumbed and retired to bed …. where he has remained, and has refused food for several days.
It’s been such a disappointment. I don’t think we were guilty of setting the bar too high, of wanting an unattainable Christmas ideal. We just wanted time together, having fun in a low-key kind of way. In fact, the rest of the family has. And I too have been able to join them for some of the time. So long as I don’t move around too much, I can join in the games we’re all so fond of. ‘Bananagram’ has been the all-out winner: at most times of the day, you could find at least a couple of people hunched over alphabet tiles, competing to construct their grid of connected words. But we’re keen on ‘Scattergories’ too, and ‘Balderdash‘, which involves writing definitions for words nobody’s heard of, alternative plots for long-forgotten films, and unlikely explanations for various acronyms.
None of this would do while Catalan Miquel was still here of course, so there were plenty of card games, and, for those with steady hands, the chance to construct increasingly wobbly wooden towers in games of ‘Jenga’. But I don’t know what the poor bloke made of our Christmas -in-the-sanitorium.
The family pronounced themselves satisfied with this low-key celebration. But for both Malcolm and me, still nowhere near to feeling healthy again, it’s been a bit of a let down. And it’s not just because of Christmas. Today, we should have been setting off to drive to Laroque, to spend New Year with our friends there. We’re simply too ill to consider driving the 1000 mile journey at the moment. Let’s hope we can delay our journey by only a few days.
From Pyrenees to Pennines 
Bon courage et bon voyage!
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Merci!
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So sorry to hear this, what terrible timing, but at least you had the best carers and able cooks! Rest up and be well!
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Thanks so much! And all good wishes for the new year.
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This is just so disappointing! We had a similar event when the whole family was visiting Florida a few years ago but it wasn’t Christmas–that makes it much worse because we invest Christmas with such hopes! I do hope you can follow through with your trip to Laroque but also hope you remember not to do too much too soon! Feel better soon, both of you!
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Thank you. No chance of doing too much too soon. We’re truly wiped out. But in the great scheme of things…. it’s only ‘flu.
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It is not fun being ill regardless of the timing, being ill with Christmas and New Year’s plans make it even more unpleasant. Here’s to wishing you feel better and a great 2015!
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Thank you. Have a wonderful 2015.
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What rotten luck and here’s wishing you a bit more luck with celebrating New Year’s Eve. All the best for a healthier 2015.
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Thank you! You too. I think NY Eve might be a quiet one this year though.
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Get well soon both of you. It may take a little while before you are back to running on full rather than empty. But it will happen.
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That sounds like the voice of experience! Thank you.
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Really sorry to hear your Christmas celebration wasn’t what you would have hoped, but glad to see that you are both on the mend. I hope you manage to make your trip in time for New Year and that you have a happy and prosperous one.
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And I hope the same for you and your family too! No, we won’t be travelling at New Year. The flu’s still got us in a stranglehold 😦
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Oh dear! This lurgy has certainly been travelling. Several of my friends have been doing the passing out thing associated with this particular virus. I am sorry that you missed Christmas and do hope that you will make it to Laroque when you feel better. Get well very soon, Kath x
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Oh, thank you – and for telling me that passing out is normal. It was most disquieting as I’d never done it before.
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It must have been scary for you. I do hope you get better soon. It may be wise to get your blood pressure checked etc though if you are still feeling faint. Kath x
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Thank you, nurse! Seriously, that’s good advice, which I may take once I’ve stopped coughing…….
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Sorry you have been sick too – get well blessings from across the pond! {hugs}
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Oh you poor dears! Hopefully by now you’re both on the road to recovery? I’m sure that your family still enjoyed their Christmas with you and true friends won’t mind a delay at all.
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No chance. Like everyone else who has it round here, we’re not out of base camp yet. Christmas and New Year have been cancelled. Hope you’re both OK!
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