I hope you have all managed to see a little of the Paralympics - even if you don't like sport. How can you not fail to be inspired by the dedication of the athletes? When I started watching yesterday I cried at every race. So amazing to see them being lowered into the water or helped up the slope to get onto their bikes, clinging by their teeth to a cloth before starting their swimming race because they have no arms to hold on with. I know just a tiny bit what it is like to wear a prosthesis, nothing like loosing an arm or a leg but still being aware that part of me is missing. It is wonderful to hear how sport has changed the lives of the athletes and helped them to dream big dreams. It is also wonderful to hear how young people with disabilities are being taken to the Paralympics and being inspired to dream dreams. Go team GB! 

As Lord Coe put it: “Prepare to be inspired. Prepare to be dazzled. Prepare to be moved by the Paralympic Games of London 2012.”

I am ready! Last nights opening ceremony was wonderful. It was extra exciting as my friends daughter was performing and my sister Joy and niece Talia were there. I am looking forward to seeing their photos.  I can’t wait to be in the stadium on Wednesday.

It is awe inspiring to see people overcoming adversity and making the best of their lives. Isn’t it what we all should be doing – treasuring each day and making it count.

Yesterday’s appointment with the renal consultant went very well. During the consultation she said ‘ you do realise that you were very very ill’. I smiled – I wanted to say ‘yes I lived it! She was very pleased that my blood results are stable and described my kidney function as good (if you can call 20% function good). We discussed my blood pressure tablets and she adjusted them again (more visits to the GP and pharmacy) We also discussed my diet and she said that I can now eat normal potassium – yippee tomatoes and bananas. But I need to continue to be careful of phosphates – mmmm cheese, milk, chocolate etc….  Steps in the right direction.

I left and my mind whizzed over the last 3 ½ years. What a journey it has been! I never thought that I could feel so well after all that has happened. I am so thankful for my life. I have scars and I get very tired. I am easily frustrated by what I can’t do but there is so much that I can do. Going back to the hospital always makes me reflect – I remember so clearly when I needed a wheelchair to get anywhere, where I carried my bucket because of sickness, where most days I was at the hospital for chemo or dialysis, where I was stared at because I had no hair and I was covered in tubes. Now I walk the corridors unaided having driven there myself, no one stares as I have no tubes and I have lots of hair. I am thankful. 

Early start to today - blood tests at the hospital. I even managed to find a parking spot where I didn't have to walk up or down a hill! There was a queue but it wasn't too long. Then on to the surgery to collect my prescription. The problem with all the adjusting of my drugs is that I spend my life writing to my GP and collecting new prescriptions! I expect tomorrow to bring more changes! Then coffee with my  friend D for a catch up. We hadn't seen each other for a few weeks so much to catch up on. She is my friend who I used to see weekly when she took me to dialysis so we are used to telling each other everything! Then home to start the Reading Festival washing !! Unfortunately by the time I got home I was feeling quite sick - I do hope my blood tests will be ok. I am going to see the renal consultant tomorrow. This is the longest I have gone without a blood test since I stopped dialysis. 

I am looking forward to the Paralympics starting tomorrow. We have tickets for next week and I am really looking forward to being in the stadium. I hope that Channel 4 cover the games well. I will miss the BBC presenters. 

11 days until my guest blogger - I am looking forward to sharing her answers to my questions and for you to get a glimpse of the life of a real author. I am reviewing her second book - THRIVE - The Bah! Guide to Wellness After cancer. She has also written 'How I Said Bah! to cancer: a guide to thinking, laughing, living and dancing your way through' She is also writing fiction - which I can't wait to read too. I would recommend her books to anyone learning to deal with an initial cancer diagnosis or learning to thrive afterwards. 

This has been a tough week and I for one am glad it's over.

We had a lovely day with Josh and Debs yesterday. It was really lovely to see their new home and to be able to imagine them there. They are in a perfect location just a minute from Golders Green tube station surrounded by coffee shops! We had a lovely meal out and then walked in Golders Park which has lovely gardens and a little zoo. They have chosen well!

This week is rather full of hospitals with blood tests and renal appointments. Hopefully all will be well.

Tomorrow - I am returning our lounge and dining room back to rights and washing 5days of festival clothes and bedding!

Don't count the days - make the days count. What a good way of living - making each day count. I have been thinking quite a lot about September - for a long time it has been the start of the new year - a new school year and a new start. How will my life be different in September - will it be a new start? I miss order in my days and I miss working. I know I don't have enough energy to work and I am not dependable enough to take on anything where I need to be relied on to turn up. My days remain up and down. I am thankful that I can 'take to my bed' when necessary although this does happen less often now. My mornings are usually slow and I certainly couldn't cope with the stresses of busy days every day. I avoid stress when ever possible. I have started to write - I am not sure where it will lead but I have a story to tell. Maybe it will just be for my family. It speaks of illness and recovery and a hand held so very tightly throughout by the creator of the world, of family and friends who supported and loved . It speaks of the scary world of cancer and the silent world of dialysis. And it speaks of making days count whatever your circumstances - joy found everywhere. Maybe that is my September plan? 

Today - more painting (I am nearly finished), helping a friend sort, putting away the ironing(I hate that job) and maybe a little reading in the sunshine (if we have any). 

New day full of possibilities. I am having coffee with a friend, watering church flowers, finishing the ironing, feeding my friends cat and painting. Ben is off to Reading Festival to pitch his tent typically the weather is changing! He has boots and cagoules at the ready! 

My appointment with my oncologist went very well. My mammogram is clear which is very good news. He thinks that some of the aches and pains I have been having are as a result of the radiotherapy.  It is very reassuring to know that as far as can be known all is well. My oncologist said that normally we would now move to annual appointments but that given my history he would like to continue to see me 6 monthly. I am happy to go with that. He also said that if I had any concerns I was to ring and he would see me straight away. That too is reassuring. While i waited for my appointment I popped in to see the staff and patients on Benyon, the dialysis ward. Every time I go there I am welcomed with open arms. It is hard to be there and remember but it is such an encouragement  to the staff. I have lots of hugs! Sadly I heard that one of the lovely patients who regularly prayed for me has died. She was 92. I feel sad to know that I won't see her again but rejoice that she is in heaven with a new body and not needing dialysis any more. She was so tired. Next Wednesday is my  renal appointment and then hopefully another little break from hospitals. Thank you for your prayers, emails and texts. 

See below for photos of quilts 

 Festival of Quilts Birmingham 2012 

I have given you a little flavour of the quilts we saw. You can see that I loved the less traditional quilts. 

Saturday was wonderful! I have never seen so many quilts all in one place. I will try and post some photos soon. They had over 900 quilts being exhibited plus over 1,000 on the stalls. I coped really well with the very busy day. We walked and walked and mostly I kept up with Chloe. It was held in Birmingham at the NEC. We came home with wool for a poncho I am making for Chloe, material for Chloe to make a  quilt, some material for me to make a knitting bag and a sewing project for me. There were so many lovely, lovely things. Next time we go we need a plan! 

Ben has nearly  finished painting our lounge and I have to finish the paint work. It will look lovely and clean when we are finished. We have kept it quite similar colours as it worked but at least it's new paint. I am looking forward to not living in a muddle. 

This week includes painting, coffee with friends, tidying and tomorrow my 6 monthly appointment with my oncologist. Although everything seems fine there is always a little niggle that he will find something. I will be glad when it's over. 

I am struggling a bit to find joy in today. Ben's results yesterday were disappointing and we now have more questions than answers. We have a meeting with school next week to discuss the way forward. It is so horrible when your child is hurting and you can't make it better. I feel so guilty - if I hadn't been ill he would never be in this position. It is rubbish! 

So to help I am going to write a list of things to be joyful about 

• I am loved by the creator of the world who holds all things in his hands - he has a plan 
• Ben has nearly finished painting the back lounge just the dining area to go
• Quilt show tomorrow
• Paralympics starts in 12 days
• No news from hospital which suggests that my mammogram was ok 
• Flower arranging today 
• Chloe loving surgery 
• It's not raining 
• I am not doing dialysis! 
• I am no longer being sick in the mornings 
• Paul has a job 
• I have a new Olympic duck coming to live with me 
• It's warm so my fingers don't go white 
• Papageno and Alfie love me! (I know it's cupboard love )
• I have friends and family who love me 
• I went to the Olympics 
• Josh and Debs are happily settled in London 

What a random list but I do feel a bit better already. I will be even happier when we have a plan - I do so love a plan! 

I hope you all have great weekend plans. 

Sorry for my absence this week.I have been living in a muddle. Ben is painting our back lounge - and everything is muddled! It will be lovely when its done but in the meantime we are living in chaos. I am sure we will soon have a painted cat! 

Today is results day. I will be glad when it is over. We will then be able to find the way forward.

I am going to try and do a bit of painting myself today. Not sure how my muscles will feel about that but we will see. I have had the joy of feeding a friends cat this week. He is a beautiful, fat cat called Alfie. It is wonderful to visit him each day because he is always so pleased to see me. We are also reaping the benefits of their tomatoes - yummy! 

This weekend Chloe and I are going to a quilt show in Birmingham where there will be 3,000 quilts - yes you heard correctly 3,000! I am not sure how you can take in that many quilts. They also have stalls selling quilting stuff! We are excited. 

Chloe is now doing surgery at Guildford. She is loving it - patients and sewing  what could be better? 

 Translating the British, 2012, Carol Ann Duffy 

it was written exclusively for the Daily Mirror.

A summer of rain, then a gap in the clouds

and The Queen jumped from the sky

to the cheering crowds.

We speak Shakespeare here,

a hundred tongues, one-voiced; the moon bronze or silver,

sun gold, from Cardiff to Edinburgh

by way of London Town,

on the Giant's Causeway;

we say we want to be who we truly are,

now, we roar it. Welcome to us.

We've had our pockets picked,

the soft, white hands of bankers,

bold as brass, filching our gold, our silver;

we want it back.

We are Mo Farah lifting the 10,000 metres gold.

We want new running-tracks in his name.

For Jessica Ennis, the same; for the Brownlee brothers,

Rutherford, Ohuruogu, Whitlock, Tweddle,

for every medal earned,

we want school playing fields returned.

Enough of the soundbite abstract nouns,

austerity, policy, legacy, of tightening metaphorical belts;

we got on our real bikes,

for we are Bradley Wiggins,

side-burned, Mod, god;

we are Sir Chris Hoy,

Laura Trott, Victoria Pendleton, Kenny, Hindes,

Clancy, Burke, Kennaugh and Geraint Thomas,

Olympian names.

We want more cycle lanes.

Or we saddled our steed,

or we paddled our own canoe,

or we rowed in an eight or a four or a two;

our names, Glover and Stanning; Baillie and Stott;

Adlington, Ainslie, Wilson, Murray,

Valegro (Dujardin's horse).

We saw what we did. We are Nicola Adams and Jade Jones,

bring on the fighting kids.

We sense new weather.

We are on our marks. We are all in this together.

What a great poem! I have loved these past 2 weeks. They have gone so quickly but are full of forever memories. I have shared so many of them with my wonderful family. Our nest has resounded with cheers and tears. The events we have attended have been inspiring, well organised and wonderful. I wish I could have taken you all with me tucked into my pocket - to stand with us and sing our hearts out to the National Anthem at the rowing, to see the smile break out over Alistair Brownlee's face and to stand on the bend as the peleton rounded it to the cheers of the crowd. To have you sit with us last night as we cheered and shouted for Mo, awe struck by Bolt or to sit  with me in my kitchen waiting to hear the cheers from the others as Tom dived cleanly into the pool. We have made lists of our best moments which cover 4 pages and a list of 'ducks' we would give to those who have come fourth or tried their best and been disappointed. We are so proud of our boys and girlies who have done their best and given their all. Bring on the Paralympics! 

So today the nest will be full to overflowing - yippee! Kitty is coming and Joy and Matt and Ben's friend and Chloe and Ed. The last full day of Olympics - wow! It has gone so quickly and as you can guess I have loved every minute of it (well apart form all the sad bits!) It has been amazing to see all those human beings giving their all for that one possible moment when they cross a line/score a goal/touch a wall/ to become Olympic champion. We have seen sport at its best and maybe at its worst. I struggle with boxing and Taekwondo where attacking another person is called sport and I really struggle with people who have had drugs bans becoming Olympic champions - whilst understanding second chances. But much of it has been inspiring. I have loved those performances where someone has posted a personal best and been delighted even if that means they have come 7th or 10th in a race. And those who have understood how privileged they are just to take part at the Olympics. I wish I could give medals to all those disappointed 4th places - how amazing to come 4th at the Olympics.  I feel so glad to be alive to see it and to have gone 3 times myself - wow! - Bring on the Paralympics!!!!!!

This week sees the start of my hospital appointments. On Monday I have a mammogram then the following week I have my 6 month check up with the oncologist. I am sure it will be fine but there is always a little niggle that he will find something. At the end of August I will have a blood test and then a renal appointment. So we have a few weeks of holding on tight trusting that all will be well. 

Next week Ben is going to paint our back lounge and dining room. It has needed doing for a long time but other things have got in the way! So on Monday we will go and buy paint and lots of plastic sheets! I am not looking forward to living in a muddle but hey ho - no pain on gain!!!!! I wonder how much paint Papageno will get covered in!

Picture taken from Amazon 

Exciting News!

On September 8 th I am going to have a guest blogger. her name is Stephanie Butland and she is a real life author. Her second book ‘Thrive: the Bah! Guide to Wellness after cancer'’ will be published in September. I have been following her blog Bah! to cancer for quite a while. She makes me laugh and cry with her honest take on her 'dance' with cancer. I loved her first book 'How I said Bah! to cancer' She writes with real honesty and tells it how it is but also with great humour. She is also a fellow knitter - although she can knit holes! 

The post below includes some more photos from the triathlon. I wish I could have taken you all with me to such a magical day. Thank you to all of you who have let me know about your days at the Olympics. 

Today I am going for coffee with a friend to meet her cat who I am going to be responsible for over the next 2 weeks. I hope we get on! The rest of the day will be spent in the nest - watching the Olympics with Chloe who will be back from her holiday - yippee! I have finished knitting Ed's jumper but have run out of wool when sewing it together - oops! How frustrating I will have to buy another ball just to sew it together. 

The sunshine is coming too - hurrah! 

Screen shot from the BBC - we are at the front of this crowd very close to the runners 

Early morning in Hyde Park 

Later in the day 

Waiting for the triathletes to pass us 

Waiting to see Alistair crossing the finish line 

BBC photo 

BBC photo

The start of the day 

Our early morning crowd 

The crowd increasing in size 

Alistair out in front and Jonny just behind 

Stuart Hayes - his work done for the boys 

Last lap for Jonny 

Gold and bronze - wow! What an amazing day. We will never forget it. 

Again for those who like details! 

We began the day at 6.30 catching the train to Richmond. We had packed our bags the night before with a picnic breakfast, picnic lunch, plenty of water and juice, hats, coats, wet trousers, picnic blanket, cushion, books, magazines, kindle, ipod, umbrellas, suncream, hats - all you could need for a day out in british weather! 
At Richmond we caught the tube to Hammersmith intending to change and get a tube to Hyde Park Corner. That is when it all started to go wrong. There had been a signal failure on the picadilly line. It was chaos. There was no-one on the platform to help and tubes sitting  stationary and crowds and crowds of people all trying to decide what to do. We met a lovely young mum and her little boy also going to the triathlon and equally confused. We eventually found an underground employee  who helpfully directed us to a bus to take us to Hyde Park. We traipsed out to the bus station expecting it to be packed but it was fairly empty and we easily got on a bus. Thankfully the young mum suggested a good place to stand to watch the triathlon and we headed to that spot. It was perfect. Diagonally opposite the transition area where the triathletes get on and off their bikes. We could see the stands, the pontoon where they jump into the water, the first 500m of the swim was in front of us, the first bridge they ride across and the pathway for the run was immediately in front of where we were sitting. We spread out our blanket and settled in. It wasn't too busy and we chatted to the people around us - a mum and daughter from Yorkshire, a husband and wife and their son (triathletes themselves)from Weymouth, a couple from Germany and a group from Spain. I went off to the toilets and when I came back the crowds had grown considerably to about 30 deep. I had to search quite hard to find Paul! I was grateful for the Spanish family in their red hats and flags. 

We couldn't hear any commentary which was a shame but people had phones, ipads and radios to update us. The race began by the triathletes diving into the water from the pontoon - the water looked icy cold. We could see their little heads bobbing up and down and lots and lots of splashing. The crowd were cheering especially loudly as they came in-front of us. The swimmers quickly spread out and headed back down the lake. After what seemed a very short time they were climbing out of the water and heading for transition. We could just see them in the distance running to their bikes, tearing off their wet suits and hats as they ran. They grabbed their bikes and helmets and settled into the cycle ride. 5 riders were out in front which included our 2 Brownlee boys. We could see them riding across the first bridge of the cycle ride. We settled down to wait for them to return to transition after their first circuit. In no time (just over 10 minutes I think) they were back and off again to repeat the next lap. We then heard that Jonny Brownlee had picked up a 15 second penalty for getting onto his bike too early. There was a shocked silence as we worked out what that could mean. Lots of discussion later the family next to us - who are triathletes explained that it would mean that he would have to stand in a penalty box for 15 seconds at some point during the run. They continued the cycle ride, the 5 riders being joined by another 17 at the front. Stuart Hayes part of team GB went to the front taking the brothers with him. It was wonderful to see the 3 boys riding at the front. They entered transition for the last time on the bikes and jumped off their bikes, pulling off their helmets and putting on their running shoes. Very quickly they were off again and we got ready knowing they would soon be running right in front of us. The crowd all pushed forwards  and we were soon surrounded by cameras and phones as everyone tried to get that one amazing picture of our boys. As they rounded the bend the sound was deafening - cheering, shouting, horns, people calling out their names, flags waving.. I could see on Alistair's  face that he was encouraged by the cheering. I turned to Paul and said that we would never forget this moment in this crowd cheering our boys. Another forever moment! 

They continued the run - huge cheers going up as Alistair, Gomez and Jonny pulled away from the rest. After the third entrance into the transition we waited with bated breath for Jonny to appear from his penalty - he did it running out still in third place. The last lap and Alistair had managed to leave Gomez and he rounded our bend well in the lead - the smile showing on his face he knew he had done it with 1km to go! We could just see the finish line and watched cheering loudly as he crossed the line and then collapsed onto the ground waiting for his brother to arrive. he came in in third place and collapsed into his brothers arms.We had intended to wait for the medals but heard that Jonny had been taken to have some medical help. So we left to make our journey home. 

We again returned to Hammersmith by bus - me to come home and Paul to go to the Proms. 

I arrived home absolutely exhausted - my joints are very sore and I am so tired. I had to crawl up the stairs to bed but I am so very happy. I have been to the Olympics - 3 times! I am so grateful. 


More photos later

Wow wow wow! Super Saturday was indeed super duper! It has been slotted into my forever memoires. Our Olympics nest resounded with the sound of shouting and cheering. 6 gold medals - fantastic! I shared our nest with Chloe, Ed and at times Paul, Ben and Anna. 

Showing how it is done! 

Me having a go.......

and very quickly stopping! 

I also had my first and last go on a tandom! Chloe and Ed have hired it for their holiday this week. So I had a go. It is SO scary! At the back you can't see anything and you have no control other than to scream --- STOP!!!!! I won't be trying that again. Poor Ed! You may well ask - why Ed is in his jamas - they are his new jamas that Chloe has made for him. He has lived in them ever since! 


Sunday was also super. Chloe and Ed left early on Sunday morning for their cycling holiday. I cleaned the nest - clearing the leaves and settling the branches. Joy and Matt joined me in the nest to shout and cheer for Andy Murray _ didn't he do well. They left early evening and I was left alone in the nest - it did feel rather lonely and quiet! Thankfully Ben joined me for a few races and Paul for the mens 100m final. 

Today - tidying the nest from yesterday, some sewing and knitting a generally quiet day in the nest before tomorrow when we are going to watch the triathlon. My lovely husband is coming with me. We will be having an early start and hoping to get a good spot. We will be taking all weather gear along with my beautiful red, white and blue skirt! 

I hope you are all managing to get involved in the Olympics - or avoiding it if it isn't your thing. It is wonderful to see peoples photos and experience it through others eyes. 

Yesterday was a good recovery day. We tidied the nest and cleared up all the bags and bedding from the day before. I am so grateful for my washing machine which certainly works hard! It was good for my joints to have a rest as they have been aching quite a lot. There was a lot of walking both Sunday and Wednesday. It was encouraging that the others also had aching feet. I am still getting better which is great. Chloe has made me the most wonderful red, white and blue skirt to wear to the triathlon on Tuesday. It has an adjustable waist so that she can also wear it when she goes to the women's triathlon on Saturday. She has also made Ed some jamas. Photos to follow! 


Today - flowers at church, Drs appointment and finishing Ed's jumper which is looking quite enormous! It is a very warm jumper - maybe only to be worn in the snow! Chloe and Ed are going to collect the tandom they are going to ride on their holiday next week. And the athletics start today - I wish I was going to the stadium this week! 

Team GB arriving 

 I wish I could adequately describe what it feels like to stand in a crowd of thousands at an Olympic games and cheer two girlies home to the first gold medal of the games - amazing. The sound was incredible and the atmosphere wonderful. 
Again for all of you who like detail read on for the rest - you can just look at the pictures!!!

Our view to the finish line 

 We began our day at 6 with croissants and coffee. The coffee was important as we hadn't gone to bed until well after midnight as Debs Josh and Ben didn't arrive back after moving house until 10.45! 




The taxi arrived at 7 to take us to Eton Dorney lake for the rowing. We had a cheerful taxi driver asking us lots of questions about the rowing. As you can imagine we had  detailed notes - made by Chloe in the nest the day before! 

Men's eight practising 

 We arrived at the drop off point along with many other people, arriving on foot, bike, bus, taxi etc.... The organisation was brilliant and ran smoothly all day. We walked straight into security and were checked through airport style. We then continued the walk to the lake. Josh, Debs and Ed went ahead to get our spot. Chloe, Paul and I wondered along at my pace! We collected water and programmes as we progressed.

Alan Campbell surveying the scene 

 Our spot was wonderful - we could see the big screen and hear the commentary. We spread out our blankets and settled to wait. Very soon the rowers were all out on the water practising with the coaches cycling along the tow path beside them. Every time anyone with a GB kit on went past the crowd cheered and clapped! 

The crowds 

 The races began at 9.30 - semi finals to start with. For races team GB weren't in we cheered for random teams! Giving large cheers to anyone at the back! 








We were at the 1750 m point and we could just about see the finish line in the distance. Thankfully we had the big screen on the bank opposite and so were able to follow everything that was going on. 

Me and 2 of my boys 

 Although it was quite a grey day the lake looked very beautiful. The crowds were adorned with union jacks - some literally. The cheering was deafening and must have been an amazing encouragement for our rowers as they hit the wall of sound at 1500m 

Men's eight in action 

Our girlies were in the first medal race. As soon as their names were announced the crowd started to cheer.   Helen Glover and Heather Stanning make up the women's pair. They pushed hard right from the beginning and were out in front quickly. And there they remained for the whole of the race. We shouted and cheered them home! 


We have no pictures as Paul videoed them. 

 It was the most amazing experience to stand in the crowd and listen to the cheering all around me. I was at the Olympics - a dream come true! It made me think back to the days in the hospital when I imagined I wouldn't be here to see this day - wow! 
I am sure I wasn't the only one in tears as the girls crossed the line - GOLD! 

 The next final passed in a bit of a blur - I don't even remember what it was. 


The medal ceremony came next - singing the national anthem with such a crowd was wonderful - everyone singing so loudly. I felt very proud to see our flag at the top of the flag poles. 

Medal ceremony with our flag flying high 

 The last race was the men's eight. Again the cheering was deafening as our boys pulled out all the stops to try and win. They came a gutsy third - bronze hurrah! 






Our thoughts then turned to the rest of the day. Josh and Debs to returning to London to start unpacking. And ours to getting home before the start of the time trial - another chance for gold. 

The big screen with our girlies 

By this time I was exhausted- early starts, long walk, lots of standing and loud cheering had taken their toll. It was a hard journey home. However the organisation was again brilliant. Lots of buses waiting to take people to Windsor, Maidenhead or Slough. All very well organised. We chose to go to Slough to see Debs and Josh off back to London. 

Chloe and Ed 

2 trains and we were home - snuggled in our nest and ready for the time trial which had just begun. We used our well practised cheering again - and wow! A gold and a bronze for our boys. Brilliant!

I have loved my 2 days of Olympic experiences. I am now deciding whether to go and see the triathlon on Tuesday. Chloe and Ed will be on their tandom holiday so we shall see. I may not be recovered by then!!! 

Josh and Debs 

Today we will be in our nest recovering - me knitting and Chloe sewing and Ed supporting! Paul is off to the proms - more cheering! Josh will have his first journey to work - hopefully much better than the 2 hours it has been taking him. Debs will be unpacking and making a home. Ben will be saving the world before going to meet his new girl friend's mum! All is well! I am SO thankful.