Every cloud…

After a delightful twenty four hour catching up pit stop with friends in Singapore and via Kuala Lumpur for me (long story) we landed back in England in the early hours of June 24th on separate planes twenty minutes apart to the news that we had voted to leave the European Union. Much to the shock of everyone on the plane and as it seemed later that day everyone else who’d voted remain. There followed and I am sure will continue for quite some time, the finest whining, moaning and blaming that could be mustered by all. Well not all but you know, half the population. Me, I’m finding it all rather exciting, not the endlessly negative news or continual whining, rather the incredible possibilities for real positive growth. I never thought I’d grow up to be one of the positive ones but there we have it, I’m out and proud as a glass half full-er! Which I will remain while many people I know support attempts to circumnavigate democracy and unwittingly turn us into some kind of dictatorship where if you don’t agree with the populous vote that’s ok you’ll just overrule it, sigh.

While extremely lovely it is also a bit strange being in England (Brexit nonsense included); for a start it’s cold and not just ‘I’ve been in the heat of South East Asia for a year cold’ but actual cold, ok fine not REALLY cold but cold enough that I’ve broken out the cashmere  cardigans (ever thankful for Charlie and his wonderful second hand clothing stall – a few stalls in from the corner of Portobello Road and Lancaster Road if you’re ever in the area) and it has rained almost every day, bleurgh! lending truth to every crap joke about the great British summer weather.

Also the sun never goes down for more than an hour or two! It’s light until ten or so and then light again by three in the morning WHEN EXACTLY ARE YOU SUPPOSED TO SLEEP? Especially as my mother eschews curtains of any substance and it is as light inside as it is out 😳. I had forgotten this aspect of life in Britain and taken wholeheartedly to the twelve hours of daylight and twelve hours of darkness of life at the equator as if I were born to it. Although getting up at five am does allow for a delicious afternoon nap, so every cloud has a silver lining.

The reason for our return, my scheduled heart scan, was cancelled when the doctor wanted to move it several weeks and I did not want to wait any longer before ruling in or out PFO as a cause of my recurrent skin bends. I spent a morning finding another place that wasn’t charging a thousand pounds plus (?!???!!) and would see me within the week, without the need to get a GP referral (more wasted time) or the need to see another cardiologist to get the results (more wasted money) and thankfully after a few hours came up trumps and am scheduled for this Thursday with the very helpful CardioDirect.

Hours of research has brought us a wealth of information and I am going into the scan fairly confident that I can continue diving and complete my PADI instructor development course later this year. I’ve discovered that eating chocolate before diving is beneficial for you (clearly there is a god) and that there are a number of ways I can continue to dive safely even with a diagnosis of PFO. As I said last time, I’m nowhere near ready to give up this dream just yet.

It’s been beyond lovely hanging out with Ma and of course Gato, FaceTime is great but on tap hugs are priceless. As Ma was busy at the weekend I spent it with my three and a half year old faerie goddaughter, her new sister and parents in rainy Portsmouth which despite the dreary weather was a warm and wonderful way to pass the time. An avowed child avoider I was lucky enough to be asked to be the faerie godmother to the smartest, funniest, most beautiful little creature. Spending time with her parents was marvelous, friendship bridging the distance between when we were last together as if no time at all had passed.

Since returning we’ve spent more hours than I’d like to admit in various supermarkets HOW MUCH CHOICE THERE IS! You’ve really no idea how spoilt you are until you visit places where the local supermarket consists of half empty shelves and dust covered out of date products. I knew I’d return to Indonesia chunkier than when I left and am displaying mind blowing self control but there is just SO MUCH yummy awfully bad for you food here! I came over with hand luggage and will be returning with a little checked bag filled with all manner of favourite sour sweets, chocolate and snacks, as you do 😂

Today we are just mooching around the local town, crossing errands and must eat meals off of my shrinking to do list and enjoying each others company before heading into London tomorrow for the all important scan. I’ll let you know what happens Xx