On the train again…

Farewell to the Scottish Highlands as we sit on the train to Glasgow from Fort William. From there we catch a train to Edinburgh and another change or two before we get back to the farm in Leicester.

The weather in Scotland the last few days has been amazing, blue skies with not a cloud in sight. The trip has been amazing so far, but today will see us traveling for 12 hours by train!

We have seen Loch Ness and Neptune’s Staircase – an amazing set of locks on a canal – been to Glen Coe, which is the setting for a massacre many, many years ago. We have walked through forests – with mine mostly being a slow limp – and driven through amazing scenery.

Lots of lovely memories as a couple but now is time for connecting with family again. This weekend we meet up with our niece and nephew and their partners and children. More, fun, love and laughter to follow.

As I write this I am reflecting on how this trip has been going with my Parkinson’s. The interesting thing is that even with time differences and disruption of routines my Parkies seems quite settled. Sure, I am more tired than I may have been previously, but I am 6 years older than I was last time. I am also a bit more ‘generously proportioned’ and this will have an impact. Having a very sore right knee makes it harder and more tiring to get around I am sure.

The thing I am trying to keep in mind at all times is that perhaps some of the things we are doing may not be possible on the next trip. This is not just because of my Parkinson’s but I will also be about 5 years older. Aging itself will slow me down and Parkies may be more of an issue then too.

For all these reasons I am trying to get on and do things as much as possible while I still can. Some may be challenging. Some may cause me pain. Some may feel like they are almost too much at times but I am determined to push through.

When I was talking to workmates at lunch before we went on holiday I said something about walking in the Yorkshire Dales and Moors. One of them reacted in horror and said that I should stick to strolling round the shops, as it would be safer. My response was that whatever I am doing it will cause me pain. But if pain is inevitable then I would rather do something special and take painkillers than do something mundane like shopping. I would still be in pain but not have the joy of the memory of an adventure to sustain me.

So I will continue to try as much as I can to have some wonderful adventures.

The makers of Paracetamol will benefit hugely from the level of consumption I need to keep me going!