It's already nine days since I wrote my last post, and I can't figure out quite where that time has gone. Long story short: we're still at home while Koos gathers his strength after having a stent procedure. Everything came to a head at the beginning of this week when he saw the specialist who, having received all the information from the various tests, looked at his patient in disbelief when Koos brightly said we were planning to go on holiday the following day if all was well.
Well, all wasn't well, apparently. I've never seen so many expressions rushing across someone's face as I saw on the cardiologist's, and all of them expressed 'no, you're not going anywhere'. What he actually said was: 'I can't stop you going, but it wouldn't be a good idea at all'. He went on to explain the risks given that there was evidently a blockage in Koos's fuel lines – sorry, circulation – and he then proceeded to arrange for a stent to be inserted two days later – this last Wednesday to be precise. It was that quick, and I was really impressed that he fast-tracked the operation so efficiently. However, I have to say it took far too long to get to see the cardiologist in the first place. What Koos had to go through to convince those in the system that it was necessary left much to be desired.
He's taking the required three days of rest, so now the plan is to leave this weekend providing he feels fit enough. It will mean a shorter trip, but with the drought and water shortages as well, that might have happened anyway. What will be will be. In the meantime, we're in the middle of a heatwave; this on top of the already seriously dry conditions that have been persisting for what seems like months. I've never seen the Netherlands look like Africa before!
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| The horses at our nearby nature reserve |
The photo above was taken a few days ago as I walked past our nature reserve. Everything is brown and the lake is diminishing rapidly.
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| My weed patch–sorry, grass, will never recover I'm sure. |
This second photo is ostensibly of the only buddleia cutting I've managed to nurture into life this year. I've been tending it carefully and it's growing nicely now, thanks to the help of the dirty washing up water I've been lavishing on it. Someone told me buddleias are easy to grow, but that someone must have green fingers. Mine, I can confirm, are the complete opposite. I had about five cuttings and this is the only one that's survived. Anyway, what I really meant to say is that the photo reveals all too sadly my dead grass-thats-almost-all-weeds. It was doing quite well over the winter, recovering from the previous dry years, but I fear this year will strike its death knell.
The only upside to these fierce temps is that I do enjoy the heat. It's not good for working outside, I admit, but I love the feeling of wallowing in a bath of hot sunshine, don't you?
Have a great weekend allemaal. We're still not 'elsewhere' yet, but who knows what the coming days will bring?
May Koos feel wonderful with his new stent and getting away at last! And, I think your lawn will eventually grow back once the rains return. Fingers crossed!
ReplyDeleteMany many thanks, Shirley. I have much greater confidence in Koos's recovery than I have for my grass (I'm afraid lawn is much too fine a term for what is essentially a weed patch interspersed with clumps of grass...haha).
DeleteBest wishes to you both, and for a speedy and full recovery for Koos. All the waiting's stressful, isn't it? But patience is called for with regard to the water levels. It's getting worse by the day here in the UK.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much, Roger. It was indeed quite stressful, and yes, we will now go with the flow, such as it is! We'll all be sitting on the bottom of the canals soon!
DeletePS, Roger. Is your blog private now? I can't seem to access it.
DeleteI'm sorry my reply is so late, Val. I did close my blog to the public, but changed my mind some days later. It's open to all again now, and the latest three posts explain what it was all about.
DeleteThank you, Roger. I’d have been very sad if you’d given it up. I would still like to follow your posts whatever you have to write about.
DeleteHej there, I am so sorry for the scorching temps and the surreal experiences, from having to insist to then at last a life-saving treatment. My own heart, for what it's worth, is with you.
ReplyDeleteAh, thank you so much, Gina. What a lovely message! I'm sure Koos will be right as rain soon, but all the good wishes definitely help! xx
DeleteI'm happy to hear Koos has finally had the care and repair he needed and I hope he is healing and resting comfortably.
ReplyDeleteWe've had quite the hot, dry spell recently, as well. However, it's not unusual for us this time of year. The lightning has been wreaking havoc on the mountainsides and new fires seem to pop up over night; luckily most are in the backcountry and away from populated areas. As you know, I'm not a hot weather lover and prefer the cooler days of Fall and the cosiness of earlier darkness; in summer, the sun doesn't set until nearly ten o'clock and that just adds to the discomfort of a blazing hot day (for me, anyhow...). Add to that, the thousands of visitors that flock to our valley during July and August only add a heightened energy to our usually quiet valley. Ok, enough whining from me. It's not all that bad and our lakes do offer beauty and refreshing cool.
I do hope your upcoming posts include tales and photos of a lovely time faring your beloved canals! Sending mountains of love to you both! xx Dale <3
Oh Dale, I know you have searing temperatures too, but I'm so glad to hear the fires are far from both you and inhabited areas. You are also in a place of exceptional beauty, which I'm sure attracts the hordes in good weather! I am a sunshine and warmth fan, but this has been quite inconvenient really as it's just too hot to be able to work or be active outside, which is what I love to do. I think longingly of Johannesburg, whose temperature rarely rose above 30c, but was mostly in the upper 20s in summer and the lower 20s in winter. We had the odd day above 30c but that was rare. It had perfect all-year-round warmth for this soul! When it gets hot in the Netherlands, it does it properly! I do hope I'll be posting photos of faring soon, my friend. Oceans of love to you both too! xxxx
DeleteI’m just catching up on the blogs Val and was sorry to hear that Koos had engine problems but so glad that the stent has unblocked his tubes. Here’s hoping that you’ll both be out faring very soon. It will be the tonic you both need I’m sure. 🥂
ReplyDeleteMany thanks. So sorry but I don’t know who I am talking to here. However, your good wishes are very much appreciated. :)
DeleteWe too are as brown and baked as you . I suppose your African roots have enabled you to become accustomed to the hot sun. I use to love sunshine (and probably still do really) but I have been hating the high temperatures we have had. It makes me feel very stressed, somehow. I am glad that Koos got his stent and persevered, and good luck about the holiday. I'm not sure I'd be wanting to go anywhere in the heat but if I did have to then on the water would be the place to be!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jenny. Yes, I think Africa prepared me for the heat although our houses there were built for it and they aren’t here, so it’s definitely less comfortable here. On the water is undoubtably best!
DeleteVal, you and Koos take your time and make your trek at the right time. Rivers have drying up here in Colorado, Georgia and Nevada to name a few places. Truly, global warming has humbled us all. Be well. Lynn
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lynn. It’s dry everywhere, isn’t it? Dreadful fires and water shortages. We have at last had some rain. Of course, it started as we set off on our travels, but we can’t grumble now! 😆
DeleteSafe travels, Val.. So happy for you two!
ReplyDelete