A smile at 84! in The odd entries from life …….

I’ve been away in Portsmouth, the rail journey still has one section where we are transported by bus, it was ok as the buses were waiting for us; so I arrived on time and feeling as drawn as I feel after a Truro to Portsmouth Harbour all rail trip!

The Sunday just passed was Mother’s Sunday here, so I could see Mum on the day. My Sister had told me Mum’s condition had worsened, she has more of a struggle to get out of a chair, and her memory of resent things is just moments, she knew both of us by name, but talked with us as if we were long gone members of our family! My Sister asked Mum ‘How old are we’ Mum looked rather puzzled and answered 47 for me and 84 for my Sister who is the younger by six years; well it had been my birthday the day before!

She also told us she should have moved south, for the warmer weather, so I assume Mum thinks she is still in Shrewsbury. I tend to go with Mum’s comments, correcting her all the time doesn’t help Mum, so I follow Mum’s imagined life just nodding agreement’s, such as Mum telling us she had been ill and had missed a few days at work.

My Sister is very good with Mum, keeping up with her needs, some times toothbrush’s go missing after a few days, and it’s the same with other things, with all these people with dementia things are lost or picked up by some one having a bag day! Sis takes it all in her stride, and supplies endless kind words and hugs; and takes with a smile finding herself 84 years old!

Seven hours on trains and a bus leaves me feeling like I might have walked from Cornwall, so I get a taxi for the mile to the apartment if I’d walk through Gunwarf Quay it would be half that; even travelling light my hand bag and the slimmer shoulder bag seem a strain on my on my arms and legs; so I happily pay £3.60 to be dropped at the door! I had a frozen ready meal in the frizzier waiting from my last visit, I call home so Sweetheart doesn’t worry then call my Sister; I am asked to come over for a meal – the ready meal is left frizzing …..

On some Friday evenings they like a Chinese take-a-way, this meal is delivered half an hour later; my brother-in-law comments on the weight of the bag as brings it in. There are beef, pork and Chinese omelette meals plus rice, the fourth meal was as nice as the ones I mentioned, but I wasn’t sure what it was – I just enjoyed it!

Saturday was overcast and I still felt overcast from the journey, so I stood at a bus stop watching for a bus, years ago I never did that, if the bus wasn’t there in five minutes I walked to the next stop, usually the bus turned up between the first and second stop; if not that it was always between the second and third ….. I got off in Southsea and walked up the pedestrianised section of Palmerston Road, this turned out a good way for me to go, as tomorrow was Mothers Day there was a flower stall! It was nice to arrive with a miniature rose in a whicker bag, she has enjoyed flowers in her homes, in hind thought I wonder how much water she well give it, recently Mum has over watered her artificial flowers; and has told me how well they are growing! I left it on the draw unit by her bed before I took Mum down to the dinning room; the rose looked fine on Mother’s Day.

I took the bus back eventfully, six or seven buses came but none of them were going to Old Portsmouth, all turning towards to the modern city centre; it was a good half-hour until a bus going my way. I didn’t take my camera out of my bag on Saturday, I had intended to walk into Gunwarf, but once in the apartment I didn’t go out; after dark I went out to watch the ships and boats passing in the night.

Sunday I walked to Mum’s home with my Sister, Mother’s Days had started dull but picked up after our visit, so our return walk was along the Solent, even along the seafront there is damage still being repaired from those storms in the winter; I did take my camera out – the sun was out.

The Millennium Walk's damage from the Winter storms ….

The Royal Navy Reviewing Podium. This area is for the Review of the Fleet, an event that is held in Portsmouth and Plymouth in alternate years, it is also being repaired after the 2014 winter storms.

Lombard Street Old Portsmouth.

Lombard Street Old Portsmouth, one of the streets older buildings after resent reinvasion..

Last updated April 02, 2014