I’m 36. An adult. A grown up. Yet I won’t stray far from my village if I’m on my own! Rewind to life before my illness, and it was very different. I’d catch buses and trains and planes alone. I’d explore cities and towns and villages alone. I’d visit people and places and parties alone. … More Learning To Trust Other People
I first met my ‘Girlies’ at university. We each joined the canoe club during Freshers Week, the only four girls from our year group: we were outnumbered. But it wasn’t until a couple of week later, our first weekend away kayaking, that we really bonded. After a day of paddling and swimming down a scary … More The Girlies Who Wouldn’t Let Me Hide
`I love Christmas. It is magical. For one week of the year, the world becomes brighter, sparklier, shinier, louder. It is a chance to take a break from normal life, to get excited like a child, and be surrounded by love. But it is also exhausting! Thus, the way I celebrate has had to change … More Christmas With PH
Four year ago I was full of energy. Teaching is demanding, all-consuming, busy. Never enough hours in the day, I became a multi-tasking octopus. In one moment, I’d be counting coins with a group, observing a few playing shop, and soothing another one’s tears. Break times were for tidying away the last lesson, setting up … More Managing My Energy
Exactly three years ago today, I was lying in a hospital bed in London. The most poorly I’d ever been; I couldn’t lift my arms or sit up unaided. A week earlier, a doctor had confirmed that I had Pulmonary Hypertension. I’d never heard of it, and I wasn’t ready to learn about it. I was … More The Card That Changed Me…
My husband is a last minute packer. He runs around manically the hour before we leave to go on holiday, scanning each room for what he might need, and inevitably forgetting something. 😉 I used to be the same. We could handle last minute and spontaneous short breaks; it was our norm. But since getting … More How Holidays Change
I like to think I am the Queen of the Courgettes. Every year, without fail, I have managed to produce bumper crops of the produce. Our fridge overflows with the vegetable, I spend hours inventing dishes so they can be eaten at every meal, and I give them away to all and every summer visitor. … More Gardening with Dodgy Lungs
Like everyone, I love holidays. However, life is never simple, especially with an illness, and our intended vacations this year haven’t really gone to plan! So far we’ve planned four week-long trips away.. and have had to cancel all four at the last minute. 2016 has been a crazy year, with more than my fair … More Changing Holiday Plans
I love camping. My happy place involves a tent, a glass of wine, my husband and some stars! Unfortunately since getting ill, I’ve had to do away with the first two! Nowadays, I have to be slightly more inventive.. I get my wine fix from sniffing Phil’s wine (!), and amazingly we’ve found a solution … More A New Way to Camp When Ill
I’m a list writer. I write kit lists, shopping lists, lists of worries, lists of jobs. I’ve always loved sitting down with my head a muddle of ideas, and then having clarity as I write them all down. Mainly though I love the pleasure of ticking items off the list as I tackle them. It … More The Bucket List
We Can Adjust The Sails 