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Well, I never saw this coming! When we began planning our journey to Japan and Thailand, none of us foresaw a widespread virus sweeping the region. I have travelled to many parts of Asia in the past and never been hindered by plague, pestilence or natural disaster, all of my trips here went without a hitch. The only time I was prevented from flying was in 2010, when Darrell and I were due to fly to Australia, but were stopped by the eruption of the famous Eyjafjallajökull Icelandic volcano, spewing an ash cloud across Europe, grounding flights for six days. In the event we decided not to fly and Darrell went to Australia a week later!
The Coronavirus has just begun its rampage across the World, four months before we are due to fly to China, at the beginning of our trip and naturally I am concerned about the implications of this new, mutating virus which is only just taking hold in China. Darrell, my Aunt and I are not spending any time in the Peoples Republic, but we are flying to Japan and Thailand, two countries that are already suffering from the effects of the disease. By the time we leave at the end of May, it is likely the virus will be at its height and the Foreign Office may well advise us not to travel at all.
Up until a few days ago we were busy booking accommodation and flights for our stay and had gone a long way in finalising our itinerary, before this deadly virus was brought to the attention of the World. Today we have stopped booking and like everyone else I am waiting for further instructions from the authorities here in Britain. At the moment we have literally had to put our plans on hold, until we know just how bad this virus will be. After speaking to my Aunt and Darrell this morning, we are clear about not taking risks that could be hazardous to our health and following any advice to the letter.
At the moment we are not sure whether we are covered by insurance, should the worse happen, and we are advised not to travel. In 2010, after the Icelandic volcano erupted, we were able to arrange a full refund of our flights, this situation is very different. The fact we are flying China Airways could also cause us some difficulties when flying to Japan via Beijing, especially as there is talk of interconnecting flights to the country from China being banned, so we have to quickly look at alternatives, for now at least we are fearing the worst!
UPDATE: I have just got off the phone from my travel insurance company where I have finally been given an update. The gentleman I spoke to was helpful and polite and was able to offer me some much-needed reassurance. Because I had taken out my insurance before booking any flights or accommodation, I am insured for any cancellation of my holiday before the 23rd of January. We luckily booked our last flight on the 16th January and have arranged nothing since. This has indeed put my mind at rest somewhat; if the worst case scenario happens and I have to cancel my trip, I will get a full refund and compensation. He did stress that this will only happen however, if the Foreign Office advises that we do not travel to the areas we are visiting!
I never would have believed this type of disaster would have played a role in my next visit to Asia. Looking at the news bulletins on television you could be forgiven for thinking the end of the World is nigh. This is a virus that has the potential to spiral out of control; only by waiting, will we know what happens next. My concerns are about a loss of holiday, whereas other people are losing their lives. Having visited this part of the World before, I understand the practices that may have contributed to this latest crisis and it is for China to clear its act up. These hybrid viruses always seem to start in Chinese or Asian nations and as such, these countries need to review outdated, appalling practices that have no place in the modern World.
I remain positive for the future and hope the Chinese Government will succeed in containing this deadly virus. Until then, I will remain a spectator like everyone else, looking in at a disaster of monumental proportions. This is a difficult time for all those caught up in the crisis, I can only pray for an optimistic ending and hope for a pragmatic solution to this terror of our times!
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I just wanted to say a word or two about the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. I haven't written much about current affairs in recent times, but felt compelled to add my voice to those who continue to support these two young people on their journey through life. As a frequent user of social media, I have been shocked by the comments made about Harry and Meghan. At the moment every man and his dog has an opinion about this royal couple and most views are derogatory, inflammatory and bullying. I have written much about bullying in my time and have seen the same language used over and over again. What on Earth is going on and why are people so angry about people they don't even know.
The Duke and Duchess have decided to remove themselves from the fray and follow a life outside the Royal Family, concentrating on their lives together, rather than being scrutinized by the newspapers and press on a daily basis. It would seem Harry doesn't want his wife suffering in the same way his mother the late Princess Diana did, constantly harassed and hunted like a wild animal by a press pack hungry for a story. Who can blame him, who wouldn't want to see this young Prince happy and content? Well it seems most people in this country have no empathy towards them and their chosen path. The reactions of the 'trolls and bullies' I have witnessed online are upsetting, hurtful and absolutely shocking for someone like me, who tries to see the best in everyone.
What has happened between the Duke, Duchess and Royal Family is a personal matter. Together with Her Majesty The Queen and other members of the family, Harry and Meghan have come to an agreement, that will see them forge their own way in the World, without public funds and will also pay back the £2.4 million pounds spent on renovations at their London home; nothing wrong with that surely? Yes apparently there is and it doesn't satisfy the jeering crowds, baying for blood at their door.
What the hell has happened to this country? Since Brexit, the general public have lost all sense of compassion towards anyone but themselves. Racist and homophobic hate crime is on the rise, and we have lost all sense of what is right and what is wrong. A once empathetic nation has become a nation of haters, doubters and egotists....We are no longer the country we once were and that is a tragedy.
Before you decide to publicly destroy the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, maybe you should all look closer to home and the difficulties you may have faced along the road. Instead of attacking two people you don't even know, maybe, just maybe you should get your own house in order. The majority of you, spouting grotesque, baseless accusations and insults can barely string two words together, yet you are so deluded to believe anyone cares what you think. Harry and Meghan have the blessing of the Queen and the Royal family in their new endeavours and that is all that matters. There is far too much hate in this country now and I find it very difficult to understand just what went wrong. I for one wish them both well, as we all should. Prince Harry served our country during traumatic times and I respect him for that and the choice he now makes. Think about the things you say and look deep within at the person you are...Do you really like what you see?
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My Aunt and I have been busy booking every stage of our trip to Japan and Thailand and have managed to complete a good proportion of our arrangements. We have already paid for our flights from London to Osaka on China Airways and organised our flights from Tokyo to Phuket in Thailand with Cathay Pacific. After looking at cheaper alternatives, we decided to pay extra and use a better carrier. The timings and flight arrivals were just too off kilter and clashed with the rest of our holiday plans! We have learnt that cheapest is not always best and to be honest I didn't really want to travel on some of the more obscure airlines anyway.
Whilst in Osaka, our first stop in Japan, we have decided to rent a traditional Japanese house and came across the quintessentially Nipponese residence above. The home is typical of many you will find in this city and its charm made a big impact on me. I firmly believe that when travelling to foreign shores you should experience as much of the culture and lifestyle as you can. Staying in a typical property, as we did when we visited Korea is part of the experience I enjoy. This isn't however an easy option; without the services of a hotel to arrange trips, taxis and travelling it can be a little daunting, especially as one tries to navigate the Japanese language.
This evening we will be sorting out other aspects of our itinerary including accommodation in Tokyo and Thailand and return flights to the UK. Once this is out of the way we will be able to relax a little more, but with only four months to go, time is pressing on, and we have a lot to do.
Planning and organising holidays has never really been my strong point, so I am glad my Aunt is able to undertake much of that side of things. Like most people however, reading, researching and preparing for our departure is a great feeling, lifting one's spirits at a time when I could do with a boost at least. Travelling across the World has always played a big part in mine and Darrell's life, so it is important that we carry on that tradition, for as long as we are able. Our relationship may well be difficult at the moment, but at least we can still continue doing the things we enjoy!
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Last night I spent a lovely evening with friends, talking, gossiping and putting the World to rights. It felt great to relax in good company for a change, especially after the week I have had. The pain from Diverticulitis and IBS has been getting me down, especially over the last few days. I find it important to do things that take my mind off the way I am feeling, so being around people chatting the night away is just what the Doctor ordered; my mind was at least clear for a few quality hours!
It is true to say, I have suffered greatly with various conditions and ailments over the last year, mainly due to stress and anxiety, but I am learning to live with the pain. Today however, when I woke up, it was just too much to bear and I rang the Doctors surgery for advice. After describing the situation I was made an appointment and told to come in later in the day.
This is the first time Diverticular Disease has caused me significant problems and most certainly won't be the last, so it is necessary to do what I can to stop any future complications; this is one difficulty I don't want getting out of hand.
The Doctor did the usual checks and diagnosed a Diverticulitis flare up and a particularly nasty one at that. I am hoping a course of antibiotics will cure the problem for now, if not I could end up in hospital, which I really don't want. She understood the complications of the disease and was pretty helpful in regard to living with it, stressing the importance of change and eating a simple, non-spicy diet. Plain chicken, salad or vegetables with no carbs is best.
I also discussed the reasons why I may have acquired IBS in the first place, something that has always puzzled me. The first time I noticed any digestive issues was when I was living in Spain, shortly after being given Statins to lower my high cholesterol; before that, I was perfectly healthy, except maybe for stress and the odd bout of depression. Having read up on Statins, I came across story after story of people suffering from joint pain and abdominal spasms, similar to those experienced in IBS. The timing of my symptoms, coinciding with the prescribing of Pravastatin was no accident and I firmly believe the two are related. I mentioned my concerns to the Doctor who understood what I was trying to say but told me to mention it to my own GP when I next see her.
I seem to be looking for answers don't I, well I guess I am; taking a lot of medication every day can't be good for one's constitution. Taking other pills in the past made me feel similarly unwell at times, not as bad as I do now, but nevertheless not one hundred percent. I would dearly love to stop popping statins, which are intensely nasty drugs, but I understand I am supposed to live with them for the rest of my life. I need to take advice about what to do next; even cutting my dose of Statins will help to stem the tide of pain I experience at the moment I'm sure; so a trip to the Doctors once again is in order and hopefully we can come to a long term plan to help reduce the manifestations I experience almost on a daily basis!
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I haven't been feeling particularly great recently, as the British weather takes its toll and my sense of well-being takes a bit of a knock. Since returning from Asia last year, I have had a number of health issues that have been getting me down. Suffering with the constant pain of IBS and Diverticulitis together, has been my biggest bugbear. Despite having good periods, where I exhibit no symptoms at all, for the majority of the time, I do have annoying, frequent and painful flare-ups which last weeks and sometimes months at a time.
There isn't much I can do about the symptoms I suffer from, so haven't been to the Doctor in a few months. This is unusual from me, since my health anxiety can be quite challenging and for a while I was in and out of the GP surgery, on an almost weekly basis. Today however, I just can't be bothered to see anyone, and I am learning to live with the various ailments I have. Of course most conditions can be treated with medicine and you will be feeling better in a matter of days, IBS and Diverticulitis however, are chronic long term illnesses that can only be managed. Living with these two digestive disorders isn't easy and as I grow older I am finding them more difficult to deal with.
My problems are nothing compared to other peoples issues, who live with worse complaints than me. As someone who suffers with extreme anxiety, I do tend to over think the way I am feeling and can blow a simple issue out of all proportion. Learning to deal with my thoughts and trying to keep a level head are important when you are feeling the way I am. Trying to get things into perspective and stop thinking the worst, is part of a process of retraining my mind to cope with issues, that others seem well able to deal with.
This week at work, one of our regular customers came in and spent a few hours looking around the shop. The person in question is elderly and always enjoys speaking to my colleagues, doing her best to keep active and play a prominent role in the local community. I spent as much time with her as I could, while she was waiting for a taxi, and she explained a little about her life as a painter and how lonely she felt after the death of her husband. Something about this lady struck a chord with me, she reminded me of my late Grandmother, who I was estranged from for the last ten years of her life. I really enjoyed speaking with her, she brought back many happy memories.
Senior citizens are amazing people, wise and for the most part a joy to be around. This lady had so much to offer the World, even at her age. No matter how she felt, what ailments she had or how alone she was, she was still doing everything she could to make sure she lives a full and accomplished life and it kind of put my small problems into perspective. Apart from anything else, It took my mind off my own troubles for a short while and allowed me to concentrate on someone else's welfare. It really is amazing how much better you can feel, just by talking to a complete stranger.
The next day I bought a bunch of flowers and a card and took them around to this beautiful soul. I wanted to show appreciation for her and make sure she was OK after her tiring trip to Tesco. This clearly isn't usual practice, but some people touch your heart in such a profound way, you have to do what you feel is right. This lady found the gesture deeply moving and it brought a tear to her eye. Today I can relax a little more and feel a little less pained because of an individual I didn't know, who made me understand the importance of living life to the full, no matter what life throws my way. The World is indeed a wonderful place, filled with amazing characters, I should spend a little less time thinking about myself and more time thinking about them!