Just Call Me Biggles

Yesterday I ticked another item off of my life list - a flight in an open cockpit plane! I went up from Camden Airport in a 1940s Tiger Moth. Unfortunately I had been sick all morning and had been worried that I wouldn't be able to go up, but when the time came the excitement took over and I raced for the cockpit! I was strapped in and given a lovely set of Biggles googles to wear, then we went off for a 30 minute aerobatic and scenic flight. It didn't take much to get the plane off the ground, then we ascended to 4,000 ft. It was amazing to be really experiencing the flight, with the wind in my hair (it gets surprisingly cold up there, out in the open!) Once at 4,000 ft we did some very exciting aerobatics - loop the loop, barrel rolls, hammer head - until my queasiness returned, then we flew low down over the countryside back to the airport. Truely awesome experience!!

Biggles!

The plane (me in front, pilot at back)

Take off

Back to earth

Port, Cuddly Toy & Reclining Comfort

The week before last I had a "port" put into my chest, which is a way of directly accessing a vein (via a titanium ring and catheter) and will be used to give me chemo from now on. It was a minor operation, which took about an hour with me under "conscious sedation" - awake but dozy, with local anaestethic on the chest. I could feel lots of prodding nd pushing whilst they made a few cuts and put the components in the correct place, but no pain. It was a bit sore for a few days after and I have some lovely stitches to keep in for 2 weeks - a very attractive look, luckily I got to wear the Alex Perry frock the night before!

How the port works

Stitches

 

I have realized that ages ago I made a cuddly toy but never got around to posting it on here. Actually I think I was waiting until I had completely finished it (I had issues with the eyes!) but I haven't had any bright ideas yet, so I figure it is close enough. My cuddly toy is a cute little kangaroo with (an admittedly scary looking) joey in her pouch, done in retro fabric to a Woman's weekly pattern.

Unnamed cuddly kangaroo & joey



Owing to the various aches and pains I now have, our old sofa was just too uncomfortable, so we have now bought a rather lovely leather reclining sofa set. It does make me feel a little bit old, but I have to say that it is really good for tv watching and general lolling about - so comfortable!!

The new sofa