Summer in the Lake District

As a family, we have always enjoyed part of August in the Lake District, we have done this for years and this summer was no exception. It was a good time to get away from it all and try and leave all the transplant and illness stuff behind - well as far as we could, it is always there physically, but we were hoping that maybe mentally things would feel better for being away - and they were. Everything began to feel just that bit better for being away from it all.

We went to lots of our favourite places including Sizergh Castle, Sizergh Barns, Levens Hall and Grange Over Sands and met up with family and friends. We spent a few days with my mum in Lancashire and took her out and about and Rose and David joined us in the Lakes for a while too. 

David had never been to the Lakes before so we tried to show him a few of the beautiful Lake District landmarks and some of our favourite pubs and eateries: Coniston Water, Windermere, Arnside and Grizedale to name but a few! 

We spent a lovely day on Lake Coniston picnicing and Rob, Rose and David went kayacking; it is a dream of mine that I will be able to do this once again some day. We bought our kayacks six or seven years ago and I used to love taking them out on Coniston Water, the view from a kayack in the middle of the lake has to be one of the best views in England. I know I will do it again one day. 

I would also dearly love to get walking properly again, there are so many fabulous walks at every turn. I've managed to do a little bit of walking though as well as use the wheelchair, because I'm trying hard to keep my muscles working so they don't lose too much strength before my transplant. I know they are not as strong as they should be now and it is not helped by the muscle pain that is caused by my specialist PH drugs. 

For now though I'm happy I'm well enough to travel here and still manage to get around and out and about, the sights are dazzling and spectacular and that is great therapy, which is second to none! 

One of the highlights of our holiday was meeting up with Bente and Les again. We last met them back in October at the PH conference and have kept in close touch every week since, so it was fantastic to enjoy their company for the day. We had lunch in a lovely pub in the countryside near Ambleside and then had tea and cakes by the river at Skelwith Bridge, the sun shone and it was a perfect day. 

The one thing that I can say about this awful illness is that I have met so many wonderful, brave, inspiring and lovely people along the journey and that is something I can honestly say I wouldn't change or swap for anything.

It has been a calming and enjoyable holiday, a calming oasis for a while. I think we're ready now for another busy spell in September with preparations for Rose's half marathon run for the PHA UK, which is coming up soon and getting everything ready for her return to University. We're also feeling positive for the future, enjoying what we have and what we can and when we can and trying not to dwell too hard about what may or may not be ahead of us.

You can find out more about the work of the Pulmonary Hypertension UK on the following link:

www.phassociation.uk.com

You can sponsor Rose through: 

www.justgiving.com/Rose-Graham