So it turns out that even people who talk all of the time, need to take a rest; alright only a little rest, and I am still *gramming, but that was inevitable. It surprised me too that I can’t just keep on keeping on. I don’t know why, because this isn’t the first time I’ve over-exerted myself.

I’m suffering with bruised ribs and I think a number of severely pulled muscles and weak joints, partly due to the exertions of my trip and partly my already weakened state. My blood results today show that while my situation is similar to how it was when I left, at the moment my white and red blood cells have dipped a little. Only a little but still a sign I need to rest and recover which is the plan.

I don’t suspect this will be a long blog tonight, but there will be lengthy ones to follow.

I’m sitting in the back of my house, where I can see the garden, beautiful in the evening sun. I’m tired after a long day of drug treatment (I’ve now done 12/18 of my three-weekly Herceptin/Pertuzamab combinations) and we had a minor drama today when the drugs arrived late. Fortunately, after some panicking and checking, still within the safety window. Well, it’s really a ‘still useful’ window. No-one wants 4 hours of IV drugs that aren’t working.

The week draws to a gentle still Summer close (yet I’m in a jumper and have the heating on) and I’m noticing the leaves on the enormous tree behind my garden have turned a rusty dark brown. It happens quickly the change of the seasons, as does all change.

It seems both minutes and years ago that I was, teeth-clenched and eyes wide-open in fear, navigating the Dutch motorways on the way to the final ferry.

The dogs braved the kennels once again and Miffy managed all of the stairs! I swear she’s like a new dog, so much has her confidence grown. We also had the unexpected delight of bumping into our good friends Jess, Tom, Wilum, Bee and George just as we left the ferry. It very much added to the feeling of being back home 😍.

I’m trying to learn to be less anxious on a day-to-day basis, based on the simple fact that the worst that can happen sort of already has (with some obvious exceptions which we don’t like to dwell on as there is very little point) and the moments when I was away when I forgot this (which were many), were by far the best. A big wave 👋🏻 to those I shared some of those with. A high five ✋to you also, my lovely readers and a low paw 🐾to the dogs of course.

At this short reflective distance, I’m still slightly shellshocked. I did it. I made a crazy plan, sort of organised myself, threw far too many things and the dogs into an old van and set off. I made it, on schedule, to my destination and then home again. I’ve learned too many lessons to summarise them all now. The challenge is to keep remembering. Will you help?

The main lesson, is that we all need to be so much kinder. To ourselves, to each other and to the planet. It did not escape me while we were travelling that perhaps this wasn’t the best thing to be doing if I want to protect the planet? What are the alternatives for long trips?

A little patience goes a long way. As those who work with me in particular will know, I’m not always the most patient (cue:hysterical laughter) but I am definitely getting better (cue:sniggers). I want to help you get better too because a lot of patience goes even further and it really does make everything so much more pleasant 😍. Plus we all feed off each other.

I wish you a pleasant weekend. I shall be recuperating with an unusual blend of unpacking, trying on impractical skirts, completing a Financial Conduct Authority annual return and writing an article (with the help of my colleagues) on school fees/costs of schooling (in the context of lifetime financial planning) which hopefully will be published soon in The Telegraph.

Oh and the alcohol-free (0.0%) Swedish wine has arrived. Hic. 🦊❤️