Blogtober Day 21 :: Saturday
6pm...I'm writing to you from the train heading north out of London, and I'm really glad to be travelling homewards. The storm has made travel very difficult today, with heavy flooding causing all sorts of disruption. I've had to change my route a number of times already due to train cancellations and diversions, but finally I think I am actually going to make it home (it was looking doubtful for a while, I was trying not to worry too much).
The weather was very wet in Dorset this morning so I only managed to take two photographs as I walked around soggy Dorchester. It's a very leafy town with some gorgeous tree-lined roads and pedestrian walk ways, and over the coming months I'm looking forward to exploring it a bit more. It's generally a place I pass through from the train station so I don't know it very well, but from what I've seen I like it very much,
I went to visit my Dad before I caught the train. I was apprehensive because he has a tendency to get rather agitated when I come and go, but somewhere along the way between Thursday and today he has settled into his new home from home and I am unbelievably grateful. The staff at the care home have been absolutely wonderful, and we've had some reassuringly positive updates over the past two days. I found him happy, calm and settled, keen to show me around and seemingly the staff all love him. There were already lots of "in jokes" which had him laughing, and they give hugs freely. I am so relieved! You can probably imagine, I feel like I was carrying around a very heavy boulder and suddenly it doesn't weigh so heavy any more..
I left him happily tucking into a lovely cooked lunch and looking forward to joining in with some games and activities this afternoon. I can't quite believe it yet, but I'm going to hold onto this new reality with both hands. It feels bloomin' wonderful to be able to relax a bit at last. I tell you what though, I feel like I could sleep for a week, I'm ever so tired. My bed is going to look like the best place on Earth when I finally get to fall into it tonight.
I'm going to love you and leave you now, it's already dark outside and I've still got around 4 hours of travel left.
See you tomorrow! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Wow. I just caught up on the last few posts. I'm sorry you had to move your dad, but it absolutely sounds like the best decision for him. I can't imagine how difficult this has all been. I'm so glad he seems to be settling in well!
Posted by: Bonnie | October 23, 2023 at 03:49 PM
I'm so glad you dad is settling in well, that's such good news. I hope the rest of your journey went well and that you are safely tucked up at home now. It's been a such a hard few days, look after yourself my friend. CJ xxxxx
Posted by: CJ | October 22, 2023 at 09:56 PM
Get back to normal track dear Lucy...
I was wondering how you all managed the financial part of these struggling days..
Thanks to your dad's planning and am sure the care givers are paid well enough to do their jobs at their best...best wishes to all at home...
Thank you kindly for all your blogging efforts and time. Love you and Leave you to relax and regain yourself more
Posted by: GCJ | October 22, 2023 at 05:57 PM
Nos alegramos de que tu padre esté más tranquilo igual que tu .Ahora toca descansar y relajarse que todo mejorará.Un abrazo desde Barcelona
Posted by: Nuria | October 22, 2023 at 04:17 PM
I'm glad for you that your Dad appears to be settling in nicely. Being a caregiver is difficult enough but when it's our parents, the role reversal feels unnatural and awkward. You deserve a good long rest, both physically and emotionally. Sending you warm hugs.
Posted by: Nina C | October 22, 2023 at 02:48 PM
Good to hear your father has settled in and is happy. Hope you had a good night’s rest!
Posted by: Femke | October 22, 2023 at 01:41 PM
Hello Lucy, so glad you can breathe a little easier now that you can see your Dad is safe and happy. Care homes are wonderful places and the staff really put their hearts into making every day a joy for their residents. I am still deciding whether to buy your Starbright pack but do the Yuletide pattern from last year, as I do love a 'granny square' blanket as opposed to stitching squares together.
Posted by: Lynn Walsh | October 22, 2023 at 11:02 AM
Dorchester is lovely. My mum moved into a care home in Dorchester for last 8 months of her life. She said she felt safe there, which is all anyone wants really isn’t it. I’m glad your visit went well, enabling you to go home feeling as ok as you can in the situation.
There’s a lovely river walk in Dorchester, museums are small but nice, lots of coffee shops, the central gardens are good to wander through and there’s always somewhere to grab lunch. I often go round their shops as a lovely mix of charity shops, some high street shops and independents and Goulds a lovely shop of nice things, including wool etc upstairs.
Posted by: PennyJ | October 22, 2023 at 10:45 AM
So pleased your Dad is happy and you can relax and put that big boulder down. Sleep will be a lot sweeter from now on knowing he is being well looked after. When you do go and see him it will be quality time spent with him. Take care xxx
Posted by: Gillian | October 22, 2023 at 09:33 AM
I'm so pleased your Dad has settled in. Sounds like my Moms care home, free hugs.👍
I'm sure there will be good and bad days but the staff will do their best for more good than bad for your Dad.
Sending hugs to you.💖
Posted by: Tracy | October 22, 2023 at 09:25 AM
So good to hear Lucy. It's been a long journey for you and your family. Hopefully now your Dad has found "his tribe away from tribe" and he'll know some very happy days. xx
Posted by: Laura Miller | October 22, 2023 at 07:50 AM
That's such good news, Lucy, I'm so relieved for you! Hope you got home OK, and that you manage a lie in this morning xx
Posted by: Jools | October 22, 2023 at 05:58 AM
I am so unbelieveably happy for you, and your father! Such wonderful news! His adjustment took no time at all, which is a huge blessing. And how nice that when you went to bid him goodbye, he was happy, and smiling, and relaxed, and laughing. I can just imagine your relief. Gosh, even I was relived. Dorset is indeed lovely. Those are some beautiful tree-lined walkways — my favorite kind. I'm so envious of all those leaves arrayed in those lovely autumn colors. We don't get that here. I shouldn't complain — like anywhere else, SoCal has its compensations. Still, autumn is gorgeous in your part of the world. Weather has been crazy everywhere this year. We actually had rain in August! Completely unheard of. Hope you get home safely. Your loving family and cozy attic await you.
Posted by: Elizabeth | October 22, 2023 at 03:36 AM
I am so pleased he has settled and seems happy. What a relief and load off your mind. Hopefully you are home now and can relax and recharge. Love from Dorset xx
Posted by: Ruthie | October 22, 2023 at 12:13 AM
What wonderful news!
I'm so relieved for you and your Dad.
Posted by: Sandra | October 21, 2023 at 11:07 PM
Such a relief for you Lucy. At least your Dad will be getting regular meals and medication which will restore his strength & ability to cope with his new reality.
Now you must restore your own health & mental well being. Hug your family a lot, they must have missed you too.
Take care x
Posted by: Norma | October 21, 2023 at 11:04 PM
i'm so glad your dad is doing well, hopefully you'll be able to relax a bit now x
Posted by: julie king | October 21, 2023 at 10:59 PM
SO glad for you...and for your Dad! Rest up, Lucy, and...even have a break from your blog if you need it. Cx
Posted by: Charlotte | October 21, 2023 at 10:35 PM
Hope you are at home, or very close now, dear Lucy. So glad your dad is settled in his new 🏡
My mum has been in a care home for about 20 months. She is treated so well, and has many friends. She will be 92 on the 1st of November, I will be 71 on the 3rd.
Your blog and beautiful blankets have kept me going through many problems. I am so grateful to you Lucy. Sleep well, warm regards, Carol xXx 🐈🥰🌻
Posted by: Carol Millard | October 21, 2023 at 10:26 PM
Sending love, what a hard thing to have to do! I’m glad to hear your father is settling in well and that you can begin to relax
Posted by: Jessica | October 21, 2023 at 10:16 PM
I feel for you travelling by train at the moment. My lovely husband travelled back from Leeds on Friday. Got on train 12.15, left Leeds Station 16.15, train terminated around 8pm at Peterborough. Eventually got train to St Pancras arriving 10pm reached home in Gravesend at 10.4
Hope your journey not so traumatic.
It seems to have been rough in your part of the world according to my son in Roddlesden. Take care of yourself Lucy.
Posted by: Evelyn Holdstock | October 21, 2023 at 09:56 PM
So glad to hear he is settling in to his new home! Must be a big weight off your shoulders! Safe travels! X
Posted by: Carolyn wood | October 21, 2023 at 09:52 PM
So glad Lucy. Rest well. Xx
Posted by: Naomi | October 21, 2023 at 09:15 PM
Safe journey home Lucy, I am so glad you were able to see your Dad and he is settling well, we had a similar situation with my husband's parents and it is such a relief to know they are safe and in the right environment for them, they both thrived in their nursing homes and they were both able to take pleasure in life again. (They both had dementia). Much love to you and Lady B, and to the rest of your family.
Posted by: Severine | October 21, 2023 at 09:08 PM
💕 Wow Lucy what an epic few days and such a stressful final leg of your journey. Now you know your Dad is settled and well cared for I hope you can find some time to re-charge your batteries and receive all the love and support from your family which I know they will give you xxx sleep well knowing you have done all you can for you dad. 🙏 God bless
Posted by: Bev Farrow | October 21, 2023 at 08:54 PM