On The Island

Another morning being woken up by the fog horn and again  we have a sea mist. Well, you can’t actually see the  sea! It is in between the trees.

We have decided to return to the full dose of Gabapentin as Ellie had a bad night and was up and down and panting. She is taking Metacam as well which was why we were a bit concerned but back to what we were told.

So, we had an easy morning and then drove into Shanklin. A short look around and then into The Steamer for lunch. They do the most delicious Fish Chowder. It is also in such a lovely position opposite the beach. This meant a short walk for Ellie with her wobbly legs. She looked so pleased with herself when she managed to walk into the sea and paddle. I have to say when Mal carried her up the front steps of the Steamer so many people said “Aaaaaah”.

As usual Ellie just lay below the table and we gave her some fish at the end.

We came back to the lodge and Ellie lay on the terrace next to us as we had a few games of cards.  She seemed much more settled in the evening but her legs are wobbly and having no carpet is not helping her standing. We have tried to cover some of the floors with runners we bought from home.  She woke us up at 1 and again at 2.30am, where she struggles to stand.

We were woken up at 6am by the fog horns going off as we are so close to the sea and there was a thick sea mist.

It wasn’t long before the sun came out and the mist cleared. We decided to go to Osborne House as soon as it opened at 10 am so that we could park the car very near the entrance which meant Ellie wouldn’t have to walk too far. We had to do it all in easy steps and then sit for a while. We are English Heritage members so it didn’t matter that we didn’t stay all day. It is such a beautiful house and gardens.

We chatted to a guy and his greyhound and he lives in a house on the estate. It was the house where Victoria’s very good friend Abdul Karim lived –  Arthur Cottage    so he walks his dogs in the grounds every day but has to pay for English Heritage membership!

On the way back we went to Quarr Abbey as the cafe gardens there are really nice and had a pot of tea.

We realised that Ellie had done more than enough walking for one day and so came back to the lodge.

We tried to reduce her Gabapentin as she has a bit of a wobble walking .

Our dinner was all ready in the slow cooker.

Ellie had a good sleep right next to the bed, so she knew where we were.  We brought some carpet runners with us as she is slipping on hard floors. We use them at home now, so packed them all up to bring with us!

A little like having a child all the things we have to bring with us for her but she has seen me through some bad times, so the least we can do.

I had an online order from Sainsburys to be delivered first thing in the morning.  This included butter and eggs. My fault that  as I said I didn’t want any substitutes, they had none of the free range eggs I ordered so no eggs were delivered. On unpacking everything (the driver had gone). There was no butter, the red pepper hadn’t turned red and was damaged and the bananas were green and the bag of carrots were bad!! This has to be  the worst online order I have ever had. As time was getting on and we wanted to eat something we tried the bananas, we threw them away, they were disgusting.  The best laid plans heh?

So, we had to drive down to the local small Tesco where everything is about twice the price and buy replacements.  I have to say I wasn’t happy as we are on holiday! It all should have been so easy. Not a good start. Actually I forgot to say the ferry yesterday was delayed.

Mal did no more than phoned Sainsbury. They added up the refund for missing and bad goods and added £5 goodwill . The only problem is, that it is for another online order! Better than nothing.

Coming back from Tesco we stopped by reception, left the car and walked Ellie through the woods.

We didn’t risk going as far as the beach as the meds make her legs a bit wobbly.

We decided to have an easy rest of the day out on the terrace.

Then the football and we beat Croatia 7-0 . At last England seem to be playing as a team.

After that we watched Strictly, Johannes should stick to dancing and Josh should not be a presenter either. It really puts you off watching it.

Our much needed holiday in the Isle of Wight! Ellie seems more settled with the additional pain killers and slept most of the journey. We went on deck on the ferry to let her get some fresh air.

We arrived at Woodside Bay about 3.30 and the lodge was ready and so they gave us the key, check in is officially 4pm.

We booked Wroxhall this time to try a different lodge. It is quite huge with three bedrooms and a lovely view from the terrace. The sea in the distance.

It is quite secluded where we are, right at the back and very quiet but I think it will mean driving to the other end of the park to walk Ellie to the beach but that is no problem.

We unpacked, had a wander around and then Mal cooked dinner. Of course, second part of Celebrity Traitors!

Ellie slept well, so the pain killer must be helping.

Mal took Ellie for a walk around the cricket pitch and she was fairly lively considering. Meanwhile I went round to the doctors querying what happens next as some results from the blood test are still outstanding. The receptionist told me to fill in an anima form. I told her no, I had walked to the practice and I was not going to do it. I asked her again should I book another blood test while I was there as there was no way I was doing it through their AI reception again..

Her reply was “I am not medically trained”. So helpful…NOT! Finally she agreed that SHE would fill in the anima form for me and asked me what to put!! I replied “exactly what I have told you, that the doc said she would ring me to discuss the results, some tests outstanding” etc etc. By the time I had arrived home I had a message saying a telephone appointment was booked with the doc for 2 weeks time. I don’t think me filling the form in would have progressed as quickly!!

Time for the first episode of Traitors in the evening! So was that a clever tactic from Richard E Grant?

We woke up to rain. Ellie had a bit of a rough night and when I tried to clean her teeth a bit, her mouth bled so I made an appointment to see the vet. That is one good thing about being a member of their “club”, they will give you a same day appointment.

We went along at 12.20 and saw one of the vets who suggested a bit more pain killer and also that Ellie should have X rays and teeth clean and obviously investigating if she needs any extractions. As much as we don’t like the thought of her having anaesthetic, we don’t like her in pain either!

We also have another pain killer to give her along with the Metacam.

On the way out, one of the lovely receptionists said Meg was out the back and would want to see Ellie.  Meg is the nurse who we always went to for Ellie’s weight clinic. She is such a lovely girl and talked us through the possibilities for Ellie. We know how much she loves Ellie and she explained it all far better than the new vet had. So, we made the appointment there and then for Claire (the practice owner, who Meg said was the best with teeth.) It will be the Tuesday 13th. They are very busy.

We had arranged to take Tris out for a meal as it will be his 50th when we are away, so met him at The Jetty in Broadstairs. They do such good fish there. I had monkfish which was so good.

The dessert was equally good. Pistachio and raspberry white chocolate cheesecake.

They really must have an excellent chef and the quality of the food really is outstanding.

And here are the lads.

Then it was a bit of a hurry home to see if Ellie was OK and gave her the additional pain killer.

Mal slept downstairs with her in case it had any adverse effects.

A cricket pitch walk in the morning.  My stomach wasn’t too good so  we had a bit of a lazy day.

At least England won their game in the evening.