The Chat Thread #3

[FuzzyB]

Reading that was quite bittersweet, Alan. Thanks for sharing the good with the bad. It’s not always easy to smile through the tears.

[Raza]

I’m in Kraków, and it might be my last visit. My legs don’t want to carry me. We’ve been visiting since 1996, initially because my wife wanted to see where her father came from, and we’ve owned this apartment since 2000. Getting through the airport in England wasn’t easy, hauling myself through the endless retail area before you get to the departure lounge. I was whacked by the time we found two empty seats. We were out this afternoon, taken from our door by taxi, but then it was tough in the streets, looking out for broken paving, always thinking of the next place to rest. I’m quite brave, in taking risks and plugging on, but I wouldn’t want to collapse on these streets, a long way from home.

Now it’s nice, sitting in the apartment with a glass of wine, listening to music, looking at the way we’ve made it comfortable and stylish over the years - but in a couple of weeks I might have to leave it for the last time. I could try and get myself a bit fitter, I could have assistance through airports, I could give it one more go - but really this long adventure is at an advanced stage of ending. I knew it on the first day. We were standing on the corner of the Market Square, looking out at what has been so familiar and so loved for so long, and I was smiling, and then there were tears while I was smiling. There was a jazz trio playing in the club round the corner - one of them a local veteran I’ve been enjoying for twenty-five years - and it was too much trouble, going down the steep stairs, being greeted by the club owner. It will be worse for my wife. She’ll be good for travel for years, and this is where she touches base with her family roots. She’s also a city girl, and this is where she enjoys city life - a break from the ‘nothing happening’ of the country that is more natural to me.

I don’t know. There will be a couple of friends to see, restaurants, nice things to look at - pleasures. But will I be experiencing them for the last time? I’m not sure, but my legs don’t want to carry me. I’m happy for the good and enriching times, and maybe the encroaching sadness and loss, if I don’t come again, will be offset by relief that I don’t have to do it again. I need to get this decision right and manage things well.

I’m sorry to hear that, Alan. Thinking about the last of things is always so…depressing.

[hayday]

We're looking at moving in the not too distant future. We need to downsize a bit, but we really want to live on one floor! Peter is absolutey correct about how fast time seems to fly. I see a similar trend at work, except the days crawl by but the months are flying!

[mlcor]

We're looking at moving in the not too distant future. We need to downsize a bit, but we really want to live on one floor!

Us, too.