Feeling quite tired & low today. Mum suggested I sat in the garden for a few minutes. It was a glorious day and I managed to stay out for a while in my dressing gown & patch. What a pretty sight for the neighbours! It did seem to lift my spirits. The fresh air was wonderful.

Missing school colleagues, friends, the kids at school (yep really!) and just being fit & well. Have missed a really good training day at school today. Typical! Watched a little bit of comic relief. It really made me sit up and think. I felt a bit emotional but realised how lucky I am, despite all this. Phoned up and made a donation. This made me feel good. Am still trying to get used to using one eye. I keep walking into the doorposts and when I pour water into a glass I miss unless I really concentrate. So when I get a hot water bottle I have to be really careful. Have started to give myself some reiki this week. Left side of face has still shown no signs of movement. Still dribbling.

Decided that I wanted to get up & get dressed today. This was very sudden & I wondered if it was anything to do with the fresh air I had yesterday?Later in the day mum drove me to Gwbert, where we parked the car at a viewpoint so that I could see along the estuary and out to sea. I knew I had come up to Wales for a reason. I sat peacefully in the car looking at the view & dozing while mum walked Tilly along the coast path. My legs have been extremely weak during the last 2 weeks so as much as I wanted to, I had to refrain from joining them both. But I did try a few steps outside the car when they got back.

Still seem to be sweating a lot at night and am having some vivid dreams. Ear seems to make muffled pulsating sounds which I notice after being in the wind or when lying down at night.

Mum drove me to Gwbert again. Tried to walk along the road for a few minutes. Managed 10 mins max. This was the beginning of many little trips out for me. Each day attempting to walk that much further to strengthen the muscles in my legs.

Of course it never is as straight, forward as that & this virus is extremely unpredictable. You’re up one day and down another. You take 1 step forwards and then 2 back. The progress that finally starts to emerge after several weeks is very slow & arduous. Infact I’m trying really hard not to bother looking in the mirror too much at the moment as there seems to be no movement in my face. I don’t want to disappoint myself.

Did not go out anywhere today. Am feeling quite tired. Rested in the garden for a couple of hours in the afternoon. Mum & I have decided that we both deserve a really good holiday this summer. Me, for struggling through this & mum, for getting me through it. So I now need to try to contact my brother via e-mail to see what he can organise for us while he’s still on ship.

Mum drove us to Poppit sands where I managed to walk for 30 mins holding onto her of course. Still wobbly and walking as though I’ve been on the wine or lager (which ever you prefer!) (This must be the vertigo, which is more obvious now that I’m trying to walk further).

Made an appointment at surgery as my eye seemed to be discharging slightly. Thought it would be sensible to get it checked out. I don’t want any more complications. Waited in side room as I was still feeling quite weak. Dr was very considerate, gave me antibiotic drops, lubricant and then suggested some physio for my face. Great! It will be good to do something positive to help encourage movement in my face. Nothing like this was mentioned at home. Even in the early stages it would have been important to know that it was available. Another short day out. Walked on Poppit sands and then drove to Aberporth to eat lunch.

Have been sleeping until nearly 11am most days. I seem to need the sleep. Drove to Mwnt beach today. Walked down steps and sat on cliff top while mum walked dog. It was too dodgy for me to attempt walking along the coast path. What a view and such a gorgeous day! This really is the best place to convalesce. (It’s my one consolation at the moment!)