Broken...

I generally try to keep the blog upbeat. Partly, because there's already enough bad news in the world, and partly because I believe that by actively being happy you can become happy, if you know what I mean. However, sometimes things aren't so rosy, and last week was a classic in the not so rosy stakes.

My dad is 93 and has dementia. It's been pretty rapid. Last Christmas he spent up here, mainly ok. Fast forward five months and he was to all intents and purposes lost to the world. And for the last three months he's really 'not been my dad anymore.' Yet at the same time he still is. He looks the same, sounds the same, smells the same. Yet something is missing. It's like he sits on a bridge between all that he was in his life and all that he will be in his death and beyond.

Dementia is cruel. It takes those you love and leaves just a corporeal shell. Ripping out the part that you knew, their identity. It leaves those that suffer from it broken, and those around it can break too.

But that's not the only thing that's broken. The system is. Nothing works how it did. Old mad people don't really matter anymore. Don't get me wrong, everyone does 'their bit'... But nothing works holistically. There's masses of buck passing and it's really all about budgets and who's paying. The humanity for those demented humans is lost. Last week I also felt lost, at sea in a system that doesn't seem to really care anymore, trying to fight for my Dad. We must find a way to do better for our loved ones suffering from dementia. It's a disease to be treated not a problem to be passed on.

Still, after one of my worst weeks in my 50 years there are a few lights at the end of the tunnel. After 24 care homes refused to take my Dad, now there is one that just might. And it looks lovely. There's also good folk out there trying to support families affected by dementia, and carers that do genuinely care. So fingers crossed, not everything is broken...

Dad

The Far East….

At the far east of Scotland lies the East Neuk of Fife. The East Neuk has some of Scotland’s most picturesque coastline with pretty little fishing villages and harbours interspersed with coastal cliffs, beaches and unusual rock formations jutting out to sea. The quality of light coupled with the landscape makes for some really stunning views, and it also claims to be the sunniest part of Scotland – except of course when we were there. 

Rain peppered our week on and off, but we put on our brave coats and boots and made the most of our week away. Bigger trips were to St Andrews for the Aquarium and the Barbie movie, Kellie Castle, Hill of Tarvit and Cambo Estate, and of special note was also the powerful and spiritual Dunino Glen. The weather cancelled our boat trip to the Isle of May, but the East Neuk is also full of little villages to stop off like Crail for its harbour or Elie for the beach and chainwalk. We were based in Pittenweem and there were daily excursions seal watching, rock pooling, book finding, crazy golfing or swimming. But just wandering the streets and enjoying the cafes was also a lovely past time. It was our first long trip with Ly so was good to spend the time with her, and also lovely to get out and do some coastal running (alone) and walking (with T). And then finally the Pittenweem Arts Festival ended our week on a wonderful high. A really interesting experience if you’ve never been. So what started as a dull and rainy week, saw the sun emerge and my soul soar. 

And then it was over the water to North Berwick – 9 miles as the crow flies but a two and a half hour drive for a trip to see the Gurneys and a taste of Fringe by the Sea and the Fringe in Edinburgh. More great vibes and sunshine. There was even a replacement boat trip to Bass Rock. The Far East was not so far and is definitely close to our hearts. 

And then a spot of the World Cycling Championships road race back in Kirky, and a meal out to Non Viet (Vietnamese restaurant in Glasgow) and the summer holidays were ended with a final huzzah. 

Bring on P4, P7 and now also S4!

Fish and Chips by the sea, ye cannae whack it!

The joy of jumping

The joy of hot chocolate

Avoiding the sun

The great book hunt

Pittenweem

Picture perfect

Racing around

Seals!!

Brave souls dipping in the pool

Dip anyone?

En route to chainwalk

One of the 8 chains

Enjoying the view

At Fringe by the Sea

Non Viet

And there starts P4 and P7

Mini-pinch...

If you see one of these this summer and then the next thing you know is you suddenly cry out "ouch" (as your companion has pinched you on the arm whilst crying out "Mini-pinch"), then you've inadvertently entered into a game of Mini-pinch. Mini-pinch has become the game that's taken the Rooke family by storm this summer, and so far we have all suffered mildlly sore arms and legs as a consequence (but thankfully no fatal accidents). It's pervaded our every journey. It's also the kind of game that lulls you into a false sense of security as every time you go out on foot or in your car you forget you're actually playing till someone, normally a child, suddenly pinches your arm crying "Mini-pinch" as a Mini drives by.

Once you've got the hang of it there are also various add-ons to the basic rules:

- Tesla Tickle
- Yellow Car Slap
- Porsche Punch (sometimes also called Police Punch) 

- Tractor Turbulance (rapid punching on arm) and,
- Caravan Kick (although we don't generally use this add-on).

I think you probably get the gist, and what you need to do but please be gentle!! Any false calls are punished with a double response in return.

Good luck this summer! Once started it never ends, although it does help pass any long car journeys quite well...

Mini-pinch

Disclaimer: The author of this blog is not responsible for any injuries caused by the reading of this article.