Europe by Van Day 20

We were up in the night propping up the tarp so that a big heavy pool of rain did not cave the tarp in.

We got bad news from home yesterday. #2 daughter was in hospital last week with a throat abscess - had it drained and IV antibiotics etc - but it got worse and she was re-admitted yesterday. There was only a very junior doctor and they didn’t know what to do apart from more IV antibiotics and fluids. She was no better this morning but a swab was done so they can find the most appropriate treatment. To cap it all their car broke down en route to hospital. Luckily #3 has ours so Phil got that now. #3 is also having the boys while Phil goes to see what’s happening.

Later today Phil got in touch to say they drained the abscess again, very painful in itself, and she’s on her third type of antibiotics but they are needing to do a CT scan to see what else is going on further down her throat. She’s being kept in for a few days. I’m so worried but I know she’s in a good hospital, and handily it’s the one where Phil works.

We had another walk round the village. This structure is a cormorant with a pepper in its mouth. The bottom is the tail of a fish, symbolic of the fact that the people of the village were once mainly fisherfolk.

If only we could get moving. More rain forecast today and tomorrow so doubt even if the boat builder would agree to the job, it might not be possible if it’s the wet.

Again many thanks for your kindness and support which are greatly appreciated