While my exotic trips of last summer were special, sometimes a return to the simple pleasures can be fun.  Not to mention medically advised.  A search of property with exclusive hot tub revealed nothing available in The Dales, so a freebie on my sister has been taken advantage of.

Saturday sees a return to Anglesey.  Rachel will join me for three days of fun and frolics before I drop her at Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch station to catch a train home.  A few solo days of hot tub heaven will follow.  Key decisions about milk, bacon, egg and butter supplies to see me through to Thursday will be made.  Then I’ll simply wander between bed, kitchen, lounge and hot tub ignoring the rest of the world, perhaps keeping an eye open for red squirrels.  Having noted the nearest A&E department just in case I get any chemo side effects.

It does involve a no Chris weekend which is always tough.  Oldham’s game at Rochdale is off due to Dale somehow reaching the fifth round of the FA Cup despite having the worst football pitch ever seen.

It will be an interesting routine change for me.  My sister’s lodge offers real privacy and solitude.  I’m usually done after three nights solo.  But I think two nights of company and four nights of solitude will work.  And I can always cut it short if needed.

There is a slight question mark over my ability to drive home solo.  The chemotherapy chart suggests I’ll be near my low point.  But there are hotels en route and it is only three hours on moderately busy roads.

Thanks to those who donated to Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation in my name.  An amazing response from friends, family, former colleagues, former colleagues who I’ve possibly never spoken to but been aware of, and other complete strangers who’ve picked up on my blog and followed my story.  In a day you’ve probably raised enough to fund a researcher for a week.  It’s overwhelming.

If anybody would like to add to the collection bowl there’s a link below.  No obligation, although anything in the next few hours might help me to hit my notional target within 24 hours of putting the site online.

I feel genuinely humbled.  You’ve already raised more in a few hours than the average amount of research money per lung cancer death figure published earlier this week.

PLEASE DONATE HERE – USE GIFT AID!