Welcome Lizzie48!

[Clover]

Hello Lizzie
I am English but have lived in South Wales for over 40 years.We live on Gower,an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and are close to beautiful beaches within walking distance.

We have two grandchildren who are siblings, a girl aged 17 and a boy aged 14. The boy has Asperger’s syndromes but is very bright.Unfortunately we don’t see them often enough as they live near London and OH had to give up driving

Sadly my OH was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s 3 years ago which makes life very hard at times.

Coincidently I am the third person mentioned on this thread who has Lymphoma. I am on a “Watch and Wait” regime which means no actual treatment at the moment but 3 to 4 monthly check-ups.If I think about it it’s a bit like a time bomb but I try to put it at the back of my mind.I have enough to contend with with OH.

I hope you will enjoy this forum We all support each other and if we have different opinions we agree to differ amicably.
Looking forward to hearing about life in Holland

[Sum1Ls]

Welcome Lizzie, how lovely to read about your life in Holland. I’ve only been there once - to Amsterdam - which was a most wonderful experience. The churches and art galleries were stunning, and so was were the fish restaurants. I’d love to visit again.

I have four grandchildren, all boys, aged 9, 5, 4, and 1. One family is living with us atm as they are having building work done. It’s a bit crowded! The other family live in Whitstable which is a super place to visit.

I don't cycle as it’s not very safe in London, but my husband and I go for very long walks (12 to 19 km) most weekends. London has an excellent network of footpaths and wonderful Canal and river walks too.

I’m retired now but I’m busy with the grandchildren, our local community and I Chair Mencap board of trustees so I keep busy.

I’m really looking forward to hearing more about your lovely country.

[Daisy]

Lizzie - e-bikes seem to be getting very popular in the UK too. Even where I live in the New Forest in Hampshire where it's fairly flat they are on the increase, especially with our summer visitors. they can easily be hired and I'm sure holiday makers love them too.

[Lizzie48]

How nice of you all, getting to know you! Clover, sounds a lovely place to live, sorry to read about your hubby, I live in an apartment block, all 55+, well older now, there are 3 in the block with alzeimers, sad. I do volontary work with the elderly and it is sad to see how some of them decline. Your Lymphoma as well, hope it stays as it is, as you say, you will have enough on with your husband, pity your family live so far away, I feel blessed sometimes having them close, they were talking about moving, but, changed their minds.

Sum, there are some lovely places to visit here in Holland, I love Rotterdam, the sky line is amazing! I can cycle there when the weather allows. I have a year pass to the Euromast and just go to the top and enjoy the views. No, I don't think it would be safe cycling in London, from what I read it is very busy.

Daisy, yes, E bikes are populair, friends of mine have just get them, they are away now with them near York, they have a camper and carry their bikes on the back to whereever they are going, I often think it is dangerous in the UK though, I was down south last year with my youngest son and daughter in law, We were in Bexhill on sea, I had my E bike with me, but, just used it to go into town shopping etc as the roads were so bad, so many potholes etc and traffic so close, the paths here spoil us! My son is a cyclist and he went out most days but he said the same, the roads were very bad. Must be nice where you live, very nice area!

[Lizzie48]

IMG_7282.jpg

[Lizzie48]

I am not sure how this works , hope you can view this!

[Nanto2girls]

I couldn't see it Lizzie.

[Oma]

Lizzie couldn't see it maybe try going into your profile and then Media it may upload to that , otherwise Gem or Daisy will point you in the right direction

[Daisy]

Lizzie - our roads are a disgrace, and even cycle paths where they exist are often not used because they aren't swept and often have debris on them. Yes, we are incredibly lucky to live where we do. My OH got sent here on a job move over 30 years ago and we've stayed! It gets very busy in the summer, but I don't mind that - we're lucky enough to be here for the whole year!

As Oma says upload your photo into your Media, which is accessed via your Profile. It will then appear as an Album. If you have any problems let me know.

[aggie]

Welcome from me , I visit most days but post occasionally , I have 8 grandchildren , three live in the same village , the others are in or near Edinburgh , I am in Co Armagh Northern Ireland ,

[Lizzie48]

I will try again with the photo, one more hot day here, or so they say! Aggie, you will be busy with the grandchildren, I don't suppose you will get to Edinburgh very often though from where you live. Thanks Daisy will give it a try! yes, the roads were very bad where we were, I was surprised really. We had a good holiday though, it was for my 70th so we all enjoyed it.

[Sunshine]

Hi Lizzie. Welcome to GRU.

I love Holland. So beautiful, and flat. Always spotlessly clean. I have visited Keukenhof gardens twice. An amazing place.

I have two grown up children, a boy and a girl. I did have three children, but my eldest son lost his life to the dreaded lymphoma when he was just seven years old. That was 29 years ago and medical science has improved so much since then.

My middle child, also a boy is married to a wonderful lady and they have a little boy who is eight. This son too, has serious health issues, but he was very fortunate to have a double lung transplant in April this year. He is doing amazingly well and getting stronger every day.

I also have a beautiful daughter who is married to a fantastic guy. They have two children, a boy and a girl aged 19 and 17 respectively.

My kids leave very near each other but about an hour and a quarter away from me. I get to see them all all be it quite irregularly.

My husband, like yours died too soon, from another cruel disease. Motor Neurone Disease. I too am on my own, but very happy that way.

I realise that I am very lucky to have such a wonderful family and a good life. I count my blessings daily.

I am very sorry to hear about your health issues. Try to stay strong. GRU is a great place to share your troubles and celebrations in an open and honest way. I hope you will be very happy here. xx

[Glammanana]

Hi there Lizzie and welcome to GRU its so nice to have new members.
I have been a member for a long time now and post as often as I can but read the forum everyday given the chance.
I have 3 x DCs a daughter of 48 a son of 43 and a son 37 both sons married and my daughter in a long term relationship but she lives on her own through choice.
My OH and I have 8 grandchildren aged between 1yr and 28yrs and 2 x GGCs aged 1yr and 3yrs so we are kept busy,I do not however do any childminding for the little ones I did that years ago when the big ones where at school.
I love my holidays and my daughter and I go to Majorca a couple of times a year for a girly week which we enjoy.
I am mum to Poppy the Lhasa Apso who is 7yrs old rescue and to Dolly the Basset who is 1yr at the end of this month both spoilt babies.
Once again welcome I hope you enjoy as much as I do with the company of these lovely ladies.x

[Qwerty]

Welcome Lizzie to GRU , I’m one of the northern lasses .living on the outskirts of Leeds , we have have a daughter and son both married but live quite locally.
My daughter has a a little girl she’s 9 on Sunday and my son has twins a boy and girl aged 5 , I don’t have many hobbies , I love cleaning yesI know but someone has to enjoy housework . I’m busy childminding all three at the moment , I have a love a
husband and that suffers with depression but we chug along as best we can , hope you enjoy our company 😀

[Gemini]

What lovely welcomes for Lizzie48, thank you everyone

We often say we are one of the friendliest forum ,and you have proved it!