Extreme Knitting Redhead: That was the week that was…part 1

Friday, June 20, 2014

That was the week that was…part 1

Another photo-heavy post I'm afraid!

Wednesday marked the start of a 2 day adventure in the City of London, a place I used to know well but had almost forgotten so many years have passed.

I took this photo as the train pulled into London Bridge station. That evening I would be heading off to what is affectionately referred to as the Gherkin (the torpedo shaped building to the right of the photo) to hear a very important announcement.

As it was an early start the next morning, for part 2 of the event, I had to stay overnight and I was staying in a hotel on Southwark Bridge Road, just over the river from the City and only a short walk from the station.

The obligatory selfie

As soon as I'd dumped my bags and phoned Mike to let him know I'd arrived safely I was off out to explore the area.

I used to know this part of London very well but hadn't been back for over 21 years so I went straight away to see this old pub where I'd spent many happy hours with colleagues after work!

It's situated by the railway line adjacent to Borough market and so I had a leisurely wander through there, admiring all the stalls.

Then it was a quick trip to get some cash for taxis etc and back to the hotel to get ready. On my way back I noticed this massive panel with pink lights. There was another one the other side of the arch and I suspect it was a nightclub but couldn't see a sign anywhere.

What was the event I was attending? This -

Exciting hey?!

I was meeting up with 2 fellow Champions of Alzheimer's Research UK, Carol and Patrick Franklin-Adams, and their friend David who was acting as Patrick's helper. Patrick has had early-onset Alzheimer's for the past 10 years or more and they have raised a massive amount of money for ARUK.

We met in the hotel lobby before heading out into the sunshine for a walk across the Thames. I loved this view of the skyline with all the cranes - note the open-top tour bus on the right.

We hopped into a taxi and were soon outside the Gherkin. It looks enormous close-up!

Close-up of the structure which seems massive when you're right next to it

After the security check-in we were ushered towards the lobby and told to take the lift to the 34th floor and then change to go right to the top. I can't find any information about this striking sculpture.

We were there nice and early so I was able to have a leisurely chat with some familiar friends and take some photos of the extraordinary views.

Tim Parry, Head of Communications at ARUK

A happy me with a glass of wine!

From left to right: David, Hilary Evans (Director of external affairs, ARUK), Carol and Patrick

One of my favourite Trustees, Prof Peter Lantos

I took photos all the way round as it was just a stunning view but I've restricted myself to my 3 favourites here:

An arty shot showing the Shard and the Walkie-talkie buildings

The pointy building far away on the left is Canary Wharf. I love seeing the River Thames curling round as you don't get that feeling when you're at ground level

Beautiful Tower Bridge (we run over that during the London marathon and it marks the halfway point) with the Tower of London in the centre of the photo. The big modern building on the left is the hotel where the elite athletes stay ahead of the London marathon and is where I've been for the Press Conference/photo shoot.

There were speeches from ARUK's Chairman, David Mayhew CBE & Dr Dennis Gillings, World Dementia Envoy. In brief, the announcement was about a campaign to raise £100m to fund a new phase of research. Now that's wonderful news and a brilliant effort from all the team at ARUK!

Then we heard from Jeremy Hunt, Secretary of State for Health. He made a bit of a faux pas which I can't repeat verbatim but basically said that we are copying the model for dementia used by the Japanese which makes a change because they usually wait for us to design something and then copy it!

Looking up-beat before…..

There was an audible gasp and some nervous giggling as people realised what he'd said. The Japanese delegates did not look impressed and I felt really sorry for them as it was quite embarrassing.

Oops, better back-track a bit!

Apparently he apologised to them afterwards so hopefully that smoothed things over a bit. People were still talking about it the next day though.

Then it was time for a bit more socialising with some Trustees I didn't know already and people I've met elsewhere. I had a lovely chat to a lady from Wales whose interest is in the care side of things so we had a long chat about my mum and how I felt that caring for her at home had extended the period in which she remained able to function at a near-normal level.

I was careful not to drink too much wine and left nice and early to head back to the hotel for an early night in readiness for the next day. I was very excited about what was going to happen the next day!

Part 2 will follow asap.

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Mum's Story

In 1997 my mother, then aged 81, had a series of minor strokes. Shortly after that we started to notice behavioural changes notably memory loss and confusion over everyday items. We thought it was just old age finally catching up with her. Then she started wandering and had violent mood swings. Although she already lived with us it became obvious that she couldn't be left alone for long and so I left my job to care for her. The next few years saw a gradual decline into the blackness that is 'vascular dementia'. My normally placid mum became violent and aggressive. She had psychotic incidents where she would see imaginary people (children hiding in her wardrobe, Russians sitting on the stairs, women stealing her clothes) and she would shout at them and sometimes throw things too. She was so convincing that we used to go and check that there wasn't anyone there! When my sister died mum did not know who Judy was or that she was her daughter. There came a point when I suddenly realised she no longer knew that I was her daughter and this was a terrible time for me. In the last 2 years that she lived with us, life for us all became almost unbearable as she needed 24 hour care - she couldn't be left alone at all because she would either wander off or hurt herself, she never slept for more than 30 minutes at a time during the night, she became incontinent and incapable of doing anything for herself. Finally my husband and I realised that we could no longer provide her with the care that she needed and she went to live in a special care home where the team did a splendid job caring for her in the last few months of her life. There she lived a zombified existence unaware of who she was, what she was or where she was. It was heartbreaking. She died in March 2005, the day after her 89th birthday.

Thank you for taking the time to read mum's story and I hope you'll dig deep and sponsor me using the link below to help find a way of beating this destructive disease.