All of you who have had strokes or care for someone who has know that you can't just rush off and do something on the spur of the moment. Well today I tried and almost made it work. It is summer here, a really gorgeous day today topped about 85 degrees so not too hot. And even late this afternoon perfect weather so I decided on a picnic tea down by the sea. We would buy some seafood and eat at some picnic tables in a little bay about 20 minutes drive away.

Ray got up from his afternoon nap about 5pm, so far so good. BUT he then had an "accident" so he was showered and changed, and already an hour had gone. Not to worry, still plenty of sunlight and still a glorious late afternoon. So into the car and off we go. Got to where I was to buy the seafood only to find the area fenced off, the place had had a fire and a big sign said:"Demolition site. Keep out." Bah humbug, but there is always plan B, right?

Off we went to the nearest shopping centre only to find that just about everything shuts at 6pm, it is now 6.30pm. But there are some shops open so I manage to get enough food together for a respectable picnic, no fish and seafood but some chicken, that will have to do. But as I am loading the car I discover - no picnic set! I must have left that at home! Not a disaster I tell myself. This may not be exactly as I had planned but we have food and fingers were made before forks as my Dad used to say. And we have still got part of that glorious afternoon left.

So back to a place where we can see the sea, where we can watch the changing sky. There are even picnic tables where we can sit and eat our chicken and rolls, our fruit etc. Ever cut up a lemon custard tart with a chicken bone? It is an interesting concept and it worked. Drinks straight out of the container, chicken rolls on paper napkins (serviettes we call them). And the sky went a pale pink and the seagulls clustered around the edge of the table and a dalmatian from the next family picnic over chased them away again.

Ray managed the chicken roll despite his sometimes swallowing difficulties. He enjoyed sights and sounds of children playing on the sand, the few hopeful fishermen fishing from the beach as the twilight deepened. He and I talked a little, but not enough to drown out the sound of the waves slapping on the sides of the tethered boats which bobbed up and down as the small waves rolled into the shore. It was worlds away from our dining table at home even if only fifteen minutes or so drive away. We live in a wonderful area and often forget that tourists pay thousands of dollars to come for a holiday to see something we could enjoy everyday in summer if we just make the effort.

Where there is a will there is a way. If you think of it as compromise it is. But when was life not a compromise, with or without a stroke to complicate the issue? If you think of it as using your ingenuity it is that too. We set out for a picnic, we had a picnic. What more could you ask for?