Mum and Dad and Work In Progress……

Shobhana Devani 1937 – 2021 & Kishor Devani 1936 – 2021

Greetings everyone. I know that it has been nearly 2 years since my last posting and I did promise to write part 3 of my travels but as many of you will know, time just ran away and my time and attention was directed to my parents.

Late 2020 I went to stay with my parents in Dubai, Mum’s leg was in plaster with a hairline fracture to the knee and so I went to stay with them to keep them both company. What actually happened is that Dad wanted to come back to London to get Mum medical assistance and also to be closer to the family. I travelled back with them in October 2020 and stayed with them to get a carer sorted for Mum and make sure all was in order. I ended up taking Mum into Ealing Hospital as we were worried about her high bloody sugar level, which turned out to be a bit of a blessing as within 3 days we had a hospital bed, hoist, shower chair etc at home and the dining area was turned into Mum & Dad’s bedroom as Dad would not leave her side.

December 2020 I returned to Taunton and then there was an immediate lockdown but our gang were able to meet up and go for walks along the canal. My siblings and I spoke to Ealing on a daily basis to make sure everything was going ok.

September 22nd 2021, I got that awful phonecall to say that there was something wrong with Dad, I was in Cornwall with the boys and so we travelled to London. Wednesday 23rd September, Dad took his last breaths with Baba and I by his side. Everyone was in shock as he was fit, healthy and very active. He had a brain stroke in his sleep and thankfully did not suffer.

I then moved to Ealing to stay with Mum, to make sure the carers were doing the right thing and someone from the family was there at all times. Baba stayed over at times so that I could come back to Taunton and have some down time, friends and family were in touch constantly with offers of support.

Christmas Day 2021, Mum had her breakfast of porridge, fruit and tea and then she too took her last breath. To be honest, Mum had suffered for so many years and was so frail that it was a blessed relief for her, plus I think she gave up as she knew Dad had gone. They would have been married for 60 years on 21 December 2021.

So, after spending a good few years making sure my parents were looked after, what do I do now?? I did not need to be near London anymore so…. I am moving to Cornwall!!

For those who have known me for a while know that my aim has always been to live by the sea, I don’t know what it is about the coast, but it brings me calm. I have bought a 3 bed house in Newlyn, near Penzance, which is the largest fishing harbour in England. It is also the place where the Cornwall art movement started so there is a real happy, Bohemian feel about it.

The picture is the view from the house and I am really pleased to be moving there. The house isn’t very old but needs a bit of TLC and there is great potential to make the most of the space and view.

Which leads me to the reason for this post….

I am going to document the renovation process and I would really like views and thoughts on the plans, what to put where and interior design! I am open to suggestions but what I do know is that I want a glitter ball in the kitchen :-).

Watch this space as I will be recording progress and lots of befores and afters.

Thank you for bearing with me.