World Tour

July 31 Sunday Chalfont St. Giles I don't feel good. I woke up with a bad sore throat and now I'm congested. I took some Tamiflu that was prescribed to us from the travel clinic back home in case we were to catch the Bird Flu. I don't think this is the Bird Flu but it sure doesn't feel good. Jon and I were suppose to leave today to make our way to Wales but that's been postponed and I'm feeling so guilty. Pam and Catherine have been the most gracious and generous of hosts and now, not only are we not leaving but I am potentially exposing my germs to them. Who knows where I caught this bug. I've been on the Tube nearly every day in the last week and if ever there was a place to spread germs to a large number of people the Tube would be the place to do it. I stayed in bed a bit longer than Jon and when I went down Pam offered to make a herbal remedy to help soothe my throat. I had already taken the Tamiflu and was hoping it would work. I think I may have also been a bit feverish last night too. I had some Wheatabix with warm water which turned into a bit of porridge. In the UK they have Wheatabix that comes in little bite sized bits with currants and a little sugar coating - very tastey and not too sweet. Then we talked about health care systems in the US and the UK while my herbal remedy steeped. I gargled and my throat did feel better. Catherine offered to take us to Oxford since we were staying another day. I thanked her but declined, wanting to lay low and not spread anymore germs to anyone. I went upstairs and worked on journalling. Jon worked on the computer downloading pictures onto disk to send home. I've sequestered myself upstairs in our room for most of the day waiting for the time to take my second dose of Tamiflu. We all sat down for lunch and conversation. We learned that Pam's garden would be used for a photoshoot next weekend and she and Catherine began discussing the prospect of tidying up the garden. Jon was quick to offer his help, half expecting to be turned down but they took him up on his offer which was wonderful - we could feel like we would be able to show our appreciation to a small degree for their generosity. Before long Jon had the weedwacker going and Catherine was on the tractor. I took a nap and my second dose of Tamiflu. I suspect the rest of the evening will be pretty unexciting but I've told Jon that I'm determined that we leave tomorrow. "We'll see." - J