He's had a great time at Kielder for the last week. We brought him home today and he's shattered. He's 77 with advanced Parkinson's, mostly in a wheelchair because his leg muscles are most affected.
He's been out on the reservoir twice, on a motor boat and a sail boat. Twice up the indoor wall and twice on the zip-wire, in harness, clay pigeon shooting, archery, which he loved, visited the birds of prey centre.
They went to Otterburn Mill, a shopping outlet not a working mill, he just bought a cup of coffee not really interested and went into Kielder forest on a large golf buggy. The food was plain but good and plentiful he says and the carers were really good.
I thought he would opt for the half day activity holiday but he wanted the full day one and it's been well worth the money you have to pay for 24 hour care. He's hoping to go back next year. The others
there last week had MS some worse than others but they all got on well. Apparently the Calvert Trust have three centres around the country but the Northumberland one is the only one doing this. He
knew any time he wanted to come home he just had to phone and we would go for him but I knew that wasn't likely. It's great to know he has something to look forward to.