Wow! So Long

Yes, it's been three weeks today since I last blogged. I cannot believe its been that long to be honest. So much and nothing has been happening but I've mostly been quiet as I had my operation on my knee so I've had other priorities really.

I was only in the hospital for a day - from 630AM until 5PM when we could leave, but it was a struggle to walk afterwards despite them saying I could straight away! Luckily for the next few days, we stayed at a hotel in the city centre, so Eddie was also on his holidays at the kennels!

We returned to the boat after 3 days and since then I've just felt utterly miserable! I think it's the fact that I know the operation may not work, as I was told that my particular problem is something that is unlikely to be aided by having the surgery - basically, more often than not, the surgery fails.

When I asked the surgeon what that means and where we go in the future if it doesn't work he simply shrugged his shoulders and said there wasn't a lot we can do. Really reassuring!

So, here I am a few weeks later, still not knowing how successful the op was. I was completely cabin bound for a while but finally got out and about just a few days back - I was going stir crazy - seriously major cabin fever! Walking is still quite painful and I cannot bend my knee much.

I don't think this shite weather has helped either and that's even made me want to sell the god damn boat and move to Spain or the south of France. However, I think I'm coming out of my dark place now!

I think it was helped by this cocktail the other day actually which we made when we did see a hint of sunshine - the recipe is from one of my favourite cooking programs we saw a while back. It's really zingy!

Juice of a Few Flowers Cocktail:

This makes 4 drinks.

You can either double up or double down depending on how many drinks you want to make - they go down really easily though!

You can use pure grapefruit juice from a carton, but I really would suggest squeezing the oranges, lime and lemons from fruit rather than using ready made ones. Squeezy lemon is never good!

Ingredients:

* 240ml of vodka
* 120ml of ruby grapefruit juice
* 120ml of freshly squeezed orange juice
* 60ml of fresh lime juice
* 60ml of fresh lemon juice

For the glasses:
* juice from a lime
* a small plate with a thin layer of granulated or caster sugar.

Method:

1. Cut open a lime and carefully wet the rim of your glasses with it, then dip the rims into the sugar. Set aside, or in the fridge to set.



2. In a large pitcher or jug add you vodka and start squeezing your lemon, lime and orange.






3. Add your juices one by one. We put everything into a jug first and then transferred into an old fashioned bottle (makes it easier to chill in the fridge). Anything with a lid is good, just so you can give it a good shake. It's good to chill this for a good half hour too so it's really cold!





4. Take your glasses and pour over crushed ice or just regular ice cubes.



5. Make it special - decorate with a sprig of mint and don't forget the stirrer!




Who wouldn't be cheered up by that?!