Saturday

Bonjour Everyone

Great to see Ewan again yesterday especially as he was loaded with 4 bottles of wine and a corkscrew and have a good chat. Thanks for the Paal and Gigondas Ewan and thanks for the Barolo Dicky M. We had a glass (well 2 little ones) before lunch of the red Paal-magic-defo our favourite.

My good friend Rachel came this morning-Happy Birthday Rach-and Simon spent the day with me so I'm really happy.

Thanks everyone who's sent flowers or yummy parcels we will try and write soon.

Lots of Love

Ali x

Thursday Evening

Bonjour Everyone

It was a great sunny morning so we were out before breakfast inspecting our mighty oak after the storms and later Liz (the Chaplain) blessed the tree for us:

I think I shall never see a poem lovely as a tree,
A tree whose thirsty mouth is pressed against the earth's sweet flowering breast;
A tree that looks at God all day, and lifts her leafy arms to pray;
A tree that may in summer wear a nest of robins in her hair;
Upon whose bosom snow has lain; who intimately lives with rain.
Poems are made by fools like me, but only God can make a tree.

Sow sparingly, and you will reap sparingly;
Sow bountifully and you will reap bountifully.
Go and sow love and peace and you will reap love and peace in abundance.

Thanks for that Liz.

Yesterday good to see John T who came from Vallandry, Tom from Liverpool and Sean from Scotland but sorry I fell asleep before Si came. See you again on Saturday Si.

Having reflexology soon so Good night sleep tight and don't let the bed bugs bite!

Lots of love

Ali x

Wednesday morning

Bonjour Everyone

I'm still in bed I'm not bored neither is Mum and we're happy writing the blog. Dad's just arrived for breakfast and he's really happy to talk about planes and cars.

Julia came yesterday I was disappointed that she didn't bring any chocolate but the twiglets and juice were ok!! What about the sport gums?

Jeanette's looking as lovely as ever and has had her hair cut and kindly helps me with my food.

Sue and Joanna the physios are helping me today and Si's coming tonight.

Thanks for the offer Ewan-I really love South African Paal-don't forget the corkscrew!

Lots of Love

Ali x

Tuesday Morning

Bonjour Everyone

Well done Lewis!

I'm really happy because I saw my good friends Martin and Deirdre yesterday. We had a glass of wine and chocolate cake (thanks Nutty Tart) together and tremendous laughs. Thanks for coming such a long way. Love ya.

Lots of love

Ali x

Sunday Morning

Bonjour Everyone

This to say a big thank-you to all those of you who have written to me over the last few months. I've read every single note which has really helped me - so thank-you.

Lots of Love

Ali xx

I'm by no means going anywhere just yet besides I have a new watch which I've just worked out how to use, Sally!

Friday Evening

Bonjour Everyone


Felt better and had a wicked day yesterday. It was Jet's birthday and we had lunch together with wine too. In the morning I planted a lovely little oak tree in the gardens which I hope will grow well for others to enjoy. Great to see Tom again in the evening and have a good chat about New Gen.


Today not so good-can't see so well and feel very tired but nice to see Jeanette's parents. Thanks for coming Trish and Peter.

Love


Ali x

This week has been a rollercoaster ride and we've all been very worried about Ali. He was very poorly for three days but is better now and back to himself.


We've had 2 early morning shower sessions with Ali in charge and the bathroom awash! Elsie, Jackie and Kathy were soaked but he was so funny and we all had a good laugh to start the day!

The staff are wonderful and Ali feels very safe and happy here which is a blessing and we all feel priviledged to be cared for in such a special place.

Love

Diana xx

Tuesday Evening

Dear Friends

Ali has had a difficult day and due to heavy sedation is increasingly tired and sleeping more and more.

Time is precious and potentially short so therefore we have decided that it is in both his and our best interests to limit visiting to family only.

I know many of you wanted to see him but I hope you will understand and respect our decision so that we can spend this special time together with him whilst we can.

With Love

Diana xx

Tuesday Morning

Bonjour Everyone

Had a bad headache yesterday so spent the day sleeping after strong drugs and missed out on breakfast, lunch and supper! Doh!! Making up for it today and am on second breakfast already.

Thanks Sam and Vicky for the wicked portable chocolate supplies-looking forward to a choc feast between meals.

A big thank you to Ingrid and Grant for making super meals and looking out for my Dad and to everyone who's been so kind and sent cards and pressies.

Love

Ali x

Sunday Morning

Bonjour Everyone

Yesterday I had a great day with Si, Jo, Dad, Mum and Jeanette-very special. Thanks for helping me in the banana bath Si and Jo-glad you managed to stay dry!

I had a lovely surprise visit from Dr Elena Wilson-sorry I was so sleepy but thanks for coming and the wicked chocs. Please send my love to everyone at the Royal Free and especially my good friend Alison.

It's a beautiful sunny morning and I'm looking forward to a big fry up with Dad after my bath and then a push in Chorlton later with Jeanette.

Love

Ali x

Saturday Morning

Bonjour Everyone

I'm still in bed and been fed warm weetabix and Mum's chocolate goo for breakfast and watching Sky Sports. I feel really tired but that will go I guess.

Thanks for coming yesterday Wozza great to see you and go over old times.

Thanks for the tee-shirt Jane-Anne the Zen Dog quote is wicked:

He knows not where he's going
For the ocean will decide
It's not the DESTINATION......
...It's the glory of THE RIDE.

Keep em coming

Love

Ali x


Ali is very tired now but happy to be here. He's so well cared for and as always has made his mark. Everyone loves looking after him because he never fails to take an interest in them, is always ready with a joke and a polite word and has never complained. I'm so proud to be his mum.

He knows the score and that he doesn't have that much time but is talking about it and is accepting of the situation which is comforting for us.

Please keep him in your prayers.

Much Love

Diana xx

Thursday Morning

Bonjour Everyone

Mum said to me this morning 'While there's life there's hope' which really stuck with me. I suppose while there's warm weetabix, honey nut cornflakes, Maynards Sours and chocolate After Eights I'm alright. So no-one worry we're being looked after.

On Tuesday Jet took me for a spin in the Golf and we went to see the Bouscale family at Lower Farm which was really cool. Thanks Jet for the lift and sorry for my music taste (Music of the Incas) which I know you don't like!

Simon sorry I was asleep when you came but it was wicked to see you (and pizza) and have a good chat and thanks Lucy for the massage

Dad glad we had breakfast together (fry up) yesterday and it was great to see you Rachel thanks for coming hope to see you before your 40th (oops).

Thanks everyone for your support and I'm sorry if I've missed anyone but I think about you all.

Love

Ali x

ps Awrabest-who are you-please let me know.

By the way the picture of me in the bath (nice one Ann and Julia) is exclusive to the Blog and is not to be passed on without a health warning!! (Joke)

Tuesday Morning

Bonjour Everyone

Great news my hair is growing so I'll have a mullet in no time!!

Sorry I missed you Phil as I was asleep but look forward to seeing you this afternoon.

Great to see you yesterday Dinga as always (all the girls fancy you) Ow Ow Ow!! Thankyou for the super music but sorry I nicked your memory stick!

Thanks for coming Chris and David and bringing the memories of happy days with Powder Hound. Loving the grapes, chocolates and the roses. Keep blogging as I love to hear from all the Conways.

Love

Ali

Sunday Morning

Bonjour Everyone

I've got some lovely yellow roses from Mum at the bottom of my bed and I feel very safe here because everyone looks after me so well. My steroids are going down again so I'm eating less and feel happier because of it.

I had a great day yesterday because Jane-Anne (J-A) came to visit and I haven't seen her for 18 years since we were neighbours in Kimpton and she made me a lovely big Guiness cake -yummy! Thanks for coming J-A great to see you again.

Sally Chapman dropped by too and took me for a push in Chorlton round the beautiful gardens-please come again Sally good to see you. Bernie and Karin came as well on their way back to London. Today I'm looking forward to watching the Grand Prix with Dad and seeing my old friend Franny later.

Thank you Bob Wilson, Russ, Fatnick and everyone here for helping me to have some happy dreams of an awesome day out.

Thanks everyone for your comments we read them all so please keep them coming.

Love

Ali x

Friday Morning

Bonjour Everyone

What a day! Fatnick and I had a trip to the Arsenal training session and we met every single player including Arsene Wenger- thanks Russ for arranging it.

I started the day with a big breakfast (Chris came in specially early) and we went in the Hospice Minibus with Brian and Alison and parked in Mr Wenger's space-he didn't seem to mind! We met the players, had our photos taken, watched them train -then a healthy lunch before coming home. The whole day was excellent and we can't thank Arsenal and everyone enough for a super day.

The Chaplain (Liz) bought round some cans of IPA which I had with Matt and Tom whilst talking New Gen how exciting. Jeanette came in the evening (and looked gorgeous) and Jo came with Si, Charlie and Archie and also looked gorgeous.

Love

Ali

Tuesday evening

Bonjour Everyone


I'm being looked after very well by everyone and I'm so happy because had a safe bath in a jacussi shaped like a banana this morning!



It was lovely to see Marzipan and Jo yesterday and Julia who brought me another Easter Egg which we had in the night! Nick came today and Si and Jo are coming tonight for a few days.

I'm so hungry because they've doubled my steroids but the food is great and the chef made me a splendid apple pie for my supper!!!! Thanks Chris you're a star!

Love

Ali

Monday Evening

Bonjour Everyone

On Sunday I had a bad headache and was rather wobbly so I came to the Hospice of St Francis in Berkhampstead.

It's a beautiful place and I have a lovely family room overlooking the gardens and Mum is staying with me. The Doctors are going to assess me and sort out my giddyness and I'll be here a few days before going home again.

Everyone is so nice and helpful and they food is great!!

Love

Ali

Friday afternoon

Bonjour Everyone

Well we are home now. Dad did a super job and we did the journey in 12 hours (700 miles). Mum kept us provided with food although I slept 90% of the time.Mum and dad had quite a lot of difficulty waking me up.

Looking forward to a quiet weekend at home. Still very giddy but hope to be on my turbo-trainer soon.

Thank you Bob Wilson for your blog and the support from the Gunners.

Lots of love

Ali

Thursday morning

Bonjour everyone,

I'm very sad to be leaving Annecy but it's only temporary. We'll be back in a few weeks.

Simon is here and yesterday we had a super push near the lake and we all went to La Bilboquet for the best lunch ever! The pudding was devine with hot chocolate sauce and ice-cream.....ooooooooh it was nice!!

Dad is going to drive us home today and I shall sleep in the back. Mum is the navigator.

Paul Chambers has kindly organised a trip in a helicopter and a A9 Audi! Oh it's a bad boy! I can't wait to see it and take some photos.

I'm so looking forward to going to the Arsenal and meeting the squad next week with Fat Nick. Good times to be had!

Love

Ali