So, my parents have now gone back to Sweden. It has been very nice to have them here, but my poor, poor mum has been really ill! She was diagnosed with shingles ('the adult version of chickenpox') in her right eye (!) the day they left the country, but looked quite alright when they turned up late Thursday night. The morning after, however, was a completely different story. The eye had swollen up, and was all of a sudden fighting with her nose for being the center of attention. She could not open the eye at all! Tim was at work (which was probably good, because I would have freaked him out completely!), and there was just no way mum could leave the house. So dad and I had to be touristy on our own, which was fine but unexpected - and of course we also felt incredibly bad for mum, who hardly could get out of bed. Well, dad and I went to the London Movieum by the Royal Festival Hall (which was really, really poor. Don't ever go there!), then lunch at Wagamama (dad and I normally take the opportunity to eat pasta or noodles when mum's not around, since she doesn't eat it) and a walk up the Thames. Tube back from Borough. Dad and I cooked dinner, and forced mum to eat a little.
Saturday morning, and mum was just as bad. Today also with a small swelling under the other eye, as well as lovely red scabs and rashes all over her forehead. She could open her right eye with some serious force, but that was about it. So Tim, dad and I had to go out on our own again. This time the Museum of London in Barbican (very good! Highly recommended!). It was the ideal museum since we are all interested in history. Walked around the exhibitions for a few hours, and then strolled down to St Paul's where we had a very late lunch in a pub, before going back home to entertain mum. I was supposed to have been singing with the choir in its annual spring concert, but decided I rather stayed with mum. Didn't want her to be alone all day. Ordered in food from our local Indians, the wonderful HotStuff.
Sunday and dad's birthday. Tim and I had bought loads of party accessories (see previous post) and an enormous Belgian chocolate cake, and did a Swedish birthday with singing and all. Mum could now open her right eye a bit - and as she didn't want to ruin dad's day/felt slightly stronger/was incredibly bored of our flat, she decided to come with us. We went for the easy option - a cruise on the Thames, from Westminster to Greenwich. It was an amazing trip. I had never done any of the tours before, but thoroughly enjoyed it! The old commentator was also very entertaining (very British humor). Strolled around in Greenwich for a bit (not too easy, since mum had to be supported by one of us at all times - but she had at least brought an enormous pair of sun glasses from the 70's, which covered most of her face) and had a bite to eat. Tim cooked the most amazing birthday dinner: roast pork, English roast potatoes and parsnip, and Yorkshire puddings, asparagus and all the good stuff. I think dad was happy with his birthday, after all.
Today mum had absolutely no energy left, poor thing. Tim, dad and I opted for going to St James's park to feed the squirrels. Ended up in a huge traffic jam - Tamil protesters had occupied Westminster bridge, and no traffic was allowed to pass. So our quick little bus ride turned in to quite an adventure, but was still nice enough since we got to walk along the river from Lambeth bridge up to Westminster. (Still not convinced this will give the Tamils any support though! Most people were very annoyed, and if I had been driving I would have too!) Walked through the park for an hour, and then decided it was wise to take the tube back home.
I have now put my parents on the tube. Mum, who has looked like an advertising board for an anti-violence campaign (we have made so many Mike Tyson jokes - and a few references to Quasimodo and Stevie Wonder as well this weekend), could open her right eye 2/3 now, but was probably pretty happy to get home. I don't blame her! But she has put up a good face all weekend, and I am really proud of her for that. I hope the can come back soon for a better experience...
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