The Last 2 Years Have Been Very Interesting…
It is 2 years ago today, we announced to our friends and family that we were going to do something completely different.
I had worked in Finance Management for over 30 years and my wife, Nat had been a Slimming World Consultant for 11 years. We both enjoyed our jobs but had the chance of a life less ordinary. A chance to do something completely different. It would definitely improve our quality of life and, as it turned out, save me from an early exit from this world. (No, I am not joking).
We had been on holiday a few weeks previously to a lodge at Tallington Lakes. One morning, we sat on the decking having breakfast, and I turned to Nat and said the immortal words, “Wouldn’t it be great to do this every day?”. Instead of replying, “Don’t be so daft!” which is what I was expecting, she said, “Why don’t we?”.
Two hours later, we sat with the Sales Director, bombarding him with questions to the point he said, “Stop, I need to show you something”. He drove us to the show lodge, opened the door and let us walk in. The view across the lake was amazing, and I looked at Nat, smiled and nodded. She nodded back and a week later, we paid our deposit for the lodge we now call home.
A few weeks later, we returned to Tallington Lakes and agreed to purchase 2 further lodges that we would rent as holiday homes.
We moved to our new home in April 2022, and then I had my problem. A big problem!
I had difficulty seeing my golf ball when I walked onto the green to putt. It simply disappeared. I went to Specsavers, who referred me to Peterborough Hospital for an MRI.
They advised me that I had a tumour the size of a tennis ball in my head. It is hard to comprehend when someone gives you that kind of news. Peterborough Hospital referred me to Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge, who told me I could have an operation to remove the tumour or I would probably not be alive in 12 months.
No brainer then!
I underwent a 14-hour operation with some of the best neurosurgeons in the country and was released from the hospital 5 days later. After 2 months of recuperation, I was back on the golf course with my eyesight restored.
7 months after the operation, the DVLA approved me to drive again. I had used up all my Brownie points with Nat as she generously offered to be my chauffeur to take me to golf every Saturday morning at stupid o’clock!
The rental lodges were delivered in February 2023. I had no idea how much stuff we would need to buy to fit them out. Our spare room was full of duvets, bedding, kitchen crockery & utensils, cushions, sun loungers, microwave ovens and so much more. We have secured many deals from Amazon, Next, Julian Charles and Currys.
I am happy to report that I have made a full recovery and even had the Specsavers team visit our lodge to produce a video of my story. You can see it on our company website RubysHolidays.com.
