Sad News And Good News.

My wheelchair was collected this morning just before 09.00 when a friendly Welzorg employee came by.

Finally the arm rests are being done so that when I go outside I will have good support, shame this was not done much sooner.

My case manager said it was a pity that there had been a logistical problem and my arm rests had not been adapted when they should have been done.

It was good she mentioned this guess it is as close to an apology as I will get from burocrats, so will be happy with that.

Just a shame that she and the two others involved with the adaptations all went on holiday at the beginning of June.

Real shame as the lack of arm support restricted how far I could go from our apartment; it meant that I got no further than our street.

Would have liked to have gone further and I will do so before too much longer, in fact this could happen tomorrow when the wheelchair comes back, hope it is warm and dry like today.

I am confident that I will be sitting as Richie says the skin abrasion has healed now, we are waiting for Ton Peeks to visit and confirm this, he will be here any minute now.

For once not nervous on the contrary very much looking forward to hearing Ton says that the skin is looking good.

Glad that Ton’s prediction last week was correct, am as happy as I would have hated to have to be full time in bed for too much longer, two weeks has been long enough.

Two friends came by for a visit yesterday which was extremely pleasant; it was good to see Anne and Cecile.

Cecile told me some sad news that a friend Leo had died from bone cancer, Richie and I were shocked to hear that beautiful Leo was dead.

Leo and James run our favourite coffee shop the Basjoe on the Kloveniersburgwal 62, on the ground floor overlooking a canal in the oldest part of town, the Nieuwmarkt.

It is a nice relaxing mellow place run by two friendly men, very sad to think that Leo is no longer greeting visitors with his gorgeous smile.

Was always a pleasure to be there and watch them being very kind and helpful to tourists, often spotting quickly when someone needed a sugar boost by advising they drink a cola or a sweet coffee.

The Basjoe has a large group of faithful international visitors who return every time they visit Amsterdam, they have a Face Book page where we left sympathetic messages about Leo.

Leo and James have been helpful to many over the 21 years since the Basjoe opened in 1989.

Both Richie and I were taken there by a mutual friend who lived in the neighbourhood and was quick to spot the new coffee shop
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We have visited regularly since then and until 2006, in 2007 only a couple of times, since I have been in bed I have phoned them often.

Phoned yesterday and spoke to James who sounded very down which is not surprising as him and his brother Leo have worked together since 1989.
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Remember them clearly in the early days, Leo always welcoming people, always the perfect mine host and James shyly and gently smiling in the background.

Will miss Leo, even though I could not get there anymore I thought of them often, was happy thinking of them making hundreds of visitors lives happier for a visit to the Basjoe.

Ton came by and happily confirmed that the skin was healed and I can sit again tomorrow when my wheelchair is brought back.

That is good news indeed.