We have begun packing for our two week stay in London. Art supplies will not be used there, so they are being packed into deep storage so to speak. An inventory of my summer shows that I painted 40 pictures. That’s not as many as I had hoped to complete, but it’s a nice collection.
Today we showed our completed works to JP who was given his choice of works as our thanks for his and Elli’s wonderful friendship and sharing their apartment with us. Jp will be taking possession of a few works prior to our leaving and we will be sending one from home.
Unfortunately, as I was opening my art case this morning (bent over in a bad position) my back muscles spasmed. This has been happening since I took a bad fall in Yellowstone a few years ago. It hadn’t happened all the time we’ve been in Europe, so I had become blase. No more. I cannot sit, stand, walk, lie, or anything else at the moment without some pain. Medications and wine have eased it a bit. From experience I know that I need to relax so the muscles know they can relax. Om! Om! Om!
This comes on top of Jean’s trip to the emergency room in Arles for knee pain, prevgiously unmentioned. After sampling the French health care system (a smooth working machine) with doctor’s exam, x-rays,and prescriptions she was determined have arthritis in the knee. Our main concern was that she is safe to fly and they said yes. All of this for a mere pittance of cost. Therefore, we head to London as two somewhat handicapped senior citizens. The biggest problem is carrying the many bags we have through the airports. We hope the luggage carts are easily accessible.
Anyway, this should be my last post before London. We leave at 7:30 Tuesday morning.
Au revoir!
Paul
Travels With Picasso 
Oh dear, you poor thing. Back and knee pain, I bet you guys are having to make some adjustments. I do hope you do not encounter any problems with the travel back to London. Nothing worse than to reinjure something trying to heal. Take care of yourselves! Looking forward to your return!
Arthritic knee, something I have more than a nodding acquaintance with. I’ve learned to live with it; found it comforting to know that’s all it was. :o) Enjoy your final 2+ weeks in London. A Brazilian acquaintance there said it’s been warm of late, which he’s enjoying (as is everyone else).
It’s been a long haul, hasn’t it? And a most memorable one.
Ah, I know the knee pain thing! Also have arthritis, but having had half the meniscus removed after it was torn and painful, I think I am getting down to bone on bone. Hope you feel better soon, Jean. Love–