And now, 5 years on I am back in very different circumstances.
I am back up in Devon helping my mum to care for my dad who is bed bound and has terminal cancer, but still has his wonderful spirit and humour.
I have been here 10 days, since dad came home after two weeks in hospital. In many ways it's not a bad life as I get on well with mum and dad and they live in a beautiful location and are comfortably well off. But I am not sure how sustainable it is going to be as I have a house and husband down in Cornwall and I am starting to miss them a little.
I thought I would start writing this again as a kind of therapy. If it becomes a drag I will stop but if it helps me I will continue.
View from the spare bedroom window 'my' bedroom
