Tanya ongoing.

600 euros, I thought. I'm as well forking that out here as in the UK where it would be the same, but in sterling and probably a lot more too.

We were on our 2nd visit to the vet who was confirming my suspicion that the hip joint had dislocated again. This can very easily happen and when it does the only way to properly deal with it is for Tanya to have an operation to insert a synthetic ligament held in place by 2 pins. This ensures the joint will then remain 'located' giving the natural ligaments and muscles time to heal and strengthen.

The vet also apologised for not giving me an explanation about the blood around her mouth at the time of the accident. She showed me an area of empty gum where her frantic yapping and biting had dislodged some teeth. I felt bad enough about my nearly killing her anyway. This information just made me feel worse.

So. Back to our wild camp spot by 'Lac Lesccouroux' which now looks like it is going to be 'homebase' until the vet is satisfied we can move on. Frustrating but nothing I can do about it.

Tanya's op is at 9.30am tomorrow morning at the vets surgery in Eymet (prnce - Amy.) Which is 5minutes down the road.  There could be worse places to stay for a while than a warm, sunny and sleepy but full of character little Dordogne town. It is very 'UK' too with 12% of the local residents being British which during the summer months rises to 40%.

This was certainly apparent as I Lunched in the same cafe as yesterday but this time without trauma or the ladies from Plum Village. The cafe is owned and run by an English couple and was full with a mix of local British speaking people plus UK holiday makers. It also had free wi fi and I now finally have a working Co Pilot sat nav system back on my phone.

-  -  -  

Thurs June 6th. - Tanya is now a metal dog! Well she has two steel pins in her with a bit of stainless steel wire between them securing her thigh bone firmly but flexibly to her hip.

Steve is now broke!  Well not exactly but June's budget has been blown out the window. I don't mind and It is not a major worry. As I look at Tanya now, fast asleep on the passenger seat, I cannot help but feel 'shite' as it was all my fault.

I think my body also has gone into 'lets just stop shall we while I replace that adrenalin'. I'm exhausted. Could also be something to do with me doing about 25 k on the bike today in 28 degree heat. I had to do something as I could not just sit around and worry about Tanya all day. Good ride though which affirmed again what a lovely area this is. I can see why it is such a popular area for Brits to move to. Came across a lovely little grotto at St Sulpice, only 5 mins from where we are, with old wash stones still in place. I backed Sadie down there later, topped her up with fresh spring water and did a wee bit of light washing myself.

We have another appointment with the vet for Saturday morning. She will check things out and if all Ok will give me paperwork so I can move on. The paperwork is to explain to the next vet exactly what has been done and what needs to be done. Ie: removal of stitches in 10 days.

Overall, and fingers crossed, my experience of French vets has been positive and fairly priced. I certainly do not feel I am being ripped off and I do like the way everything is on site and open. Madame Crochelet has made a point all the way through this saga of explaining everything to me and backing it up with Tanya's actual X ray and scan pictures.

Ah well. I'm for ma bed. Ah'm shattered. Let's see what tomorrow brings.