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West Suffolk Dialysis Unit weekend break in Canterbury

The sun shone on Saturday 1st September, as 40 patients and relatives boarded the coach to take us to Canterbury. After a quick stop at Addenbrooke’s to collect a couple of the patients that had heard of our trip we were on our way. We arrived in Canterbury to discover that the hotel had no drop off or parking facility for the coach, so after some fantastic manoeuvring the driver, Barry, managed to drop us as close as he could (and managed to get himself a parking ticket in the process!). We were to spend the night at the Falstaff Hotel, a 15th Century, beamed coaching inn standing next to the Westgate Tower. After a buffet lunch and the rooms had eventually been distributed, everyone had the afternoon at leisure to either explore within the city wall & visit the Cathedral or have some retail therapy! For the less ambitious it was an opportunity to sit in the hotel lounge or court yard and soak up the atmosphere. It was during this time that we discovered that Canterbury was not the most disabled friendly of cities. There was no access into the city via motor transport, which caused some difficulties with the arrangements for the rest of our stay. However, with everybody helping out none of the difficulties were insurmountable.

After a 3 course meal in the Hotel restaurant in the evening, we set off for ‘A Gala Night at the Proms’ at the Marlowe Theatre, performed by The Kent Concert Orchestra. The second half saw us with our Union Jacks waving and singing along to ‘Land of Hope and Glory’, ‘Rule Britannia’ etc. For the majority it was stirring evening that left you feeling ‘proud to be British’. We made our way back to the hotel and adjourned to the bar for a ‘night cap’.

We awoke on Sunday to another bright and sunny day. After a full English breakfast it was time to leave our rooms and prepare for the rest of the day! We had originally been going to take a leisurely horse and carriage ride around Canterbury, but unfortunately there was only one horse and one carriage and the horse had gone lame! I had pre warned some of the patients that this was the case, but everyone thought that it was a joke – they soon found out that it wasn’t when I told them that they were all off on a boat trip on the river. With much trepidation they all agreed and set off in groups to the river. It was a lovely morning for a trip on the river and the rowing boats came complete with oarsman! Everyone had a thoroughly enjoyable time, although I was threatened with the ‘ducking stool’ on our return!

With feet back on terra firma, it was back to the hotel to board the coach to take us for a short drive to Herne Bay, where we were to have Sunday Lunch at The Ship Inn. We had time for a quick walk along the front or to sit watching the sea. After lunch it was time to re board the coach and head for home.

We all had a lovely weekend that had many amusing moments involving windowless rooms and four poster beds, but I wouldn’t be mean enough to mention names. 

I would like to thank Derek Varley for organising the coach, and Ron Fuller who was tremendous in helping with all the arrangements, but who was unable to attend at the last minute due to ill health. My thanks also to all the patients and relatives that came along and made the weekend such a success. None of this would have been possible without the tremendous support given to us by the A.K.P.A to finance the trip. Getting away from normal routine does everyone good, and I know that both patients and relatives benefited from the change.

Julia McCarthy
Senior Sister
West Suffolk Dialysis Unit