I wonder how we would have celebrated if you’re still with us. We would probably be on the road, at one of the many places on our bucket list before Covid stopped us in our tracks.
Darcy was just too big to fly in-cabin except for the few times when the weight restrictions were more lenient. She flew once in the hold to NYC but I just couldn’t do it again to her, so we took the Queen Mary 2 back. Otherwise, we travelled mostly on trains across the continent and took ferries whenever. Sometimes, it took a lot more logistical preparation but I took on the challenges and made them work. When George joined us, it was that much more difficult with two. So sometimes I would take just her on more difficult journeys. In the end we have 26 fridge magnets to commemorate our travels together.
One of the most memorable trips with Darcy was a very long journey to Serbia by train in October 2019 – it was one of our last adventures together! And what a trip it was! As soon as I knew that the end destination, a hotel in Belgrade, was dog-friendly, I plotted our journey – by train all the way from London to Belgrade, and stopping in several countries along the way. I love a good challenge.
After the train journey from Paris to Munich, we boarded an overnight train for Zagreb. We shared a cabin and we slept together, sharing some wurst for supper.
The next morning, we had woken up early as the train quietly made its way through Loka pri Zidanem Mostu, a village on the left bank of the Sava River in central Slovenia.
As Darcy sat looking out the window at the view, I remained quietly behind and captured the moment. It was as if she was taking in everything – the view, the moment, the memories.
She was simply remarkable to travel with. She read me well and was never ever a problem. She gave me the courage to push the boundaries because I knew I could trust her.
So as my friend, Yaena once reminded me – the most important day of Darcy’s life wasn’t the day she left me. As sad as it would always be, the day a piece of my heart was ripped out of me, her birthday is the day I should celebrate and be grateful for. The day she entered this world and made a difference in my life.
If she was still here on earth, we would probably be somewhere in one of the places on our bucket list. There were still so many more places I wanted to travel with her. And when I think about that, it makes me sad. Literally, “Grief is love with no place to go” (Jamie Anderson)
The journey to Serbia was the second last journey we travelled together. It was a memorable trip.
Here are the related blogs about our trip to Serbia in October 2019:
Six Countries in 24 hours (14 Oct, 2019)
Sunce u Zagrebu (15 Oct, 2019
Let’s Keep Going (18 Oct, 2019)
Meeting the Giant (19 Oct, 2019)
Belgrade in a Day (19 Oct, 2019)
Zdravo Bosnia – Over Yonder (20 Oct, 2019)
Something about Slovenia (21 Oct, 2019)
When it Matters (23 Oct, 2019)
Monday Memories (4 Nov, 2019)
Doing her head in (12 Oct, 2019)
Happy heavenly birthday Darcy and Milo! We miss you both – and we still wonder where Billy might be.
One Response
I can’t imagine the travel calculations it took to travel with Darcy to 26 countries, but you both look so happy in all the photos!
She truly was the most amazing companion. Your friend was wise to encourage you to remember her birthday as a day of celebration.