Yet another eventful GUCH weekend has just taken place, this time in Devon. People started to arrive from midday on Friday 23rd June at the Manor House Hotel in Okehampton.

This was to be the highlight of a very wet week for Steven and myself, as we had already spent a very wet few days in Cornwall. And could you believe that even in June you could be even colder inside a house than outside in the rain? Well you can when the house in question is five hundred years old and has walls about twelve inches thick!!

Within minutes of settling in to the hotel, we started to spot old friends and new faces. One of these faces was a lovely young lady named Amy, who had come to see what GUCH was really all about, along with a friend. You can read what she thinks of us all on page 9.

I can honestly say that I feel this has been one of the best GUCH weekends that I have been on, and I have been to many! As this was a sports and craft break, I feel that there were many things to do for everyone, from the fittest of us to those needing regular rest and tranquillity. When I had the energy, you could find me playing tenpin bowling, air hockey and even having a go at

Archery!! At a more restful time, I was found having my first attempt at pottery. And at my most quiet moment, I was found almost falling asleep while having a facial, well I had to have some pampering after all my energy had disappeared!!

Well done to John, Pippa and all the team for organising a great weekend. I am sure these photos will show you how much fun was had by all!!

Judith Parker

A GUCH Weekend Through 'New Eyes'

When I heard that there was going to be a GUCH away weekend I immediately knew I wanted to go. I have not met many other people in a similar position to me and most interaction had been online and through the GUCH message board.

Before going I was enormously curious about what kinds of people I was going to meet, most particularly what attitudes different people have to having a heart defect (and everything that goes with it). By the time the weekend was upon me, I was actually feeling highly nervous about meeting through an organisation like GUCH. Would it be a positive experience or would it make me dwell on my difficulties and be emotionally overwhelming?

My first impression of the group of people that I met in the hotel was that everyone was extremely friendly and open, putting me instantly at ease. A reaction I was not expecting to have was a complete sense of unreality upon finding myself in a room full of people with chest scars, some looking tired, others clearly sharing my problem of looking somewhat 'blue'. For the first time in my life I was surrounded by people who 'got it', had experiences similar to my own. Once I got over the shock (for want of a better word) I instantly wanted to talk to everyone and make friends with as many of the group as I could.

The weekend had activities that catered for people of all levels of physical ability. My friend that accompanied me on the weekend and I were eager to cram in as much as possible. There were sports, crafts, therapies (such as massages and facials) and many games to play.

I decided to forgo the sports that were offered in favour of something I could do sitting down and chatting, so that I could relax as well as getting to know people. Over the weekend, I took advantage of glass engraving, candle making, jewellery making and had an Indian head massage.

More important than the activities themselves, were the people I took part in them with, along with the people I met around the tables during meals. I was able to share stories, empathise with other people's experiences and get some good advice and support. It proved to be a very therapeutic experience. I was amazed at the diversity of how each individual is affected and at the range of things that went alongside people's heart conditions such as epilepsy and curvature of the spine.

For the most part, however, it was people's lives, rather than the mechanics of their heart conditions and the various operations that fascinated me the most. Finding out about how people have managed with working over the years, what hobbies and travel they are able to do, along with other issues (such as having children, living with the different medications etc.), seemed more important somehow.

Never before have I had an experience like it. At the end of the weekend, I was left with some great memories, and much to my delight, several email addresses and telephone numbers. However there was an inevitable sting in the tail. Normally I keep the details of what I have been through largely to myself, as I fear people won't understand or will grow bored. The effect of being able to talk so freely and hear other experiences left me feeling oddly sad. However, I now think it may have been a cathartic experience; for the first time in my life I was able to meet and discuss issues with people who really understood and got things off my chest in a way that had not been previously possible.

Apart from their heart problems the people I met all had one thing in common, and that was they are all incredibly strong people who, whatever their level of fitness or ability, do the best they can day to day and get all that they can out of life.

I want to thank everyone at GUCH for organising such a fantastic and worthwhile event and giving me the opportunity to meet all of those lovely people. I hope to attend events in the future and dearly hope to keep in contact with the friends I have made.

Amy Drakeford