Holiday of a Lifetime - Andy Harries - The Holiday

[Bryn]

Andy and Rachel's journey to Tobago has had a profound effect on me. I am moved beyond belief. My husband and I are arriving in Tobago in a few weeks. We're planning to re-locate there and this will be our first "investigating" trip. I have to say I could not be more proud to call this island my home one day soon. Bless everyone who has had a hand in the fruition of "A Trip of A Lifetime". Steve, you deserve a BIG pat on the back! You are an inspiration as well!

I hope Andy and Rachel are having an amazing time! ENJOY!!



Bryn

[Juliette J]

Hi again! I can't believe that Rach and Andy will be on their way home today! I've had a great time Josh sitting each weekend but will be so glad when mum and i can hand over full responsibilty back to his parents! They had a good time at the weekend (or Monday?) went to Gemma's for lunch and then to Castara! They had dinner at Cafe Coco to say thank you to Yes Tourism! Rach has done some diving (with Cocomotion, i think?) and has thoroughly enjoyed that! They've had a superb time, i can't wait to see the photos and hear the stories!
Thanks everyone for your love and care!
JJ

[AndyHarries]

Hi all

I can't believe it has gone so quickly... we leave on the 6pm flight this evening and we are both really emotional about it. The only good thing is getting back to our busy toddler, Josh.

We have managed to do all but two of things we had planned/people had planned for us. Unfortunately, Andy has been in a great deal of pain and associated discomfort most nights, and for the past two days. We have been unable to revisit the Seahorse Inn, and we couldn't go for our sunset trip to Castara (although we have seen Woody!). Mind you, the sun hasn't really been in Tobago for the past fortnight!

Again, our huge thanks to everyone involved with this incredible trip. We have truly had the holiday of a lifetime. We will never forget this.

Yesterday we had a visit from the Rev Brent Hart who married us in August 2000. He said a big, welcome prayer with us, and I know he has real faith that Andy can still beat this cancer. It's very reassuring. A womderful man.

We have been blessed with the company of Kirsten Giles's parents - Joy and Colin - who arrived the day before yesterday. They are such fun; beautiful people who we hope to stay friends with back home. Wow Kirsten! What a special family you. It's nice to have found another couple to socialise with - since our dear friends Alan and Avice (see post below) left, we have missed having likeminded souls to look out for each evening!

I look forward to answering lots of posts when I get home, being the new oracle on all things Tobago. I've had lots of time to think, write, chat and read since I've been here.

Thanks again everybody. See you tomorrow!

Rachel (and Andy - in bed, resting)

[Kirsten Giles]

Hi Rachel,

My Mum phoned me last night to say what a wonderful couple you both are, and how she is so glad that she met you both. I am so glad you met them, I do hope you keep intouch with them and hopefully I can meet you can give you that hug for myself.

Lots of love to you and Andy,

Kirsten

[Brian Taylor]

sorry you could not make it! hope you had some nice sunsets anyway (not the last days, that is true).
hope you had a good flight home and it did not bother you too much, andy!
our thoughts are with you both!

Alibaba&Steph

[Steve Wooler]

What can one say? As I type this message, Andrew and Rachel will probably be in their car, an hour or so into their long journey back to Taunton.

Andrew’s story has touched many hearts and it has been a privilege and pleasure (if such a word is appropriate in such tragic circumstances) helping to make Andy’s dream come true. Hopefully we achieved 90% of the dream and it was only the highly unseasonable weather that prevented the final 10%.

I am delighted that myTobago was able to help by putting the various parts of the jigsaw together. All I did, in truth, was to make a few people aware of the story. The reaction of almost everyone I contacted was AMAZING. It just shows that even in these selfish times, there really are some WONDERFUL people out there.

So, may I please extend my personal thanks to the following people and firms whose contributions and efforts made the trip possible.

Alibaba Tours – thanks to Brian and Steph for their efforts, which sadly did not come to fruition because of bad weather and Andrew not feeling well enough. Thanks for visiting them at the Coco Reef, with Woody, who they wanted to meet again after going on a tour with him four years ago.

Anonymous – thanks to the part-time Tobagonian couple who paid for the flights to and from Trinidad for the cricket and the ground transport whilst in Trinidad. Fielen dank!

Brent Hart – thanks to Brent, the minister who married Andrew and Rachel at the Seahorse Inn four years ago. They had expressed a desire to meet him again and he called to see them at the Coco Reef Resort.

Cantor Fitzgerald – thanks to James Blackshaw for bringing the story to the attention of Graham Cowdrey of Cantor Sports, who in turn enrolled the help of brother Chris Cowdrey who was commentator for Sky TV during the Test series. Between them they arranged passes to the cricket and VIP treatment throughout.

Coco Reef Resort – thanks for constantly ensuring that the Harries lacked for nothing during their two week stay at the resort. With special thanks to General Manager, Eric Feniet, for meeting the couple personally at the airport and for his constant supervision throughout their stay.

Copthorne Hotel, Gatwick – thank for a complimentary room and dinner on the night before their flight to Tobago.

Digital Tobago – thanks to Brent for being constantly on hand to photograph various trips and events and for providing the Harries with a CD-ROM of photographs to help them treasure memories of their holiday in Tobago.

Golden Caribbean – thanks for the first-class return flights to and from Tobago with Excel Airways and for their wonderful treatment throughout.

Hummingbird Helicopters – thanks to Tony Vieira and his team for giving the couple a wonderful flight-seeing tour of Tobago, for offering to fly the couple back to Tobago from Trinidad after the cricket and for providing accommodation for the night we had expected them to stay in Trinidad after the cricket.

Seahorse Inn – thanks to Norma Clowes for inviting the couple back for a dinner at the Seahorse Inn. Sadly Andrew’s health did not make this possible. Thanks also to Norma for making arrangements with Brent Hart, the minister who married them four years ago.

Tobago House of Assembly, Department of Tourism – thanks for the formal welcome when Andy and Rachel arrived in Tobago (special thanks to Darren Friday and Ms Applewhite), and to Director of Tourism, Mr Sumant Singh and his family, who hosted Andrew and Rachel to dinner the night after their arrival.

Yes Tourism – thanks for co-ordinating all events and arrangements while Andy and Rachel were on Tobago and for accompanying them to Trinidad to ensure that all ground logistics ran smoothly. Special personal thanks to Patrick Dankou and his team – Tanja and Jennifer. Your efforts and attention to detail have been superb.

And finally, here is a photograph taken by Brent as Andy and Rachel flight departed from Tobago. A few more photographs are available at http://www.myTobago.info/andrew04.php


Our thoughts will remain with them and may we wish them as much happiness as the tragic circumstances permit. Keep fighting, Andy!

[Nikos]

What a heart-warming story. Any updates on Andy's fight?

[Rachel Harries]

Hello

Just to let you all know that two weeks ago Andy was told by the consultant that he doesn't have long left. In fact, the consultant is amazed that he's still here at all (I'm not!). The original tumour now fills the entire left side of his thorax and his previously 'healthy' lung is now also riddled with cancer. His breathing is deteriorating rapidly and he is in a lot of pain. But still, he is battling on, with the help of both morphine and pethidine, and in his lucid moments/better days he is spending lots of time with us and we're all talked out.

I think many of the 'to do' boxes are now ticked - the big one being Tobago, and we are very grateful, still, for the time we have been blessed with and the wonderful gifts bestowed on us by generous people like Mr Wooler and co.

James Blackshaw has been trying to get us tickets for Lords next week (and I had lined up meetings with Alec Stewart and potentially Brain Lara), but James was having lots of trouble getting us seats, so we've conceded defeat on that one. Thanks again James for your efforts on our behalf.

So, we've no idea how long it will be, but expert judgement seems to put it at weeks, maybe months. Those close to Andy admire him greatly for the fight that he has put up, love him lots and feel desperately sad for him and for ourselves, but life goes on in Josh, my new business, my pregnant sister Juliette (I got that news when I was in Tobago - yipppeee!) and the many wonderful people I have been priveledged to 'meet' through here and in real life. It's not all bad out there!

With best wishes to you all.

Rachel

[Steve Wooler]

Hi Rachel

Thanks for the update. I'm sure I speak for all our regular readers when I say that our thoughts and best wishes are with you both at this troubled time.

All Our Love & Thoughts

[Steve Wooler]

It is with very deep sadness and regret that I must inform readers that Andrew Harries passed away on Saturday night.

Andy’s fight was long and painful. He amazed everyone with his fortitude and determination. My biggest sadness is that I never had the privilege of actually meeting this amazing guy.

Andrew’s story touched many of us, but all stories’ must come to an end. Our hopes and wishes are now with Rachel and young Joshua. May the future bring you every happiness.

[Steve Wooler]

May I please add a postscript to my message above.

I asked Rachel about flowers or donations. I wanted to know from a personal point of view, but I felt that the information might be of interest to others.

Rachel would like any donations to go to the St Margaret’s Hospice in Taunton. I’ve looked them up and they have a website at http://www.somerset-hospice.org.uk with a secure on-line donation facility. Thank you.

Andrew’s funeral will be at Taunton Crematorium at 4pm on Friday 30th July 2004.

[Kirsten Giles]

Such very sad news....

[John Hill]

My thoughts and prayers are with you Rachel.

God bless.

[Ann E]

Although I have not been a regular contributor to this site, I have followed closely Andy's progress and would just also like to add my condolences to Rachel and family.

My thoughts and prayers are with you.

[David Watkins]

God bless you and look after you Rachel,my thoughts are with you
David

[Geoff M]

Just read through the posts and and am deeply sorry for Rachel and Josh's loss. Such bravery by people in such difficult circumstances is so humbling to the rest of us who complain about the mundane.

My respect to Steve also for his selfless efforts.

Sincere condolences to all of Andy's family.

Geoff Milne

[fiona]

Rachel
What can anyone say? I hope that you get comfort from those around you. I can see from the posts that you have a close family. I'm sure that everyone who has followed your story has shed tears. Steve mentioned in an earlier post that you were a journalist and hoped one day to write about your story. I hope you can. He seemed a truly remarkable man.

[Rachel Harries]

Hi

I have just re-read the whole thread about our trip again, to remind myself how wonderful people are, and specifically how incredible our trip was. Against all the odds, Andy returned to his paradise...

James Blackshaw emailed me this morning to send his condolences and that just reminded me of the kindness of folk involved with myTobago and our increibly return visit to Tobago.

I am OK. I miss him desperately and still have issues with 'the end' itself - Andy just didn't want to go and literally fought it until his last breath. However, I had two years to get used to the idea of being on my own (well, with Josh, but you know what I mean!) and am 'enjoying' the release from the anguish and torment of watching what he went through. And I suppose the demise of our marriage as he became less and less like the man I married. As I said to James - he made me a better person and I thanks him for that and lots of other legacies which he has left me.

Thank you, once more, everyone who has responded here, emailed me and supported us in Tobago and in the UK. I will continue to visit myTobago and I hope, one day soon, to take Josh to the place his Dad loved so much

I hope this is OK, Steve, and I hope all is OK with you and yours?

Rachel

[Steve Wooler]

Hi Rachel – what a creepy coincidence. Only this morning I stuck a post-it note on my desk with your name on it, prompted by another appeal in my email this morning.

Although not a fraction of what you and your family went through, I don't think I was alone in finding Andy's story gut-wrenching. I confess it took an awful lot out of me emotionally. Maybe it took a higher toll on me because my father-in-law has undergone major surgery twice in the last two years. In fact, I collected him from the Royal Free at Hampstead in London on the day of Andy’s funeral. In a perverse way it was almost like a new life (they are hopeful that he will make a full recovery) replacing a passing one, but my thoughts were very much with you that day.

As you can imagine, I’ve had rather a lot of requests for help since we publicised Andy’s stories. Some of them have been spurious approaches, one or two of which have wound me up no end. On the other hand, there have been some genuine cases which really bring a lump to the throat. However, as much as it pains me to admit this, I simply cannot bring myself to get involved in other appeals, particularly not while Andy’s story is so fresh in my mind. I’m sorry folks, I don’t mean to be heartless, but I’m only human.

Anyway, please keep us posted Rachel. Our thoughts are with you.

[Rachel Harries]

Oh Steve, I am so sorry that you have had to endure that As you know, I always felt uncomfortable about all you were doing for us. All the same, I am pleased that you did, and that we were the lucky recipients of so much generosity.

I am so pleased about your father in law. I didn't dare ask.

Steve, I never know how to thank people. I have almost run out of thanks for ALL the people who have helped us through the last couple of years. What would you do in my predicament?

Rachel