Good morning Michael and all GN's on a dark , still morning in North Yorkshire. Looking at the windows, we have had at least a little shower in the night. All raindrops gratefully received! Another rotten night, so I gave in and managed to get myself in the shower at 4.20am, so at least I am clean and the bedding is already in the washer. Glad that I have the handrails etc to hold onto, and the seat. It was very painful getting in, but at least felt safe, and with much huffing and puffing did manage to get my hair washed and so still in quite a bit of pain now, but at least am clean, and one or two of the bruises from that fall, are beginning to show. ( Odd isnt it, that when you have the fall and are full of aches and pains and shook up, no one notices or offers any sympathy as by the time they see you there is little to show. Yet when you turn black, blue and yellow, kind thoughts and sympathies are offered, and concern shown, when your ribs are now a lot better and the worst of the pain is over. !)
I have left the bathroom tidying up until I have had a rest, so now sat with the window open, a little cool air coming in and a few birds tweeting around, but only the outline of the tree visible so far. There is so much that needs sorting out this morning. Yesterday, I went down the town on the yellow peril, called in to Upfront to speak to the bank hub man as it was my banks measly 1 hour offer, and of course, the system in Upfront is very organised, so they have little numbers on cards. So you take the next card, ask who is the number above you and wait your turn, but it means that you can at least, peruse the notices, look through books to borrow, or choose a jigsaw to borrow, and there is always a jigsaw on the go on table, that is there for anyone to add to, rather than ones that people might be doing on their own. As they cannot know how many people are going to arrive at any one time , the numbers mean that if you are third to be seen, you have time to nip out for a loaf of bread, or as it is wednesday, the market is open, so the chance to get some free range eggs or local veg etc. A very pleasant young man was there and was being kept very busy, and as I think all the banks on the high street have now closed their branches, not just one or two, there are plans for a banking hub for all of them to be held in the old Santander branch.
Fine but these hubs are run by the GPO I understand, and several of the banks have told their customers that they are all ready and it is the wretched post office, who were notified in very good time, who are holding up proceedings, and are apparently shut for 2 weeks, and not making any progress at all with sorting this out. Yet again , we the customers are treated with disdain, and the banks behave as if they had the right to decide on what is available or not and the speed that they will set it up.
I do know that Nationwide are having a field day. Of course they are a building society, but do have their own credit card etc., and the big and clever recruiting ploy is they are announcing that they will NOT be moving. That we can be sure that they will be there in the future and treat their customers with courtesy. I went in to the nearest branch, to check it out for my own needs, and was very pleased with the attitude of staff, the courtesy, but even more , what really fits my needs, is that they have two chairs with arms. They also have a private office, so given my mobility issues I know that I can go in there,(they have cctv, so on a bad day, I can just hobble to a chair,) take a seat and ask when it is my turn, that someone could come out to me, or if I need the private office, the counter staff greet me and acknowledge I am there, and will let me know when it is my turn to go in, giving me the time to get up slowly etc. Well done them!
So when finally I had spoken to the bank chap, I was back on the yellow peril with difficulty, and then set off along the high street, checking out the stalls and buying a few bits and pieces. My next plan was to get down for a coffee to Cafe Nero and then go into the travel agents and see what little offer might there be for me to have a (cheap!) last minute trip somewhere in Britain. I have a years insurance, and the one thing living alone is you can make the most of anything, as you dont have to consult anyone else.
It has allowed me a couple of years ago ,to have a real little coup; I went to the travel agent on the monday morning, and Fred Olsen had a cruise leaving on the friday. As a solo traveller it always costs more with supplements or whatever. However they had a twin interior cabin available. So we made some enquiries, and they still wanted me to pay some supplement , having it to myself. However I have not lived abroad and learnt to haggle - politely- for nothing ,so I said to them , there is only 4 days left, and you have not got anyone yet. Now I am free to come, have all relevant documents including insurance. Surely a bird in the bush is better for you. I will let you have a think about it and will ring you at the end of today or in the morning. They took only an hour to ring ME back and accept my straightforward booking. Result , brilliant. I only want a clean bed and a shower, and spend little time in my cabin anyway. So a great time was had and all the crew were really lovely.
This year with the weather, my mobility problems etc etc., has been a bad year, and for the first time in 30 years , I have had the NGS garden book, and actually not managed to visit one garden, nor go to any RHS gardens for the whole of the summer. So have been feeling stir crazy, and I just want to let the schools go back , and then go anywhere. A few days B/b in the Lake District or a trip up to blessedly cooler scottish trip, or even a couple of days in Bridlington, just to get away!!
So started to make my way along the street , and how lovely , met a friend I havent seen for most of the summer. All plans thrown to the winds and we actually decided to go mad and go to the local hotel, where they do lunches , ranging from a sandwich to a roast etc etc, and as I was on the buggy, and she was walking, we made our way to the hotel and I had a beautifully cooked whitby scampi and chips and garden peas and she had a vegetarian salad, which looked very nice. I was able to park the yellow peril and we found a table which I could sit at comfortably, and we were in no hurry, so were quite happy to wait for our meal, as of course , market day in a county town - think All creatures great and small scenario - so they are always very busy. Farmers tend to have good appetites and of course expect to see local food cooked well, so there is always a good selection on offer on market days.
We enjoyed the unexpected treat of a meal out, rather than going home to cook, and had time to catch up on news and views , and make plans for the future. Of course at the moment, it is all exam results and getting school uniforms etc etc., so it is also the time to be looking to see what courses are likely to be on offer for septemper. We actually first met taking a Makaton course, so we plan to meet up for coffee and do a bit of revising. I always remember as a teacher, that with the long summer holiday, there would always be several children who had forgotten quite a lot, and you would have to really go back more than other holiday returns, and then there is also the stress, where children may be changing schools, or moving class, So now as an ancient retired person, I am not collecting up all the gadgets and teaching aids that I had spent time over the holidays making, and can actually look forward to the opportunity to enjoy a little time in the countryside, and still have some sunshine to enjoy, but that cooler feel overall. Bliss!!
So, today I am thinking of all GN members families, and hoping that exam results allow and enable children to carry on in their chosen way,. That children facing that big jump from junior to senior school have an easy transition, with hopefully a friend or two to move with, or a new friend to meet, and dont forget to listen out for that collective sigh of relief, rising over Britain as groups of parents, grandparents and all adults with children to think about, are able to sink into a comfortable chair at home or meet long lost friends from before the holidays and award themselves with a much needed and deserved decent cup of tea or coffee. That lovely moment when you come back into your home, having caught up with news and views to find YES , everywhere looks just as you left it; the fridge still has food in it and you are greeted by peace and quiet, not a drum, computer bleep, or the rising notes of "What is there to eat? or Where is my ---!! Savour it everyone before you delve into autumn plans and the change of plans!
Well I need to go and put the next load in the washer, and for once I dont mind that it actually looks as though we might have a shower, and I wont be able to put the washing out yet. Hurrah hurrah!! I hope you have a good trip on the bus Mick and good wishes for your GDG's results grandMattie. With your brilliant needlework skills, can I suggest that you make a sort of doll, which you either embroider a letter to represent Teflon man on it. Then every time he is driving you mad, out comes the darning needles or pins and have a great time sticking them safely into said doll, but in your minds eye , you will think where you would rather be sticking them. Alternatively , where is that old pillow that you can give a good pummelling to , after yet another infuriating phone call or visit from said idiot!!
Well I shall come back later to read the posts and fingers crossed for all those grandchildren , and weary parents who have supported them through exams, tantrums, panic and those awful uniform buying expeditions, made worse this year by the weather . Very well done all of you to have got to this point in one piece. Have a good day, may you have a good shower or two, but when you are safely inside, and it be cool enough to get some of those jobs done more easily.
