tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35256202416501295582024-03-14T01:15:22.609-07:00WafflingsI think about a lot of things and wanted to share them.
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12728823967047462762noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3525620241650129558.post-23997023772738736802019-09-15T10:44:00.001-07:002019-09-30T08:27:44.931-07:00Bubble Car Café Review<p dir="ltr">www.bubblecarmuseum.co.uk<br>
Bubble Car Museum & Tea Café<br>
Monday 26th August 2019 15:30</p>
<p dir="ltr">Clover Farm, Main Road, Langrick, Boston PE22 7AW Lincolnshire - England</p>
<p dir="ltr">Gorgeous Hubby, Baby Girl & I</p>
<p dir="ltr">An ice-cream Sundae on a Monday</p>
<p dir="ltr">Gorgeous <u>Hubby</u>: Cappuccino Sundae</p>
<p dir="ltr">Myself: Mint Choc Chip Sundae</p>
<p dir="ltr">Holiday<br>
Gorgeous hubby and I were invited to a wedding in Norfolk and with a 12 week old baby we thought we'd make it our annual holiday. We borrowed my brother's Motorhome, called Brian, and headed for the North Norfolk area. We had been told of this museum by fellow campers a couple of days previous for cheap camping, and upon our return to hand back Brian we stopped for our final night. My gorgeous hubby very excited.<br>
It was a brilliant blue sky day on a hot Bank Holiday weekend with temperatures reaching 30+ degrees we found a shaded spot to park and wondered in.<br>
We paid the £4pp entry fee and headed inside the museum. Not really knowing what to expect (I don't know what a bubble car is!), my gorgeous hubby excitedly explained all the vehicles. It was really good fun. It homed numerous vehicles from the 50s, 60s, and 70s. They really were fascinating fun items. <br>
Situated in converted farm buildings it was very informative, and also contained lots of 50s and 60s decor, household items, a garage, a workshop, and lots of memorabilia upon the two floors.<br>
Upon exiting the customary gift shop gorgeous hubby asked "fancy an ice-cream?" One does not decline such an offer when it's so hot outside. An ice-cream seems fitting. <br>
Now to the café. An open relaxed affair with wooden tables and chairs we ordered at the entrance desk after choosing what we wanted. <br>
The staff were friendly and the food prompt after being made to order. We did eventually sit outside and enjoyed it even more so.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Description</p>
<p dir="ltr">Caramel sauce at the bottom and chocolate sauce throughout</p>
<p dir="ltr">One scoop of mint choc chip ice-cream</p>
<p dir="ltr">Two scoops of chocolate ice-cream</p>
<p dir="ltr">A wafer</p>
<p dir="ltr">Topped with whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles</p>
<p dir="ltr">Chocolate flake</p>
<p dir="ltr">A sundae that didn't disappoint and a decorative creation that didn't last long. However, the small amount of caramel sauce at the bottom, in my opinion, wasn't necessary, that, unfortunately left a sweet taste in my mouth long after I'd finished.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Summary points</p>
<p dir="ltr">* Relaxed atmosphere</p>
<p dir="ltr">* Reasonably priced</p>
<p dir="ltr">* <u>Friendly</u> staff</p>
<p dir="ltr">RATING 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟</p>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12728823967047462762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3525620241650129558.post-47826364199524306202019-01-22T04:07:00.001-08:002019-01-22T04:07:21.189-08:00Wanda Camping July 2018<b style="font-weight: normal;"><div dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-6186f89a-7fff-2e8c-7630-5ce582e658c4" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip: none; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">Wanda Diary 14th & 15th July 2018</span></span></div>
<br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Saturday 14th July</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Last night in The Stumble Inn, Northallerton, North Yorkshire, we booked tomorrow night’s camping in Hazel Brow Farm, Richmond </span><a href="http://www.hazelbrowfarm.org/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip: none; background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hazel Brow Farm Visitor Centre - Family Day out in Swaledale</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. It had parking for a limited amount of campervans on gravel with toilets. Perfect! On a farm too! Much fun! </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We stacked up our Campervan, Wanda, with overnight items and set off around midday with a packed lunch. The sun in full bloom in a clear blue sky; it was looking like it was going to a hot afternoon. We weren't actually at this point heading towards the camp site but for somewhere to eat our lunch, still in the direction of Richmond turning down narrow country lanes to find a spot of grass to park upon. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">With the deckchairs out we had lunch:</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tuna and sweetcorn sandwiches</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cucumber, cheese and pickle sandwiches</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Chocolate biscuit each</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It was baking hot outside: long may it continue. Lovely! We sat and enjoy the heat.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We set off for Richmond itself. Upon arriving I noticed what a beautiful historic market town. A delight!</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We parked up on the street by the pavement and walked in the direction, down hill, of the train station. A station no longer in use, it housed memorabilia of the station along with the town’s cinema, cafè, bakery, and Richmond’s microbrewery! We browsed along the shelves to which gorgeous hubby chose 4 beers for tonight’s micro-adventure! </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We sauntered to the river over the bridge and made our way back up the steep hill in the market town centre in search for a butchers: purchasing 2x chicken breasts, 2x tomato sausages, and 2x lamb and mint sausages for tonight’s BBQ. Yummy!</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The town was delightful. But then, all of Yorkshires’ towns are delightful. Albeit being similar, that are scenic historic places to walk around. People were picnicking by the river, kids playing in the river, dog walkers, families playing football, people drinking and socialising, and shoppers. By this time the market itself was thin on the ground with pack-ups starting to go. It had Richmond’s market day. Market days are always busy in these towns. Thriving and bustling for space on the pavements snaking their way from stall to stall of homemade produce. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We did think of getting an ice-cream, but decided we would see what the village of Reeth was like.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We drove along country roads with hills around us going up and down hills and around tight corners; a bit like Postman Pat at the start of his programme. We marvelled at the scenery. It was pure heaven. Patchwork of fields divided by dry stone walls. All different colour green grass and trees.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Reeth was breathtakingly beautiful with a massive green square area surrounded by houses and independent shops in the valley of Swaledale. One of these shops had ice-cream </span><a href="http://reethicecreamparlour.co.uk/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip: none; background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Welcome to Reeth Ice Cream Parlour, Reeth, North Yorkshire, UK</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. This was a much better spot to enjoy an ice-cream. Just perfect! We purchased a scoop and half each and sat on a bench overlooking the valley we were in. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sally:</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">blackcurrant and liquorice with pecan</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Michael:</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">black cherry wham wham and banana and mango</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Totally weird combinations but were utterly delicious! I highly recommend this ice-cream shop.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We continued onward to our camping spot twisting and turning going up and down steep hills to Low Row in Swaledale. In order to get to the village we had to travel down a very steep hill. It was very scary. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Upon arrival it was a bit confusing as there was no reception as such, and three other tents in a large field. There was a gravel bit mentioned on the website, but it was so tiny. There was no way we could park Wanda on there. So, we parked on the field along one side of the dry stone wall. We were now situated in the bottom of the valley and albeit it being mid afternoon the sun would set over the hills casting its shadow. It was still a glorious day. We would recommend this place for camping. It was quiet and elegantly situated. A couple of hours after arrival someone came to check us in. It was all very relaxed. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Out came our seats and windbreak we enjoyed a lovely cuppa. Delightful! We then got out the tartan picnic blanket, whereby I promptly fell asleep for nearly an hour. Gorgeous hubby lay there quietly. Bliss! It was a really quiet location.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We went for a walk along the river bed before arriving back to BBQ the meal. The sun set down behind the hill, and now it’s getting very chilly. Although still clear blue sky and still in shorts and t-shirt it was slowly getting towards putting away the sunglasses.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The river bed had a little raised walkway meandering along the river, which was delightful to walk along to appreciate the wildlife and soak up the valley atmosphere.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We ate our food happily and relaxed into the evening playing cards.</span></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sunday 15th July</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We awoke to another sunny day and enjoyed our breakfast outside. After which we walked along the river bed again before our drive back home having enjoying another night away in Wanda.</span></div>
</b>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12728823967047462762noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3525620241650129558.post-44588547815299626432018-01-25T02:20:00.001-08:002018-01-25T02:20:18.134-08:0010k Swim 🏊 Training 1<p dir="ltr">19th of January 2018 19:40 Whitby train </p>
<p dir="ltr">Dear Blog, </p>
<p dir="ltr">It's Friday night and I'm at work. I haven't written to you for ages now, months even! That's shocking isn't it? Lots to tell you. New Year's Eve was ace, but that's another letter. So, I've signed up for the Great North 10K swim this year in Lake Windermere http://www.greatrun.org/great-swim/great-north-swim. </p>
<p dir="ltr">I have been psyching myself up for a long time; well, a couple of years, when it was first introduced in 2016. I've done the mile, 2 mile and 5k, as well as the Serpentine 2 mile swim in London. I've been admiring the 10k swimmers and always wanting to better myself: 10K it is! </p>
<p dir="ltr">I reckon this isn't going to be easy. My usual "I can do this" thought process to myself, turn up crapping myself, and yet somehow completing the challenge is not going to work! </p>
<p dir="ltr">I need a training plan. </p>
<p dir="ltr">I have Googled said program and tonnes are listed. It shows a 20 week schedule, which I'm amenable with. </p>
<p dir="ltr">I go to my local baths so trying to fit in swimming between the lane opening times and shift work will be an issue for me. And I need only to concentrate on swimming then it will be ok. No distractions. </p>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12728823967047462762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3525620241650129558.post-5340522591106443832017-10-27T01:13:00.001-07:002017-10-30T08:28:34.281-07:00It only takes 10 minutes... <p dir="ltr">OK 26th October 13:00 on board the big train!</p>
<p dir="ltr">Hello Blog,</p>
<p dir="ltr">I'm off to surprise my gorgeous hubby. Isn't that great? I'm super excited. So, how you doing? How's it been going?</p>
<p dir="ltr">I'm reading my monthly magazine. I love it, obviously! I wouldn't purchase it otherwise. I've been noticing now how companies, well being, etc. are promoting "it only takes 10 minutes of your day", "just 10 minutes a day", "set aside 10 minutes", etc. Whilst it good and I do believe in it, but I'm finding everything I do I'm setting aside 10 minutes chunks to do it in! Or there abouts. </p>
<p dir="ltr">My time away from work is built up of the following "10 minutes":<br>
Meditation<br>
Reading<br>
Writing<br>
Breathing<br>
Coffee drinking<br>
Learning a new language</p>
<p dir="ltr">I'm finding I'm having to squeeze in my exercising, cooking, eating & crafting! Even hair cuts! My free time from work is a constant noise of the alarm stating my session has finished. My diary is chokka block with sections of today's achievements, as I like to call them! </p>
<p dir="ltr">I'm counting my calories, as it's the only system that helps me to lose weight 🏋️! I have to schedule time for that to tap the food into the required App on my phone! </p>
<p dir="ltr">Am I taking on too much? Probably. But being a depression sufferer and working shifts I have come to discover that I do like routine. I'm finding these sessions help to clear my head of rubbish and I'm very productive in what I'm doing. </p>
<p dir="ltr">But, sometimes I just have to say bollocks to routine and do stuff spontaneously. Like, going to surprise my hubby! 😉 😁 Some things are too important to miss. </p>
<p dir="ltr">I shall continue with my "10 minute" sessions. But careful not to take on more. There are, after all! So many slots in one day.</p>
<p dir="ltr">I'll leave you for now and continue with reading 📖 my magazine. I have 3 changes for this journey.</p>
<p dir="ltr">I'm sooooooooooooooooooo excited. Ciao for now.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Love 😍 Hugs 🤗 and Sunshine ☀ <u>xx</u></p>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12728823967047462762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3525620241650129558.post-82817694605745359352017-10-19T01:37:00.001-07:002017-10-19T02:48:57.487-07:00First Typewriter <p dir="ltr">12th October 8am on board choo choo</p>
<p dir="ltr">Dear Blog,</p>
<p dir="ltr">Good morning. How are you? I've seen a gorgeous red morning sunrise 🌅 on way to Saltburn. Just delightful!</p>
<p dir="ltr">It's now Thursday 19th October writing at home on the kitchen table. It's 06:30 am. Gosh, it's been a while since I wrote to you. Busy with work and gorgeous hubby's birthday day. Today, I'm on 8 of 9 shifts...lucky me 😀! </p>
<p dir="ltr">I wanted to tell you about my first typewriter. Well, it was that good I cannot even remember if it was a present or I brought it myself! 😉 😁 I think I brought it. I was a teenager and I know I was really happy about it. It was electronic and it had a screen, so I could see first what I wrote. It looked so professional. It only did the basics but that was enough for me. </p>
<p dir="ltr">I could use it for my homework too!</p>
<p dir="ltr">Anyways, today's letter is short but I wanted to tell you. Nowadays I use notebook 📔 and pen 🖋.</p>
<p dir="ltr">I'd better be off and get to work. Write 📝 soon.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Love 😍 Hugs 🤗 and Sunshine ☀ </p>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12728823967047462762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3525620241650129558.post-84906604956022032892017-10-10T00:37:00.001-07:002017-10-10T00:38:42.115-07:00Holiday: Lake District: extract <p dir="ltr">On board the choo choo 🚂 at work 8am 9th Oct </p>
<p dir="ltr">Dear Blog, </p>
<p dir="ltr">How's it going? All's well today. Very tired this morning. Blooming cat had me up at 3 wanting to go outside and then I couldn't get back to sleep...arrrrrrrgh! So, I think coffee is needed today to get me through my shift.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Gorgeous hubby and I had a great holiday in Wanda the other month out to The Lake District.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/eAifTKK06pvbg_99xGZ_MiyDjdqTOo8gwB8e3WPA7bNe8PisLDYzcb0p9HLhQ9qn4I9LNDldXDGKuZNSRblSNOOQq5Cte-q_XI4hgwIv3q9Y4b8YDrh0VckqJ9ZnwZySWUjdVGnL"><br>
Wanda: our VW Campervan</p>
<p dir="ltr">Here's an extract from my diary:</p>
<p dir="ltr">Tuesday 26th September </p>
<p dir="ltr">We awoke early and gorgeous hubby made bed tea. A porridge breakfast was called for today due to today's activities. We made our packed lunches and headed for Ravenglass on our bikes, praying that the tide was out. </p>
<p dir="ltr">We headed for the ‘72’ cycle route from along the ‘B’ roads from the farm campsite to get to the water's edge. Phew, the tide was out we were able to cross land and get to the bridge to get into Ravenglass via the estuary. </p>
<p dir="ltr">We brought our tickets for the railway (Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway) and waited for the 10:25 departure. A narrow-gauge railway, called the La’al Ratty, taking us up to the Cumbrian fells to Dalegarth station. Absolutely stunning views! Clouds in the sky with the faint sun peeking through, although a bit chilly. Along the way strategically placed artwork of animals had been put up to view. This was called “The Curious Incident of the Stag and the Trainline”. Ten huge vibrant paintings of eccentric and multi-coloured animal heads by Sarah Taylor. They were heads of: deer 🦌, rabbit 🐰, hare, cow 🐮, sheep 🐑, red squirrel, badger, stag, and two others. </p>
<p dir="ltr">The ride we took was with a steam train travelling the forty minutes winding up the hills with stunning views. Excellent and recommended journey! Along the way Michael spotted a big bird in a tree, which he thought was an Osprey.</p>
<p dir="ltr">We enjoyed a coffee and I brought a chocolate brownie to share.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Then walked on an adventure, initially using the walking tour map to various waterfalls through the marked paths in the forest. Absolutely beautiful! It was very warm so we were able to remove our outer clothing: both down to our t-shirts! In Cumbria too! Amazing! We walked along singular tracks, over wooden bridges, through forests; peaceful and outstanding beauty! We veered along the footpath through gates and over stiles zig-zagging our way up the hill to the rocks on top. Perching ourselves on the top feeling on top of the world we enjoyed our sandwiches with a 360 degree view of The Lake District. At which point the sun shine through the only bit of bus sky making the seating warm and viewing even more enjoyable! Delightful! The surrounding fells were covered in clouds.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Arriving back picking up the advised routes snaking our way to more waterfalls to arrive back at Dalegarth Station.</p>
<p dir="ltr">We drank the rest of our coffee with a piece of fruitcake (homemade butternut squash fruitcake), waiting for the steam train to arrive. The station filled up gradually with people and various dogs; so many breeds!</p>
<p dir="ltr">Toot, toot! We hear the train arrive. The passengers disembarked, then we hopped on, onto the front seat, and waited for the engine to transfer from the rear to the front, where it was manually coupled.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Permission was granted to proceed and back to Ravenglass we headed.</p>
<p dir="ltr">We sat on different sides to get different views on the back down. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Arriving back, we watched the engine go into the turnstile from platform one to three. </p>
<p dir="ltr">We had a quick stop at The Ratty Arms for a beverage or two. A delightful real ale pub alongside the actual Ravenglass Station, and watched a couple of Northern trains come and go.</p>
<p dir="ltr">We cycled along the still out tidal route to Wanda and enjoyed last night’s chicken korma with carrots. Michael had sausage with his and beer. I drank lemonade.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Tonight’s entertainment was watching a DVD: The promised Land. And, then bed. </p>
<p dir="ltr">I need coffee, this is going to be a long day. I cannot wait for it to end. I have two days off from tomorrow, so I'm looking forward to that.  </p>
<p dir="ltr">I'll go now and do some work! Speak soon. <br>
Love, Hugs and Sunshine x</p>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12728823967047462762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3525620241650129558.post-18065497960015345982017-10-02T09:22:00.001-07:002017-10-02T09:22:09.484-07:00Letter Writing<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Thursday 28<sup>th</sup>
September – Dad’s Sitting Room, Cumbria 21:30<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Dear Blog,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%;">How are you doing today? I
hope you are well? I have decided to write my blog as a letter. I like letters.
I have been writing them all of my life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I have had three
Grandparents and two Godparents, of whom I write to regularly (or I did,
unfortunately my grandparents are no longer with us). I love receiving letters
from the people to write to too! To me, there’s nothing really greater than
having a hand written letter come through my letter box. It makes me smile</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%;">! Post isn’t
just for birthdays, Easter, or Christmas!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%;">People would often comment
that I write in a way that they felt I was actually talking to them
face-to-face!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%;">My Granny (Leicester) would
enter us (me, brother, sister) into the Leicestershire Chrysanthemum Society
for their competitions: handicraft, decorated egg, biscuits, “garden on a
plate”, and such like items. I have the prize cards, which Gran sent via the
post still in my possession from 1985 and 1986! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It’s really good fun to
re-read letters and such items sent through the post, years later; it brings
back so many memories. I love it!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Years later, in my
twenties, I travelled a lot on my own and mum suggested that I write diaries of
my adventures. This was great as I was actively doing something whilst I sat in
a café. I would write these up upon my return and sent them to various people
via the post. It was great and my writers really looked forward to receiving my
diaries. This has carried on throughout my thirties too! In fact, I’ve just
written one up now ready to post to people. My gorgeous hubby and I went to the
Lake District for a week, ending in visiting friends and family, as I’m
originally from Penrith. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And now, I have more people
to write to. It’s great! So, in my comfort attempt to make it better my
gorgeous hubby and I brought a house with a craft room for me. I have boxes
with all my items in and there is one labelled “Letter Writing Sets”. Buying
letter sets is very important for me. I prefer to buy in shops rather than
on-line. I’ve been doing this since I used to visit my Granny in Leicester.
Near to her house in Evington there was a stationery shop and I’d love to visit
there. Unfortunately it’s closed now</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">L</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%;">,
but that doesn’t stop me from going into every shop to look for writing paper.
It must have lines. I used to buy those pads with blank paper which had a
separate lined paper to put underneath the blank page. I still wrote wonky. So,
buying lined paper is a necessary for me now. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I sat down to write my
letters a couple of months ago. I wrote four. I posted them on way to work,
pleased with myself. It wasn’t until noon, whilst at work, I realized that I
hadn’t put any stamps on them…arrrrgh! I felt so stupid. I then had to contact
these people and tell them. Thankfully they understood! Phew! That was a
relief!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Now, I have an abundance of
people to write to. My gorgeous hubby works away. I love writing to him,
telling him my news. Letters are personal. I write to my best friend, Sharon, </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://www.wordsandwoes.com/"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%;">www.wordsandwoes.com</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%;">.
Eventhough we are in contact daily electronically (she lives south and I live
north) we can say more to each other. She told me about #BringBackPaper from </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://www.readingresidence.com/"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%;">www.readingresidence.com</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%;">
and I now have pen pals to communicate with. It’s just too exciting! I cannot
wait to get started! I write to my parents-in-law too! I write to my uncle in
California. They all write back via email, but I prefer to write via post. My
mum lives in Italy and we communicate via letter too, although that does take yonks’
to get through!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Sending post can be expensive,
but it’s worth every penny! I just have to be careful with what I send. I’m
watching my pennies presently!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Until next time,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Love Hugs and Sunshine xx<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12728823967047462762noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3525620241650129558.post-55080847780405197552017-08-09T03:32:00.001-07:002017-08-09T03:32:40.031-07:00Hope<p dir="ltr">Hope is the worst of all evils, for it prolongs the torment of all men. Of all the characteristics in life, hope is the one that can exhilarate or hugely disappoint.</p>
<p dir="ltr">He lay there wondering if she’d come. They’d had a blazing row last night or was it last night, he thought? He struggled to remember when it was exactly. His eyes were wide open and couldn’t see much. Well, it was cream all around, a beeping noise surround. What was that noise? He could here footsteps walking quickly along the corridors. If only she’d turn up he sighed. He continued to lie on his back and listened to the repetitive beeping noise.</p>
<p dir="ltr">~</p>
<p dir="ltr">Charles had been walking his dog, Turbo, through Hyde Park. Their usual walk nowadays as Charles had been laid off his Accountancy job in the City. He didn’t understand why he’d been laid off, as, really, everyone needs an accountant in their business, so why had “Mr. Bushy” decided to get rid of their accountant of 20 years and prove he’d do it himself. Well, let him! What does he know? Think he’s this new age know-it-all. Well, let him! Damn him! And I’m out of a job. Who wants a boring old accountant?</p>
<p dir="ltr">Turbo huffed and puffed and wagged his tail…give me more…give me more…, excitedly wanting his master to throw the ball. Ever reliable Turbo to meet and greet him when he returned home, it broke his heart leaving his ever faithful dog alone in their flat day in day out whilst he routinely went to work.</p>
<p dir="ltr">~</p>
<p dir="ltr">As he continued to lie on his back with the cream surrounding his existence he tried to re-capture the memory of recent events, especially of why he is in here.</p>
<p dir="ltr">~</p>
<p dir="ltr">So many unanswered questions he was really struggling with the answers. So many events happened for him to hope that he was still on the right track.</p>
<p dir="ltr">~</p>
<p dir="ltr">Although he’d known the company, Ringworths Chartered Surveyors has asked for voluntary redundancies, he hadn’t expected they’d be serious to go further after that announcement to lay off more people.</p>
<p dir="ltr">~</p>
<p dir="ltr">The door opened into the cream room, he tried to lift his head, wanting, waiting, to see if was her. Oooo, the pain! In quickly walked a nurse with a clipboard.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“You’re awake,” she smiled, professionally.</p>
<p dir="ltr">He groaned as the pain seared through his head.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“Doctor Waite will be in shortly to talk to you, and you’ve had a letter.” She opened a white envelope and placed the letter, A5 size, into his hand. He grasped as he noticed her name badge.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“Thanks,” he mumbled with gratitude.</p>
<p dir="ltr">He wasn’t going anywhere as it took him a long time to focus on the elegant handwriting afore him.</p>
<p dir="ltr">           My dearest <u>C</u>harles,</p>
<p dir="ltr">So long I have waited for you to say those words to me. But I don’t know if there were just too late. I always knew you were the man for me, although you didn’t believe it yourself. Something changed in you and I didn’t really believe what you said to me was real. You seemed distracted, like as through you wanted to say something and through those three words would shut me up instead.</p>
<p dir="ltr">I wish you well with your recovery.</p>
<p dir="ltr">I have gone away for a while to think about all of this.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Your loving Melody</p>
<p dir="ltr">It was like a stab in the heard to think that Melody had gone away. Was it forever? Will she be back? He tried hard to remember why he is here. Where’s Turbo? Panic struck him like lightening. Who was looking after him? Oh Turbo, I’m so sorry, are you ok, Turbo, he silently through sinking deeper into sadness. Oh Turbo! He had no family to take care of him. His neighbours were a funny lot.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The door opened and in walked a suited man, who Charles presumed was Doctor Waite.</p>
<p dir="ltr">~</p>
<p dir="ltr">Nearing the end of his walk he couldn’t help but feel glum about the world. What a blow it had been to receive his letter of redundancy for his “commitment to the firm” and how “they’d grown together”, with “great sadness” from the M.D. that the recession had forced the company to downsize and lay off a “considerable amount of employees,” blah blah blah! Charles struggled to take it all in and buckled underneath he sheer wright of being in his forties, and no longer employed. What was he to do next? Accountancy had been all he’d ever done. He’d joined fresh out of university after a summer placement, completing with a First Class Honours Degree. His parents had died shortly after their celebrations in a car crash. Ringworths had been a caring company then and sown great compassion. Not now, the big dogs from America had bulldozed their way in and…Bang! Blackness!</p>
<p dir="ltr">~</p>
<p dir="ltr">Beep. Beep. Beep.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“Quite a nasty hit you’d taken Mr. Dalman,” said the doctor.</p>
<p dir="ltr">All Charles could do was stare at him, his memory still now getting clearer.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“The car hit you straight on and you’d been thrown a long way. Very lucky there was a nurse passing and been able to make you comfortable whilst a passer by had called for an ambulance. Without here you’d have been more serious.” Charles lay still unable to take in the events. Not remembering a thing as the doctor talked in his soothing voice.</p>
<p dir="ltr">He thought…walk…car…accident…ambulance…the worlds were sinking in.</p>
<p dir="ltr">~</p>
<p dir="ltr">He knew he loved Melody but he felt she’d wanted more from him. After all, he’d gotten such a great degree, how could he tell her he’d been made redundant. She desperately wanted to settle down to a family. How could he tell her? He’d had savings, but with no income to continue his support how would she take the news?</p>
<p dir="ltr">~</p>
<p dir="ltr">And now, he’d lost Melody forever. She’d gone and left him.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“Right then Mr. Dalman, I’ll keep popping in to aide your recovery. Anything you need?”</p>
<p dir="ltr">“No”, he muttered.</p>
<p dir="ltr">With that Doctor Waite left and in walked Melody with Turbo.</p>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12728823967047462762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3525620241650129558.post-2565420153676346962017-07-10T03:12:00.000-07:002017-07-10T03:12:56.849-07:00TRIPPING INTO DARKNESS <div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">Fred's voice came from
the rocks by the sea as they both looked towards the cliffs. “Come on Si let's
look.” </span></span><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"> </span></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">“I'm not going in
there”, a nervous Si replied. “It looks far too dangerous”.</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 6.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">Both of them looked at the cliffs. Silence!</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 6.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"> “Oh, come on Si, it’ll be fun!”</span></span><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 6.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">“Fun?”</span></span><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 6.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">“Yes fun!”</span></span><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 6.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">“You know I don't like
dark spaces.” Si almost ran away.</span></span><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 6.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">“Well, stay behind me.
I'll go in first.” Fred stood and looked hopefully at Si to follow.</span></span><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 6.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">Si hesitated, unsure.
He looked at the cave convincing himself it was going to be ok. </span></span><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 6.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">“Come on Si.” Fred
wanted to go inside; to go into the unknown. He'd wanted to go inside this cave
for yonks. He was too excited. </span></span><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 6.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">Both of them scrambled
over the large rocks. Si put his foot on one and it rolled away nearly taking
him away as he went flat down. Fred turned
and was able to quickly stretch his left arm downward for Si to grab and steady
himself. </span></span><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 6.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">“Easy Si, you had me
worried,” called down Fred, “you were lucky.”</span></span><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 6.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">Si, conscious of not
looking down, breathed a sigh of relief and continued. Heights weren’t his
thing either.</span></span><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 6.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">The ever looming cave
was in front of them. They stood side by side looking into the dark space.</span></span><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 6.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">“Go on then,” called
out Si, “you said you would go first.”</span></span><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 6.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">Fred lifted up his
right foot and stepped cautiously out, followed by his left. Inside he was
quite scared, but he wasn’t going to show it. Si was terrified, wrapping his
grey jacket tightly around him.</span></span><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 6.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">“</span></span><span class="spellingerror"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">Hellooooo</span></span><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">,” called out Fred and
the word echoed.</span></span><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 6.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">Fred said it again and
it replied once more.</span></span><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 6.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">“Come on then. There's
nothing in here. Let's look.” Fred took out a torch from his back right jeans
pocket and switched it on. A white beam showed the way on the stone floor.
Loose chippings scattered. He kept the torch in front of him as Si followed.
Neither of them taking their eyes off the floor as the exit hole got smaller behind
them.</span></span><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 6.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">“So what do you think
is down there,” asked Si.</span></span><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 6.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">“I don’t know really.
Have you ever heard the noises at night?”</span></span><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 6.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">“No!”</span></span><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 6.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">“It's said there's a
harrowing woman's voice repeating “set me free”, and it continues for hours,”
said Fred.</span></span><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 6.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">“Don't be daft, you've
made that up,” said Si.</span></span><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 6.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">“No, I haven’t. You
ask Old Tom down the Docks and he’ll tell you. He's been banging on about this
cave for ages. He says it's an old mine shaft and they brought in a woman to
help the lads. The mine tumbled and she got stuck. The men returned, but she
did not. No-one knows who she is. Tom reckons it’s a witch wanting to get the
gold.”</span></span><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 6.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">“A witch! Don't be
stupid. Now, you’re having me on.” Si poked Fred in the back.</span></span><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 6.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">“I'm telling you the
truth. Old Tom told me,” Fred said matter of factly.</span></span><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 6.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">Si rolled his eyes.</span></span><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 6.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">“No, seriously, it
true! Old Tom tells really good tales.”</span></span><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 6.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">“Yes, tales. That’s what
they are: tales!”</span></span><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 6.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">Their footsteps moved
the dust and they were frequently wiping their faces so they could follow the
light.</span></span><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 6.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">“</span></span><span class="spellingerror"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">Hellooooo</span></span><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">,” and the echoed
repeated.</span></span><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 6.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">“Whah!”</span></span><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 6.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">“What was that?” whispered
Si. “Was that you Fred?”</span></span><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 6.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">“No,” Fred turned
around and shone the light into Si’s eyes. Si shielded himself. “Oi, put that
away, you muppet!”</span></span><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 6.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">“Sorry Si,” said Fred.
“Seriously what was that noise?”</span></span><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 6.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">“Well, I don’t know,”
shrugged Si.</span></span><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 6.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">Both of them stood
still, listening for the noise, but none came. Silence!</span></span><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 6.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">“You're having me on,”
kidded Si.</span></span><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 6.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">“Seriously I’m not!
I'm scared,” admitted Fred.</span></span><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 6.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">“Scared? You? Why, you
love being in these places, doing stuff like this.”</span></span><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 6.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">“Yes, well, it isn't
funny anymore,” quivered Fred, “maybe we should turn back.”</span></span><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 6.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">“Absolutely no way,”
said Si “I’m not coming this far to turn around. You brought me here, so we’re
doing it. All of it.” Si was cross now. How dare Fred do this to him? It wasn't
funny and he wasn't going to turn round.</span></span><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 6.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">“May be we could go
on,” thought Fred out loud.</span></span><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 6.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">Both of them turned
and continued. Silently they tread forwards not really knowing what was down here.
It was the silence that was painful. More so than the blackness! How could
blackness harm you? And, how was it so silent down here? More questions they
asked themselves, but probably wouldn’t get answered. It was more to aide their
heads. The tread of their trainers made a slight whoosh noise on the floor. The
torch still guiding them. By now they were holding hands. Blimey, if someone could
see them now, they would hurl all kinds of abuse. They felt connected; they
felt safe.</span></span><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 6.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">“Whah!”</span></span><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 6.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">There was that sound
again. Further they continued. Every step taken tentatively. The silence was
incredibly deafening. Their breathing was slow as they kept the dust away from
their eyes. They wanted to speak, but were too scared. They gripped each
other’s hand tighter. Why on earth were they doing this? Even Fred now
understood Si’s reluctance. It did seem a great idea at the time. Now, with
only a torch showing them the way it seemed all the more ludicrous. Fred
stopped caught his breath and turned around to Si, “whatever happens tell mum I
love her.”</span></span><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 6.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">“Don't be daft Fred.
We’ll be fine. Come on, which way do we go now?” as they approached a T-junction.</span></span><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">“Well according to Old
Tom, he says left goes to land side and the right goes out to sea. Well, at
least I think that’s what he said.” Fred stood and thought about it. “Yes,
that’s right. Left goes into the cliff and right goes out to sea.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">“So,” shrugged Si,
“which way?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">“I don’t know. Old Tom
never got that far. He just told me the tale of the witch. He didn’t say which
way.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">“You idiot! You
brought me down here for nothing,” as Si whacked him around the head.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">“OW! That hurt!”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">“So it should, you
fool. You brought me here and didn’t know which way to go. I’m off. I’m out of
here.” With that Si turned.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">“No, don’t go. Let’s
go left,” Fred protested as he grabbed Si’s right arm to stop him from walking
away.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">They both faced each
other waiting for each other to speak.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">“Come on Si, do this
with me?” Pleaded Fred as the question hung in the warm air. “We’ve been
friends all our lives. Let’s have some fun. If we don’t get out at least we’re
together. When have I let you down?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">“OK. But, no more, OK? Let’s go left and
see where it takes us.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">“Thanks Si.” They hugged , dusted
themselves down, and set off.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">“WHAH!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">“I’m getting sick of this now,” said Si.
“Sounds so pathetic. I reckon it’s someone playing a joke.” Si wiped his hand
through his greasy ginger hair. It was getting very hot and sweaty as they
continued deeper.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">“No, it’s no joke. Old Tom says so. The
witch has been down here for years. Never returned.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">“The witch would be dead now. When was the
collapse? 1935? That’s 80 years ago.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">“It was before then; 24<sup>th</sup> April
1933 to be exact. They closed the gate too hard and it caused the tunnel to
give in. All the men managed to get free. She was on the wrong side. Apparently
pushed, so Old Tom says.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">“You and blooming Old Tom. I wondered where
you’d gone all those times I came looking to go out. Left me to go with the
Hobson’s Gang. Not much fun I can tell you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">“Yeah sorry Si. When we get out we’ll be
together more.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">“If we get out,” said Si doubtfully. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">The floor was dusty and they were covered
in soot. It was quite a small hole, they nearly touched the ceiling; just over
six foot. They grew up as twins. They walked as the torch guided them over and
around large rocks. It was getting warmer and warmer; they huffed breathlessly
as they continued. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">“What else did Old Tom say?” Si asked
mainly out of boredom.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">“He told his tales. There’s many in these
parts. Old Tom’s 84 and been around here for years; knows everyone and
everything. He lost his only son in these mines. The one further up the road.
He wife died ten or so years ago, and he’s been on his own ever since. He hangs
around with the fishermen when they go out to sea and waits for their return.”
Si listened as they walked. “There has been a tonne of storms, lots of village
scandal, and his tales; they’re just so great to hear.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">“Well, thanks for deserting me. Hudson and
his gang are numpties. I had to spend most of my time revising, but this makes
a welcome change from all the revision and hanging around with them.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">“Yeah sorry Si. I don’t know what I was
thinking. I just got so absorbed with him, I forgot everything else. What with
mum being busy doing two jobs I didn’t want to stay at home on my own,
revising! Oh shit, I have so much to do. You were always brainier than me, Si.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">“That’s cos I don’t have my head up in the
clouds, Fred. Come down occasionally, it’s not that bad. What are you going to
do after our exams?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">“Dunno,” said Fred solemnly. “Haven’t
thought. Probably stay here with Old Tom. You’ll be off to do you’re A Levels
or something!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">“Yes, probably. Just want to pass really.
Look! Did you see that?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">“No. What?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">“That shadow. Yeah, I know it’s black down
here, but I’m sure I saw something move.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">“WHAH!” It was clearer now; more distinct.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">“I’m sure I saw something,” said Si, as
they stopped to look. Fred moved the torch slowly around and they strained
their eyes. Something did move. As quick as a flash a black figure with bright
eyes snarled at them, “what do you want?” came a raspy voice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">“Arrrgh!” both Fred and Si screamed, turned
and legged it as fast as they could out of the tunnel. They ran and turning
right down the tunnel they had come down, and headed towards the entrance. All
four feet pounding the floor, arms by their sides, their screams continuing as
they headed towards the light of the outside. Out they came, breathing hard.
Faster they ran until they were well clear of the tunnel entrance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">“What the hell was that?” panted Si.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">“I don’t know. She looked ghastly. Did you
see those eyes?” Fred bent over to get his breath back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">“That gentleman was Lady Victoria. The
witch of local Tinsdale Farm. Banished she was. Many a year ago…for casting a
spell on the Hudson family. Legend has it Farmer Hudson stole her heart to
marry Mary Winston, and as revenge made them infertile in both human and land.
Farmer Hudson never recovered and killed himself shortly after they married.
Mary dug deep and found out that it was Lady Victoria’s spell, and campaigned
her to be hanged. The guard spared Lady Victoria and banished her. Rumour has
it she’s never left Farmer Hudson and has remained here ever since. She’s been
hanging around his grave and doesn’t like to be disturbed”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">Both boys stood there stunned. Fred spoke,
eventually, “What?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">Old Tom chuckled, staggered himself up off
the rock with this wooden stick and edged towards the pair.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">“How do you think she’s still alive all
this time, eh?” he shuffled towards the cave entrance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">A moment or two later a boney hand appeared
and took the bag from his fingers, “thanks Tom,” a female voice pleasantly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">Tom smiled and they parted. The dark hold
covered her up completely and all they could hear were her feet disappearing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">Both boys were too still too stunned to
speak. They had just witnessed and great mythical tale in real life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">“So…so…so…is it true?” stuttered Fred. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">“Oh yes its true my boy. You promise me
never to go in that cave again?” he said sternly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">Both boys nodded furiously.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="paragraph" style="line-height: 150%; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">“Come on lads, let’s get you home. I
followed you and waited. I knew you were headed here. Now, go home, study and
get out of this place. It’s no place for studious boys.” Both of them listened
thoughtfully and nodded. “Never go there again!”</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12728823967047462762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3525620241650129558.post-35949754704138416122017-07-03T08:34:00.001-07:002017-07-03T08:36:01.948-07:00Writing challenge<p dir="ltr">Sharon's Challenge for myself & Chris</p>
<p dir="ltr">Up to 1000 words using the prompt; <br>
a new boyfriend or girlfriend, an anonymous letter, and some terrible advice <br></p>
<p dir="ltr">~~~~~~~~~~<br></p>
<p dir="ltr">“I knew I shouldn't have taken Aunt Val’s advise!” Lorraine let out an exasperated sigh. “”Get back on the saddle, she says. Best way.”” Lorraine fumed at Tracy, taking a sip of her mug of coffee. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Tracy sighed too. Yet again Lorraine was getting her knockers in a twist. Everyone knew Lorraine had not given it long enough after James before she partnered up with Steve. Lorraine's welcomed the attention from Steve and succumbed to it without giving it a proper thought. </p>
<p dir="ltr">“How could Steve go off with Amanda like that? No thought to me in any way.” Tracy listened patiently to Lorraine ranting. “He didn’t even care about me. I blame Aunt Val. She said to go for it. “There’s plenty more fish in the sea”, she said. James was just so great, so perfect! I thought we’d be together forever.” Tracy thought that too. Well, everyone did! Lorraine and James were great for eachother. They met at University. James took a year out to go travelling. Lorraine took a year to go and work in her father’s company in America. They survived that year apart. Ten more years together, and James disappears!</p>
<p dir="ltr">Tracy sipped on her hot tea and gradually ate her Victoria Sponge, moist and light. Lorraine stared out of the cafe window to gaze at the sea. Silence fell between them. A comfortable silence. Two best friends enjoying time together in Cafe Heaven. Lorraine sips her black coffee and ignores her gluten free chocolate cake. Her appetite had vanished. Tracy looked, she noticed how sad Lorraine looked; vacant even. Even the red and white striped table cloth did nothing for Lorraine’s complexion. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Fourteen wonderful years together and no indication that anything was wrong. Lorraine had been to some amazing places to see James, as a Sales Rep for one of the leading major hotels. The only thing she had to pay for were the flights, and even they were massively discounted. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Their tea and coffee diminished, but the cake remained. “Are you going to eat that Lorraine?” Tracy asked, as Lorraine continued to stare out of the window. “Oh well, I’ll eat it then,” and she did just that. Every last crumb. <br></p>
<p dir="ltr">“Hello sweetheart I’m home,” James took off his jacket, hung it up on the oak coat hanger, and placed his briefcase on the chair under the large oak mirror above. He checked himself out, a brown haired handsome chap. “Yes, he still had the good looks at thirty-three!” he said to himself before walking down the hallway in his nine bedroomed mansion and opened the kitchen door. Nothing but the best wood. Within the kitchen was his beautiful glossy black haired wife, Michelle. She was by the AGA frying off a thick cut piece of steak, turned around, and smiled. They walked towards each other and hugged. He loved coming home to his wife and kissed her full on the lips. “How was your day darling?” he kissed her again.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“It was ok today. A few boring meetings before court. Preliminary proceedings before the full case begins. He’s so guilty, but I have to represent him. It’s taken a lot of work and a lot of favours to get the experts on my side. We’ll get him from murder to manslaughter.” she sighed. </p>
<p dir="ltr">“I’m sure you’ve done your best and will get the best result. You always do. How about we curl up on the sofa and watch a film tonight? Not long til our tenth wedding anniversary.”</p>
<p dir="ltr">“Not tonight James. I’m sorry, but I have so many reports to do. He’s not going to get manslaughter that easy. I still need to go through his files and come up with something. Diminished responsibility isn’t going to work. The jury will see right through him. I feel we’re losing them too! But I will be available for our anniversary. I promise!”</p>
<p dir="ltr">“Come here then and give me a kiss,” they held each other tighter. James couldn’t be happier and couldn't wait for his anniversary to the most beautiful woman he’d ever met. He knew hed done the right thing, at last! He can’t believe he’d gotten away with it all these years. Now, he was free to be with Michelle forever. Nothing was going to get in his way...<br></p>
<p dir="ltr"><i>Dear Lorriaine,</i></p>
<p dir="ltr"><i>    I met you once at a conference in Singapore about ten years ago. You blew me away with your effervescent smile. Unfortunately you were with James at the time. How I envied him! He didn’t deserve you! Absolutely no way! That was until I attended his wedding to Michelle. She’s a Solicitor from Bristol. They married in Mauritius when they were 23…</i><br></p>
<p dir="ltr">Lorraine broke down. What was she reading? She looked at the envelope, yes, it was for her, her name and address on it. What going on? She texted Tracy from her kitchen table. A modest kitchen her and James had designed together; neutral and convenient. </p>
<p dir="ltr"><i>Hi Tracy, come quick, I’ve something to show you xx</i></p>
<p dir="ltr">She fired off the text. Lorraine had gotten home from work, a secretary for a soiicitor’s firm in Central Leeds. Michelle, who was Michelle? She knew Townsend and Taylors Solicitors very well, been there for years, was there a Michelle? Had there been?</p>
<p dir="ltr">Tracy came into the kitchen, Lorraine was whiter than usual, trembling. “What’s the matter Lorraine. Tell me, what’s up?”</p>
<p dir="ltr">Lorraine handed her the letter. “I got this and read as far as 23,” she cried, “I can’t read anymore!”<br></p>
<p dir="ltr"><i>...I seen you numerous times these past few years, and I knew I had to say something. James is living in London with Michelle. I thought you should know. Signed P </i><br></p>
<p dir="ltr">Tracy continued to read the letter.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“Bastard!” Lorraine whispered through tears, “wait til I catch up with that bastard. I’ll show that bastard!”</p>
<p dir="ltr">Tracy hugged Lorraine for hours, days. Disbelief! She too would help Lorraine to get the bastard!</p>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12728823967047462762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3525620241650129558.post-40966664583437465612017-06-12T03:15:00.001-07:002017-06-12T03:15:13.835-07:00My Tree<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I see the trees.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
They talk to me.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I hear their story<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Of a long time ago.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
A thousand stories.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
They talk to me<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Of years of history.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
The evolution of centuries.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
But who planted you,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
My faithful chunky tree?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Where is your seed?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
What is your story?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
What will I find<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
In your history<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Of years gone by?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
You grew and grew<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
From a sapling<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
To a hearty healthy tree.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
The stories you can tell<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Of years of history.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
You all grew together<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
As one big family.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Through years of stories<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
And watching families<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
From young to old.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Forests to man-made tools<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
That denseness evaporates,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
As buildings you now create<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
But I still sit to see<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
My tree that talks to me.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12728823967047462762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3525620241650129558.post-7130117636125536592017-06-04T23:37:00.001-07:002017-06-04T23:41:54.660-07:00Poem challenge <p dir="ltr">Poetry challenge set by <br>
Chris https://<a href="https://www.authorchrisbrown.wordpress.com">www.authorchrisbrown.wordpress.com</a><br>
for me and Sharon https://<a href="https://www.wordsandwoes.com">www.wordsandwoes.com</a>. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Must include the following words:</p>
<p dir="ltr">Peacock <br>
Fountain Pen<br>
Tea Party<br>
Old Fashioned Phone Box</p>
<p dir="ltr">Styled on a minute poetry, this is my poem:</p>
<p dir="ltr">I power into Paperchase.<br>
I'm in for days.<br>
I stop in owe;<br>
Always want more.</p>
<p dir="ltr">So many different designs.<br>
Each week new lines;<br>
Flamingos, cats,<br>
Travel, peacocks. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Old fashioned phone box themed notebooks.<br>
Tea party tea cups. <br>
Stationery <br>
And fountain pens. </p>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12728823967047462762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3525620241650129558.post-42724774089777475062017-05-29T07:07:00.001-07:002017-05-29T07:08:23.680-07:00Fear<p dir="ltr">My challenge to write a piece headed FEAR of 250 words (ish)... </p>
<p dir="ltr">I moved to North Yorkshire I needed practice in open water. I learned of a lake in the Richmond area and went.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Oh my goodness, how scary, get me out of here…NOW! Swimming in a lake is DEFINITELY not like swimming in an indoor pool; lanes, lifeguards, measured, see the bottom, and safe! I mean, who wants to get eaten by Jaws? No-one, so why! I dipped in, and swan to the buoy. I swam back. No way! Got to do this, I thought! I can do this! But, I cannot see the bottom. No way! I swam back to the buoy. Panicked, and got out, fast! Fear had taken over and that was it!</p>
<p dir="ltr">The following year I tried again. Still battling against this fear I tried; heart racing, fast breathing, etc.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Although this is a diving and water sports lake I have since learned that yes, there are various vehicles on the bottom, but that is all. No bodies or even Jaws! This still does not quite install any faith in me, still convinced Jaws is lurking in these murky waters.</p>
<p dir="ltr">There is one particular part where I do have to swim breast-stroke with my head out of the water. Seriously, swimming front crawl I can turn my head under the water’s surface and there is a small boat, and if I come upon it I freak out! My heart stops, I tighten, and I immediately freeze. Something really might come out of it and attack me.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Fear, as I have it, is an irrational thought conjuring imaginary processes that I succumb to.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><i>NB. I write this, on Sunday 28th May 2017, I got in from work last night. I was flicking through the channels and Jaws started. That was the second time I watched it all the way through without be scared.</i></p>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12728823967047462762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3525620241650129558.post-66709347004088721432017-05-22T03:57:00.001-07:002017-05-22T03:59:46.855-07:00Moonville <p dir="ltr">George sat there next to the kitchen table with an empty Coke bottle, double sided sticky tape, straws, card, and a plank of wood watching Blue Peter. He watched avidly listening to every word the presenter said. Their immaculately presented materials on their white clean table and the “here’s what I did earlier,” demonstrations. George was hooked. Although he was struggling to keep up, this wasn’t today’s society of pausing the programme. George hurriedly stuck all the pieces together. The mess he created in the kitchen was horrendous. Bits of tape stuck to the table, the back of the tape scattered across the floor. He’d accidentally knocked the box of straws, cascading on to the floor. He was too busy to finish his project to pick all it up. He felt pretty chuffed with himself when he eventually finished and grinned like a Cheshire cat full of pride.</p>
<p dir="ltr">In walked his mum. “George,” she exclaimed, “what happened?”</p>
<p dir="ltr">George, full of smiles held up his handiwork, wanting, waiting for approval.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Her hand clasped over her mouth towards the mess George has created. It was going to take forever to clean up, she throught, as she placed a couple of shopping bags on the work surface, exasperated! George still positioned himself with his work waiting for a response. She turned, feeling she ought to comment. In doing so she switched off the television, disgusted that she allowed it in the first place, and pick up George’s work.</p>
<p dir="ltr">A piece of wood as the base with straws standing at one end to hold a rolled piece of paper angled at 45 degrees, from the other end of the wood resting inbetween the straws. And the coke bottle inside the paper cylinder. A rocket and rocket launcher!</p>
<p dir="ltr">“Well done George, let’s get this kitchen tidy,” mum asked as George groaned. The worst part of all his creations, inventions is the tidying up. After chatting non stop they finished with his rocket launcher sitting proudly on the window sill for everyone to admire.</p>
<p dir="ltr">As the week ticked on many a conversation was held in reference to the rocket. George wanted it to shoot off and set about with this mum to make it fly. With careful attention they set up the kitchen table with vinegar, baking soda, a balloon, a rubber band, pin, a marker pen and cling film.</p>
<p dir="ltr">George and his mum filled the rocket with required amount of vinegar, then they put backing soda into the cling film and wrapped it like a parcel, but not too tight, so it could loosen inside the rocket. George carefully placed a dot on the balloon and poked a hoed through it with the pin, putting it to one side. With his tongue sticking out with concentration and his mum behind him he placed the soda parcel carefully in the neck of the rocket and fixed the balloon tightly over the rocket neck with the rubber band. Both of them slowly took the rocket and launcher outside and set it down on the concrete slabs.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“Now, George, be careful not to get the baking soda in the vinegar just yet.”</p>
<p dir="ltr">“Ok, I won’t,” George beamed with excitement.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Very slowly he tipped the rocket at the angle to fit inside its launcher, stood back, and waited. His mum holding him, she’d not done this before. They waited for the parcel to drop into the vinegar, unravel and work its magic.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Whoosh! A white cloud shot in the air followed by the rocket.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“Wow,” gasped George.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“Incredible,” gasped his mum also.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“This is brilliant mum, can we do it again,” he pleaded as the rocket floated down to the ground.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“It was good, wasn’t it,” his mum stood open mouthed.</p>
<p dir="ltr">George tugged on his mum’s cardigan and pleaded again, “can we? Again please mum,” bright eyed and smiling.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The afternoon was filled with whooshes as George continued his quest.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The next day whilst his mum and dad were busy gardening George took it upon himself to have more goes with his rocket, making more soda parcels. This time he carefully stuffed in two. Unfortunately it malfunctioned, reacting together too quickly as he was catapulted into the air screaming. He shot up and up. “Arrrgh,” he yelled as he continued higher and higher, and looked downwards to see his house getting smaller and smaller. But as he flew higher and higher he was beginning to enjoy himself. “This is cool,” he smiled continuing to grip tightly onto the rocket. He zoomed quickly into the white fluffy clouds. “Urgh, so wet,” he explored, seeing the droplets of water all around. He got soaked zooming the crevasses of fog. Appearing out of the other side the sun shone drying him instantly. He had to tightly close his eyes from the initial brightness of the sun, and then he saw the moon and the rocket seemed to have a route heading straight for it: the moon was the intended target! George was getting a bit frightened now, as he didn’t fully understand what was going to happen. The moon grew and grew in size as he got closer and closer. He landed in spectacular style, let go of the rocket and somersaulted forwards before he gradually stopped.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Eventually, he sat up, a bit dazed and confused as to what had just happened. He looked around blurry eyed getting his thought together.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“Where am I,” he puzzled. He didn’t recognise this at all. He began to focus and set upon a figure walked towards him. An arm stretched out, “my name is Anna, welcome,” she smiled, waiting for him to shake hands.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“Well, this is very formal, Anna. How do you do?” he mused.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“I’m very good. What is your name?”</p>
<p dir="ltr">“George. Wh…wh…wh…where am I?” he stammered.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“You are on Moonville, we like to call it, but it’s the Moon,” she spoke so eloquently.</p>
<p dir="ltr">He looked around noticing that it didn’t look like cheese, as everyone had said it would. He noticed Anna and how pretty she looked in a purple skirt and yellow t-shirt. She was also bare footed. Specks of dust floated with each step she took.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“And what is Moonville,” he asked.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“Moonville is my home. My family came here back in 2015 when Earth built a space rocket to fly to the Moon. We were chosen from a television competition. A new concept to improve television ratings with the likes of ‘The Voice’, ‘X Factor’, ‘Big Brother’ being so old. A famous person invented this competition to take a family to the Moon,” she sighed, “we’ve been here ever since. The space rocket just took off once we landed. My brother, mum and dad have had to survive, clueless. We’ve been longing to be rescued.”</p>
<p dir="ltr">“So, how did you know about me,” he enquired.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“Steve, my brother, mum and dad have long since given up. But I am still hopeful we will be rescued. Ever the dreamer, they keep saying,” she sighed again. George just stared at her. She radiated with elegance.</p>
<p dir="ltr">So, what year are we here,” he asked, as he had finally gotten on his feet.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“Well, I guess it’s 2015. I’ve been counting. Although it’s been hard as it’s always dark. I look towards the Earth and see the change of lightness and darkness and have counted since then. It goes be so quickly.” She gazed longingly out towards the stars against the dark sky. Her blonde hair pulled back into a gun. She wiped a stray hair from her face. George smiled at her.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Amazingly it wasn’t cold as George through the Moon would be and although dark he could still see clearly through the illumination of the Moon’s surface. There was a slight breeze, but “wow,” he gasped looking around. It was just how he imagined with craters, rocks, baron; it was awesome! There were ups and downs, but he didn’t float. His rocket was gently fizzing out as he thought back as to what had just happened. He couldn’t quite believe it, so cool, wait til school here about this! He looked at his hands, yep, still there! His legs, yep they’re here too! He patted himself down, all in one piece! He was truly flabbergasted, he couldn’t believe it!</p>
<p dir="ltr">“Wow,” he amazed again, “What’s it like living on the Moon,” he enthusiastically asked.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“Quite boring really, and there is nothing to do. We have had to make everything ourselves. It’s like going back in time, except we’ve gone forward. We have had to start from scratch, but dad was a mechanic, good with his hands. So he and Steve have built this really good car to get around. We walked and wondered for days getting to grips with it all. Amazing at first, but as time moved on it became less and less interesting. I like to wander and wait to be rescued. I knew someone would come,” Anna said bursting George’s excitement.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“Well, I don’t know about that,” George scratched his head somewhat deflated, “I was just messing with this homemade rocket and it accidentally brought me here. Quite amazing really,” he thought has he gazed at Anna thinking she was very pretty.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“So, what’s it like on Earth,” she enquired.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“Well, not much going on really. There’s still crappy telly. Doctor Who is on, which is cool. But it’s still 2015. I live with my mum and dad. That’s all.”</p>
<p dir="ltr">She coyly looked at him with her arms crossing in front of her. She couldn’t believe her luck; someone had finally come to rescue them. And, he was cute.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“I can’t say I’ve heard of what you did on the telly competition. I like to read and play games with mum and dad.”</p>
<p dir="ltr">She came closer, kissed him on the cheek, held out her hand indicating for him to follow.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“Why don’t I take you to my family and see what they’ve done. They won’t believe you have come.”</p>
<p dir="ltr">They held hands and sparks flew between them as their fingers clasped each other’s. What was he thinking? He was only 9. What is this feeling anyway?</p>
<p dir="ltr">“How old are you,” he asked.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“I’m 10,” she replied.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Smiling to eachother she guided him to her house. They watched the flare of dust as they walked on the surface. It was so mesmerising. Still holding hands they chatted and laughed to her house. They seemed to walk for ages, over boulders, down crevasses. It was really good fun. At last they arrived and he stood frozen to the spot and stared at the house in front of him. How could they build something like this? And a garage too? He stood in awe!</p>
<p dir="ltr">She quickened her pace and soon they both ran to the front door. Anna couldn’t hold her excitement, “mum, dad, Steve,” she shouted, “George has come to save us. I told you someone would. I told you!”</p>
<p dir="ltr">George once again stood looking in amazement at everything. “Wh…wh…what…look at all of this? How did you get this? How did you make this out of nothing?” He spun around indicating the nothingness outside. “It’s amazing!”</p>
<p dir="ltr">Anna’s mum, dad and Steve had all come to see what Anna was shouting about. All dressed casually. Even they couldn’t believe George was here. All of them had given up.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“Well, we catch each item when it flies in the atmosphere. Some gets dumped and we pick it up. You’ll be amazed with what people throw out.” Steve stepped forward and introduced himself. The house was built out of people’s throw outs and, the toys lying around. Steve and his dad had built them too. All sorts of things including cars, dinosaurs, etc. There were no on/off switches either, but electric currencies flowing through that once the two pieces of wire made contact together, that would allow the toy to come to alive. Steve showed him each toy. George was so excited.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“So, have you come to save us?” Anna’s dad asked bringing George back to reality.</p>
<p dir="ltr">George stopped and explained about his homemade rocket. About how he was messing about and ended up on Moonville by mistake. All of them stood and listened, chest fallen, but his story, feeling somewhat neglected. “But, I’ll tell you what. I’ll go back down and come back with better equipment to take you home,” he quickly finished.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Anna’s dad thought long and hard, and decided it was the best idea. After all, how were 5 people going to fit on the homemade rocket anyway? Steve and his dad scrambled about making more rocket fuel to enable George to get home.</p>
<p dir="ltr">George kissed Anna on the cheek, she blushed. She was going to miss him, but it won’t be long before he comes back for her, she beamed. As though reading her mind George reassured his return, and she nodded in agreement.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The countdown began, 10…9…8…to the end and Boom! He took off faster than he arrived hurtling towards his patio. He whizzed and whizzed til he landed safely, buzzing with excitement.</p>
<p dir="ltr">He told his story in the “show and tell” class on Monday morning, and that’s when he knew he wanted to be an astronaut.</p>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12728823967047462762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3525620241650129558.post-30240683694060651872017-05-15T03:23:00.003-07:002017-05-15T03:23:56.472-07:00Wanda’s Night Out<b style="font-weight: normal;"><div dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-cf9d3902-0ba1-4f0b-b9a6-2046082b082e" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">On Saturday the 13th May 2017 gorgeous hubby and I drove to Penrith in our VW Campervan…</span></div>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img height="601" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/KXxZ8swoNxy-8RCRuTe9gM6qjLLFOFobdakIjD8SpiERiOXyPzy0izIrpB2_ubdLdMO5OUjl1AZ31jwCfYUYFzykVIKC_MVY5JMmnz2WFiLZSsbdesrVUAL248UdyoQEqi8DPH-9" style="-webkit-transform: rotate(0.00rad); border: none; transform: rotate(0.00rad);" width="602" /></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">...to meet some friends. The weather did not look all that great, considering we had had some lovely days recently. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Gorgeous hubby went to fetch Wanda from storage and brought some food supplies, whist made some. We were providing a picnic for everyone. But I had asked my friend to supply her delicious coleslaw. I do not how or what she does, but it's the best! I always ask for it. There is no point in me trying to replicate it, I certainly will not make it any better. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">At 11am we set off with our mugs of coffee. Gorgeous hubby drives. I will do one day, but not yet! We headed for the B6271 out of Northallerton to the A1(M), where works are still continuing to widen the road. So, not exceeding the 50mph average speed limit, haha, we exited at Scotch Corner for the A66W. With black clouds looming in the distance my gorgeous hubby carefully navigated against the strong cross wind. The trees and bushes were practically horizontal from the wind. We swerved occasionally getting a gust from the side. But, my gorgeous hubby is a great driver, also stating that “we had a head wind making it more tricky, especially up hills”! We would have the open road ahead of us when travelling along the single road. But, once we hit the dual carriageways the speed freaks would zoom past; cars, lorries, and buses! </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Unfortunately, this part of Cumbria along the A66W appears bleak and cold. It really is uninspiring. There were two layers of clouds. The lower, darker layer obscuring the white fluffy clouds. We had the occasional glimpse of blue sky. We have no heater in Wanda. But, we are wise to this; thermals, hats, fleeces, etc. So, as usual I fell asleep until we came up to the roundabout at Penrith. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">We stopped for petrol and alcohol supplies … this is a must! And, made our way along the A686 to Edenhall Church and parked up. I set up the picnic on the table with chairs. And my friends arrived with kids and a dog. We tucked in. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Homemade</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Carrot & Coriander soup</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Sunflower Seed bread </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Cheese & Tomato quiche</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Spinach & Ricotta quiche </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">My friend's Coleslaw </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Salad Leaves with cherry tomatoes and cucumber </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Cheese</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Mini sausages </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Mini sausage rolls </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Cheese puffs </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Ham & Pineapple pizza </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img height="601" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/T9y9_XtuHmcK9XqrMkkT7DLFdm0U94XMssKMld_Uwx1M6C63-QRMxsO1EL0udoTDJ3j_Y8QlgNzdAEiE80e3D7JSuRnHSegjc-qJZEWmfqmI3BKUAp3TsOnUKx8upWhL5DNxoKpG" style="-webkit-transform: rotate(0.00rad); border: none; transform: rotate(0.00rad);" width="602" /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">After a cup of tea to warm ourselves up as we were getting chilly we trotted for our walk with Lena, their delightful Staffy dog. We walked through the fields to a forest and down to the river. The wind had died down by this point. It was beginning to feel a little warmer, only a little! Cows, sheep, birds filled the air over our voices with their noises. The river flowed slowly with ducks and swans. We saw a Heron on the opposite bank before it flew away. A gaggle of Canadian geese were meandering on the opposite field squawking to each other. We stopped by the river as the boys skimmed stones. Lena kept digging in the muddy shallow water to bring us some huge rocks, strange dog! There were plenty of dog walkers. “Hasn't it turned cold?” “Atleast it's not raining!” “We've had such lovely weather recently!” “End of summer!” The usual English pleasantries were exchanged. We continued along the circular walk back to the Church, stopping off at the obligatory swings. Child or adult, swings are a must! Age not restricted!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Arriving back we had been joined by half a dozen other cars. Obviously, a place for walkies. One by one the cars manoeuvred out while we enjoyed a cup of tea and my homemade cupcakes: Lemon or Chocolate & Brazil Nut. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img height="339" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/OiQg8lwt9JmxwKUPNMBByws4vtPZTPM38fJRBYwTjVvGe8SKuMQ3gE-CkesUKTNjUCCf8Gc_BGS7UkkWP6cFxk_zs5Bk2YdGa45MiuH_4VQqHFBpWNSaUI25MiE6G4qb1EhjLdxI" style="-webkit-transform: rotate(0.00rad); border: none; transform: rotate(0.00rad);" width="602" /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">It was time to say our goodbyes, but gorgeous hubby and I stayed a little while longer to discuss camping requirements for the night. It would be on the route homeward. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">We left for a place called Grandie Caravan Park in Dufton near Appleby (</span><a href="http://www.duftoncaravanpark.co.uk/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">www.duftoncaravanpark.co.uk</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">). We headed back to the A66E and a time later we parked up and put up our “wall” windbreak. The windbreak was probably not needed as we were by some trees and in a dip, the wind had been reduced to a noise of the rustling trees. But, our first time since we brought it. What the heck!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img height="339" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Z9uF7tARWDCIhldDs09MBgWAd5CWdTPJDMo3Qawux4X-zGjrEhwWQKBH6BeIVOAZyRVBnXfhbvVe9DhjlE4TvG7Bl-q0x3e6zkttCkiPnOby8wXWj0qkbOhYVCmTWrrXwR245LSm" style="-webkit-transform: rotate(0.00rad); border: none; transform: rotate(0.00rad);" width="602" /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">We relaxed and listened to the rustling of the trees and the birds. We had a quick chat with the owners paying our £20 a night fee. A Robin landed on the fence behind us, studied us for a second or two and flew off. We could here village life of kids playing and adults talking on this May evening. A plane is heard overhead, but it is too cloudy to see. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">At 18:45 gorgeous hubby makes a start with tea. A Lego beaker of Leffe beer is delivered and soon, smells waft from the kitchen area of Wanda.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Tea is served: Turkey mince bolognaise with pasta and courgette. Gorgeous hubby has Cranstons (</span><a href="http://www.cranstons.net/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">www.cranstons.net</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">) thick Cumberland sausages. Red wine is Malbec. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">We eat outside as the sky gets slowly darker. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">After washing up we retreat inside for a DVD. Tonight's film is Blood Diamond. Awesome acting but very violent. Our first with a film in the Campervan. Pretty good. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">We awake on this Sunday morning at half 7 with bed tea. You can not beat bed tea! We had breakfast outside of muesli and toast with a cup of coffee. Slightly warmer this morning, although a full blanket of grey cloud. We headed homeward, back to reality, shortly after 9am. </span></div>
</b><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12728823967047462762noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3525620241650129558.post-47710118135949843952017-05-01T09:35:00.001-07:002017-05-01T09:35:23.559-07:00Conversation<p dir="ltr">Writing prompt: write a story only through conversation</p>
<p dir="ltr">Shelley: Here, Stacey, look at this? Can you believe what Charlotte’s done? OMG silly cow! Let’s put this up.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Stacey: Why, what’s she done now?</p>
<p dir="ltr">Shelley: You went with Troy earlier and a book fell out of her bag. When she went down the corridor. I picked it up. It was her diary!</p>
<p dir="ltr">Stacey: Alright Shell tell me.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Shelley: Alright! Alright! Here it is… Word for word. No lyin’! She's such a posh cow! <br>
“Oh my goodness, I feel like crying. I want to cry. I just have to. I sat with Shelley, Stacey, and the Gang in maths, and they do not listen. They always act the fool and be silly. It’s not funny. I really do not like them at all. Today, they answered back to Mr. Thompson saying he was wrong with this times table. They thought it was hilarious. They kept telling him he was wrong. Then, they started on me. I don’t know why. They said I had a big backside and looked funny. That really hurt. All because I rolled my eyes at them. I mean, they don’t take school seriously. It is serious and important. Education is important.”<br>
Can you believe it?</p>
<p dir="ltr">Stacey: OMG she’s tight. She’s so stuck up. She needs a shag. Seriously, Shell, where does she get this crap? She’s gotta lighten up.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Shelley: I know. Wait, there’s more…<br>
“I am so in love with Dale. He’s so dreamy.”</p>
<p dir="ltr">Stacey: Dale Smith? Not that geek with the cracked glasses? Surely not!</p>
<p dir="ltr">Shelley: I know. It’s mad.<br>
“The way he talks. He’s so phwaor! I could hug him, kiss him all over. But, I know he won’t be interested in me. He’s so dreamy. And talented! I know I'll have dreams about him tonight. We’ll get married under the blue sky by the sea with the grains of sand tickling our bare feet, with our hands together gazing into eachothers’ eyes as we say our vows. Oh, I do like him a lot.”<br>
Can you believe this shit!</p>
<p dir="ltr">Stacey: Yuck. Where’s she getting this stuff. She’s so sick!</p>
<p dir="ltr">Shelley: I know. Should we say summut? To Dale?</p>
<p dir="ltr">Stacey: Yeah! We got English with him tomorra. How about we get this printed out and up in class?</p>
<p dir="ltr">Shelley: Yeah! I’ll do it. See ya tomorra Stacey. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Stacey: Yeah, see ya! </p>
<p dir="ltr">Shelley: Hey Charlotte, here’s your diary back!</p>
<p dir="ltr">Charlotte: Oh no! Where did you get that?</p>
<p dir="ltr">Shelley: Fell outta ya bag. Stacey was snogging Ty and I seen it fall outta ya bag.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Charlotte: It did not! My bag is always closed. You pinched it! That’s terrible! You are a liar, give it to me.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Shelley: Here it is. Hey Day-elle, someone fancies ya!</p>
<p dir="ltr">Charlotte: You read my diary? You read it? How could you? </p>
<p dir="ltr">Shelley: Hey Day-elle, want to know who it is?</p>
<p dir="ltr">Stacey: Hey Shell. Leave Dale alone, this ain’t fair!</p>
<p dir="ltr">Shelley: You agreed last night Stace. We took the piss outta her, remember?</p>
<p dir="ltr">Stacey: Yeah we did, but I’ve bin thinkin’. This ain’t right Shell. Give it a rest. Enough is enough. Leave Charlotte alone?</p>
<p dir="ltr">Shelley: You cow! I’m gonna get ya later. You are my best friend. At Least, I thought you are! I’ll remember this. I’ll get ya. Have this, this fist in ya face!</p>
<p dir="ltr">Charlotte: Shelley, no! Don’t do it! </p>
<p dir="ltr">Stacey: Ow! Shell. What was that for?</p>
<p dir="ltr">Charlotte: I hope you are proud of yourself, Shelley! You really are a bully! Look, your own best friend! Happy now? A cruel, manipulative bully! All my life you have bullied me. Well, I am not taking it anymore. Here, you have my fist in your face. See how you like it…! See! Not so tough now, are you? Look at you! Crying like a baby! All that tough exterior all gone. Well, you can keep it. I am so much bigger and better than you. I am not going to waste any more of my time with you. You can keep your nastiness and get lost!</p>
<p dir="ltr">Stacey: Come on Charlotte, let’s get out of here!</p>
<p dir="ltr">Shelley: What are you doing Stace?</p>
<p dir="ltr">Stacey: First, I’m gonna get this lip seen to. And, you should get looked at too. You’re a right state. Then, I’m off to Charlotte’s house.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Shelley: What? I don’t get it?</p>
<p dir="ltr">Stacey: C’on Shell, you are a bully. After what you did yesterday, last night was mean. You never take anyone’s diary, let alone read it! I have a diary and no-one is going to read mine. I talked to my ma and what you did ain’t right, Shelley. I rang Charlotte, after speaking to ma, and told her what we were planning. It’s mean Shelley. Charlotte told me everything. Everything you’ve done to her. For years! It ain’t right. It ain’t big. It ain’t clever. You’re a bully. I never knew what you did some of them. I never knew. Aren't you ashamed?</p>
<p dir="ltr">Shelley: B...B...But! But, you don’t understand. I didn’t mean it. It was a laugh.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Stacey: That’s even worse!</p>
<p dir="ltr">Shelley: I dunno. It was a laugh. I was bored. You joined in too? It ain’t all my fault. You laughed and joined in too! You helped me.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Stacey: Yes, I did. But not some of the other stuff you did!</p>
<p dir="ltr">Charlotte: You see Shelley, Stacey came to me and told me everything. We had a really good chat. She apologised. You know, she said sorry. We talked for hours last night. Saying sorry and opening up to it all seemed, I don’t know, seemed to help me.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Stacey: I did some terrible things! And, you did too Shelley. I said sorry for the ones I did with you. But, I didn’t know you did more. And, I kinda believe Charlotte. Especially after we did some cruel stuff. But, to do more. Stacey, you’re disgusting. There’s no point crying.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Shelley: No, Stace, no. Come back. Don’t leave me. I … I … I … I don’t know what to do?</p>
<p dir="ltr">Charlotte: I’m sorry Stacey, she was you best friend.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Stacey: She still is, Charlotte. She needed someone to tell her. I suppose I’ve bin blockin’ it all away. We grew up togevver. Ya nar! We were inseparable. But, since her ma went off with Stu, Shelley changed. Her brothers nicked off too. They left. She was on her own. We bonded even more. But, lately, I suppose I’ve only jus’ realised. Ya nar, we all have skeletons hidden. We all have problems to overcome. Shelley is bad, I ain’t gonna excuse tha’, but she’s soft underneath and all heart. She really cares for me. Ma told me I really ought ta help her. And, I will.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Charlotte: How will you do that?</p>
<p dir="ltr">Stacey: I’ll be there. I ain’t gonna leave her. She needs me now more than eva. We’re locked mates. Ain’t no key gonna set us free. We laughed about that. We had good times. Shes needs guidance. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Charlotte: So, you’ll both bullying me and leave me alone?</p>
<p dir="ltr">Stacey: Yep, we sure will, Charlie. We sure will. And we’ll even hang out togevver. But, give it time. Shelley will come round. I’ll make sure of that.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Charlotte: Come on, let’s go and see how she is doing.</p>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12728823967047462762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3525620241650129558.post-8565472270648352842017-04-24T04:53:00.001-07:002017-04-24T04:53:48.324-07:00Trains : 142<p dir="ltr">Nodding, nodding <br>
The train drives along<br>
The wheels in motion <br>
As it creates <br>
The nodding sensation </p>
<p dir="ltr">Nodding, nodding <br>
The double set unit<br>
Chases from station to station<br>
Ferrying people <br>
In quick succession </p>
<p dir="ltr">Nodding, nodding <br>
Stop, start, quick, and slow<br>
These type of trains<br>
We're never going to be used<br>
For these past forty years </p>
<p dir="ltr">Nodding, nodding <br>
The local service <br>
Dots around the countryside <br>
Blowing horns<br>
And weaving side to side </p>
<p dir="ltr">Nodding, nodding <br>
Along the tracks they serve <br>
Communities and livelihoods <br>
Taking passengers far and wide <br>
Long live the “nodding donkey”</p>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12728823967047462762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3525620241650129558.post-32289516738875121972017-04-10T08:03:00.001-07:002017-04-10T08:03:50.936-07:00Memory<p dir="ltr">It takes me back,<br>
Back into another world.<br>
A world of forgotten memories,<br>
Memories come flooding back,<br>
Back into this life of mine.<br>
Mine is what you were to me.<br>
Me and you driving.<br>
Driving down memory lane.<br>
Memory lane I remember clearly.<br>
Clearly, but I feel fuzzy,<br>
Fuzzy I cannot see,<br>
See into the other world:<br>
World of many memories.<br>
Memories I fail to see,<br>
See into another life,<br>
Life taken away from me.<br>
Me became me and you.<br>
You left because you were scared,<br>
Scared of a family.<br>
Family is a big word.<br>
A big word that wouldn't put me off.<br>
Off into another world,<br>
World of memory.<br>
Memory of a different outcome.<br>
Outcome would've still been the same;<br>
Same me and you.<br>
You would've pulled through,<br>
Through into a world.<br>
A world where you belong.<br>
Belong to me;<br>
Me and you; forever.<br>
Forever in my mind,<br>
Mindful as I sit here.<br>
Here in an old folk's home.<br>
Home is a million miles away.<br>
Away in my memory;<br>
My memory of you and me! </p>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12728823967047462762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3525620241650129558.post-29280445844790283982017-04-03T03:02:00.000-07:002017-04-03T03:02:18.635-07:00Scenery<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I stand here watching the world</span><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Go by in its own special way.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I think how life will seem</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">In years flashing by.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">How happy will I be?</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The birds are singing, clouds slowly passing.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The river steadily exploring</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Each bank; each stone; swaying side by side.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">A train speeds past getting to it’s final destination.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">How lovely the world seems;</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">A peace! A tranquil! </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Displaying today’s mood; beautiful scenery.</span></div>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Walking up the hill.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">One foot in front of the other.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Excited to reach the top</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">And see the countryside.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The best view in the world.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Lush green hills all around.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">No-one for miles and miles.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The wind is still.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The world stops!</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The noises sing!</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">A peace! A tranquil! </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Displaying today’s mood; beautiful scenery.</span></div>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I sit and wonder</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">As another train motions past,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">All sorts of thoughts buzzing around</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">And I see great sights</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Upon this beautiful scenery.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Will my thoughts come true?</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Or am I just another imaginator?</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Life is full of hopes and dreams.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Full of mysterious surprises.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I sit and see before me;</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">A peace! A tranquil! </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Displaying today’s mood; beautiful scenery.</span></div>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The sun shines showing the land’s glory.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">A quiet undisturbed landscape.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">In all the years I have achieved</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">And not knowing what the future lies.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Always at a crossroads.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I still sit and think</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Of this day with admiration.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">No disruptions or modern communication.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Of how life unfolds</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">And dreams come true.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">A peace! A tranquil! </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Displaying today’s mood; beautiful scenery.</span></div>
</b><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12728823967047462762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3525620241650129558.post-88581446140805544432017-03-27T08:30:00.001-07:002017-03-27T08:31:09.609-07:00Bin Mystery<p dir="ltr">I never meant for this to happen, and it came as a bit of a shock as I went to get the bins out. Someone has put on the stickers of my house number actually on the bins! Each bin, three in total, has my house number on! And in fluorescent pink too! Humph! I mean, they look terrible! Very distasteful! It cannot be any one I live with. I am single. Mmm I wonder! And, I doubt very much the bin men would do this. Can I call them men? Isn't that sexist? I haven't seen any women managing my bins. So, yes, I can justifyingly say bin men. Mind you, they do come early and make one hell of a racket. Still, they do an excellent job. But, who stuck the numbered stickers on my bins? It's a practical joke? Mrs. Percival has immaculately placed numbers on her bins. I bet she used a ruler! Mr. Thompson’s are both mixed up and his bin is dirty. No-one is going to nick his bins. The twins have matching ones on theirs at Number Eleven. No-one has horrible colours like mine. Even Mr. Thompson’s are colourful in comparison! I cannot scrape them off, the adhesive is too blooming strong. It remains a mystery!</p>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12728823967047462762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3525620241650129558.post-66430071387247106592017-03-20T03:10:00.001-07:002017-03-20T03:16:38.606-07:00Challenge<p dir="ltr">Write a 500-1000 word short story using the following prompt:</p>
<p dir="ltr"><b>At the library, you find a photo in a book…</b></p>
<p dir="ltr">Louise walks into her local town library. The automatic doors open to let her through and close behind her. That's the trouble with these modern libraries: the oldness has gone; the musty smell you have in old libraries. Whilst she believed in libraries, these new ones cannot replace the grand buildings of row upon rows of book smells. This smelt fresh; clean! There was none of that book smell. Shame! </p>
<p dir="ltr">Standing at the reception counter, “Excuse me? Can you tell me where the travel books are please?” She asks.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“Certainly. This way,” as the librarian stops scanning books and she walks in a direction. Light flooded into the library from a massive window. Libraries ought to be dark and mysterious. This was bright, open and spacious.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“Here you are!”</p>
<p dir="ltr">“Travel. Thanks,” smiled Louise.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The librarian smiled back and left to continue scanning.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Louise scanned the books, looking for the ‘Spain’ section. Another beauty of libraries is that everything is alphabetical. Easy! She is old enough to know the alphabet too!</p>
<p dir="ltr">Ah Spain, here it is. I'm looking for Barcelona, she says to herself. And pulls out the <i>Lonely Planet</i> on Barcelona. She flicks through and something falls out. Louise bends down and picks up this square piece of paper. She turns it over. It’s not a piece of paper… it is a photo.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Louise gazes at it. It’s a happy photo. Blue sky. A man with black hair with a huge welcoming smile stands with his arm around a girl with short brown hair smiling too. They stand in front of water and boats. She turns it over again and on the back of the photo is written </p>
<p dir="ltr"><b>Elaine … Barcelona 21st March 2015 … I love you forever … Our last X</b></p>
<p dir="ltr">Louise flicks to the front of the book to see when it was last in use. Stamped 08 Mar 15. That was months ago. A couple of years almost. Blimey! She closes the book and walks back to the reception counter with it tucked under her arm.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The librarian, still scanning, looks up, “do you want to take that book out?” She says.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Louise hesitates, looks at the book and says no. “I wonder, though, if you could do me a favour, please,” she asks quickly, as though she’s about to do something naughty.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The librarian stops what she is doing and moves over. She looks inquisitively, intently.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“Erm...I’ve come across this photo.” Louise pulls out the photo from the book and gives it to the librarian, who examines it in a precise manner.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“Nice words,” she says.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“Yes, I don't suppose you could tell me who hired out this book, could you? It seems important by what’s written.”</p>
<p dir="ltr">“Yes it does. Unfortunately, due to confidentiality we cannot give out information like that.”</p>
<p dir="ltr">“Yes, I thought it may be the issue. Do you have an envelope and a piece of paper and pen?”</p>
<p dir="ltr">The librarian opens up a drawer and gives Louise a piece of paper. From the countertop she hands over a pen too. Then, went in search for an envelope.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Louise thought for a moment before putting pen to paper.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><i>Dear X,</i></p>
<p dir="ltr"><i>I came across this photo in a Barcelona travel guide in the town library today. I thought it may be important to you so I've asked the librarian to forward it to you.</i></p>
<p dir="ltr"><i>I hope you’ll reply. I'm intrigued by the meaning of what is written on the back of the photo.</i></p>
<p dir="ltr"><i>Thanks. Hear from you soon, I hope!</i></p>
<p dir="ltr"><i>Louise Pickford</i></p>
<p dir="ltr">She re-read the letter, folded it and inserted it into the envelope which the librarian handed to her.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“Can you find out who took out the book and send this to them please?”, and she stuck a stamp on.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“Yes, of course, I will,” smiled the librarian. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Louise got her book stamped and left the modern library.</p>
<p dir="ltr">~</p>
<p dir="ltr">Three weeks later she returned. She approached the reception counter and gave the book to return to a boy. Disappointed she headed for the automatic exit doors.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“Excuse me?”</p>
<p dir="ltr">Louise turned around. </p>
<p dir="ltr">“Louise, is it?”</p>
<p dir="ltr">“Yes, it is.” Louise stood in front of the female librarian of three weeks ago. </p>
<p dir="ltr">“Hang on, you got a reply,” at which she left and returned with a white envelope.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Louise grinned and opened the envelope. Pulling out the letter she unfolded it.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Write 500-1000 word short story using the following prompt:<br></p>
<p dir="ltr">At the library, you find a photo in a book…<br></p>
<p dir="ltr">Louise walks into her local town library. The automatic doors open to let her through and close behind her. That's the trouble with these modern libraries: the oldness has gone; the musty smell you have in old libraries. Whilst she believed in libraries, these new ones cannot replace the grand buildings of row upon rows of book smells. This smelt fresh; clean! There was none of that book smell. Shame! </p>
<p dir="ltr">Standing at the reception counter, “Excuse me? Can you tell me where the travel books are please?” She asks.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“Certainly. This way,” as the librarian stops scanning books and she walks in a direction. Light flooded into the library from a massive window. Libraries ought to be dark and mysterious. This was bright, open and spacious.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“Here you are!”</p>
<p dir="ltr">“Travel. Thanks,” smiled Louise.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The librarian smiled back and left to continue scanning.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Louise scanned the books, looking for the ‘Spain’ section. Another beauty of libraries is that everything is alphabetical. Easy! She is old enough to know the alphabet too!</p>
<p dir="ltr">Ah Spain, here it is. I'm looking for Barcelona, she says to herself. And pulls out the Lonely Planet on Barcelona. She flicks through and something falls out. Louise bends down and picks up this square piece of paper. She turns it over. It’s not a piece of paper… it is a photo.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Louise gazes at it. It’s a happy photo. Blue sky. A man with black hair with a huge welcoming smile stands with his arm around a girl with short brown hair smiling too. They stand in front of water and boats. She turns it over again and on the back of the photo is written </p>
<p dir="ltr">Elaine … Barcelona 21st March 2015 … I love you forever … Our last X</p>
<p dir="ltr">Louise flicks to the front of the book to see when it was last in use. Stamped 08 Mar 15. That was months ago. A couple of years almost. Blimey! She closes the book and walks back to the reception counter with it tucked under her arm.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The librarian, still scanning, looks up, “do you want to take that book out?” She says.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Louise hesitates, looks at the book and says no. “I wonder, though, if you could do me a favour, please,” she asks quickly, as though she’s about to do something naughty.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The librarian stops what she is doing and moves over. She looks inquisitively, intently.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“Erm...I’ve come across this photo.” Louise pulls out the photo from the book and gives it to the librarian, who examines it in a precise manner.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“Nice words,” she says.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“Yes, I don't suppose you could tell me who hired out this book, could you? It seems important by what’s written.”</p>
<p dir="ltr">“Yes it does. Unfortunately, due to confidentiality we cannot give out information like that.”</p>
<p dir="ltr">“Yes, I thought it may be the issue. Do you have an envelope and a piece of paper and pen?”</p>
<p dir="ltr">The librarian opens up a drawer and gives Louise a piece of paper. From the countertop she hands over a pen too. Then, went in search for an envelope.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Louise thought for a moment before putting pen to paper.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Dear X,</p>
<p dir="ltr">I came across this photo in a Barcelona travel guide in the town library today. I thought it may be important to you so I've asked the librarian to forward it to you.</p>
<p dir="ltr">I hope you’ll reply. I'm intrigued by the meaning of what is written on the back of the photo.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Thanks. Hear from you soon, I hope!</p>
<p dir="ltr">Louise Pickford</p>
<p dir="ltr">She re-read the letter, folded it and inserted it into the envelope which the librarian handed to her.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“Can you find out who took out the book and send this to them please?”, and she stuck a stamp on.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“Yes, of course, I will,” smiled the librarian. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Louise got her book stamped and left the modern library.</p>
<p dir="ltr">~</p>
<p dir="ltr">Three weeks later she returned. She approached the reception counter and gave the book to return to a boy. Disappointed she headed for the automatic exit doors.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“Excuse me?”</p>
<p dir="ltr">Louise turned around. </p>
<p dir="ltr">“Louise, is it?”</p>
<p dir="ltr">“Yes, it is.” Louise stood in front of the female librarian of three weeks ago. </p>
<p dir="ltr">“Hang on, you got a reply,” at which she left and returned with a white envelope.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Louise grinned and opened the envelope. Pulling out the letter she unfolded it.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><i>Dear Louise,</i></p>
<p dir="ltr"><i>What a surprise! I really thought I’d lost this photo. This was the last photo I took of Elaine. I’m so pleased to have received it. So, yes, it was very important to me. Unfortunately Elaine passed away. This was our last holiday together. This photo means so much to me. I'm eternally grateful to you and relieved to have found it. I'm pleased you were able to send it to me.</i></p>
<p dir="ltr"><i>Yours forever, Ben</i></p>
<p dir="ltr">Louise smiled. She handed the letter to the librarian, who read it too. The librarian smiled and handed back the letter. Louise carefully put it back together and stuck it in her back jeans pocket. Another excellent find for her scrapbook.<br>
</p>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12728823967047462762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3525620241650129558.post-24834464859777397252017-02-27T02:55:00.001-08:002017-02-27T07:50:26.336-08:00Two stories<p dir="ltr">So, I attended a writing group before Christmas and was given a blurb of what to write. We had to write about a journey of approximately 1,000 words. </p>
<p dir="ltr">I wrote two stories and here they are titled<br>
The Journey and The Steps:<br></p>
<p dir="ltr"><b><i>The Journey</i></b> </p>
<p dir="ltr">“Have I got my ticket?” Anna said to herself, fumbling in her oversized black leather bag. Yes, as she pulled out a credit card sized piece of cardboard written on it; Redcar Central to London Kings Cross. She knew she had to change at Darlington; her itinerary said so.  The train pulled in and she boarded.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“Tickets please?” said the Conductor. Anna handed over her ticket. It only gets looked at, to her disappointment. I thought it is suppose to be stamped, she shrugged. She gazed out of the window. Too many years she had lived here. Too many memories; some good; some pleasant; some unforgivable. Isn't that what growing up is all about?</p>
<p dir="ltr">The train moved along each station as people got off and many more got on.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“Tickets please?” What? Again? She had just shown it! The Conductor, different one this time, took her ticket, “nice bag?” she commented, “Gucci?”</p>
<p dir="ltr">“Yes, had it many years,” Anna replied. </p>
<p dir="ltr">“Are you going anywhere nice? London, it says so on your ticket,” she smiled, “a single. Are you doing anything special?” enquired the Conductor. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Wow, she asks a lot, thought Anna, a nice girl in her blue uniform. “Yes, I'm going to start a new life!” </p>
<p dir="ltr">“Well, I hope he's worth it?” smiled the Conductor again as she walked off and checked more tickets. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Worth it? There is no he at all. I'm done with this place. Anna sat up straighter in her seat, her large bag on her skin tight blue Levi's, she knew there would be no he for a long time coming. She would be too interested in settling in London first.  </p>
<p dir="ltr">She fumbled with her black long sleeves feeling very nervous. This was a big deal for Anna. A challenge, a new home. Her big brown eyes moved along with the fast train scenery as a hefty man sat next to her. Thank goodness she was not going to spend too long sitting next to him; not a pleasant man. He snarled a lot too! She glanced, occasionally, at his newspaper. A trash paper, generally with nothing in it. It past the time! </p>
<p dir="ltr">The train pulled into Darlington. Anna waited an era whilst the large man hoisted himself off his seat with immense force she thought he was going to rip the seat out with his hold! He huffed and puffed. She was quite unsure what to do or where to look. It was embarrassing for her. Eventually he removed himself, she was able to manoeuvre her slim figure with her bag out of the doors and breathe a sigh of relief on the platform. She stood a moment or two to gather her thoughts before proceeding. This was it! She was finally going to London, the biggest change of her life! She was trembling, too scared to move, but she needed to catch her train. She was going to leave all in Redcar behind her and venture out. London! What was she thinking? Can she do this? A waste of effort and time if she turned back now! It had cost her a fortune. Somehow, though, she knew she was doing the right thing. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Standing on the cold platform she drew her black coat tighter around her body. She nervously looked at the screen making sure it was the right train. Damn, five minutes late. Did she have time to grab a coffee? It was so cold on the platform. Gusts of wind blew from one end to the other. She needed warmth. </p>
<p dir="ltr">“We are sorry to announce that the 11:28 Virgin Trains East Coast service to London Kings Cross is delayed for twenty minutes; two-zero minutes. This is due to trespassers on the line before Newcastle. Virgin Trains apologizes for this delay and for any inconvenience this may cause”</p>
<p dir="ltr">Damn, this is all I need, Anna thought. Better go and grab that coffee before I freeze to the platform. Off she walked to the Costa outlet for a medium skinny lattè. Other people must have had the same idea, as the queue was ten deep. Still, with nothing else to do she joined and listened to the mutterings of people's dissatisfaction,the sound of the coffee machine being extensively used; orders shouted and made; she had not expected it to be busy for a Thursday. </p>
<p dir="ltr">A tall man caught her eye. He was looking nervously around, glancing at his watch as though he was late for something. He was fidgeting with his phone staring at the screen. He couldn't be waiting for the same train as me, Anna said to herself, he looked distracted and restless. </p>
<p dir="ltr">“Medium skinny lattè and a caramel crisp,” Anna stated hers, eager to stand next to him to await the coffee. He wasn't even glancing up from his phone now. She wrapped her hands around the hot paper cup and sipped it whilst walking back to the platform to see the tall man also standing on the platforn. She alternatively stamped each foot not sure if it was nerves or the cold. This was her moment. She was ready for the next stage. She boarded the train and quickly found her seat. A few minutes later the Costa man sat next to her. His eyes still didn't leave his phone screen, so Anna diverted her gaze to the window and watched the scenery fly past. </p>
<p dir="ltr">His conversation was limited, in fact, non existent. He was concentrating too hard with his phone. Each station seemed to take forever to slow down and get moving again, as she grew closer to London. It seemed as though the journey stood still. Her eyes glazed over and flashes of her past came and went. Her palms felt sticky, she had to control her breathing to focus. It was now getting closer to the 13:49 arrival into King's Cross. The train had made up some time and the Guard announced to be arriving only ten minutes late. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Anna pulled out a picture. A picture of a female almost identical to her. A female she had learnt to be called Isabel. A twin separated from birth, she had only recently been told about. After her extensive research they were meeting for the first time. Anna couldn't wait! <br></p>
<p dir="ltr"><i><b>The Steps</b></i></p>
<p dir="ltr">The steps led into the unknown. Jen stood at the bottom and looked up. It was going to be a long journey. A journey into what? </p>
<p dir="ltr">George nudged her “go on then! God is waiting!”</p>
<p dir="ltr">Jen gulped, “but, what if God doesn't want me?” </p>
<p dir="ltr">“What?” exclaimed George. “It's your turn. It's time to go. Of course God wants you.” </p>
<p dir="ltr">The steps, still there, looked cold and uninviting. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Jen shivered. Tentatively she took the first step. She wasn't ready. Her dress swished as cold air blew down the steps. She wanted more out of life. She felt her time wasn't now; it was still too soon. </p>
<p dir="ltr">“Go on,” encouraged George through his tears. He didn't want her to go either, as though he could read her fears. He wasn't ready to face life on his own. He had to be strong. “Remember, we're doing this together,” he softly whispered, as his face began to crumble. He couldn't let her see this. </p>
<p dir="ltr">“Good for whom! You know I didn't want this!” she too fought with tears. It seemed so easy to discuss the situation, but to actually go through with it, it was bloody hard. </p>
<p dir="ltr">She took another step. Her arms by her side. Her face focusing on nothing. George wanted to pull her back. It was all a mistake. It wasn't her time. The pain on his face said it all. This was the final realisation of the course they had chosen. But why this option? There were other plans available. It seemed a long way off at the time. Yet, it was here. There was no going back. They had planned for this day. This very day. Although it didn't seem real. Jennifer continued step by step, but barely moving, moving up. George felt helpless! An invisible force grew between them. Somehow making them stronger. This wasn't going to be the end: the finale. This was the beginning of a new journey. Unfortunately, one apart. This was not what either of them had planned in their advancing years. Life can be too cruel.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Both had heavy tears rolling down their faces. </p>
<p dir="ltr">George watched Jenny grow smaller and smaller, as she kept on stepping upwards. She gradually went out of view. </p>
<p dir="ltr">“Jen!” George shouted, “Jen! Come back!” tears streamed. “Jen! I can't do this alone!” His voice broke as he fell to his knees. “Jen,” he whispered, “I miss you! I need you!” He sobbed and sobbed. </p>
<p dir="ltr">He looked up from the cobbled floor after a lengthy time. The steps had disappeared along with his beloved Jen. There was nothing there. He looked,searched. Nothing. He was told this would happen, but he didn't believe it at the time. Well, you wouldn't when it was a long time ago! It was now, all a bad dream. “No, Jen, come back,” he cried again, “don't leave me!”</p>
<p dir="ltr">She had. She had simply vanished. He shook his head disbelieving this had actually happened. All these days, years had led to this. It can't be true. He turned his back on the empty space and headed homeward. </p>
<p dir="ltr">He took out his wallet from his right trouser pocket and pulled out a photo of the two of them looking so happy. He had kept a hold of this photo to remember the good times, before it all turned sour. “Not my Jen. We had happy times,” he said to himself, running his fingers over the photo, as though he expected her to reappear. </p>
<p dir="ltr">He continued home and let himself in. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Nothing had changed. His beloved Jen didn't come out if the kitchen with her apron on to greet him. He shuffled into the kitchen. He sat, slowly, on the chair by the table and noticed a white envelope with “My George” written on it. He stared at this foreign object. For him? His hands trembled and slowly, he picked up the envelope. Opening it up carefully he pulled out the paper inside… </p>
<p dir="ltr">My George, </p>
<p dir="ltr">You knew this time would come. Don't be sad. Think of the wonderful happy times we have shared. The places we have visited. The friends we have laughed with… </p>
<p dir="ltr">Tears formed again and huge drops soaked his trousers. </p>
<p dir="ltr">… When I received the news I was dying of cancer I could not believe it myself. We explored all avenues of treatment, but it had gone too far, I was riddled with the disease. We joined together and made this painful process a bearable journey. One, we did together! I could not have got through all of this without you.</p>
<p dir="ltr">By going on The Steps to Friendships I am able to continually be with you. I will always be by your side. We still have so many places to go to. </p>
<p dir="ltr">I know you suffered, my dear George! I could hear you crying in the study. I knew it would upset you more if I told you. So, I left you to it. It broke me in two to hear you. I would listen, by the door, quietly, and feel your pain. </p>
<p dir="ltr">You were by my side throughout and now it's time to be with you always. </p>
<p dir="ltr">I have brought you the cruise we were going to do one day. We will still do this travel together. Like we planned! </p>
<p dir="ltr">Go George, throw caution to the wind and do me proud. </p>
<p dir="ltr">I promise you, I will always be next to you. My love for you will not die. My love for you will not disappear. My love for you will not stop. We will continue as though all of this has not happened. We will not stop. </p>
<p dir="ltr">My love forever </p>
<p dir="ltr">Your Jen xx</p>
<p dir="ltr">George trembled with grief. His whole body shook as he cried.</p>
<p dir="ltr">He stared at the tickets. He couldn't quite believe this was happening. He'd finally gotten tickets to their cruise. They had been talking about this for years. It had been a dream when he'd seen it advertised in the Travel Agent's brochure. All glamorous and promoting beautiful destinations. </p>
<p dir="ltr">“It's a bit pricey, Jen,” he'd said, disappointed. </p>
<p dir="ltr">“Oh George, we'll just have to work harder,” she giggled back with a wink. </p>
<p dir="ltr">George would raise an eyebrow knowing she meant he'd have to work harder. He already worked hard enough. They did enjoy a lavish lifestyle, but this round-the-world cruise for six months was the one thing he couldn't provide for. It became a long-standing joke for them. A dream and it was always a great conversation starter when entertaining. But, now, he was holding the actual tickets booked for Mr. & Mrs. George and Jennifer Halls. An outside cabin. Also included in the envelope was an invitation to attend the Captain's Ball! Something George was very keen to do. He actually had the tickets within his grasp. He looked further in the envelope and found Airline tickets from London Heathrow to Miami return. The flight was booked for the next day. Attached to the back was a post-it note saying “Go George. Pack and Go”</p>
<p dir="ltr">And, he did just that. He locked the front door and headed to London Heathrow to catch his flight. </p>
<p dir="ltr">~~~~~</p>
<p dir="ltr">Six months later he returned and walked into his house. Silence greeted him and he knew he had a long hard journey ahead of him. He developed his photos and on each one he'd taken of himself Jen was standing, grinning, next to him. Her smile radiated and the two of belonged together. He smiled too, now knowing she will not leave his side. She will always be there. The photos proved that. </p>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12728823967047462762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3525620241650129558.post-26906544159095025802017-02-21T00:47:00.002-08:002017-02-21T00:47:58.966-08:00Fate<div dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-5e9d86c8-5fd4-353b-aa04-e73c28f28d47" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
Sally/Sharon Challenges<br />
<br />
Write a 500 word story choosing the last line of a book as the first line of your story. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-5e9d86c8-5fd4-353b-aa04-e73c28f28d47" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
Chosen book:</div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline;">The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline;">================================================</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline;">“Please,” she said again, holding on tightly, “Call me Catherine.”</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Ben held onto Catherine, “Call me Ben,” he replied. He winced as he tried to heave Catherine from the bank. She began sobbing. “Don't let go.”</span></div>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline;">“I won't. Help me out here. Can you bring your feet up to get a grip on the grass?” He asked.</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Catherine did as she was asked, but the bank was slippy. It was heavily rained throughout the night. Her feet slipped, again and again. The more she tried the faster she became, the muddier the bank got.</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline;">She sobbed, “I'm sorry.”</span></div>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline;">“Don't worry about this. Let's focus on helping you.” Ben steadied himself tucking his knees in. He was persistent. He was going to get this lady free.</span></div>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline;">“I'm sorry!”</span></div>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline;">“Let's concentrate on you getting free. Then you can treat me to breakfast.”</span></div>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline;">She smiled. “I haven't any money.”</span></div>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline;">“I have,” he smiled back.</span></div>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline;">“I came out for a jog and slipped. I cannot believe I was so stupid. I wasn’t concentrating. Too busy absorbed with the scenery I got too close to the edge.”</span></div>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline;">“Yes it is. I love walking Jasper around here, especially when the sun’s rising.” He was struggling now. He could feel his grip loosening, but he was determined. She was so beautiful. He saw her go over, rushed over as quickly as he could. Grabbed her. She screamed, but pleased with the sudden jolt.</span></div>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline;">“I know this cafe up on the hill. Does excellent breakfasts and coffee.”</span></div>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline;">“Yes my sister-in-law owns it, Jane’s Cafe. Not original is it?” She smiles. Ben smiled back. He looked quite handsome. “We could grab it for free?”</span></div>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline;">“Let's not worry about cost. You're making me hungry,” Ben leaned closer, tried to get his hand under her shoulders with his fingers digging into her armpits. She didn’t care. Without him she was a goner. He leaned in further, clenched his teeth and with all his strength pulled her, inch by inch, until she was able to grip onto the grass with her feet. She was then able to take small steps up the bank as he pulled. </span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline;">It seemed like an eternity, but she was able to get out of his grip and crawl over the bank. She flopped on the grass. she needed to catch her breath. “Thank you very much,” she murmured </span></div>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline;">“No worries, I was glad to help. Are you ok?”</span></div>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline;">“Yes, just need to get my breath back.” </span></div>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline;">“If only I had a towel, you're a mess!” Ben said.</span></div>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline;">“I'll clean up at Jane’s.” She struggled to sit. It had taken the wind out of her, it was all a bit of a shock. Wiping her face with her sleeve she was able to see clearly. She saw this gorgeous face smiling towards her.</span></div>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Ben stood up, help out his arm, “here, let's go and get this breakfast.”</span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Catherine took hold and slowly stood up. They stood inches from each other looking into each other’s eyes. </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12728823967047462762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3525620241650129558.post-57396424476903791392016-07-03T14:27:00.000-07:002016-07-03T14:29:25.587-07:00Painting Benches<div dir="ltr" style="font-family: sans-serif; text-align: center;">
My gorgeous hubby and I have a couple of benches. Garden benches. He brought me one for my wedding present (5 years: wood), to which he kept nagging at me that the wood needed protecting, to make them last longer. That was my job. That is a very long time ago!</div>
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In April of 2016 we were enjoying some fine sunny days in the North of England I decided this would be a good idea to sand down the bench. Thinking it would be an hour job... three hours later I was still at it! I always like to do a thorough job. And blimey, that bench was smooth.</div>
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<span style="font-family: sans-serif; text-align: start;">It was a glorious sunny afternoon and I sandpaper'ed it all. There were a few (a lot of) choice words: I really got fed up, because I didnt expect it to take so long! I had a few cups of tea to keep me going, and with the patio doors open I listened to Radio 2 blasting out from the television. But, oh my goodness, how fiddly! Getting in between the slats was tight, and my hand ached. It was hard work. Plus, its not all that comfortable to do.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: sans-serif; text-align: start;"> I got out the tin and </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif;">with a paint brush I started painting. Gorgeous hubby had located an old sheet to put on the cobbles so they didn't get splattered with paint. I had on some old clothes, so I set too with the painting.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: sans-serif; text-align: start;">I stared in disbelief as the paint went on purple. Purple! Seriously! Wow! I know I like purple, but I didn't really want that colour on my benches. I was a little taken aback. Thankfully, though, it dried brown, "Deep mahogany", just what it said on the tin! Phew! The decision had to be made as to how to paint the underneath. Do I wait for it to completely dry and turn it over? Do I go underneath like mechanics do with cars? I opted to go underneath as I do like to fully complete a task! No matter what the task is! Gorgeous hubby located me some goggles to protect my eyes and I set to, to complete my paint job. Again, it was a laborious task to complete. It's quite hard to get inbetween the slats. At least I could tell what part had been done, so there was no "you've missed a spot" with my painting! With the wind blowing and I knew it was going to be dry for the next 24 hours (clever me, I checked the weather forecast) to complete the drying process. The tin does say "quick drying", but it is always best to go with a complete dry work. </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; text-align: start;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: sans-serif; text-align: start;">I finally finished my work and stood back to admire.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Now, the last part of the drying process was to watch that the cat didn't get her paws on it. Disastrous if she were to bring those painted paws into the house. She does like to lounge around on the bench to soak up the sun. We watched her like a hawk!</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Finished, read the tin... 3 to 4 coats! Oh no, not again!</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12728823967047462762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3525620241650129558.post-932026346350350932016-03-06T10:29:00.001-08:002016-03-06T10:53:28.834-08:00Sir Terry Wogan<p dir="ltr">It was such sad news to hear of the passing of Sir Terry Wogan. Never before has a death of a celebrity affected me, but I'm really upset that he has died. I really don't know why it's affected me, I didn't know him. I've never met him. <br>
I have not seen his television shows, I was too young. I have only ever heard him on the radio.<br>
There was something about him that was calming and gentle. He got me up in the mornings with his Radio 2 broadcast. The "Janet and John" tales would sometimes have me in stitches. Sir Terry Wogan was someone I would drive with, wake up with, potter around the house with; he was someone I loved to hear and felt comfortable listening to. <br>
I was absolutely gutted when he gave up his morning ramblings. It's not been the same since he left. I was glad to hear his Sunday Lunch time broadcasts. He still sounded great and hadn't lost his charm. In the beginning a few programmes were recorded with audiences. I did try to go but unfortunately was unable. That would have been great to be there. They sounded an absolute riot! I would listen to him on catch up.</p>
<p dir="ltr">On Monday 15th February 2016 I listened to the first ten minutes of the Jeremy Vine show whilst I drove to work. It was a saddened tribute to Sir Terry Wogan. I made a mental note to listen fully on catch up.<br>
I picked up the Metro from Darlington Train Station and read their amazing tribute to the Great Man. Their were words said from Chris Evans that morning on his Radio show, so I made another mental note to listen to that too! </p>
<p dir="ltr">On Wednesday I hopped on a Choo Choo to London from Darlington and plugged myself into the catch up programmes from both Chris Evans and Jeremy Vine. I cried all the way to London and back: silent tears! Such great words and sentiments from those that knew him. They really were fantastic tributes. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Never before has an emotion touched me with great sadness from a death of a celebrity: someone I've never met and didn't know personally. </p>
<p dir="ltr">RIP Sir Terry Wogan : A Great Man not forgotten </p>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12728823967047462762noreply@blogger.com0