Wanda’s Night Out

On Saturday the 13th May 2017 gorgeous hubby and I drove to Penrith in our VW Campervan…

...to meet some friends. The weather did not look all that great, considering we had had some lovely days recently.

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.

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!

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.

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.

Homemade:

Carrot & Coriander soup

Sunflower Seed bread

Cheese & Tomato quiche

Spinach & Ricotta quiche

My friend's Coleslaw

Salad Leaves with cherry tomatoes and cucumber

Cheese

Mini sausages

Mini sausage rolls

Cheese puffs

Ham & Pineapple pizza

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!

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.

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.

We left for a place called Grandie Caravan Park in Dufton near Appleby (www.duftoncaravanpark.co.uk). 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!

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.

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.

Tea is served: Turkey mince bolognaise with pasta and courgette. Gorgeous hubby has Cranstons (www.cranstons.net) thick Cumberland sausages. Red wine is Malbec.

We eat outside as the sky gets slowly darker.

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.

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.

Conversation

Writing prompt: write a story only through conversation

Shelley: Here, Stacey, look at this? Can you believe what Charlotte’s done? OMG silly cow! Let’s put this up.

Stacey: Why, what’s she done now?

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!

Stacey: Alright Shell tell me.

Shelley: Alright! Alright! Here it is… Word for word. No lyin’! She's such a posh cow!
“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.”
Can you believe it?

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.

Shelley: I know. Wait, there’s more…
“I am so in love with Dale. He’s so dreamy.”

Stacey: Dale Smith? Not that geek with the cracked glasses? Surely not!

Shelley: I know. It’s mad.
“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.”
Can you believe this shit!

Stacey: Yuck. Where’s she getting this stuff. She’s so sick!

Shelley: I know. Should we say summut? To Dale?

Stacey: Yeah! We got English with him tomorra. How about we get this printed out and up in class?

Shelley: Yeah! I’ll do it. See ya tomorra Stacey.

Stacey: Yeah, see ya!

Shelley: Hey Charlotte, here’s your diary back!

Charlotte: Oh no! Where did you get that?

Shelley: Fell outta ya bag. Stacey was snogging Ty and I seen it fall outta ya bag.

Charlotte: It did not! My bag is always closed. You pinched it! That’s terrible! You are a liar, give it to me.

Shelley: Here it is. Hey Day-elle, someone fancies ya!

Charlotte: You read my diary? You read it? How could you?

Shelley: Hey Day-elle, want to know who it is?

Stacey: Hey Shell. Leave Dale alone, this ain’t fair!

Shelley: You agreed last night Stace. We took the piss outta her, remember?

Stacey: Yeah we did, but I’ve bin thinkin’. This ain’t right Shell. Give it a rest. Enough is enough. Leave Charlotte alone?

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!

Charlotte: Shelley, no! Don’t do it!

Stacey: Ow! Shell. What was that for?

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!

Stacey: Come on Charlotte, let’s get out of here!

Shelley: What are you doing Stace?

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.

Shelley: What? I don’t get it?

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?

Shelley: B...B...But! But, you don’t understand. I didn’t mean it. It was a laugh.

Stacey: That’s even worse!

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.

Stacey: Yes, I did. But not some of the other stuff you did!

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.

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.

Shelley: No, Stace, no. Come back. Don’t leave me. I … I … I … I don’t know what to do?

Charlotte: I’m sorry Stacey, she was you best friend.

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.

Charlotte: How will you do that?

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.

Charlotte: So, you’ll both bullying me and leave me alone?

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.

Charlotte: Come on, let’s go and see how she is doing.

Trains : 142

Nodding, nodding
The train drives along
The wheels in motion
As it creates
The nodding sensation

Nodding, nodding
The double set unit
Chases from station to station
Ferrying people
In quick succession

Nodding, nodding
Stop, start, quick, and slow
These type of trains
We're never going to be used
For these past forty years

Nodding, nodding
The local service
Dots around the countryside
Blowing horns
And weaving side to side

Nodding, nodding
Along the tracks they serve
Communities and livelihoods
Taking passengers far and wide
Long live the “nodding donkey”

Memory

It takes me back,
Back into another world.
A world of forgotten memories,
Memories come flooding back,
Back into this life of mine.
Mine is what you were to me.
Me and you driving.
Driving down memory lane.
Memory lane I remember clearly.
Clearly, but I feel fuzzy,
Fuzzy I cannot see,
See into the other world:
World of many memories.
Memories I fail to see,
See into another life,
Life taken away from me.
Me became me and you.
You left because you were scared,
Scared of a family.
Family is a big word.
A big word that wouldn't put me off.
Off into another world,
World of memory.
Memory of a different outcome.
Outcome would've still been the same;
Same me and you.
You would've pulled through,
Through into a world.
A world where you belong.
Belong to me;
Me and you; forever.
Forever in my mind,
Mindful as I sit here.
Here in an old folk's home.
Home is a million miles away.
Away in my memory;
My memory of you and me!

Scenery

I stand here watching the world

Go by in its own special way.

I think how life will seem

In years flashing by.

How happy will I be?

The birds are singing, clouds slowly passing.

The river steadily exploring

Each bank; each stone; swaying side by side.

A train speeds past getting to it’s final destination.

How lovely the world seems;

A peace! A tranquil!

Displaying today’s mood; beautiful scenery.

Walking up the hill.

One foot in front of the other.

Excited to reach the top

And see the countryside.

The best view in the world.

Lush green hills all around.

No-one for miles and miles.

The wind is still.

The world stops!

The noises sing!

A peace! A tranquil!

Displaying today’s mood; beautiful scenery.

I sit and wonder

As another train motions past,

All sorts of thoughts buzzing around

And I see great sights

Upon this beautiful scenery.

Will my thoughts come true?

Or am I just another imaginator?

Life is full of hopes and dreams.

Full of mysterious surprises.

I sit and see before me;

A peace! A tranquil!

Displaying today’s mood; beautiful scenery.

The sun shines showing the land’s glory.

A quiet undisturbed landscape.

In all the years I have achieved

And not knowing what the future lies.

Always at a crossroads.

I still sit and think

Of this day with admiration.

No disruptions or modern communication.

Of how life unfolds

And dreams come true.

A peace! A tranquil!

Displaying today’s mood; beautiful scenery.

Bin Mystery

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!

Challenge

Write a 500-1000 word short story using the following prompt:

At the library, you find a photo in a book…

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!

Standing at the reception counter, “Excuse me? Can you tell me where the travel books are please?” She asks.

“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.

“Here you are!”

“Travel. Thanks,” smiled Louise.

The librarian smiled back and left to continue scanning.

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!

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.

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

Elaine … Barcelona 21st March 2015 … I love you forever … Our last X

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.

The librarian, still scanning, looks up, “do you want to take that book out?” She says.

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.

The librarian stops what she is doing and moves over. She looks inquisitively, intently.

“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.

“Nice words,” she says.

“Yes, I don't suppose you could tell me who hired out this book, could you? It seems important by what’s written.”

“Yes it does. Unfortunately, due to confidentiality we cannot give out information like that.”

“Yes, I thought it may be the issue. Do you have an envelope and a piece of paper and pen?”

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.

Louise thought for a moment before putting pen to paper.

Dear X,

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 hope you’ll reply. I'm intrigued by the meaning of what is written on the back of the photo.

Thanks. Hear from you soon, I hope!

Louise Pickford

She re-read the letter, folded it and inserted it into the envelope which the librarian handed to her.

“Can you find out who took out the book and send this to them please?”, and she stuck a stamp on.

“Yes, of course, I will,” smiled the librarian.

Louise got her book stamped and left the modern library.

~

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.

“Excuse me?”

Louise turned around.

“Louise, is it?”

“Yes, it is.” Louise stood in front of the female librarian of three weeks ago.

“Hang on, you got a reply,” at which she left and returned with a white envelope.

Louise grinned and opened the envelope. Pulling out the letter she unfolded it.

Write 500-1000 word short story using the following prompt:

At the library, you find a photo in a book…

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!

Standing at the reception counter, “Excuse me? Can you tell me where the travel books are please?” She asks.

“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.

“Here you are!”

“Travel. Thanks,” smiled Louise.

The librarian smiled back and left to continue scanning.

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!

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.

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

Elaine … Barcelona 21st March 2015 … I love you forever … Our last X

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.

The librarian, still scanning, looks up, “do you want to take that book out?” She says.

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.

The librarian stops what she is doing and moves over. She looks inquisitively, intently.

“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.

“Nice words,” she says.

“Yes, I don't suppose you could tell me who hired out this book, could you? It seems important by what’s written.”

“Yes it does. Unfortunately, due to confidentiality we cannot give out information like that.”

“Yes, I thought it may be the issue. Do you have an envelope and a piece of paper and pen?”

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.

Louise thought for a moment before putting pen to paper.

Dear X,

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 hope you’ll reply. I'm intrigued by the meaning of what is written on the back of the photo.

Thanks. Hear from you soon, I hope!

Louise Pickford

She re-read the letter, folded it and inserted it into the envelope which the librarian handed to her.

“Can you find out who took out the book and send this to them please?”, and she stuck a stamp on.

“Yes, of course, I will,” smiled the librarian.

Louise got her book stamped and left the modern library.

~

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.

“Excuse me?”

Louise turned around.

“Louise, is it?”

“Yes, it is.” Louise stood in front of the female librarian of three weeks ago.

“Hang on, you got a reply,” at which she left and returned with a white envelope.

Louise grinned and opened the envelope. Pulling out the letter she unfolded it.

Dear Louise,

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.

Yours forever, Ben

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.