I am back home in Cornwall and sad that my week of fun is over. The journey home was not a good one so prepare for a rant. I had decided to travel on the coach as they offer assistance with bags and you can 'alledgedly' book this. I spent 10 minutes on a premium rate number trying to do this. What a rip off, I had to listen to several recorded messages before I got through.
Penfold left me at Swindon and there was no sign of assistance but I didn't mind too much as I was stood in the right place. I told the driver I had booked assistance and he said no one had told him anything. We got to Bristol late where we had to transfer to another coach very quickly as it was waiting for us. I had to wait for the driver to offload everyone else before me as I physically could not carry my bags. Yes, I know I should travel light but I'm a girl! One of the Customer Service people shouted at me to hurry up and that was enough for me. I stamped my foot HARD and shouted 'look at my arm you idiot, what is this, do you actually think I am wearing a hot, scratchy arm guard for fun???' He looked a bit sheepish and muttered at me that he didn't know I needed assistance. 'That is not the point' said I ' use your bloody eyes'. The driver was great as he calmed me down and told useless Customer Services Chap to go. It may seem like a small thing to get angry about but when you are in constant pain and people regularly invade your personal space it all gets a bit much sometimes.
The journey continued and I think the original driver had, had a bit of a word with the other driver as when I changed at Plymouth the Customer Services Lady was waiting for me in her high vis jacket. We had to wait for an hour for 25 passengers coming off another coach. It was a party of Americans and everyone of them got on board and thanked us for waiting. Kind of restores your faith in human nature doesn't it!
Things went from bad to surreal. I was sat at the front with a lovely lady called Liz and we were bantering with the driver, who was telling us a series of very silly one liner jokes. The Brits were falling about laughing and the Americans were asking us to explain them. A few of the Brits on the coach were worried about relatives waiting for them and as I know the Plymouth road very well, I was giving them timings for their destinations. The driver said I should get on the mic and give the Americans a guided tour. Hilarious! I didn't by the way! I got off the coach at Bodmin to farewell kisses and lots of goodbye waves. Awww....
Just to be serious for a moment. I have been a care worker for years and did not think for a minute that I would end up with a Disability. We don't though do we? I suppose if we did we would wrap ourselves in cotton wool and do nothing at all. Think about it, it could be you. Whether you are unfortunate enough to have a bad accident, as I did, or Disability comes to you through old age, you will, at some time in your life experience it. Take a moment and think of others less fortunate than you and use your eyes to ensure they have a fair shot at life. On a brighter note, losing some of the use of my arm has opened my eyes and I have gained, rather than lost from the experience. Okay she says, lecture over.
I dumped my bags gratefully, yawned down the phone to Penfold and cracked a beer. It was good to be home but tired as I was I had to go to Truro to play with Angelina, my four year old granddaughter, the next day. As you know I am 'between' cars at the moment so this involved more public transport. This time by train, which was smooth but late!
Angelina was waiting for me. I had dropped into a card shop and bought her a couple of helium balloons and grumpily fought my way through the crowds of Saturday shoppers with them. Angelina had dressed herself in a green top, pink skirt, pink shoes, glitter in her hair and completing the ensemble was a pair of sunglasses on the top of her head! Siany went off to work looking stunning ,as usual, and Angelina and I hit the shops. She was so funny. She knew exactly what she wanted and if the sun went in she would clip her sunglasses to her top.
We had lunch in an Italian restaurant. I had the Calamari and a glass of pink (the benefits of not driving) and she opted for the coca cola and a dish of 'Manilla' ice-cream. We had to do a lot of clinking of glasses and say cheers to each other a lot. Fellow diners were as entranced as I. I asked her if I could go into a clothes shop. 'Just for a minute' she said sternly. Whilst in the shop, she was trying her best to hurry me up. 'This top is fine for you' she announced, or 'I think this one would look good'. Quite the little Diva isn't she! Four presents later we got home. Angelina put her new Scooby Doo DVD on (my granddaughter has great taste you know), got her blankie and we settled down for some chill time.
What a fabulous day we had doing girly things. Back on the train again. Why do I always have surreal experiences when I travel? My last train journey involved a troupe of Morris Dancers (or should I say Dorris Prancers) and they insisted on sharing their Cider with me. This time it was a group of lovely Plymouth girls, all about my age. They opened a bottle of the fizzy stuff and insisted that I participated. The cork was popped and ended up wedged in the luggage rack. What a great end to a girly day.
This Muse is tired but happy and promises she will tackle the washing tomorrow.
Take Care out there
Muse x
No comments:
Post a Comment