THE STREET BBQ

Good day to you from the UK, I hope you are all feeling better than me?

Yesterday we were to go to our street BBQ. Our neighbour from across the road, was to come for us as we did not want to take the beastyGirls?

Half past six was the time. We sat, and sat, the heat was killing us both whilst waiting. I was really nervous, because we only know a handful of neighbours and that is only to say hello to, we have never socialised with them before. We didn’t know what to expect, what to take or who we would be talking to if anyone? By seven we were about to give up, as we could hear everyone there and the sounds of cutlery clashing and smell the fire starting for the BBQ.

Then about ten minutes later, a knock on the door. Off we went, over different grounds. Smooth paths, rough roads and soft grass, turning when necessary and then the people. Oh as the talking went  a little quiet, as people watched how our kind neighbour guided us through the chairs, there were two lovely chairs with our names on them, said our neighbour.

As we sat down, handed over a large pack of burgers, someone said

“We don’t need them, we have loads of those? Hahaha. So God knows where they ended up, but Hub never saw them.

Of course I can’t eat meat and our Indian neighbours had created an amazing curry. We could smell it all day cooking. It was chicken.

Hub got some on a plate with lovely rice and homemade onionBhaji’ss

He said the curry was absolutely delicious.

Then he was brought some homemade chilli. He said that was amazing too.

That was made by our lovely neighbour who cuts our grass. He is such a nice kind guy.

There was music and even people danced. There was a huge fire coming from one of those chimineas.

We spoke to a few neighbours who were really nice. It’s a really friendly street.

For blind people to go to a party, where they are the only people without sight, is quite hard, as people communicate, by sight. Looking at someone, smiling, and an acknowledgment from someone with a returning smile. If you are sitting, looking at no one, don’t know anyone is looking at you, some people with not much knowledge of sight loss, will not realise if they smile at us, we don’t respond, we are not ignorant, we just don’t know you are showing a friendly gesture.

Sighted people walk around, from one group of people, to another. Mixing, mangling. We can’t do that. Some people were coming to us, it was funny as one person pulled up a chair, spoke for some time, they got up to leave, another came like  they were  on a rotor. But at least they did it; we were not left for more than ten minutes with that uncomfortable feeling of not belonging.

The minutes we were left, everyone was laughing, people were joining in with collective laughter, rejoicing in with the funny things they were all looking at. It’s like a wearl of sound, around our heads.

“What are they laughing at?

Who knows?

Our neighbours are really nice though, and it’s funny, we have for sure our favourites. Two ladies and two guys. None of them related. We also met a new person last night called Rob, who was charming. Then there are our lovely Indian family next door. Oh they are so sweet.

Well, as I wasn’t eating, and the night was barmy, I opened my bottle of wine I took. I also took a glass, (large one)

Oh my word, I never drink more than a glass, normally a small one? Before I knew it, I had finished the blooming bottle…

I was OK, as did most of my talking at the start of the night, after my wine? I left it up to Hub, as every time I tried to speek, my jaw wouldn’t go the same time as my brain.

As the night went on, I kind of got used to the feeling of being slightly drunk, and my communication skills, returned… Until, it was time to go home.

Oh my Lord?

I stood up, my legs went one way, and I knew I was to go the other? Two of the ladies, came to my rescue, hopefully, the neighbours would just think it was because I can’t see? Hahahahaha

I did tell the ladies, I was blind drunk.

Well I got home, and oh my word? My head?

I just couldn’t keep it on my shoulders? Never mind my neck, that just had no feeling at all. I felt so ill. Pathetic? I know people who can drink two bottles of wine and not be affected; just I am not used to it. I tell you though, my head ache, comes from the devil.

I got into bed, Hub thought it was funny, teen was not impressed, and I fell asleep with the comfort of the remaining neighbours having a lovely ending to a hospitable evening. In my mind, the glow from the fire pits and smells from the BBQ’s mixed in with the heat of the night, left me with a peaceful feeling.

Today? My head?

“Ouch!”