DOXFORD HALL THE BROKEN BREAK ALL PARTS BY FIONA CUMMINGS

I was so looking forward to a stress-free weekend away. No housework cooking or everyday just, things, you know what I mean? And so, our journey began! Are you sitting comfortably?

 

Well obviously,, you know Hub and I are both blind. We have been to many countries. Hub on his own with work to some very dangerous countries but was met by colleagues at whatever strange airport, mind you, some countries were beautiful and I was so envious of him. Not jealous as I travelled with him a couple of times and our Son once and he worked so hard when away sometimes never leaving the conference rooms of the hotels but occasionally he did get to travel/tour but again, they were with colleagues. But to go on holiday as two blind people is almost impossible. Unless you have some help from sighted people. So, this weekend was going to be a break. In England. To my homeland of Northumberland but way out in the sticks at a place called Doxford Hall and spa, set in the beautiful area of Alnmouth which I have written about before as we have been to this hotel many times including our honeymoon. But in February, we met with our best friends and stayed in the grounds in a cottage and went to eat in the main hotel which was as good as an experience as before. But this visit was to be different.

 

Because we enjoyed our time so much we decided to book up again. It was my friend Likes, 50^th, at this point I shall tell you, he is OLDER. Than mwah. Smile. So, to combine Likes birthday and our getaway, off we went.

 

It was a crisp bright morning very early and a taxi was to be taken to our train station. We got to the door where eventually after almost ten minutes, a staff member came to take us through the very busy station. Peoples feet, rushing around, many voices, wheel sounds from hurried cases I could hear, well, just sounds. Trains entering the station and pulling away. Cups clashing from café’s and tiny dogs barking at our two guide dogs. Echoes of bustling bodies, business people, babies crying and announcements being made telling people of delays. And guess whose train was among those delays? Yep, ours. So, in a lift, out of that one and in another along corridors and into a café where we had a hot cup of coffee. So many people cases bags prams and so on in the café and I was in the worst draft coming right from the platform. Hub went to the counter ordered himself a bacon sandwich and we had a coffee each. I didn’t want to eat far too anxious of travel. just getting on and off trains is something I doubt I will ever get used to especially after I fell a couple of years ago my leg is still really bad in fact dangerously bad in the respect I can’t feel it from the knee up it’s like fizzy. And, it’s the same leg as the knee I really hurt when I fell on the road well I sound a right one, I have only had about five falls in my life and that is a long life. just in case my maker is listening, not long enough, thank you…

Just when I fall, I really fall. I’m talking earthquake fracking ground trembling moments! When the Fifi falls, the Fifi falls hard and fast!

 

Well, our train was delayed over one hour. But we got on the train. We book first class for many reasons. One, you are guaranteed a seat. That’s important when you have guide dogs. I hate the thought of a dog getting stood on. Two, it’s more civilised and three you get served drinks and food and again to take a guide dog to the food bar on a moving train and try to carry a coffee back with you isn’t a good thing.

 

I was freezing. But was served a cup of tea, and bubble and squeak. Hub, the meat eater, got a English breakfast. Bacon, eggs, sausage, tomato, baked beans and fried bread! Bubble & squeak? It’s mash potato and cabbage fried.

Very nice though. But kind caring vegies tend to get pooped on.

 

We pulled up at our next station and our besties got on. It was great to see them. I was so excited now. Well, then, the train stopped. Just stopped. And we waited and waited. The bar had run out of food so or friends didn’t get anything to eat. Shocking as they knew how many people were getting on. So, why had they run out? I felt so bad. I would rather they ate than me. But I had my food before they got on. They did get a coffee though.

 

Well a journey that should have taken an hour and a half, took three hours. I had to keep calling the taxi company at the other end. It was Kerry the same company we used that last time. She is brilliant. If you are going to Alnmouth the company she works for are based in the amazing Alnwick, the neighbour of Alnmouth, her company are called Sovereign Taxi’s. I will give you the link at the bottom.

 

Eventually we got there. It wasn’t so bad being stuck in a comfortable train with our best friends chatting and relaxing, the bit before in the draughty station was awful though. Kerry our taxi driver was there right at the door of the train, that is such a relief knowing you can trust someone to be there. She’s brilliant and so helpful. The train station is so noisy its difficult to know where you are meant to go other than to turn right. Busy trains pulling in and out with no tactile at the edge of the platform which is outside, is also a little scary. My Waggatail was too interested to know what was there to eat on the platform to guide properly whereas the Little Fella worked as well as ever. Trix and Like used their white canes and off we followed Kerry to the lovely car awaiting.

 

It was about 25-minute drive and we were met by a member of staff from Doxford. We were taken to the Georgian room served a lovely pot of coffee and shortbread biscuits. Enjoyed the peaceful tranquillity of the place. But this time it just felt different. There was an atmosphere we picked up on but at that point weren’t sure what.

 

We waited, and waited. By this point we all needed the toilet so a member of staff kindly showed us where to go and then there were the dogs, well, bless their little bursting bladders, they held it in.

 

We waited some more. Two hours later, we asked if our cottage was ready, like asked, we were given this answer.

“Em, did you stay in the cottage last time did you say?”” Like answered yes, is there a problem? He answered. “Em.”” Then a very long paus before coming back with. “Oh… … …

 no.

 em.

 Just. Noit’sOK shouldn’t be toomuchlonger. “” after the slow start to his answer then a mumble and speedy answer towards the end. I really was getting concerned. Something was very different.

 

Eventually after almost three hours, we were asked if we would like to go to our cottage. Out we went into the fresh air the sun was shining but the cool air bit through us. I hoped our dogs wouldn’t do their business before we got to the cottage. Through the grounds we went. Passing by, em, not sure but I think loads of trees and a coach house. We remembered the layout of the cottage very well. I left the gang in the kitchen whilst I dealt with the important things. The TV. The porter tried to turn the TV on. After a while he didn’t understand why he couldn’t switch the thing on; I asked if he had it plugged in? He replied, no. It’s not plugged in… Then this sound zzzizzzz jijijijj zzzizzzz jijijijj

kept going on. Gosh, what on earth? He said. Oh, it’s the DVD. So, I suggested he had the wrong remote. He had. And he got it on for us by this point.

 

The cottage was absolutely freezing cold. I asked if he could show us how to turn the heating on. Well, poor man, from guiding blind people smile, to being an electrician with the TV to now being asked to be a gas engineer. Again, eventually after me being convinced that there would be no heating for us all weekend. The guy learned how to switch it on. But the house took ages to get warm and this isn’t like that place at all. At that point, we thought we were the first people in the house for a very long time. What we learned next was a little sad and worrying.

 

The kettle went on and we warmed up. We laughed so much because the last time we were there, bear in mind this was nine months before, Like found a shell down the chair in the sitting room. He put it back joking that he would leave it there to see if it would be there next time, just to see if the cleaners would vacuum down the sofas. It was a clean cottage. Just what I would expect at such a high regarded location.

 

So, the shell? Yep, it was still there. Can you believe this? Oh, my word. Dirty and shameful. And the work tops in the kitchen were filthy. The dust on the hearth was really bad too, but the bedding and bathroom was clean.

 

We got ready for dinner. The kind porter came for us, but the Little Fella remembered his way, so guided the group. The night air was cutting. It is very dark there are no lights from the cottage to the hotel. Didn’t make a difference to us, but the porter would struggle as for our dogs?

 

We were taken to our table in the restaurant. It was warm clean and cosy. The smells of the delicious food were gorgeous. Our waiter and waitress were attentive. We chose a starter and main course. I had something very posh, but basically it was mushroom soup. We were given a plate with small tasters on. The other guys had three tasters but I had two and one I gave to Hub as I didn’t fancy it. We had delicious breads of all kinds. My main course was really tasty. It was gnocchi with beetroot and mushrooms. Our besties and Hub had meat dishes. Everyone enjoyed their meal. We had dessert too, Hub had a cheese board and asked for no goat’s cheese.

 He got goats cheese.

 

We went back to our cottage kindly being taking there by the receptionist. She was lovely. It was a long walk for her I thought. As she kept saying she has never been there and how she should have brought the car… it was about a five-minute walk. The dogs loved it. All those country smells of pheasants and rabbits. Gosh have you ever heard the sound of a pheasant? I hadn’t until this weekend.

 

I love it there as there are so many sounds of beautiful birds you just don’t hear in the city. Trix closed all the curtains to make the cottage cosier. As you enter the hall way, on the left is a large bathroom and to the right is a large kitchen. The doors are on the corners of the room so when we first went this was interesting but as we knew and remembered it, we managed fine. Another cup of tea for me and Trix and the boys had beer. We sat in the sitting room. The sofas are comfortable and just enjoyed each other’s company. We are best friends for a reason.

 

 We let the dogs out in the huge garden they loved it and The Little Fella kept bringing us apples from the near by tree. Off to bed and I had a good night sleep only my asthma was so bad. I could hardly breathe. I had got over my dreadfully painful throat before I left but it had come back and I coughed badly. Typical. During the night, I wanted to go to the toilet. Just I didn’t want to bother the others. Needs must along the small landing, down the twisting stairs, through the small hall along the sitting room into the dining room through the kitchen passing many fireplaces, into the entrance hall and at last into the bathroom. Only one bathroom, and it’s downstairs. Crazy.

And then to remember the reverse route back.

 

The next day we woke for breakfast. Already we had laughed our socks off, but quickly put them on as it was so cold. Haha. My Husband and Like are birds of a feather, in other words, they share the same kind of humour. And through our bedroom door, they made bird sounds to each other. As Like did his scarily realistic impression of an owl, he dropped his toothbrush down the stairs. Hahahhahahaha. When he told me, I said as you would? “How by whistling, did you drop your toothbrush?”” Well, it’s a perfectly normal question don’t you think? His reply was, well, I whistled and it was under my arm and it just dropped.

Right.

OK Like.

He did explain that he used his fingers to whistle. He put his toothbrush under his arm to hold it.

Hmm.

  No one came to show us to breakfast, and this just wouldn’t have happened before. But we decided to make it on our own. So, along the wide path to the bottom of the garden, through a little outhouse with double doors to go through. So, through one door and out from another. Out into the vast space of a treelined avenue. Turning left and kept walking. Not a soul. No one. We kept walking, Little Fella leading the troops and Waggs behind him. Our friends behind me and the Wagging one.  Just like ants. Smile. But it was a pleasant walk. A twist here and a turn there, over cobbled paths and Like found a seat that would be lovely to sit on in the summer. The autumn leaves were forming a crunch like carpet on the ground and I was enjoying our walk. Would we be able to find where we needed to go? Well I heard cups, this is a good sign, cups, plates, whatever the sound was, it was a sound of action which there was non-before, we were in the wild. Then a lovely young man called Dan who we remembered from last time, and, he remembered us, I can’t think why, can you? Guided us into the dining room. LF did well getting us there. Oh, and let the good old English breakfast begin. As my Darling Husband says. “Bring it on!””

 

I was grateful that I was offered vegetarian sausage. I chose scrambled egg with mine. Stupidly I don’t eat eggs at home, but when I am out I do. I love them and I only buy free range but I don’t like eating them. Anyway, my scrambled egg didn’t turn up so I had beans, mushroom and two sausages and a delicious potato cake. Hub and the gang had bacon, eggs, sausage, beans, tomato, potato cake and black pudding. Last time we were offered cereal, not this time. Hub had pastries and we had toast. Loads of tea and coffee.

 

Off we went to our cottage and spent the day laughing and chatting. We ate biscuits and cake. And then it was time to get ready for the evening. If we could see a trip to the local beach would have been a beautiful walk, but there you go. It was just lovely to spend time with our besties not having to rush off to the train station to go home.

 

I took a shower. Or, I had a shower, I didn’t take a shower from the wall and drag it up to the hotel. Haha. The shower is a work of art. You either burn or get frost bite.

 

We went to the bar this time for a bar meal. The guy came for us because I phoned up the reception as I wasn’t convinced that anyone would come and I didn’t fancy touring the vast grounds looking for our restaurant. If we got lost can you imagine? I would call the hotel if I had reception. They would ask, where are you?

“Em.

Well there are trees…””

 

The staff in the bar were fantastic. My choice of food was the same as the night before. I have always said that place doesn’t like vegetarians. Trix and Hub had the biggest fish and a portion of chips and Like had steak and chips. For Likes dessert, he had sticky toffee pudding with ginger ice-cream. I had cheese again as did Hub. and Trix had the same as Like!

 

  Though the staff were lovely, there was just something in the air. I wanted to know what it was, why our delay getting into our cottage? Why the porter acted as if they weren’t expecting us? Why was it not clean? And, what was wrong with the staff? I can only say the atmosphere was as if

someone had been given the worst news. I did learn what was going on and I was very shocked.

 

Oh, the time just went too fast. Our friends are like our family we are really close. We have such good times together so natural. The guys are as crazy as each other. But it was the last day of our break. LF had collected enough apples to bake a pie. Like and I gave the back and side garden a further investigation we hadn’t ventured out there before. The cottage is quirky for sure. I love the huge land around it. It’s really cosy too. And oh, the food. On our last day we skipped breakfast and had Sunday lunch with is traditional. Yorkshire puddings, roast potatoes, boiled potatoes, carrots and more. We had starters and here’s a laugh, I could have had the vegetarian option same starter mushroom soup which I had and for main? Gnocchi. Same main as what was offered Friday and Saturday, which was delicious but I just opted for the Sunday dinner without the meat. Hub had lamb and he said it was so tasty and Like, and Trix had pork with crackling. Hub didn’t have dessert Trix had hoe made ice cream with soft fruits and I think Like had same as day before sticky toffee pudding and ginger ice cream. The ice cream had bits of ginger in it. I bet it was really lovely.

 

Dan was fantastic. He was just what Doxford Hall needs to keep and remember. Real Northumberland people and their famous accents. I did hear people remarking about the accents and how wonderful they were, and, they are. To me, that is one of the most endearing things about Doxford. And there is something special about people from that area too. Sadly, we noticed that accents were changing and there were foreign staff there now. you know at one-time Doxford felt like home. And that is what will bring people back time and time again, but if we feel like we are in London or Romania for example, well they will lose their local charm. Things just weren’t the same. I did hear on the grapevine that staff were not happy. People were leaving. I fear the owner who I have met and seemed a very nice gentleman, wants to pay staff less so will take in foreign travellers and really that works in big hotels but not quaint stately like homes and not deep in the countryside of Northumberland. I heard that the hotel had fantastic business that year, so to the owner, please don’t be greedy and cut corners. When we went to sign out, two of the receptionists just totally ignored us, you know that place was somewhere I went to many times and no matter how many people there were, they had the ability to make you feel like the only person there. Sadly, that has been lost.

 

We also heard on the grapevine that the reason our cottage wasn’t ready and we sat for three hours, now I know we were early as we were not meant to be in our house until after three, so we were in that case, one and a half hours late getting in, but we were told it was because two members of staff were living in there and we had been forgotten about so the couple had to move out fast. And by the looks of the cottage, clean fast too.

 

It wasn’t a member of staff who told us this that is for us to know. But it’s on good authority this information.

 

When we were waiting to pay, there was a guy behind us, he was standing there for ages. Eventually he was asked to come forward. He told the staff there had been trouble. He booked a room and when he called about it, he was told he hadn’t booked even though he knew he had. Again, making people feel like they are not welcome. We always felt more than welcome, in fact their welcome, was something Doxford Hall should have in the past won awards for.

 

Don’t get me wrong, it’s still my favourite place to visit and there are still some gold staff there, but they just weren’t as happy as I have seen them in the past and there was a terrible atmosphere this time that made me think something wasn’t right.  

 

So, taxi back to the train station. When we got there, two fire engines pulled up. Two ambulances and a Police car. Oh, my goodness. We went to the ticket office got a seat thankfully as we had no idea at that point that we would be there as long as we were.

 

No one told us anything, after ages, the door kept opening it was freezing as confused passengers were coming in and out trying to speak with the man behind the desk. Who wasn’t there. Announcements kept getting made about industrial action our train people are on strike for a good reason. I hope it does good. They are trying to make our trains staff free. In this day in age? And, how will vulnerable passengers feel about that? As for disabled people? Just to have some kind of authority on a train makes you feel safer. But I guess the owner has his own form of transport and has good health also he’s a healthy strong man so what does he care. Again, greed, he doesn’t need more money but he is grabbing it at the cost of the people who got him his billions.

 

Other announcements were saying about another train to Scotland that wasn’t coming because the train driver didn’t turn up… Can you believe it? Oh my God. As for our train, it had pulled in near by but nowhere near us. After one and a half hours Hub and Like went out to find the station manager. Hahaha. That’s a laugh. I think he’s the station manager cleaner and guard. He sells tickets too when he is behind the kiosk.

 

The funny thing is, the announcements were a recorded message and the voice was American… Next job for her? Doxford Hall. Smile.

 

At this point we couldn’t care about the strike that would be happening next week, and the train driver that obviously wanted a day at home. We wanted to know about our train. The guys came back. That is when we learned our train had pulled up. But, when we could get on? No one knew even the man who worked there, what had happened. He told one man to ask the emergency services himself. Can you believe it?

 

I think it was over two hours later when we got on the train. Well it was warm and clean. I just smiled about the toilet. Well there is no discretion. An announcement was made every time someone went to the toilet. “The doors not locked.”” Well that’s very nice but how do you lock it and where are the buttons? Apparently, nowhere near the door. What is wrong with a door that you lock like any other toilet? They bother with speech so why can’t they add where the buttons are?

 

LF by this point was shivering and Waggatail had stood up the whole two hours as the floor was so cold in the station. But she was under the table now and warm. But, not for long. Oh no.

 

Yet another announcement. This time telling us we had to get off next stop. We weren’t going right home. So, we were met by a jolly lady and she hurried us off, not joking, it was as if we were in a marathon. Like our own train, Like in the front, Trix next, then me and then poor Hub pulling a huge case and LF trying to guide but didn’t know where he was going, Hub was holding onto my shoulder. We really were like ants. Oh my, over a bridge and along platforms. At last we were at a train. We got on it was absolutely packed. Trix and Like found a seat. Hub and I still looking. Hub put the case in it’s place. Every seat was spoken for. Waggatail was eating every biscuit and crumb on the floor as she dashed in and out of the tables and seats. I was trying to walk in a straight line and drag her out of people’s feet, a nightmare.

 

Thankfully Trix was alert and heard yet another announcement. You are not going to believe this one? By this point, I could have cried.

 

My friends were on the wrong train. As I said luckily my friends heard the alert so off they went I was so worried they had left their luggage in the rush. But thankfully not, Hub and I did say if they had stayed on they could have stayed at ours especially because my Son was still on holiday so a double bed would have just needed changing. But it was the fact her guide dog was at her puppy walkers and being looked after. Also, they both had work the next day.

 

Long and short of it. Every train was delayed as there was a traffic build up of trains with the fire incident and then a very sad suicide further on. So, no matter how bad our day was, nothing could be worse than that. There have been a lot of sad people taking their last walk as my friend says, it always happens before Christmas. If only they knew that next Christmas would be so different. If only they knew? And the pain they will cause their loved ones every Christmas for the rest of their lives.

 

Well we pulled into just outside our station. We were told that the train would stop in five minutes. Hub and I got up from our seats and went to play hunt the case. Hub is so good at that. It terrifies me just the thought of looking for a case on a very busy train. Feeling for it, touching other people’s cases. Picking the right one up. My friend put an elastic band on her case and Hub put a tag in the shape of a cow on ours that I bought him some time ago when he used to do a lot of travel. And to those of you right now saying. “Was that to remind him of you Fifi?””

That’s naughty and cheeky.

()

Well the train stopped.

We waited and fifty minutes later, at last it started to move. No reason given why. Our poor dogs were sick. Fed up of waiting. But at least the Wagging one was full. Smile.

 

As we turned up at the taxi rank the queue was a mile and a half long. So many people. But at last we got home. Hours later than we were due. We were really tired.  Not at all what we hoped for, for our stress-free weekend.

 

Would I do it again? In a heartbeat. To spend time with our friends was and is, always will be the best. I just hope Doxford Hall will get back to where and how they used to be. As for our trains? Well I guess a poor bird and person can’t be blamed for causing such delays. Such is life. we are alive and well. Kind of. My cough is so annoying. I feel so ill and I need a break. But, not a broken one!

 

© Fiona Cummings 2017

http://www.doxfordhall.com/

 

http://alnwicksovereigntaxis.co.uk/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DOXFORD HALL THE BROKEN BREAK BY FIONA CUMMINGS

Oh, the time just went too fast. Our friends are like our family we are really close. We have such good times together so natural. The guys are as crazy as each other. But it was the last day of our break. LF had collected enough apples to bake a pie. Like and I gave the back and side garden a further investigation we hadn’t ventured out there before. The cottage is quirky for sure. I love the huge land around it. It’s really cosy too. And oh, the food. On our last day we skipped breakfast and had Sunday lunch with is traditional. Yorkshire puddings, roast potatoes, boiled potatoes, carrots and more. We had starters and here’s a laugh, I could have had the vegetarian option same starter mushroom soup which I had and for main? Gnocchi. Same main as what was offered Friday and Saturday, which was delicious but I just opted for the Sunday dinner without the meat. Hub had lamb and he said it was so tasty and Like, and Trix had pork with crackling. Hub didn’t have dessert Trix had hoe made ice cream with soft fruits and I think Like had same as day before sticky toffee pudding and ginger ice cream. The ice cream had bits of ginger in it. I bet it was really lovely.

 

Dan was fantastic. He was just what Doxford Hall needs to keep and remember. Real Northumberland people and their famous accents. I did hear people remarking about the accents and how wonderful they were, and, they are. To me, that is one of the most endearing things about Doxford. And there is something special about people from that area too. Sadly, we noticed that accents were changing and there were foreign staff there now. you know at one-time Doxford felt like home. And that is what will bring people back time and time again, but if we feel like we are in London or Romania for example, well they will lose their local charm. Things just weren’t the same. I did hear on the grapevine that staff were not happy. People were leaving. I fear the owner who I have met and seemed a very nice gentleman, wants to pay staff less so will take in foreign travellers and really that works in big hotels but not quaint stately like homes and not deep in the countryside of Northumberland. I heard that the hotel had fantastic business that year, so to the owner, please don’t be greedy and cut corners. When we went to sign out, two of the receptionists just totally ignored us, you know that place was somewhere I went to many times and no matter how many people there were, they had the ability to make you feel like the only person there. Sadly, that has been lost.

 

We also heard on the grapevine that the reason our cottage wasn’t ready and we sat for three hours, now I know we were early as we were not meant to be in our house until after three, so we were in that case, one and a half hours late getting in, but we were told it was because two members of staff were living in there and we had been forgotten about so the couple had to move out fast. And by the looks of the cottage, clean fast too.

 

It wasn’t a member of staff who told us this that is for us to know. But it’s on good authority this information.

 

When we were waiting to pay, there was a guy behind us, he was standing there for ages. Eventually he was asked to come forward. He told the staff there had been trouble. He booked a room and when he called about it, he was told he hadn’t booked even though he knew he had. Again, making people feel like they are not welcome. We always felt more than welcome, in fact their welcome, was something Doxford Hall should have in the past won awards for.

 

Don’t get me wrong, it’s still my favourite place to visit and there are still some gold staff there, but they just weren’t as happy as I have seen them in the past and there was a terrible atmosphere this time that made me think something wasn’t right.  

 

So, taxi back to the train station. When we got there, two fire engines pulled up. Two ambulances and a Police car. Oh, my goodness. We went to the ticket office got a seat thankfully as we had no idea at that point that we would be there as long as we were.

 

No one told us anything, after ages, the door kept opening it was freezing as confused passengers were coming in and out trying to speak with the man behind the desk. Who wasn’t there. Announcements kept getting made about industrial action our train people are on strike for a good reason. I hope it does good. They are trying to make our trains staff free. In this day in age? And, how will vulnerable passengers feel about that? As for disabled people? Just to have some kind of authority on a train makes you feel safer. But I guess the owner has his own form of transport and has good health also he’s a healthy strong man so what does he care. Again, greed, he doesn’t need more money but he is grabbing it at the cost of the people who got him his billions.

 

Other announcements were saying about another train to Scotland that wasn’t coming because the train driver didn’t turn up… Can you believe it? Oh my God. As for our train, it had pulled in near by but nowhere near us. After one and a half hours Hub and Like went out to find the station manager. Hahaha. That’s a laugh. I think he’s the station manager cleaner and guard. He sells tickets too when he is behind the kiosk.

 

The funny thing is, the announcements were a recorded message and the voice was American… Next job for her? Doxford Hall. Smile.

 

At this point we couldn’t care about the strike that would be happening next week, and the train driver that obviously wanted a day at home. We wanted to know about our train. The guys came back. That is when we learned our train had pulled up. But, when we could get on? No one knew even the man who worked there, what had happened. He told one man to ask the emergency services himself. Can you believe it?

 

I think it was over two hours later when we got on the train. Well it was warm and clean. I just smiled about the toilet. Well there is no discretion. An announcement was made every time someone went to the toilet. “The doors not locked.”” Well that’s very nice but how do you lock it and where are the buttons? Apparently, nowhere near the door. What is wrong with a door that you lock like any other toilet? They bother with speech so why can’t they add where the buttons are?

 

LF by this point was shivering and Waggatail had stood up the whole two hours as the floor was so cold in the station. But she was under the table now and warm. But, not for long. Oh no.

 

Yet another announcement. This time telling us we had to get off next stop. We weren’t going right home. So, we were met by a jolly lady and she hurried us off, not joking, it was as if we were in a marathon. Like our own train, Like in the front, Trix next, then me and then poor Hub pulling a huge case and LF trying to guide but didn’t know where he was going, Hub was holding onto my shoulder. We really were like ants. Oh my, over a bridge and along platforms. At last we were at a train. We got on it was absolutely packed. Trix and Like found a seat. Hub and I still looking. Hub put the case in it’s place. Every seat was spoken for. Waggatail was eating every biscuit and crumb on the floor as she dashed in and out of the tables and seats. I was trying to walk in a straight line and drag her out of people’s feet, a nightmare.

 

Thankfully Trix was alert and heard yet another announcement. You are not going to believe this one? By this point, I could have cried.

To be continued.

DOXFORD HALL THE BROKEN BREAK PART 2

Eventually after almost three hours, we were asked if we would like to go to our cottage. Out we went into the fresh air the sun was shining but the cool air bit through us. I hoped our dogs wouldn’t do their business before we got to the cottage. Through the grounds we went. Passing by, em, not sure but I think loads of trees and a coach house. We remembered the layout of the cottage very well. I left the gang in the kitchen whilst I dealt with the important things. The TV. The porter tried to turn the TV on. After a while he didn’t understand why he couldn’t switch the thing on; I asked if he had it plugged in? He replied, no. It’s not plugged in… Then this sound zzzizzzz jijijijj zzzizzzz jijijijj

kept going on. Gosh, what on earth? He said. Oh, it’s the DVD. So, I suggested he had the wrong remote. He had. And he got it on for us by this point.

 

The cottage was absolutely freezing cold. I asked if he could show us how to turn the heating on. Well, poor man, from guiding blind people smile, to being an electrician with the TV to now being asked to be a gas engineer. Again, eventually after me being convinced that there would be no heating for us all weekend. The guy learned how to switch it on. But the house took ages to get warm and this isn’t like that place at all. At that point, we thought we were the first people in the house for a very long time. What we learned next was a little sad and worrying.

 

The kettle went on and we warmed up. We laughed so much because the last time we were there, bear in mind this was nine months before, Like found a shell down the chair in the sitting room. He put it back joking that he would leave it there to see if it would be there next time, just to see if the cleaners would vacuum down the sofas. It was a clean cottage. Just what I would expect at such a high regarded location.

 

So, the shell? Yep, it was still there. Can you believe this? Oh, my word. Dirty and shameful. And the work tops in the kitchen were filthy. The dust on the hearth was really bad too, but the bedding and bathroom was clean.

 

We got ready for dinner. The kind porter came for us, but the Little Fella remembered his way, so guided the group. The night air was cutting. It is very dark there are no lights from the cottage to the hotel. Didn’t make a difference to us, but the porter would struggle as for our dogs?

 

We were taken to our table in the restaurant. It was warm clean and cosy. The smells of the delicious food were gorgeous. Our waiter and waitress were attentive. We chose a starter and main course. I had something very posh, but basically it was mushroom soup. We were given a plate with small tasters on. The other guys had three tasters but I had two and one I gave to Hub as I didn’t fancy it. We had delicious breads of all kinds. My main course was really tasty. It was gnocchi with beetroot and mushrooms. Our besties and Hub had meat dishes. Everyone enjoyed their meal. We had dessert too, Hub had a cheese board and asked for no goat’s cheese.

 He got goats cheese.

 

We went back to our cottage kindly being taking there by the receptionist. She was lovely. It was a long walk for her I thought. As she kept saying she has never been there and how she should have brought the car… it was about a five-minute walk. The dogs loved it. All those country smells of pheasants and rabbits. Gosh have you ever heard the sound of a pheasant? I hadn’t until this weekend.

 

I love it there as there are so many sounds of beautiful birds you just don’t hear in the city. Trix closed all the curtains to make the cottage cosier. As you enter the hall way, on the left is a large bathroom and to the right is a large kitchen. The doors are on the corners of the room so when we first went this was interesting but as we knew and remembered it, we managed fine. Another cup of tea for me and Trix and the boys had beer. We sat in the sitting room. The sofas are comfortable and just enjoyed each other’s company. We are best friends for a reason.

 

 We let the dogs out in the huge garden they loved it and The Little Fella kept bringing us apples from the near by tree. Off to bed and I had a good night sleep only my asthma was so bad. I could hardly breathe. I had got over my dreadfully painful throat before I left but it had come back and I coughed badly. Typical. During the night, I wanted to go to the toilet. Just I didn’t want to bother the others. Needs must along the small landing, down the twisting stairs, through the small hall along the sitting room into the dining room through the kitchen passing many fireplaces, into the entrance hall and at last into the bathroom. Only one bathroom, and it’s downstairs. Crazy.

And then to remember the reverse route back.

 

The next day we woke for breakfast. Already we had laughed our socks off, but quickly put them on as it was so cold. Haha. My Husband and Like are birds of a feather, in other words, they share the same kind of humour. And through our bedroom door, they made bird sounds to each other. As Like did his scarily realistic impression of an owl, he dropped his toothbrush down the stairs. Hahahhahahaha. When he told me, I said as you would? “How by whistling, did you drop your toothbrush?”” Well, it’s a perfectly normal question don’t you think? His reply was, well, I whistled and it was under my arm and it just dropped.

Right.

OK Like.

He did explain that he used his fingers to whistle. He put his toothbrush under his arm to hold it.

Hmm.

  No one came to show us to breakfast, and this just wouldn’t have happened before. But we decided to make it on our own. So, along the wide path to the bottom of the garden, through a little outhouse with double doors to go through. So, through one door and out from another. Out into the vast space of a treelined avenue. Turning left and kept walking. Not a soul. No one. We kept walking, Little Fella leading the troops and Waggs behind him. Our friends behind me and the Wagging one.  Just like ants. Smile. But it was a pleasant walk. A twist here and a turn there, over cobbled paths and Like found a seat that would be lovely to sit on in the summer. The autumn leaves were forming a crunch like carpet on the ground and I was enjoying our walk. Would we be able to find where we needed to go? Well I heard cups, this is a good sign, cups, plates, whatever the sound was, it was a sound of action which there was non-before, we were in the wild. Then a lovely young man called Dan who we remembered from last time, and, he remembered us, I can’t think why, can you? Guided us into the dining room. LF did well getting us there. Oh, and let the good old English breakfast begin. As my Darling Husband says. “Bring it on!””

 

I was grateful that I was offered vegetarian sausage. I chose scrambled egg with mine. Stupidly I don’t eat eggs at home, but when I am out I do. I love them and I only buy free range but I don’t like eating them. Anyway, my scrambled egg didn’t turn up so I had beans, mushroom and two sausages and a delicious potato cake. Hub and the gang had bacon, eggs, sausage, beans, tomato, potato cake and black pudding. Last time we were offered cereal, not this time. Hub had pastries and we had toast. Loads of tea and coffee.

 

Off we went to our cottage and spent the day laughing and chatting. We ate biscuits and cake. And then it was time to get ready for the evening. If we could see a trip to the local beach would have been a beautiful walk, but there you go. It was just lovely to spend time with our besties not having to rush off to the train station to go home.

 

I took a shower. Or, I had a shower, I didn’t take a shower from the wall and drag it up to the hotel. Haha. The shower is a work of art. You either burn or get frost bite.

 

We went to the bar this time for a bar meal. The guy came for us because I phoned up the reception as I wasn’t convinced that anyone would come and I didn’t fancy touring the vast grounds looking for our restaurant. If we got lost can you imagine? I would call the hotel if I had reception. They would ask, where are you?

“Em.

Well there are trees…””

 

The staff in the bar were fantastic. My choice of food was the same as the night before. I have always said that place doesn’t like vegetarians. Trix and Hub had the biggest fish and a portion of chips and Like had steak and chips. For Likes dessert, he had sticky toffee pudding with ginger ice-cream. I had cheese again as did Hub. and Trix had the same as Like!

 

  Though the staff were lovely, there was just something in the air. I wanted to know what it was, why our delay getting into our cottage? Why the porter acted as if they weren’t expecting us? Why was it not clean? And, what was wrong with the staff? I can only say the atmosphere was as if someone had been given the worst news. I did learn what was going on and I was very shocked.

To be continued.

DOXFORD HALL BROKEN BREAK PART 1 BY FIONA CUMMINGS

I was so looking forward to a stress-free weekend away. No housework cooking or everyday just, things, you know what I mean? And so, our journey began! Are you sitting comfortably?

 

Well obviously,, you know Hub and I are both blind. We have been to many countries. Hub on his own with work to some very dangerous countries but was met by colleagues at whatever strange airport, mind you, some countries were beautiful and I was so envious of him. Not jealous as I travelled with him a couple of times and our Son once and he worked so hard when away sometimes never leaving the conference rooms of the hotels but occasionally he did get to travel/tour but again, they were with colleagues. But to go on holiday as two blind people is almost impossible. Unless you have some help from sighted people. So, this weekend was going to be a break. In England. To my homeland of Northumberland but way out in the sticks at a place called Doxford Hall and spa, set in the beautiful area of Alnmouth which I have written about before as we have been to this hotel many times including our honeymoon. But in February, we met with our best friends and stayed in the grounds in a cottage and went to eat in the main hotel which was as good as an experience as before. But this visit was to be different.

 

Because we enjoyed our time so much we decided to book up again. It was my friend Likes, 50^th, at this point I shall tell you, he is OLDER. Than mwah. Smile. So, to combine Likes birthday and our getaway, off we went.

 

It was a crisp bright morning very early and a taxi was to be taken to our train station. We got to the door where eventually after almost ten minutes, a staff member came to take us through the very busy station. Peoples feet, rushing around, many voices, wheel sounds from hurried cases I could hear, well, just sounds. Trains entering the station and pulling away. Cups clashing from café’s and tiny dogs barking at our two guide dogs. Echoes of bustling bodies, business people, babies crying and announcements being made telling people of delays. And guess whose train was among those delays? Yep, ours. So, in a lift, out of that one and in another along corridors and into a café where we had a hot cup of coffee. So many people cases bags prams and so on in the café and I was in the worst draft coming right from the platform. Hub went to the counter ordered himself a bacon sandwich and we had a coffee each. I didn’t want to eat far too anxious of travel. just getting on and off trains is something I doubt I will ever get used to especially after I fell a couple of years ago my leg is still really bad in fact dangerously bad in the respect I can’t feel it from the knee up it’s like fizzy. And, it’s the same leg as the knee I really hurt when I fell on the road well I sound a right one, I have only had about five falls in my life and that is a long life. just in case my maker is listening, not long enough, thank you…

Just when I fall, I really fall. I’m talking earthquake fracking ground trembling moments! When the Fifi falls, the Fifi falls hard and fast!

 

Well, our train was delayed over one hour. But we got on the train. We book first class for many reasons. One, you are guaranteed a seat. That’s important when you have guide dogs. I hate the thought of a dog getting stood on. Two, it’s more civilised and three you get served drinks and food and again to take a guide dog to the food bar on a moving train and try to carry a coffee back with you isn’t a good thing.

 

I was freezing. But was served a cup of tea, and bubble and squeak. Hub, the meat eater, got a English breakfast. Bacon, eggs, sausage, tomato, baked beans and fried bread! Bubble & squeak? It’s mash potato and cabbage fried.

Very nice though. But kind caring vegies tend to get pooped on.

 

We pulled up at our next station and our besties got on. It was great to see them. I was so excited now. Well, then, the train stopped. Just stopped. And we waited and waited. The bar had run out of food so or friends didn’t get anything to eat. Shocking as they knew how many people were getting on. So, why had they run out? I felt so bad. I would rather they ate than me. But I had my food before they got on. They did get a coffee though.

 

Well a journey that should have taken an hour and a half, took three hours. I had to keep calling the taxi company at the other end. It was Kerry the same company we used that last time. She is brilliant. If you are going to Alnmouth the company she works for are based in the amazing Alnwick, the neighbour of Alnmouth, her company are called Sovereign Taxi’s. I will give you the link at the bottom.

 

Eventually we got there. It wasn’t so bad being stuck in a comfortable train with our best friends chatting and relaxing, the bit before in the draughty station was awful though. Kerry our taxi driver was there right at the door of the train, that is such a relief knowing you can trust someone to be there. She’s brilliant and so helpful. The train station is so noisy its difficult to know where you are meant to go other than to turn right. Busy trains pulling in and out with no tactile at the edge of the platform which is outside, is also a little scary. My Waggatail was too interested to know what was there to eat on the platform to guide properly whereas the Little Fella worked as well as ever. Trix and Like used their white canes and off we followed Kerry to the lovely car awaiting.

 

It was about 25-minute drive and we were met by a member of staff from Doxford. We were taken to the Georgian room served a lovely pot of coffee and shortbread biscuits. Enjoyed the peaceful tranquillity of the place. But this time it just felt different. There was an atmosphere we picked up on but at that point weren’t sure what.

 

We waited, and waited. By this point we all needed the toilet so a member of staff kindly showed us where to go and then there were the dogs, well, bless their little bursting bladders, they held it in.

 

We waited some more. Two hours later, we asked if our cottage was ready, like asked, we were given this answer.

“Em, did you stay in the cottage last time did you say?”” Like answered yes, is there a problem? He answered. “Em.”” Then a very long paus before coming back with. “Oh… … …

 no.

 em.

 Just. Noit’sOK shouldn’t be toomuchlonger. “” after the slow start to his  answer then a mumble and speedy answer towards the end. I really was getting concerned. Something was very different.

To be continued.

THE LAUGHING TRAIN BY FIONA CUMMINGS

 Well everything packed and that includes our dog food, treats, dog bags, oh, and clothes. The weekend is forecast to be very cold. But dry. Now all I need to worry about is getting on our train and off again. I hate getting on and off trains. And my Waggatail really is naughty as she tries to eat anything that may have dropped in the seating area. So, whilst I’m struggling to walk in a straight line, she’s pulling me in the seats. Then there’s the gap getting off the train, oh, boy.

 

We have our board game to play my friend will read this and laugh. Priorities our friend Like called us leaving a message on Alexa asking if we had the game. We normally play on the Saturday after breakfast. If we could see we would for sure go for a walk along the beach or something, but instead we will enjoy each other’s company in the cottage. I hope it will be nice and warm in there, I think it’s going to be as low as zero. We are booked in for the posh restaurant on the first night then the bar for night two. Oh, and then there is Sunday lunch and that is the best. Mind you, the breakfasts are rather spectacular. I won’t be getting on the scales when I get home, not for at least two and a half weeks.

 

It will be so lovely to spend time with our besties as normally when we see each other it’s for about six hours then we have to head for a train home or they do if they visit us as we don’t live near each other.

 

Today was a lovely one spent time with my friend Di who I haven’t seen for ages and we had a great chat. Just like the old days. Smile. My new make up arrived and it came with loads of little samples and Di kindly read them out to me the only trouble is, remembering what is what. She’s so natural though, for someone who has full sight she is great at describing.  

 

Some laughter quotes I have been reading today.

Laugh and the world laughs with you. Snore and you sleep alone.

If you can’t change the people around you, you can change the people who you choose to be around.

If you don’t laugh at life it will surely kill you.

And finally, I love this poem by

 Ella-Wheeler-Wilcox

 

“Laugh, and the world laughs with you;

Weep, and you weep alone;

For the sad old earth must borrow its mirth,

But has trouble enough of its own.

Sing, and the hills will answer;

Sigh, it is lost on the air;

The echoes bound to a joyful sound,

But shrink from voicing care.

Rejoice, and men will seek you;

Grieve, and they turn and go;

They want full measure of all your pleasure,

But they do not need your woe.

Be glad, and your friends are many;

Be sad, and you lose them all,

There are none to decline your nectared wine,

But alone you must drink life’s gall.

Feast, and your halls are crowded;

Fast, and the world goes by.

Succeed and give, and it helps you live,

But no man can help you die.

There is room in the halls of pleasure

For a large and lordly train,

But one by one we must all file on

Through the narrow aisles of pain.

 

OK Bloggets, be safe happy and loads to tell you when I return but take a look at some old blogs as there are over three and a half thousand in total.

 

www.Fiona-Cummings.blogspot.com

 

 

 

 

 

DIARY OF THE FIVE HEARTS BY FIONA CUMMINGS

Good morning Bloggets  from England. Today it’s frosty and sunny. It smells cold if you know what I mean! I’m having coffee with my friend today it’s been so long since we got together. So, I doubt much housework will get done today. And? Smile.

 

Last night we went out with friends and as I said in my last blog, I was really anxious. I don’t like going to our town especially when I don’t know where we are going and its night time full of drunks. I hate the Western culture where everyone has to get as drunk as they know how to get and act in a stupid and impolite manner. Or, is that just Britain?

 

We got a taxi it was one of those silent cars. The driver was telling us how economical they are to run. He said he read the manual that was about 6 inches thick, 15.24cm. and after page one, he put it back in the drawer, it was so difficult to understand. I think those cars could be beyond our brains but for younger people, like under 25, they will be fine, but, it is a delight to be in. Though I still and always will have concerns with them being silent and someone who can’t see at all or well, or an animal stepping out onto the road in front of a hybrid car, may be in trouble.

 

Anyway, our friends decided to go for a drink first. The pub was freezing. There were about three people in there. I’m not surprised at the prices. £20 for four drinks. Maybe you can tell how long it’s been since I was last out in town drinking? My friend and I sat in the most comfortable sofa’s whilst the men went to the bar. The music was dreadful. Really heavy metal. Oh, my goodness. We had a nice chat though as could still hear each other, just! And did the long walk to the restaurant and that was much nicer. As I said it is a meat eater’s paradise. It’s a Brazilian restaurant. We have never been before neither have our friends, but it was their recommendation.

 

The table was really thick like a butcher’s block. Haha, remember my blog the doctors and the butchers block? Gosh, that got almost a thousand views, could it have been the title do you think?  

 

The chairs were solid heavy highbacked wood. It was brightly lit apparently and the two waiters were excellent. We had a help yourself salad bar first and our friends kindly got ours for us. I drank a lime and lemon and the others had a cocktail.

 

On my plate was cucumber, beetroot, Mexican cheese, pasta, spicy beans, tomato and more. I ordered the vegetarian option for main course. The waiter proudly told me he cooked it fresh for me. It was risotto with garlic mushrooms and chargrilled something my friend and I couldn’t work out what. But it was really tasty. Then the meat came for the others. Oh, my four different kinds of steak. Then chicken, then two different kinds of pork, then sausages that were really spicy and salty. Then disgusting no need, five tiny poor chicken hearts. Absolutely gross. Hub said they were the nicest thing all night, what a load of rubbish. I always think my Husband eats meat that is the most revolting, possibly it makes him feel more of a man but I was not impressed. He said at least he didn’t waist anything from the animal. Well, preferably, you don’t need to eat an animal at all but how can you eat a tiny heart. Five chickens were killed for that dish it’s awful. I hate it so much. The meat I cope with and I even made comments like that smells so good. But inside I was crying. And when the men said the steaks were red with blood, oh, that just about finished me off.

 

The meat just kept coming and Hub was really enjoying his meal it was only meat no potatoes or anything I guess if you wanted more salad you could help yourself. Oh, my, I was imagining huge steaks on the plate but Hub said that they were very small pieces. Then more meat came and more and then some more.

 

The waiters were so joyful and genuinely caring. About us, not the animals. Smile.

 

I loved how the waiters cooked the food too. It was really rustic and that is my most favourite kind of restaurant. It’s like being in someone’s kitchen in Spain or somewhere. Only this kitchen was rather huge, but, again, hardly any people. Apparently one night through the week there is live music and that gets very busy. I’m so glad our friend didn’t book that night. It was great, there was music over speakers but it was far away enough to get into Brazilian music but far enough away not to intrude in our conversations.

 

It was a very pleasant evening and we took a taxi back to our friend’s home, where our friend picked the biggest apple from his tree and handed me it. Haha. I must look like I need an apple, and we have a saying, an apple a day keeps the Doctor away, well, those reading my blog from the other day, will know I don’t need to keep the Doctor away, he kept away from me… I was telling my friends that story last night about how I waited for an appointment for three weeks then received a text saying my Doctor had called in sick…

 

At our friend’s house Hub and our friend had a cocktail. You have never seen anything like his sideboard in his sitting room. Oh, my goodness. He made this cocktail with the normal things like rum and vodka, tequila and lime, but then there were things that I had never even heard of. One translation was cream of mint. Oh, that was gross. I tasted Hubs drink and that minty stuff reminded me of mouthwash. But Hub loved his drink if we were to buy that out, goodness knows what it would have cost. I’m always shocked just by the amount of alcohol my friend has. There is nothing he doesn’t have and I can guarantee that he will have more than most bars.

 

My girlfriend and I drank a cup of tea. They had their fire on and we ended the night laughing and really enjoying each other’s company. Back home and closed the house for the night before hitting some shuteye.

 

Next stop on my busy bus is to our train station for our break with our friends. In a cosy cottage in the countryside. I can’t wait. And when I get home only a few sleeps before my Son will be home.

 

Today my boy is doing the scariest outing of all. I will write more in my next blog. All I’m saying for now I hope he will text tonight. I hope we have connection when we go away too. I think we will but we are surrounded by woods.

 

OK, going to fill my water boiler for my friend coming. Turn on the coffee machine and wait to make my chatter bones get some more action. We have loads of catching up to do. I hope you are all well and safe. X

 

   

 

 

 

 

ME AND MY MAKEUP BY FIONA CUMMINGS

OK, I have waited in for a parcel that had to be signed for. Ready to pounce on the person about to put it in my post box or run off as normal. And received a text to say it has gone to a neighbour. Oh my God, I am so cross. What is wrong with these people. Firstly, a stupid card will have been put in our box that we can’t read and secondly if they bother to put it in my post box, then why not knock at my door and wait the five and three quarters seconds that it takes me to get to the door and open it? I mean, it would take less time to ring my bell hand it to me and go than it would to write a card out post it and then take the parcel to a neighbour.

 

I wouldn’t care, I have had two emails saying how important it is as someone needs to sign it. Yeah, a neighbour, obviously.

I have twenty neighbours.

Just saying.

 

I sent for some makeup too. My favourite brand. I sent for it on Saturday. It’s now Wednesday. Still waiting. You watch, it will come when I am on the way to my cottage in Northumberland. Well, not my, cottage, but our rental for the couple of days. It should have arrived yesterday I got an email saying they were getting it ready. Oh, my, how long does that take? I got an offer with it nine mini bottles of stuff. Yes, stuff. When they come they will all be sample size and every bottle will look alike so, what is what? Not wanting to put shampoo on my cheeks and foundation in my hair. I may wait until our Son comes home. As to use Tap Tap see, my software will be a challenge as the bottles are tiny. One thing I bought was eyeshadow. I never wear eye makeup I’m not very brave. Also, I am very into natural looks and to have coloured eyelids to me is weird. I picked the colour grey and it read it has sparkles in it. Blondes with blue eyes are meant to wear grey’s, blues, lilacs and pinks.  Red heads greens and those with brown hair anything. I guess it’s the same with those with black hair?

 

I put most of my make up on with my fingers. God knows what I am doing and what I look like. As I was saying in an earlier blog, it’s so difficult to get dressed and feel pretty these days. How do I not know I am stepping out looking like Charlie Cairoli?

For my Bloggets who are not as old as me…

 33…

 Stop it.

He was a clown. I went on stage with him when I was a child. He terrified me. After the show, the press took me to his dressing room. I cried like a baby. I think I was about eight. Haha.

 

How do I know I don’t need more makeup? When friends give me a hug, they stick to me. It’s gross. I’m talking sighted friends. When I put my makeup on, my face feels exactly as it does when I don’t have it on. Am I wearing enough? I know when I was young people said I didn’t need it.

 People don’t say that now smile.

 

I wear foundation then a kind of blush that is shiny and then powder then blusher and lipstick. But some things you can buy sound like something you would put on the walls, rather than your face.  I know Shamrock said her makeup she was taking on holiday weighs a ton. Heck, and she is only eighteen? It would worry me if she was my daughter.

 

I have friends who are blind and they get their eye lashes died. Gosh, that scares me. What if it went in your eyes? So, my eye lashes are slightly darker blonde than my hair my Son says. Should they be darker? I find it odd having black eye lashes and blonde hair. I was never taught to wear makeup. Even when I did photo shoots when I did some modelling I just didn’t wear makeup. My first marriage I wore blusher and that was it. My second one, oh, I went to town, literally. I went to a famous shop in town and had a makeover. I loved it. I wore gold and bronze colours. My eye lashes were painted brown with gold on top. Lids and lips all gold too. My flowers were yellow, with a gold ribbon, that was the best day of my life.

 

So, when will my makeup come? The website I ordered it from is kind of blind friendly, or screen reader friendly, until it comes to checking out. That was a total nightmare. The make/brand is so beautiful. So, kind to the skin and smells amazing really subtle but so stunning to put on. It’s like liquid silky velvet. Apparently, our queen wears this brand. So, what is it?

 Clarins. It’s said too that she uses creams from a company I have never heard of but will read more on the brand, which is

 Cyclax

She gets her hair brush from GB Kent and Son

It’s said our queen wears this perfume, again I have never heard of it.

L’Heure Bleue

I wear Chanel Coco Mademoiselle

I bet there is an enormous price difference? Gosh, I would love to know what it’s like to be able to afford L’Heure Bleue?

 

Well on that (NOTE) I shall go for now I hope you have enjoyed reading this blog together we have escaped the everyday life and I would be interested in your opinions on makeup and perfumes. If you have tried our queens perfume, wow, please let me know what you thought?

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

DIARY OF THE ALIENS BY FIONA CUMMINGS

Good day Bloggets. Well last night Halloween came and went and apart from a few children passing our house, obviously going to a party we wouldn’t have known it was Halloween. It has been the first year I can remember in my life I have not either celebrated it or put some food on for the occasion and I have bought food to be delivered for the day before my Son gets home to put a supper on. Ok, he is twenty, and?

 

Out tonight to our town. I have to say I hope it’s going to be one of those moments where I get back and it’s been a good night as I am not particularly looking forward to it because I hate towns. And we are going to a pub first. Anyone who knows me knows I am so very unsociable when it comes to large groups of people. Hub is the same. A quiet pub where we can hear is good. With a couple of people, but in a large place where it’s so noisy, we can’t hear and obviously we can’t lip read. Or, use body language like you may, if you can see, so it’s hard. I know of some people who are blind who don’t mind all that, gosh I hate it. And, I’m not at all a drinker. The couple we are going out with don’t work, one took early retirement the other left his job going to start another one but in the meanwhile, Hub has to work tomorrow, smile, so a busy late night in our town just as Hub get’s through the door, it will be time to turn around and go back out again, but, we are grateful to our friends for inviting us and as I said I bet it will be a time when we love it. Just the thought of all those people drunk, cars and noise I can’t stand.

 

Hubs alarm went off today at 6 am. A taxi, train and car drive later he will be at meeting number one. Then a car to another meeting, then car to the station, train, taxi and home for fifteen minutes if everything runs on time and out the door again to our night out.

 

I have all my clothes out to take for our break. It’s so difficult to know what you look acceptable in. Especially going to a posh place, the cottage, we are staying in isn’t posh, but we will be eating in the hotel and that is like a manor. Oh, I do love it there and we so need a break. We are meeting with our besties I can’t wait. I’m super excited. I hope Hub will be able to chill!

 

I hope my Waggatail will behave. I know the Little Fella will be a good boy, he is so cute, if you say go to bed, he just stops whatever he is doing and takes himself off to bed. If I ask him to sit, immediately he does it, my Waggs, em, well, let’s say, I think she has selective hearing. But she is adorable I never get cross with her. How could I and what right do I have to do so? My dogs are the most loved and respected.

 

Oh, I’m waiting in for a parcel and it has to be signed for. Also, my shopping is due. And after that, I have to make some phone calls on my phone that really isn’t too well. Since my Son did something to it, it has been better, but still it has its moments. It’s too expensive for another and if I get an iPhone 7, it’s too big to put in my jeans pocket if I go out locally. I don’t like taking a bag and I’m so not a rucksack person. I know it makes so much sense to use a rucksack, but for me personally I feel too butch wearing one. I admire those of you who use them as they can carry so much more than a pocket can hold, and are so much more practical than a hand bag. As for the new iPhone that is £1000? Obscene!

 

My Son text me last night. He hired a buggy. And drove along the beaches and into the countryside. I just don’t know how someone so young, will come back home and be normal. To have such a holiday as he is having, it took me many years. I was about 42. Our Son came with us, but it was with his parents. This is the first luxurious holiday he has been on without us. As for Shamrock, oh, my, apart from Ireland where she comes from, and a few small holidays with our Son, she hasn’t been anywhere. I’m not sure I am looking forward to what may return as far as attitudes, but I pray a safe return and I can’t wait to give my baby a huge hug. I have missed him every bit as much as I thought I would. Fifteen nights is the longest I have ever been without him.

 

Talking with my lovely friend yesterday as we ate a delicious lunch, she was telling me that she loves it when her kids are not at home. She gets so excited about the fact she has the house to herself as her Husband works away. Gosh, how do you get like that? I wish I was like that I really do. I miss my Husband so much when he is working away. I just think I am a screw up!

 

Have you noticed how much news is around right now about space, UFO’s and other things not only from the sky, but under water? I definitely sense a movement from other worlds. I was talking with my friend from India last night and he too is feeling something spiritually. I call aliens spirit as that is where I believe we come from. Just as one day people believe we will live on Mars. Possibly go back to living where we originated from?

 

What would aliens look like was, one of the questions today as I read the news.

Personally, I don’t believe they will all be the same. I think you will get monster looking creatures like what has been sighted in Mexico. They will smell awful. Well, that is what the girls said in an interview some years ago, the aliens had red eyes and tortoise like skin and they were very pungent!

 

I also believe you will get what I called at the time angels. I believe I saw something that I called allowed Jesus but wondered if he was an angel?

 

Long silver hair with a silver kind of crown on his head that also could be some kind of detector or wiring.

 

He was as tall as my room and had enormous wings. He wore a long white sheet like dress. He had o features but I looked to his face and saw beauty. He gave me the best feeling ever. I have since experienced something very strong and similar. At this point you may wish for me to be sent to the funny farm, I don’t care, I tell you I am normal. Kid of. And I promise you, this is what I saw. The first time I was a very lonely sad young lady and when this thing appeared, I wanted to just go to that person, thing and let him take me but he said in my mind as no words came from him out loud, no, not your time, you stay. I promise you my heart stopped but I didn’t panic. Now, I am a real scared cat I don’t like ghosts. I was totally awake so not dreaming it was a bright sunny day. I could see at the time. As in I had sight then. I remember thinking at the time. Gosh, wow, that was Jesus. I don’t know why I thought that. He certainly didn’t look at all like how he is depicted. The second time I got a visit was when I was pregnant and that was an even more different experience to reality than the story above and the third, well, that was the weirdest. I was transported. But I think I have said enough today on that subject smile.

 

I for years said nothing about what I used to see but now I don’t care, I think if more people spoke out about what they have seen it would become more normal where as now, we are considered nuts. Because a lot of people just don’t have an open mind possibly because they are afraid? I have seen heard and felt things since I was about two. So, for me it’s a way of life. Now my Son used to too but when he got to about 16 he said he wanted to stop and I didn’t blame him. For me I didn’t know how to stop it and now to be honest, as long as it’s daylight or I am with someone at night time, I’m fine but otherwise I don’t like the thought of seeing what I do even now I’m blind, I don’t see but I feel and hear and on the odd occasion, I have thought I have seen something. Label me as a crazy, I’m just being honest.

 

In the Independent online I read this about what scientists think aliens may look like.

We can deduce they may well have iron based blood. While there are life forms on Earth with Copper based blood, they are crustaceans, so not likely to adapt to being a land based Apex Predator. Oooh, I jumped a step, successful intelligent aliens are likely to be Apex Predators, because species that spend time looking over their shoulders won't have the spare time to develop technology.

 

So, what does an Apex Predator need? Good senses, and intelligence, so, either binocular vision, or sonar, like bats and dolphins. Aliens could use echo location instead of having eyes, therefore. 

 

They need to be able to manipulate their environment, so some form of digits. Not necessarily articulated using bones, maybe muscular appendages, like tentacles. Each could oppose the other, and be more versatile than a single thumb. Tentacles, that's a bit fishy, that brings me back to the copper based blood, and why it's probably not that. Iron based blood is a bit more efficient at transporting oxygen than copper based blood. Iron is also quite prevalent as an element, given it's very radioactively stable, and abundant in the Earth's crust, and therefore likely to be abundant on other planets too. Same goes for carbon, and oxygen, and well, aren't we carbon based life forms with iron based blood that breath oxygen? I think we can safely say aliens will follow this chemical makeup too. Being warm blooded, while increasing energy consumption is a bonus, as it makes predator more versatile. Its likely aliens will be warm blooded.

 

So, will aliens have DNA? Experiments following on from the Miller Urey experiment, which mirrored conditions on a primordial earth, and synthesised various amino acids, went on to synthesise Adenine, one of the building blocks of DNA. The laws of physics (and therefore chemistry) apply equally to other planets!

 

So, there you go.

 How are you, Bloggets? Smile. X