25 Jul 2012

Location - North again - Oxenhope, Yorkshire.


I seem to be on a 'Relative' trip. Relative meaning kith and kin as opposed to 'relative to this and that.'

I left the comfort and stability of Salisbury a few days ago (19/7/12). The leaving was, as expected, with mixed feelings. I enjoy my time with brother Richard. I feel comfortable and welcomed whenever I am there. Being looked after so well by Richard's carers is also a lovely treat for me. I feel very privileged, and fortunate to be able to enjoy such luxury amid the dysfunction and deprivation of which, on a daily basis we are reminded, surrounds us on all sides.

One such reminder, and a particularly relevant one, came via the radio in Sadie within ninety minutes of leaving Salisbury. I was at Tidworth, having lunch in Tescos parking lot after topping up with a few fresh supplies. Radio 2 was on doing an item about hunger in the world. There was a report of starving and dying children in the Yemen which is awful and horrifying but sadly fell on ears hardened and conditioned to automatic emotional dullness plus a considerable degree of immunity to emotional response. This due to a lifetime of hearing and seeing regularly on TV such harrowing reports. They invariably render me helpless to do anything meaningful about the situation apart from making a charitable donation in order to throw balm and calm at my own disturbed and troubled mind.

The second report however; was from Salisbury and about young Mums who had hit hard times and were going hungry themselves in order to feed their children. That did emotionally affect me. There was I listening to the report and sinking my teeth into a sweet sticky pecan nut cake while in the very town I had just left there was, in this age of modern day social care and responsibility, a young Mum who had not eaten for 5 days because she could only afford enough food for her children.

Tears, personal thoughts, and sadness for all who suffer followed.

A new perspective to my journey perhaps? I don't know but it gave me a determination to at least 'be there' in the best way I can for my grandchildren. Even if that means something as menial as just writing a blog so they can keep up with, and perhaps be mentally fed and encouraged by their totally mad motorhome travelling Grampy.

So; onto Swindon to touch base with two of my grandchildren and then a whole evening with my step grandchildren, their Mum and Dad and a very nice 'Harvester Pub' meal.

The next day found me in Derbyshire for an overnight with my cousin David and his wife Debbie. More stories and more appreciation of just how difficult the so say 'normal' task of raising children can be. An added dimension to this visit was a guided tour of David's veterinary practice in the near by village of Ashby. Impressive and nice to be on the vets side of the counter for a change without a sick Tanya. Credit card still got a bashing though as I topped up Tanya's flea and tick treatments taking advantage of the very generously offered staff discount.

On again to Oxenhope, Yorkshire to meet younger brother Robert, wife Alison, her sister Penny and husband Chris plus various children and wives. A sloped road in front of their house became home for Sadie, Tanya and myself for two nights with Tanya charming everyone and deciding she very much liked the sofas.

From Yorkshire via the hills and dales to Stavely in the Lake District to stay with old friends. Finally to this wild camping spot in the depths of the Scottish Borders for a quiet night before heading north to East Kilbride.

Interesting little spot this and found due to me being tired, missing the sat nav cue, and seeing just the right sort of level gateway. Everywhere was very wet so a level gateway with a firm hardcore base was very welcome indeed. Especially as Mr farmer came by shortly after I parked. He stopped, chatted and thankfully said. "No, I caaant sees no problem bein there the one night."

A few minutes later we came across a ford as I walked Tanya down the sharp zig zag road. "Phew," I said as I looked at the torrent of swiftly flowing water swollen by, as Mr farmer had explained, four days of rain. There is no way I am going to risk driving Sadie through that. Guess tomorrow it is back the way we came for a few miles.

For now though this spot is very very peaceful and it's not raining. (Tues 24/7/12)



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