Mindfully Bertie’s Christmas Reflection
Merry Christmas 2016.
Lighting a Christmas Candle to Diddley.
Let There be Light
Being a Light
Back in August 2015, when Diddley was driven to hospital, no one suspected that she would not return to Laurel Cottage. No one except herself, when Bobby overheard her whisper “goodbye”.
Get your hankie ready…
Over the years I sat with Bobby 2 in the dining room. Not neglected, but not the attention I am getting now. (more…)
The Story of Bobby 2
Bobby 2: Shopping Basket Extraordinaire.
Bobby 2
Bobby met Diddley when they both worked for the Highways Agency (HA). At the time, based in Dorking. They worked in separate buildings in the town. Bobby often attended courses in Diddley’s building. Important character forming lessons on: (more…)
Three Days in Yorkshire – 3: Middlesbrough
Over the Moors to Middlesbrough.
The third and final of our “Just Three Days”.
And so we come to the last of those wonderful three days in God’s Own County. Yorkshire. Middlesbrough. Sunday 2 October.
The sun is shining and it’s a glorious prospect for the trip over the Moors to see Diddley’s Yorkshire relatives and now Bobby’s friends.
We stayed at Ruswarp Hall.
Bertie at the delightful Ruswarp Hall.
Three Days in Yorkshire – 2: North Yorkshire Moors Railway
The North Yorkshire Moors Railway.
The second of our “Just Three Days”.
Bertie… Last week, the blog was hijacked by Bobby’s accident and days being looked after by the marvellous Ruth Myles unit at St George’s Hospital in Tooting. We hope you enjoyed it nevertheless. It was a labour of love, as this one is. He is restricted to just one left finger and getting grumpy. So you have me to yourself this week.
It’s Saturday morning on the second day of “Just Three Days” in Yorkshire. The sun is shining and we are looking forward to a whole day at the Autumn Gala of the wonderful North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR). Staying in Ruswarp, a village on the River Esk, not far from Whitby and the first station on National Rail’s splendid Esk Valley Railway. Whitby to Middlesbrough. Both Ruswarp and the Esk Valley line will be featured in the third of three days in Yorkshire. (more…)
St George’s Hospital, Ruth Myles Unit, Tooting
St George’s Hospital
St George’s, Tooting, Sarf London
Bobby… “Once again my plans are hijacked. And, most importantly, I am without Bertie. Languishing in St George’s Hospital, Tooting. (Me not him). Sorry Bertie. The 999 ambulance couldn’t head south to pick you up. (more…)
Three Days in Yorkshire – 1: Whitby
And so finally to Whitby.
Whitby. The start of “Just three days” in Yorkshire. We left Joe (see Joe’s Story) at the famous swing bridge and walked on along the quay. A beautiful sunny day in September. The old life boat was advertising trips round the bay. £3. Not bad eh? So off we went. We could see the cottage we used to stay in from the boat. From there we walked to all those familiar places.
Whitby Harbour – the swing bridge and the pirate ship.
Bertie… I always went on those holidays and surveyed the scene from the upstairs lounge window while the family went off for fun. Quite often leaving me and Diddley watching the world below in peaceful contemplation. And a glass of wine. (more…)
Islington: The Canal & Beyond.
“PS – Islington”.
Bertie… “PS” is a new feature of Mindfully Bertie. I like the idea of spontaneity. Some chance encounters can lead to short stories worthy of their own posting. A breather, maybe, in constructing more complicated ones. Tuesdays are set aside for Bobby’s trips to Islington. He often takes his folding bike, as it is much easier to cycle from Waterloo and more reliable than public transport.
Bobby… Al Anon is very important, as is the whole day in London. Meetings end at lunchtime, giving me an afternoon and maybe an evening to continue my recovery mindfully. It may just be a cycle ride along the Regents Canal. Or anything that comes to mind in the diverse city that London is. Often including St Martin in the Fields.
“George”
This week it was a favourite cycle ride along the canal from Islington to Limehouse Basin and then criss crossing the East End to the Super Cycle Highway back to Waterloo. This part of the canal is steeped in character. Both in the buildings. The boats. And the people. I chatted to George. It probably wasn’t his name, but I liked his bike and soon liked him.
Boulby Potash Mine, Yorkshire.
Just Three Days
Yorkshire … God’s Own Country
One mile down … eight miles out …
Boulby Potash Mine.
Bertie… I love Yorkshire. Full of memories. Yet, full of opportunities for the future. Bobby and I went back to Whitby in September. But first, to set the scene, we mustn’t forget Bobby’s present to Diddley on her exact 58th birthday. A birthday she would never forget! (more…)
Joe’s Story – a Tribute.
Along the River Esk.
When Joe appeared.
Bertie… On a glorious September morning, we were walking alongside the River Esk to Whitby. The railway line adjacent to the path. Approaching a beautiful brick viaduct a steam train passed. We knew it would soon be back. I just knew this was the start of another story. One to be called “Just Three Days”. A Yorkshire special. (more…)