The world is your oyster they say ..

December 19, 2017

.. and so it is.

To be explored and enjoyed in small chunks as and when spare funds decide to play ball with spare time.

(Relate) 

I read the most enchanting blog this morning by The Obsessive Writer, I found myself totally feeling the author’s mother’s desire to travel. I so relate to this myself now that my children have left home. I wish to start adding new adventures to those already acquired. My dream is for my family members, in their various numbers, if they so wish, to tag along. The Obssessive Writer’s travel blog about Dubai can be read here.

Today my adventure is a mere hour’s train ride to London from East Anglia. But my husband is with me and having got him to agree to leave the farm for a day is a fabulous achievement in its own right, let me tell you.

Destination – Hyde Park, London and the annual Winter Wonderland

Once through the Hyde Park Corner entrance where strict safety checks are carried out, you are off on a grass-saving platform of temporary rubber flooring on which have been erected many Christmas themed gastronomic outlets and I counted no less than 15 alcoholic refreshment venues, many with heated lamps over outside seating areas, fully-stocked bars and plenty of staff to cope with crowds.

What is it about lights and music, when combined? The two create within us all a childlike excitement, don’t you think? Even the cold temperatures can be ignored when you can wrap your hands around a Nutella-based hot chocolate, and tap your foot to George Michael’s Christmas songs (God rest his soul) or in my case a very warm mulled wine in fact. I am sadly no longer able to tolerate wine of any colour, unless I wish to welcome three days of migraines. However, the heating process of mulled versions must cook away the problem as I appear to be able to enjoy, without fallout, two of these quite happily – Merry Christmas 🍷!

I attempted to hit some half inflated balloons amongst the many fairground style games which will keep all ages amused. I had five arrows and a full size bow, but won nothing more than a reminder as to why archers wear protective cuffs on their left arms! Full contingent of fairground rides cater for every member of the family; granny may enjoy the carousel horses while really little ones can giggle at a gentle turn in a teacup.

For the more daring, there are rollercoasters and a variety of contraptions which provide sudden vertical drops, centrifugal force on either end of a huge rotating arm and good old scream-inducing waltzers, watched over by a polar bear.

Part of every fairground ride is a Haunted House attraction and the one in Hyde Park is reminiscent of those found at Disneyland in its magnitude!   It is hard to believe that it will be dismantled after only six weeks of use.  Particularly gruesome figures hanging from broken windows, screams from within the walls make it a favourite of all ages.

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A huge amount of work has been put into this free-entry extravaganza and I would recommend journeying to London before the 1st January 2018 to enjoy a few hours if you have the time.

(Today’s word prompt ‘RELATE’ for creative writing from WordPress sits superbly alongside my appreciation of a travel blog I read earlier and have shared with you above) (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyde_Park_Winter_Wonderland)Relate” target=”_blank”>relate

Christmas Days from the Past

December 18, 2017

(Poem linked to the Sunday Photo Prompt!)

Christmas

Again the shouting

No different to an average Sunday roast.

Seven additional side dishes,

Parents stressed before the big host.

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Big bird, not sure I like the taste anyway,

Why the expectation, the hassle and clothes?

The school nativity was promising and fun,

25th and its plans, not so much those.

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Tree lights flickering,

Corners of presents escaping cheap paper.

Five fewer chocolate coins,

They may notice later.

 

Mince pies, eaten since October,

Simply cannot face another.

Grandparents shuffling inside with coats,

Are sat down, to move no further.

 

I am encouraged to show them my toys,

The remote control car with brake lights,

“oooh”s and “aaaah”s fill the room as they watch,

The gift, more noisy than theirs; the kites.

My favourite decorations are the deer in the snow,

Although he is missing one of his legs.

The fairy is fading and the wreath needs updating,

But I love the globe best, sat below the card pegs.

 

 

Solitary

Free Child Ego State. As an adult, have you forgotten how to access that?

December 17, 2017

Below is a photo of my son, then aged around 6 or 7, on the station platform awaiting our train for his first trip to London. His excitement that day was palpable.

On witnessing the speed and air rush of a goods train on the opposing track, his already heightened senses caused a sudden squeal of simultaneous shock and delight.   Anything with wheels delighted him and he would spends hours alone, completely satisfied with the company of his cars, trains and tractors making tracks in the flower beds in his specially allocated area.

This ‘free’ ego state, found instinctively as children (assuming they share their homes with non-abusive family members) is often lost to us as we grow from teenagers into young adults and beyond.   The ability to find complete pleasure in the small things around us, and giving ourselves permission to press pause on the demands of our day and truly appreciate the moment.

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Reading and writing for readers and writers give similar results, as those pastimes can induce moments of elated emotions during a phase of escapism from the confines of expectations.   When we have to be in work mode, or concentrate on meaningful conversations, we usually adopt Adult ego state.   Whilst here, we know the different between right and wrong; we drive on the correct side of the road, we manoeuvre our bodies towards destinations on a timescale.

We all need a break sometimes.  Relax and take time for ourselves.   What others may see as selfish is actually a necessary process of maintaining our wellbeing.   Once the priorities have been performed, build in time for ‘free’ child ego state once again.   Rather than drive across the river at sunset and strain your neck turning your head to look back at the colours streaking across the sky, go park somewhere before the bridge and walk back across it, stand and watch it while breathing deeply.   Our ancient ancestors had the time for this, so why don’t we?

My family are next door while I type this.  They are happy chit chatting and I am here typing and while my fingers tip tap, my brain is relaxed and my mouth is slightly curved into a smile because writing is my free child ego state.   And I apologise to no-one 🙂

Move higher – keep going – he’s coming!

December 15, 2017

Fun with words and photo (which is mine) with a mini creative writing piece in response to WordPress Daily Prompts

Ascend

We’d been here for hours now, nestled quietly as the dark faded and grey light brought little change in temperature.

Everybody’s legs intertwined as we made our way up the edge of the door frame, the door long ago thrown to the ground.

The warehouse beyond was silent, save for the snuffling of a fox who looked forward to his morning ritual. His paws padded across the dusty floor and he sniffed against the door frame as he reached his pre-breakfast buffet.

His tongue felt the teeny shiny bodies, a quick crunch before he stood on his hind legs for a second mouthful, from higher up the architrave before a sudden crash of glass made him freeze, before turning round to face the danger.

The Last Train

December 11, 2017

PHOTO PROMPT © Dale Rogerson

She had missed the last train and there was only one person she could ring who would be sure to rescue her.

She contemplated lying along the metal bench bolted to the platform; quite smooth considering the lace-effect pattern and even the curve might offer some support. But the cool air swirled around her ankles and it was not yet midnight. By the early hours she would be perished, frozen in time.  She had walked past ice-covered bushes all day; no sun to bring warmth. Sunday trains were dismal.

Her fingers trembled as she dialled his number.

#FridayFictioners

Rochelle Wisoff-Fields: Addicted to Purple runs a fun creative writing prompt weekly … 100 words from the photo prompt

Incy Wincy Spider …

December 10, 2017

FLASH FICTION 300 words

Something about the air had changed. Not so much the temperature; more the movement around her bare legs. Instinctively she curled up to protect herself from the gust which blew dust up from the ground. She couldn’t blink so instead turned to face the other way, the dark place she called home.

She continued to spin, her limbs automatically achieving what was needed and what they had been so well design to do. The silk was taught immediately and pristine white. Light reflected from the fibres, visible only to her. She spun again and continued to do so until a very loud bang followed by an incredible vibration. She balanced herself and paused in her spinning while she assessed the movement.

After a while, she decided it was time to check the fly which she’d been preparing for some days now in the far away place. She had to make her way gingerly across the exposed space, into the light and under and through some obstacles in order to reach the store. She was used to the route though and tended to scuttle her way across in seconds.

As she was nearing her destination and her senses were heightened with the excitement of a feast, the rumbling and vibration stopped. She paused, as her instinct had always suggested she do as a reaction to any time of change in the environment. Only long enough to assess. Another bang a slight, hardly noticeable, rise in the floor level. Move!

From her hiding place, she skulked backwards as more light suddenly filled the whole of the ground across which she’d just come. A shadow, which moved and a an odd sound, before the lighting was restored to normal, but again the bang! Did these monsters ever think of moving around quietly?

#flashfiction #amwriting

Once your baby girl; always your baby girl!

December 8, 2017

<a href=”https://dailypost.wordpress.com/prompts/varnish/”>Varnish</a&gt;

Daily word prompt … WordPress challenge – Varnish

My daughter is 19. She lives and works full time in London, about which we are very proud, and a real plus is that I get to visit my favourite city more regularly than before she moved there!

We usually meet for dinner twice a month, and there’s usually a spot of shopping to be done. Luckily I always arrive with a purse which is rather handy from the point of view of her budget meeting the needs of the week.

Today it was passport renewal time and what a delight to book a same-day application/collection in Victoria, London rather than haul the car up to Peterborough.

After the application was dropped in at the alloted time, we had four hours to kill before her pass to other countries of the world over the next ten years would be ready for collection.

Lunch in Joe & The Juice, Westminster was a perfect mix of healthy smoothies, toasted ciabattas, pretty lighting and background music. Unrushed, we savoured our surroundings before meandering in and out of nearby shops all ready for Christmas.

One must never neglect oneself whilst shopping for others I feel … and this bath oil in ‘Pomegranate Noir’ is purely pour moi!

Nail varnish is one area where my daughter wins hands down – hers is always immaculate; mine usually a little worse for wear!!