I have spent the last four weeks in Lisburn in Northern Ireland, visiting family and working in Sheffield. Many, many things have happened since I arrived, so, as expected, this blog is going to be REALLY long. Perhaps you should make yourself a cup of coffee before you continue. Are you ready?
Here goes.
The day had been long and there had been many delays in public transport (from busses to trains to more busses). I was glad, and slightly relieved, to have left England, and my job, for a short while. The plane glided onto the runway in Northern Ireland at 22h30, on my grandfathers birthday, 19 August, and came to a chauffeur stop near the terminal. I got off, tired, excited. I walked into the hot terminal buildings and stood looking for the familiar face of my uncle Wayne. I saw him standing next to a pillar with my two cousins Zach and Lauren. They were staring at the masses of people, trying to sift me out of the crowd. I walked towards them and went completely unnoticed until I was right in front of them. I spoke to my cousins for a while, got my bag off the conveyor belt, and was whisked from Belfast International Airport to my grandparents home in Lisburn. My holiday began.
When my uncle pulled into a parking bay, I looked at all three homes in front of me, trying to decide which one would be my grandparents’ when I noticed some movement in one of the windows. The blind obscuring my view into the lit room had been shifted. Light flowed out from where the blinds had been moved followed by a strangely familiar face… my grandmother.
Zach and Lauren ran to the front door in competition, my uncle and I followed. I was nervous, apprehensive, shaking (I can’t be sure if this was from the freezing cold or from nerves). The unfamiliar feelings of uneasiness, of not knowing what to expect (as this was the first time I would be meeting my grandfather and staying in their home) overwhelmed me. The front door was quickly opened by my grandmother. She was excited. She hugged me. I was numb. Everything happened in a blur. We were led into the front room. My bags were taken. I was told to sit down. Polite conversation was had. My uncle and cousins left. I was alone for a brief moment.
My grandmother whisked around, the moment their car had disappeared out of view, and led me into the kitchen to hand me a sandwich (which she had made earlier) and a cup of coffee. I was led back into the lounge where I ate, drank and spoke. I’m not sure if the right way of describing the ensuing conversation would be to say that it was polite and stilted, or if it is to say that there was so much to say that the topics shifted rapidly, each overstepping and overshadowing the last. Once I had finished my sandwich, and we had had enough time examining each other, it was bedtime. I was led upstairs. Given the tour of my room and left alone. Alone at last, I looked around the room, I turned to look at my bed, a most welcome site. I crawled into bed and snuggled between the sheets. I closed my tired eyes and waited for sleep to arrive. Something was keeping me awake. I could not put my finger on what it was. I just knew that it was annoying me. I lay there in anticipation of the nice sleep I was about to have. Awake. Tic. Tock. Tic. Tock. Now if you know me, you know that I CANNOT sleep near a clock or wristwatch. I grabbed a pillow, shoved it over my head and before long was fast asleep.
I began the 20th of August at 09h00 with a nice hot bath. Once I had finished my morning routine, I went downstairs and was greeted at the bottom of the stairs, by my grandmother, with a hug. She led me into the kitchen where I was faced with a table, covered with all sorts of things. She then told me to sit down. I sat in the place that all the bowls faced. I was to begin my breakfast with cereal (which I could choose from a huge selection), fruit juice and coffee. Whilst I was eating, my grandmother sat and spoke to me. It was nice. She explained that she had not made me an Ulster fry for breakfast, as it was deemed to be too fattening (and apparently I was in no need of that!) I was nearing the end of my cereal when my grandmother sprang out of her chair and busied herself behind me. I continued eating. Once I was done, there were two buttered slices of toast on a plate next to me and a banana, with all the spreads you can imagine. My empty bowl was whisked away and cleaned as I ate my toast. I finished off my breakfast with the banana and last few sips of coffee. I was then told what the day/week’s plans were. I must admit, I rather liked having everything planned for me (all I had to do was show up!)
A few minutes after breakfast, my grandfather asked me if I was ready to go (‘so soon’, I thought to myself). I smiled and nodded. We all rushed out the door and before I knew it, my grandfather was dropping us off at the bus station in Lisburn. We briskly walked into the bus station (when I say ‘we’, I mean that my grandmother briskly walked, I tried to keep up). My gran went over to the information desk to enquire about the bus into Belfast. She was given directions and before long we were on a bus to Belfast centre. About ten minutes into the journey, a man sitting alongside me tapped me on my shoulder. He began gesturing (which, being South African, I ignored). My gran leaned across me to find out what he was on about. He pointed to the seat in front of us. We both slowly peered over the top of the seat, not knowing what we were about to find. There, perched on the edge of the seat was a tiny little bird. My gran and I laughed, as we had both thought that the squeaking noises we had heard on the bus had been from the poor shape it was in… Needless to say, this little bird got quite a bit of attention from all the people on the bus. Luckily though, the man who had been doing all the pointing, got off the bus, taking the bird with him.
We eventually reached Belfast centre. We hopped off the bus and began our walk. My gran led the way, with me doing my best to keep up with her. She pointed out various sites and told me stories about each of them. Then, along one of the streets, we saw a man holding a pole, with a giant pointing hand on it (much like the one Sherelyn saw in Germiston!) The hand read ‘open top tours’. My gran made a bee-line for him. She asked him a lot of questions, whilst I stood there smiling (typical tourist!) Before I knew it, he was leading us through Marks and Spencer towards his tour bus. We eventually reached the location of the tour bus and after much bargaining, my gran got the ticket prices to which she wanted them. We then boarded Allans open top tour of Belfast.
Well, I tell you, I have never seen so much crammed into one tour! I will list all the sites we saw, and if you are interested in any of them, you can look them up!!!
Places seen on tour: International Youth Hostel (Sandy Row, Donegall Road); Great Victoria Street (Europa hotel (in the guiness book of records as the most bombed hotel!!), Jury’s hotel, Day’s hotel, Grand opera house, Crown bar, Europa bus centre); Belfast welcome centre (City hall, Linen hall library, Donegall place shopping precinct); Divis Street/Northumberland Street (Falls road, Republican murals, Divis tower, Peace line, St. Peter’s cathedral); Shankill road/Agnes street (Shankill road); Crumlin road (Crumlin road jail, Court house, Mater hospital); Donegall Street (St Annes cathedral, Cathedral quarter, University of Ulster, Belfast Telegraph, Irish news); High street (Malmaison hotel, Albert clock, Customs house square, Victoria centre, Laganside bus station); Queens road (Odyssey pavilion, W5, Titanic quarter, Harland and Wolff cranes, S.S. nomadic); Newtownards road/Templemore avenue (Short strand, Loyalist murals, Loyalist memorial garden, St Matthews catholic church); Holywood arches (C.S. Lewis – Narnia statue Stormont – parliament buildings, Stormont estate); George best city airport (airport and tourist information); Waterfront hall (Hilton hotel, Waterfront hall, St Georges market, Law courts, Central station); City hall (Ten square hotel, City hall, Commercial centre, bars and restaurants); Shaftesbury square (Benedicts hotel, Lavery’s gin palace, Equality commission); University road (Queens university of Belfast, Ulster museum, Botanical gardens, Stranmillis road).
After the long tour, we went to Great Victoria Street Mall, where my gran took me up a spiral staircase that seemed to go on forever (when we got to the top I felt quite sick – like the feeling you get on a merry-go-round). The view from the top of the tower was awesome. You could see 360 degrees of Belfast (which meant that I could see all the places on the tour we had just been on!) Next thing I knew my gran was talking to some random stranger about his fear of heights (what he was doing all the way on the top of the highest building in Belfast, I do not know!) Once she had discussed his fear with him we left and headed for home. We caught a train to Lisburn. Then, when the train stopped, we hopped off and began the LONG walk home (Needless to say, my gran had neglected to tell me just how long the walk was going to be!) We got home and within a few minutes (16h00), she had dinner on the table (this would have been fine if it was something you just microwave, but it was cottage pie, peas and butternut, followed by chocolate cake). I was exhausted by the day’s activities, so sat in the lounge watching the 6 o’clock news and CSI until 22h00.
I woke up on the 21st at 09h00. The house was still. I had a bath and went down to eat the meal on the table (which was laid out in exactly the same way, cereal, fruit, juice, spreads, bread and coffee). I tucked into the meal and before long the front door opened. My gran came in and hugged and kissed me. Shortly after, Adrianna (my other cousin, age six) came into the kitchen, nervously. She greeted me shyly and quickly left. Once I had finished my breakfast and my gran had unpacked all her groceries we left for a day in Newcastle, a catholic town. The drive there was fairly long. My gran had allowed me to sit in the front seat of the car (as I was a tourist, and this would allow me to see more), whilst she sat in the back with Adrianna. After a while in silence (as my grandfather does not listen to the radio whilst he drives), Adrianna began asking the famous question: ‘are we nearly there?’. This continued until we parked the car. My gran, Adrianna and I got out the car (leaving my grandfather in the car to read his newspaper) and went for a walk along the coastline. My gran wanted to show me the tidal pool at one end of the beach, so we briskly walked there. On the walk, my gran picked blackberries to eat whilst Adrianna kept on the side of my gran, furthest from me. She kept peeping around my gran to get a look at me (I kept my distance, and just smiled if I caught her eye - before the day was out, Adrianna was quite comfortable talking to me). We walked back to the car, drove to the harbour to eat lunch (which appeared out of nowhere!) Once we had finished lunch, we drove to Coco’s play place for Adrianna (this is an indoor amusement park). We spent one and a half hours there, following Adrianna around the place. We left there and on the walk back my gran bought us some ice-cream. We got back to the car having eaten our ice-cream’s, when my granddad drove us all back home. On the drive back home, we came across many, many, sharp bends. On one of the sharpest bends, there was a note on the tree (the tree appeared to be strategically placed – so that cars could barely avoid it) that read: ‘are you ready to meet your maker?’ I had a really good giggle, but when asked to explain myself, I merely said that I had a very warped sense of humour!
We got back and Adrianna and I sat and coloured in for a few minutes before my gran called for tea. She had managed to whip up some crumbed turkey breast, squash, mixed vegetables and chocolate cake for us and some spaghetti bolognaise for Adrianna (as this is all she will eat). Having eaten our dinner, Adrianna went for a bath (and played with her troll [can you believe trolls are still available???] and tea set). After her bath, we played with her hedgehog hand puppet (courtesy of daddy!) whilst my gran brushed her hair and then fed her some porridge. We went downstairs after this and Adrianna ate a banana whilst we played dominos, snakes and ladders and pick-up-stix (with LOTS of rule bending!!!!). Whilst we were playing on the carpet in the lounge, Glenda (my Aunt) arrived to collect Adrianna. She stayed a while, sussing me out and then had to go home to put Adrianna in bed. Before retiring to bed, I asked my granddad what time he would like to leave in the morning for the days’ sightseeing. He turned to my grandmother and said ‘I did not coerce her into getting up early, she asked me’. I smiled, knowing that getting up at 09h00 was out of the question (as they had previously hinted that that was a good lie-in). Shortly after this discussion was held, I went upstairs to bed. I got a phone call from Shaun, telling me that he got the job – which lasted until 23h00, when I retired to bed.
22 August saw me up and dressed by 09h00 (to my grandparents absolute amazement!). The weather was dull and cool. We drove to Dunluce Castle, where we all walked around the castle in the gusting wind. We then exited the castle, my grandfather headed for the car (wishing me luck – which made me quite curious) whilst we headed for the lower area of the castle (which meant climbing down STEEP steps to get there… and as we all know - what goes down, must come up!!!!) This did not present a problem to my gran, who appears to be the fittest person I know. Upon return to the top of the castle, I had to stop midway to catch my breath, whilst my gran looked down at me from the top of the stairs (how embarrassing!!!) We got back to the car and my grandfather commented ‘you’re still alive then, are you?’, I smiled now knowing why he had wished me luck. We left the castle area for Giants Causeway. We arrived at a tourist-packed location. My grandfather said that he would be staying in the car (this time, I seemed to know why he opted out of the experience). My gran and I merrily walked toward the causeway. Upon reaching the entrance, I saw one of the steepest hills I had ever seen. I knew this was going to be fun and games. We walked down towards the causeway (along the path, as there is a bus that takes people down to the bottom that shows no consideration for pedestrians). You just know that when you are leaning backwards whilst walking down a hill that you are going to suffer going the other way – I did. We reached the bottom of Giant’s Causeway, where there are some phenomenal rock formations and mountainsides. My gran carried on walking down a path. Whilst she was walking, she was telling me about the organ on the side of the mountain (A cold feeling overflowed me. I knew that this discussion was leading one way – ‘let me show you’…) We walked and walked and walked. We came across a man and his car (just before another steep hill). My grandmother approached him, asking him what he was doing there. He informed us that the path had been shut due to landslides from all the rain they had been having. She jokingly stated to him that I would be glad (what she did not know is that if I was not already in a relationship, I would have married him, had his children and catered to all his needs for this little bit of information!!!!) My gran was disappointed, as the organ was off-limits, as were the stairs to the top of the mountain (I was so so so so so happy and relieved). We then turned around and began the walk back to the car. I took a deep breath and began praying for the torture to end. The hill was indeed steep. So steep that I was leaning forward whilst walking so that I would not feel like I was going to fall backwards. My gran on the other hand was picking and eating blackberries along her merry walk. We got to the top. I had to look down and check that my legs were still attached. Unfortunately, they were.
Then, my gran turned to me and asked if I would like to go for coffee to warm me up… (warm me up??? After that battle???) Of course, I agreed, but only because it was coffee and time alone to sit and talk to her. On one hand I wish we had not had a discussion (as she informed me that the buses that kept whizzing by up and down the hill were free… FREE!)
After Giant’s Causeway we went down to the beach in Port Rush to have lunch (near the place where my grandfather had grown up). We ate lunch and then my grandmother suggested that her and I walk to the swimming pools on the beach and then walk to Betty’s home. My grandfather nearly choked at the suggestion (from that I knew just how far Betty’s home was going to be). My gran, puzzled, said that I would be able to see so much more walking there than I would by being driven. I could not help but ask her: ‘Are you trying to kill me?’. My grandfather laughed. This brought up a lengthy debate, with a slight compromise – her and I would walk to the swimming pools and then we would be driven to Betty’s place (phew!)
We got out the car and began our walk to the pools (which was a rather nice walk). We returned to the car and were driven around Port Rush (with granddad showing me where he grew up). Then we went to Aunt Betty’s (Granddads sister). We pulled into the driveway, and then phoned her to ask if it was ok that we were there as early as we were. She said it was ok. So granddad asked if she would come and unlock the gate. We sat and chatted for about 90 minutes. We would have stayed longer, but we had another engagement with Peter and Janet a little further up the coast, in Castlerock.
We left Betty’s place and drove to Castlerock. We got there around 17h00. Janet met us outside and led us in to the back part of her home, where Peter was sitting. We all sat down in the sunshine. Janet then went into the kitchen, and came back with teas, hamburgers, lots of different sandwiches and some little cakes. We had our tea when Janet offered to show me around Castlerock. We all hopped into her little Peugeot and were whisked around the area. She showed us the prison, the castle, the ferry to southern Ireland (£15 return ticket for an 8 minute journey), the church in the mountain, the view from the top of one of the mountains (overlooking castlerock and southern Ireland). We got back to the house at 19h00 where we had another drink and further conversations. We left their place at 19h45, as darkness was falling. Peter asked if we wanted to stay the night, but we graciously refused, with granddad stating that it would be nice to use his car’s headlights (I firmly placed my head in the sand and pretended that I had not heard this comment). We finally arrived home at 22h00. I got into bed, exhausted.
At 09h00 I got up and had breakfast. I lost track of time whilst I spoke to granddad. This meant that I rushed around like a headless chicken to get dressed and packed for my stay at Glenda’s place. Granddad drove me to her home and dropped me off. The initial part of my stay was a little awkward. I was unsure of what she was like now (as I had met her a long time ago, and we had not seen eye to eye). We went to Jumping Jacks (a children’s playplace). Her and I had coffee whilst Adrianna played. We began apprehensively, not knowing what to talk about, not knowing what was acceptable to talk about. By the time we left, we were slightly more comfortable with each other. We dandered home, so that we could meet Kinsley and go out for tea. We left for a little restaurant where we quickly ate dinner and went home (Kinsley does not like to take his time in these places). We opened a bottle of wine, watched X-factor and began talking. Turns out we had A LOT to talk about (with the aid of LOTS of wine, vodka, coke, pernot and blackcurrant juice), as we only managed to get to bed at 02h30.
Surprisingly, I was up and about at 06h00. Nobody else was awake, so I went back to bed and finally fell out of it at 09h00 in defeat. I ate breakfast, which Glenda had cooked for me (an omelette – which I had permission from my gran to eat whilst I was there [you see, my gran is watching my weight for me]). Glenda went out for a ‘power walk’ (the latest craze). When she got back, we all got showered and dressed (understandably, they were both feeling a little under the weather and tired). We then got in the car and went to Oxford Island farm/gardens. We wondered around for a while (with Kinsley beating us to the end with 20 minutes to spare). On the way home, we stopped to get some plants for their front garden and at Tesco to get some more drinks. Once we arrived home, everyone busied themselves with something – Kinsley planted, Glenda ironed, Adrianna went across the street to play with her friends and I watched TV. The afternoon passed by quickly, seeing Kinsley make a roast chicken, potatoes and corn. Around 19h00, the phone rang and I got to chat to my family in SA for… um… three hours…….. By the time I had finished on the phone, Glenda, Kinsley and Adrianna had gone to bed. I helped myself to dinner and watched TV until midnight.
The next morning came far sooner than it should have. I turned over at around 09h00 and fell back asleep. I eventually got out of bed at 10h30. Glenda made me breakfast (again) – this time a somewhat more unhealthy breakfast (potato bread and egg). We waited around and chatted for a while. We eventually decided to make the most of the weather and go out for a walk to see the local horses. It was a nice walk, and we managed to get back just as it started to pour with rain! We had lunch (soda bread, tomato and cheese and Adrianna had spaghetti bolognaise). We then left for my grans place. On the way home, we stopped at the local activity centre (where there is an indoor heated pool, a diving pool, a gym, squash courts, indoor water amusement park etc). We got to my grans place, Glenda and Adrianna came inside for a short while, but soon left (as Glenda had an aerobics class at 18h00). Shortly after they left, my gran served tea (pork, squash, mashed potato and onions). Following the meal, we sat and watched some television. My gran went upstairs to read around 21h00 whilst my granddad and I sat and watched Pierrepoint. I then decided to go to bed and listen to some music before bed.
26 August arrived at 09h00. I went downstairs, ate the breakfast, which was still neatly presented on the table, and cleaned up. By 10h00, my grandfather arrived back home. He informed me that my grandmother was out on one of her walks in the market, and that she would be back later on. I surfed the net until she arrived back home at 11h15. Around midday, she made us all some lunch. We were then dropped off in Lisburn by my grandfather. My gran showed me around the shopping centre of Lisburn, rather quickly, seeing us stop for coffee shortly after visiting the cotton mill (which is in the centre of Lisburns shopping streets!) Around 15h00, we walked to the bus station and caught the bus home so that my gran could be home in time to make tea for my granddad.
I woke up rather early on the 27th of August (08h00 – scary huh??) and pottered around until 10h30, when my Uncle Wayne, Zach and Lauren came to collect me and take me out (my aunt was unable to make it as she was home babysitting their new puppy). He drove us to Newcastle where we had lunch (chicken mayonnaise sarmie, coffee and pie) and then drove around the mountains, in the direction of Newry (instead of turning around and following the same route back), home. We got a little bit lost on our way (as my uncle had not been out Newcastle way for a long while), but it was an adventure nonetheless. This route back to my Uncle’s home led us past a new shopping centre, where we stopped for coffee at Costa’s. Zach and Lauren had a drink and sweet treat before we left for home.
On approaching his house, I noticed that it is situated in quiet little neighbourhood (well, when I say quiet, I mean that there was NOBODY outside or around the streets), where the homes are very similar to each other. We pulled up outside, the kids ran for the front door (in the usual competitive manner). The door was opened by my Aunt, Maurise. I was led into the house by Zach and Lauren who were VERY eager to show me the robot they had built (which had a notice on it which read: ‘Welcome Carissa’) and then I was briefly introduced to Maurise. My uncle took me on a quick tour of the house before making us some coffee. I was led to the front room to drink my coffee. I sat across from Maursie and my uncle sat to the left of me. Zach and Lauren disappeared to play with some friends in the street. I felt rather awkward, not knowing what to say or do. I think my uncle was most amused by the situation (him being the only person each of us knew). I tried to make some conversation, but I fear it was rather stilted. Gradually, conversation was growing (well between my aunt and uncle really, I seemed to be a spectator), just in time for tea. I was handed the Chinese take-away menu whilst the conversations continued. My uncle then went out to get the Chinese whilst my aunt and I spent some time chatting. My uncle arrived back with food in hand and we all adjourned to the kitchen for a meal at the table. It was lovely, there was enough food there to feed the masses. Zach and Lauren went outside to play with the neighbours’ children whilst we finished eating.
Before long, a water fight had broken out outside. Maurise had wanted my Uncle to check that the puppy had not escaped, which led to my uncle getting in on the action (under the pretence that he was checking that no one got hurt). It ended up with Zach holding the hose pipe and Lauren the water pistol… one guess as to which side won??? Eventually the fun and games came to an end outside and the crowds dissipated. My uncle came back inside to help clear the table/dishes and make some more coffee. We sat and spoke a little while longer, and were then forced to end on account that I was to be back at my grandparents’ home by 21h00.
We arrived at my grandparents’ and saw the same routine play out. Race to front door. We sit in front room and have brief chat. They leave. I sit and chat. Gran goes to bed to read. I sit with granddad and watch television. I go to bed.
I woke up on Thursday morning, knowing that Adrianna was there again today. I went downstairs just as they left to go and do the weekly shopping. So, I sat and ate breakfast and cleaned up followed by a quick bath. I got back downstairs as they arrived back. My gran unpacked her groceries and then we left for Bangor. My grandfather stayed in the car whilst my gran, Adrianna and I went for a walk to the local mall in Bangor. We walked around the mall and on the way out, my gran stopped at their library, whilst Adrianna played on one of the children’s amusement machines. We walked back to the car and drove to the seafront to eat lunch. After lunch, Adrianna and I went to play on the swings and the beach before going to Pickie Park.
My grandfather drove us to Pickie park where my gran bought Adrianna and I a ticket to go for a ride on the swans. So, I went along with it. Adrianna got onto the swan, followed by me. We pedalled and pedalled (Adrianna was doing the steering – so we hit everything and went in circles a number of times!) By the end of our time on the swans, I was pedalling, Adrianna was ‘steering’ and my gran was in absolute stitches (from the safety of the shore!) Our number was called and we were to return the swan to the front of the lake. Well, if you had been there, I reckon you would have been laughing too! The only time we managed to go in a straight line was if we were going backwards, so this is what I did. I pedalled backwards just far enough to be able to float in safely… but Adrianna wanted to go in forwards, so she started pedalling the other way… I tell you, I am glad I was not one of the swans on the lake, as we managed to hit EVERY other swan there… I was so RELIEVED when I got off the swan (not only because I was no longer going in circles and hitting everything, but because I was on DRY land!)
Just as I got off the swan, my gran presented me with more tokens. I looked at them, and at her and then at the train I was going to be expected to ride on. I smiled. I got on the train with Adrianna and we chugged along merrily from one end of the park to the other, crossing under a bridge (where my gran was standing and waving). We got off the train and Adrianna was taken to the jumping castle (thank goodness adults are not allowed on those, as I fear my gran may have handed me a token too!) After Adrianna was done there, we played in the park for a while and then Adrianna went to swim in the paddling pool. My gran and I sat and drank coffee whilst Adrianna (and her new friend) splashed and ran around the pool. It was a most enjoyable outing, if I say so myself. We left for the car and home around 15h00. My gran made another wonderful dinner, whilst Adrianna and I played games on my laptop. Glenda came to fetch Adrianna and stop for a quick chat. Once she had left, I went upstairs and chatted to Shaun and Jo.
The next morning went by rather slowly. We decided to go out to Oxford Park after lunch. We wondered around there for a while, had a cup of coffee, and then wondered some more. We drove home and my gran made tea. My gran and I then went out for a walk (which was long, fast and tiring!!!) We got home, I was exhausted (my gran looked as she did when we left). I chatted to shaun for a while and then went to bed.
30 August arrived bright and early. My gran did some cleaning around the house, my grandfather read the newspaper (as he did every morning) and I sat on my laptop planning my route to my next client. Around midday, we went to Glenda’s for lunch (she had made chicken and broccoli pie, corn and roast potatoes, followed by apple pie). My grandparents then left so that they could make it home in time to cut the lawn. Glenda and I sat and chatted until it was time for tea. We decided to get Chinese for tea. Glenda went to fetch the Chinese, dropped it off for me and then went to watch the bands march past. Around 20h00, we went to one of her neighbours’ houses for drinks. Glenda left to put Adrianna in bed at around 02h00. Kinsley and I arrived back home at 03h00.
At long last, I slept in until 11h00!!!!! I got up, had a nice lazy morning. By 14h00, we had all decided that we were going to go ten pin bowling. Kinsley won, followed by Glenda, myself and then Adrianna. We arrived back home around 16h00. I listened to some music in the front room, whilst Glenda lay outside in the sun napping and Kinsley lay in the front room counting light leaks. I then went for a walk to the river to take some pictures. I arrived back and played with Adrianna, whilst Glenda made tea (delicious chicken and mushroom with rice). I hung around watching television until midnight, when I finally fell into bed.
The 1st of September arrived. I woke up late again, had a shower and made some breakfast. Glenda got back from dropping Adrianna at school and going for a swim and did some ironing whilst we chatted. We went to fetch Adrianna from school and went to my grandmothers place. We sat and chatted for a while. Glenda left so that she could make tea and go to her aerobics class. My grandfather got home from visiting his friends at the golf course and we had tea. I went upstairs to check my email and book a place to stay in England when I returned.
Tuesday 2 September arrived bright and early. I did the usual routine, followed by a bit of packing. After lunch, we went out to the local art centre. We walked around in the centre, looking at the pottery section, the music section, the ballet section and the corporate section (where they have conferences). We then went for an aimless walk along the river (which was rather nice, as my gran and I chatted about all sorts of things). We got back to the car and went home for tea. I said my last good night to my gran and grandfather, and went to bed.
Wednesday, my last day in Northern Ireland arrived at 09h00. I went downstairs, had my last breakfast spread and did my last bit of packing. At 10h00 my Uncle came by to say his goodbyes. At 10h40 we left for the airport. My grandparents dropped me off at the airport around 11h30. I said good bye to them and thanked then profusely.
I went inside and checked in. I then went and had lunch and waited for my plane. There was an announcement just before the check-in desks opened, saying that my plane had been delayed due to meteorological conditions. So, I went and got a cup of coffee. Eventually, I got on the plane and was whisked away to England. I landed in Bristol International Airport, caught a bus to Bristol Temple Mead train station. From there, I caught a train to Sheffield (which took ages and was delayed). From Sheffield, I caught a train to Hathersage. Once I was at Hathersage, it was dark, cold and raining. I had to walk to the YHA (Youth Hostels Association). I could not find the hostel, so had to stop to ask several people. Eventually, I asked two guys walking by. They led me to the YHA (where they were staying!). I checked into the YHA at 21h30 and went to bed shortly afterwards!
I got up bright and early on the 4th of September and caught a bus to Sheffield, followed by another bus to Dinnington (where I was collected by my next client’s wife and 19 month old son). The next two weeks went by VERY quickly. I would go to bed around 23h00, turn my client at 05h00, get up at 08h30 and get my client dressed and ready for the day ahead by 11h00. Breakfast would be made, followed by lunch (14h00). Then my client’s wife would come home and make tea (between 17h00 and 19h00). At 21h00 the second carer would come in (to look after my clients nightly needs and to help me turn him at 05h00). Everything would then start all over again. My client very rarely went out and watched an enormous amount of television (particularly sport). This gave me a lot of time to clean, do dishes, vacuum etc.
Near the end of my stay with this client, I was assigned my next client, so I was able to plan ahead for this week. So, I am now staying with Bethany in Westcliff-on-sea.
Last thing before I end this blog…
Because I had managed to drop my phone one too many times (resulting in it losing signal and forgetting that it had a SIM card in it), I have purchased a new telephone (the iPhone 3G
I apologise for keeping you waiting and for writing such a long blog.
So I say, go on, make it up to yourself, have another cup of coffee!
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