My New Friend Alex

My New Friend Alex.

Today I met a new friend. His name is Alex. I was taking the train to attend for a minor medical procedure which meant I couldn't drive afterwards. Standing on the station platform I observed a man talking to a woman. He was carrying a sports hold all and a guitar in a well worn guitar bag. The woman hurried along the platform, it appeared that she wanted to get away from him and I noticed that he seemed to have a disability, probably some learning disability.

As the train approached, he turned around to me, grinning, showing his uneven teeth. He was wearing the green fleece jacket uniform worn by the rangers. I smiled at him and said "morning". I boarded the train and went into an empty carriage apart from another person. A man wearing a suit who was more than likely on his way to work.

The man in the green jacket, and the guitar, boarded the train and sat next to me, even though there were many empty seats. I thought to myself "I always attract them".

"Hello, my name is Alex, what's your name?" he said. Speaking quickly and grinning from ear to ear. He spoke so fast as though he couldn't contain his excitement and the words would come out quick enough. "Hello, my name is Audrey" I replied and he shook my hand enthusiastically. I asked him if he played the guitar, and he told me that he had learned to play when he left school, which was for people with learning disabilities. He told me he could play three Everley Brothers songs and asked if I knew how to play the guitar. I told him that I did try to learn but it hurt my fingers and I could play the piano. When I told him I wasn't that good and he could probably play guitar far better than I could play piano, he laughed and grinned from ear to ear. The conversation continued. He was working as a volunteer for the National Trust with the Rangers, telling me he worked in the Forest and he would give the other workers a song after lunch. I would imagine that Alex would be a joy to have around the workplace. He was so enthusiastic about going to work. He oozed happiness.

We chatted for only about 10 minutes as he needed to get off the train at the next stop. He shook my hand to say goodbye and kissed me on each hand before leaving the train, unable to hide his happiness at meeting a new friend and having the opportunity to go to work.

Tears pricked my eyes, observing how the simple things had made him so happy and also at my own guilt for my feelings of fear. If only everyone viewed the world as Alex does. No barriers, he had not judged me as I had judged him. To see the person, the ability and not the disability.

Night Before Christmas Alternative

Night Before Christmas Alternative

"'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house
Not a creature was stirring not even a mouse"

'Twas the night before Christmas and we went to the pub
To have a few beers and plenty of grub

'Twas the night before Christmas and they were coming back
From fighting in Afghanistan and duty in  Iraq

'Twas the night before Christmas and we went to sing
Carols in Church and to hear the bells ring

'Twas the night before Christmas just me and you
Warm by the fire with our dinner for two

'Twas the night before Christmas with the children in bed
Listening for sleigh bells  and a big man in red

'Twas the night before Christmas and she was alone
No friends or family to call her own

'Twas the night before Christmas and he was so cold
A night on the streets is no place for the old

'Twas the night before Christmas and she knocked on the door
Come share our meal we have plenty more

'Twas the night before Christmas no longer alone
Invited to share some one else's home

'Twas the night before Christmas and he made him warm
A thick coat and soup kept him from harm

On the night before Christmas remember the needy
Rise above glutton and not be greedy
The reward for giving is far greater to see
To help others means more to you and to me

Audrey Cushion

Riding along on the crest of a wave.

"Riding Along on the Crest of a Wave (and the sun is in the sky)"




So, it was the holiday we had waited almost a year for. Not the first cruise but the first one sailing from Southampton. On board the Oceana and after a couple of rough days through the Bay of Biscay we arrived at Funchal, Madeira just before dawn. What a sight from our cabin window. The island looked like a glorious, giant, fat, Christmas tree, lit up against the pre dawn sky. The sun rose into a beautiful cloudless sky an we were off to experience the delights of this pretty island. The standard ride on the cable car taking in the botanic gardens with giant angel trumpet plants, beautiful, but deadly if ingested, and the ride down on the toboggan.
"Scream if you want to go faster"
More sightseeing and then finishing off with the obligatory wine tasting at Blandy's. More of a brandy than a wine but it certainly had a kick to it.
Back on the ship, playing posh, dressing for dinner. Excellent cuisine and enjoying the evening entertainment of a fairly decent Beatles tribute band and a "resident" band at our favourite hang out the "Yacht and Compass".
We arrived at La Palma the following lunchtime, in the wake of a storm. All tourists were confined to the port of Santa Cruz as the island was on yellow alert for landslides. We wandered around the town enjoying the Canarian sunshine and this relatively unspoilt and quiet resort against the backdrop of the volcanic landscape. The mist was gathering over then mountains so we returned to the ship and sat on deck watching the clouds gather with the distant roar of thunder, waiting to see the spectacular flashes of lighting across the top ridges of the volcanoes.
We set sail again on our way to sunny Gran Canaria. A old farmer from Wiltshire and an old farmer from Cornwall were amongst our travelling companions. Both enjoying a few too many gin and tonics by the pool, by the looks of things. Wrinkled from years of working outdoors and brown from the sun. They were always arguing about who knew the most about tractors (yes, honestly). Saying they were born on a tractor and such like, trying to out do one another. The Wiltshire farmer, looking for some additional support, (and more drunk than the other), turned to me and said "tell im you got a combine 'arverstor, ask 'im if 'es got one" I laughed at this bizarre request and told him there wasn't much call for combine harvesters in Liverpool, at which point they both burst out laughing saying something about Liverpool people always having an answer. I honestly didn't think it was that funny!
The visits to Gran Canaria and Lanzarote reminded me of how much I like these, fascinating, weird, volcanic islands with their farms reliant on the lava ash to retain moisture, aloe vera, cactus and permanent warm climate. We sat in the beach in Arricefe and of course two minutes later I was paddling in the Atlantic Ocean feeling the sand between my toes and the cool water of the waves lapping against my ankles before soaking the bottom of my skirt. I looked like a typical Brit abroad, but I didn't care, I had to make sure I enjoyed that feeling before we set sail again.
Sitting on the beach, watching the waves, I noticed something different, concentrating hard I tried to see what it was. Then, I realised, plop, plop, plop. It was dolphins, jumping, their distinctive arched jumps and black against the steel blue sea. This made my whole trip worthwhile. A wonderful sight to see them so close, but far enough away to enjoy their natural environment. No camera, no pictures but a sight I always treasure, whenever I have had the privilege to see theses amazing creatures.
Sailing to Lisbon we were treated to this wonderful sight a number if times. I suppose it was highly entertaining for others when I was in the pool and the captain announced a sighting on the starboard site. I shot out if the pool, like A rocket, dripping wet and ran to the side of the ship to see them.
The dolphins came quite close to the ship, putting on their own show then disappearing off into the ocean wilderness that is home. Anyone seeing how fast they swim, how high they jump and how far they travel would realise how wrong it is to coop them up in a man made pool with no where to go. It is like sending them to prison and locking them in a tiny cell. Swimming with dolphins is OK if they are in the ocean and choose to make friends before going on their merry, lively way but never in a man made marina.
We were due to sail into Lisbon just after dawn. We set the alarm and went to the front of ship to see the magnificent sight of bridge over the river Tagus and the sun rising behind the statue of Jesus. Lisbon didn't disappoint us with its magnificent buildings, churches, and tuc tuc taxis.
We sailed back to Southampton with the Bay of Biscay unnaturally calm. Waves taking on a herringbone pattern and many sightings of dolphins. There was a rumour of a whale sighting, but this was unconfirmed, although they are often seen around the Bay of Biscay. I am sure if they wanted to be see I would have seen them.