Author: riverfiles

I

have lost my wanderlust somewhere. Gone forever. How very surprising. So happy to be back in Uk .Used to love travelling.

Than getting back from a long planned- for holiday to the comfort of your own bed and bath?

What bliss. It was exhausting our trip. Gruelling 7 hotel rooms in 8 days but overall went well .

I have discovered for the first time in my life there is something worse than being a reluctant, lone traveller.As the French so wisely say, “Better alone than poorly accompanied”. And on this trip I am. (The latter) OFT, who is extravagantly charming to his colleagues when we arrive – somewhere a little north of the equator- has exposed me to a noxious blend of disdain and contempt since we left Blighty, 2 days ago.My abiding memory will be of his bullish, fat neck rolling over collar of his white, linen shirt and the back view of his low-slung beige chinos and stupid tan-coloured brogues as he strides away from me on the airport travelator with never a backward glance. Putting as much distance as possible between us. We have travelled completely separately yet are ostensibly together. We re-convene solely for boardng pass inspections or at passport control. My bags have been heavy.

This time for the first, despite my very recent infirmities and extended recuperations, he has not once offered to help despite having just one small, light laptop case with him. Other members of the travelling public have assisted – a man helping me extract a stuck airport trolley from its ranks last night as we waited for luggage – He is loathsome. He is a Monster.

A final, blissful sunny day of school hols but aware a quietness had fallen on the County already. Sudden absence of roof boxes and Caravans- queues at crossroads – mini countrymen and Porsches. Quite suddenly, all gone. Instead yesterday in Torquay -just when I least expected it, at 1550hrs or so, sad sight of children in uniform. Rucksacks and pigtails. Our two with a fortunate 2 day reprieve. Tomorrow however (SHUDDER) .

I began R Sprite’s summer holidays on July 5th with a walking stick. Ended them confidently on horseback no stock 8n sight. Into the woods tonight Black dog as escort and we crossed the river hearing horn and Hounds. ( To our surprise) While attempting video of this extraordinary event was damn near swept off Teddy over his rump and had eyes knocked out too. Thank goodness for riding hat. Survived but had to dismount to collect phone, (knocked by branch) and then remount. Feeling much more confident as a result. Loving riding. We rode up into the woods later. Later Uniform check. Satchel and pencil case check. What is happening with BoJo meanwhile? Have not followed all the twists and turns. But.. we all need to move forward so, “Head down, bully and shove” I say to him.

Woken late, without a hangover, to another

heavenly morning and empty diary. Can it be any better?

Last Sunday of summer holidays 2019 and oh! how sweet it was. School children still at liberty (just) . A warm breeze blowing on my face. Sat by Watermans arms in Ashprington. Brilliantly coloured hydrangeas, lupins, geraniums everywhere. Bindweed in every hedge. Old mans beard coming on that and the blackberries. I positioned myself on patch of grass by the Ford under Bow bridge, leaning up against a post. There was the blissful, sound of rushing water, families enjoying themselves at the tables outside pub, sun on my face, dozing, waiting for the horses and hounds to splash through the water towards me and realised at that moment had possibly never

been so happy.

So hot our River was actually refreshing, not cold . My foot pictured. So happy for all the holiday makers. Just how a bank holiday should be.

We walked and worked up major sweat. Phew. Ghastly actually. Then changed, freshened up and had Fam members for tea and rolling about on lawn. Oh and egg and spoon racing. Very best of family times.

OFT (who he?) Returns last night from a very extended business trip across the seven seas. Such a huge chunk of the summer holidays he elected to be absent for. Not to mention our sons 16th birthday. The man’s disinterest beggars belief. I am inwardly fuming and only just inwardly. To cap it all he has Delhi Belly and is whingeing on relentlessly.

Straight away he annoys by as ever throwing his clothes from the trip onto the laundry basket and not INTO the said receptacle so they go higgeldy pigeldy all over floor. Why cant he stoop, open and throw them in? The man drives me absolutely crazy

His clothes, strewn about laundry basket, stink too. That airport sweaty and faintly curry smell. Revolting. The children meanwhile not that interested in him. Asked to design a welcome home card River Maid thought and said, said “No. He shouldn’t have gone away for that long”

Out of the mouths of babes indeed.

Just saw my sworn enemy in the paddock, with the horses, or near, at twilight. Gave him a good “shout out”.

I turned corner in the orchard, bare foot damp, delicious grass underfoot, excercising the dogs. So dark it is these days at 9m or just after. How this beautiful summer is slipping away like a pubescent child on the cusp of adulthood -and saw comforting shape of the horses grazing. Then saw the small, red haired vermin, very close to me with the brilliant , white blob on end of the brush. He looked back at me briefly A Juvenile – perfectly formed, but nevertheless my sworn enemy . Thought of my pet rabbit eaten by fox in cage when I was child. Discovering brains only, like a slab of liver.

Then my peacock, Prince earlier this year, wing ripped off, tail feathers in the river sticking up, nodding in the breeze.

Without in the least expecting it, on sight of this varmint, I shouted with real passion after him as he scarpered into the near dark woods, “Tally Ho! you BUGGER”

Lucky we don’t have neighbours.

The patients from our cohort are starting to emerge with dessings over affected eye. How horrible. I am beginning to panic. Upset stomach keep rushing off to disabled loo. Waiting room loo almost permanently full and bit close 4 comfort.