|
MY FIRST TRIP TO MEET LEN, BY TRAIN;
|
Oct 14, 2009 12:49 pm
752 Views
|
I was reminded of this over the week-end. I was so excited about going to meet Len for the very first time, that I had everything ready for a week before I went. Now that I have my Free Travel Pass, I can travel the length and breath of Ireland and that day was the first day I had used it. I queued for the train, was half way down the queue, and when I reached the TicketMan he told me I would need a bloody ticket, so I had to sprint!!! yes, sprint back down to the end of the queue and around the corner, into the ticket office, WHERE THERE WAS ANOTHER QUEUE, and as I had only a few minutes and knew the train left on time, I was sorry I had treated myself to a lovely big fry-up in the Restaurant in the station. However,enough about that, I sprinted back, thought my heart was going to burst open, but did manage to get on the train and threw myself into a seat opposite an elderly couple who looked as if they would start talking. I like to travel "alone" with my thoughts and I had a lot to think about that day, ie my handsome man who said he would be standing at the end of the steps to the bridge over the railway. I avoided the eyes of the couple opposite and glued them instead on the fields flying by. There was nothing else to look at!!!! In the end the woman took out a big packet of sandwiches, and a flask of tea, and I couldnt take my eyes off her and what she was doing. She started to talk to me then, my solitary trip was over and we werent even half way there. She offered me some sandwiches, and insisted I take them. Then I got some tea and cakes. God, I was stuffed to the gills with food. Having packed away all her stuff, she then proceeded to have a good chin wag (Irish for a conversation/gossip) and I had the misfortune of telling her my husband had died 6 yrs ago. I vaguely remember she had lost her husband. The man beside her was only laughing and smiling and seemed to be used to the idea that he wasnt really going to get a chance to talk. I addressed him a few times and found out he could speak!!!! In the end she seemed to get it out of me, by devious means Im sure!!! that I was going to meet my new friend, who might or might not be a romantic liason sort of friend and she sat back satisfied that she had found out. Suddenly she sat up straight with a right glint in her eye and said "Well, now, I have to tell you, that this man is not really my husband but we just pretend he is as we have been living together for years but we never got married".I said "so you are living in sin" !!! After that we had a good laugh, and the journey was certainly much shorter. She gave me her phone number and said if we ever travelled again, not to bother bringing any snacks as she would have enough for us all. Thats Ireland of the welcomes, you can take it positively or negatively, depending on whether you want to talk or not. However, I must warn you, you will probably end up TALKING, and the person you are talking to will find out your entire life history. 
|
|
|
16
Comments
|
|
|
Im lonely for my love.
|
Oct 13, 2009 8:26 am
864 Views
|
 Yes, Im lonely for my love who has just gone back to Co.Kerry after having a few lovely days together. Every time he comes to stay the sun comes out and shines on us for the few days we have together.
We are developing such a strong bond, and its harder to say goodbye. As the evenings are shorter now we dont have the long summer days, but we did manage to sit in the sun and had some nice meals out, visited my sister and her husband, and spent some time on Bray seafront.
If I didnt come to SFF I dont know what I would be doing with myself. I would encourage anyone who is still her and on the look out for a nice partner, dont give up. There are always new people joining SFF and there are some really nice people here.
I never thought I could be this happy and content and now Im looking forward to my next visit.
Happy hunting guys and girls.
|
|
|
18
Comments
|
|
|
Foto Friday - Seasons.
|
Oct 9, 2009 7:23 am
888 Views
|
This Autumn in the Glen of the Downs in Co.Wicklow. It covers a huge area, completely closed off from the road with a beautiful stream running through it. You can climb for miles, I havent climed to the top for a long time, nature trails and dog walks. Its in the scenic area of the Glen of the Downs, all that valley is surrounded by trees. My daughter had her wedding in the local hotel called the Glenview.
|
|
|
10
Comments
|
|
|
Photo Friday - Seasons
|
Oct 9, 2009 7:00 am
686 Views
|
 Autumn in Co.Wicklow, again the valley. Today is too wet and windy, gale force winds and heavy thundery rain, so I had to rely on my old photos. I didnt have anything last week so I have to make an effort today. This photo was taken when the Autumn was just setting in, the tree that is falling down is planted in a marshland, water and river quite close, and the trees just come down eventually. there is a bridge beside it and sometimes the river comes up over the bridge.
|
|
|
7
Comments
|
|
|
Foto Friday - Seasons.
|
Oct 9, 2009 6:51 am
764 Views
|
 Well, this is my valley. The cherry tree that you can see in the middle, was planted in memory of one of our beautiful chinese students who had become part of our comunity. She took part in our local church, played in the junior choir, and worked in the town. She also made the mistake of going out with one of our local young men, and they had become quite attached. One night she was walking home through the valley, and her chinese boyfriend stabbed her to death. She managed to stumble from the bridge up to the place where the cherry tree is planted, and then died. A ceremony was held in that spot, everyone came, and her parents came from China. She was an only child. I pray for her every day when I pass that spot with the dogs.
|
|
|
15
Comments
|
|
|
MY EXPERIENCES RE HOSPITAL CARE IN IRELAND.
|
Oct 7, 2009 10:51 am
775 Views
|
When I was working full time a bringing home a decent salary, I joined the Voluntary Health Insurance Board so that I would have some form of private insurance when I retired, and in my old age.I also have a Medical Card which entitles me to a bed in a public ward, free medications, and free Doctors appointments. I have kept up my private insurance over the years and I have had to use it only on 2 occasions thanks to my good health so far. I used it to see a Consultant Psycician, it enabled me to get an early appointment.
Recently I was in hospital which was an emergency and I was admitted from the Accident and Emergency to a general ward. There were no private beds available. I was treated very well, kept in for a week, and advised to have a colonoscopy, which I duly booked to take place in a few weeks,and allowed home much better.
I got cold feet, and havent had the colonoscopy yet.
The fact that I have private insurance will insure that I can have my colonoscopy whenever I phone for an appointment and by going direct.
In the meantime I heard of a public patient who needed an urgent colonoscopy, but because she didnt have private insurance she was put on a waiting list and subsequently died from her cancer. I would gladly have given her my appointment if I had known.
There are some extreme cases like that, its not perfect.
On the other hand, people who are admitted to Accident & Emergency are normally admitted within 24 hours to a ward and kept there until they have been investigated fully and thoroughly. Sometimes the A&E Dept. is full of drunks, young revellers coming in on Friday and Saturday nights and taking up beds that should be kept for urgent cases.
Patients who come in by ambulance are treated first.
Our elderly patients are given the best the system can provide. In the old days familes of elderly patients looked after them in their homes. A lot of Irish families still do this, which can result in extra stress for the family.
Medical care will never be completely successful, due to price cuts, bed cuts, staff cuts, etc. Old people are being kept alive, sometimes against their will, with prescriptions that could paper the living room. No Health care system is perfect. People will always complain. There are too many people in the world. Overcrowded. Maybe euthanasia is the answer in some countries where the less well off are just a nuisance.Get rid of them and let the more advantaged live.
|
|
|
11
Comments
|
|
|
I LOVE HOPPING INTO CARS - ANY CARS!!!!
|
Oct 4, 2009 2:08 pm
804 Views
|
Hi folks from SFF.Im Gregor. Jessie gets all the limelight in my family, so now Robyn has decided its my turn.
Im the unique one in the household, I am the middle child, sorry, I mean dog, so I have the middle dog syndrome big time, which means they all feel guilty about me, so I get a lot of the attention lately. They say they are trying to encourage me to be outgoing, but little do they know that I have my own agenda. the minute the hall door opens, I make my getaway up to my next door neighbour, two doors, who is a little white schitzu called Dexter. Now Dexter and I are great pals and its great to get away from Jessie's stifling influence. My master Stephen was out looking for me, up and down the road, until I jumped up on Dexters couch and let him know where I was. He laughed out loud, I dont know why.
My other little trick is to jump into Robyns car when she is going out because that means a private walk without the others hanging on. I think she enjoys taking me on my own. She is a middle child too so she knows what its all about, no identity, but Im playing along now as it gets me more notice, more treats, and more outings. Being a Scotsman, Im also very very stubborn. Cheers. Woof Woof. Gregor.
|
|
|
8
Comments
|
|
|
SELF SUFFICIENT AND INDEPENDENT - THATS ME.
|
Oct 2, 2009 7:24 am
806 Views
|
I was brought up to be self sufficient. My parents didnt realize it but as they were not able to cope with any type of painful experiences we children had, they ignored the disasters in our lives apart from the ones they couldnt avoid.
I became sulf sufficient without working at it, it just happened.
Over the years I solved my own problems and sorted out my life, even tho' it wasnt always the right way. I never thought even once of asking anyone else for help.
When I reached my 40s, I had to get help for one particular problem in my life, which I couldnt avoid, and I did accept help for that, at first on my terms as usual, but when that didnt work, I surrenderd to the fact that I had no answers.
Since then I have grown to be a bit more pliable when it comes to people. There are not many people I trust. My family, and my loving partner in SFF. Thats all.
I dont need large numbers of friends to enjoy life, in fact the less friends I have the better I can live my life.
I have a lot of positive work to keep me busy all day, and in the evenings i can either come into SFF and FB, or go out to a meeting.
My partner Len is coming up next week-end so I have the added bonus of looking forward to a nice happy time with him, travelling around together, and just enjoying being together.
I have been told I have a unique imagination, a great sense of fun, and havent grown up yet, so what do I have to worry me. I have found a peace beyond any I would have expected, and I dont seem to allow anyone to disturb that well earned peace today. Cheers folks.
|
|
|
10
Comments
|
|
|
REALLY UNBELIEVABLE:- MOST VIEWED BLOGS, (Laughing here)
|
Sep 30, 2009 7:12 am
1038 Views
|
I cant understand why, when people object and rant and rave about the feuding and fighting here in SFF, that the most "viewed" recent blog, as seen on the front page of the most recent blogs, has almost 2,000 viewers to date .Why would anyone want to go back there ,its a long time ago since that blog was posted,.... what about the interesting blogs that people go to the trouble of posting, and sometimes get maybe 6 or 7 views if they are lucky.
Are we so deprived of a bit of drama in our lives that we have to resort to this. I dont think so. I have enough real drama in my life to keep me going for months.
|
|
|
29
Comments
|
|
|
THE LAST ROSE OF SUMMER
|
Sep 29, 2009 12:30 pm
625 Views
|
Last Sunday I listened to a lovely programme on Irish Radio which was comprised of classical pieces and old American and Irish Folk songs.The Last Rose of Summer was one of my favourites:
The Last Rose of Summer:
'Tis the last rose of summer, left blooming all alone
All her lovely companions are faded and gone.
No flower of her kindred, no rosebud is nigh
To reflect back her blushes and give sigh for sigh.
I'll not leave thee thou lone one to pine on the stem
Since the lovely are sleeping, go sleep thou with them.
Thus kindly I scatter, the leaves o'er thy bed
Where the mates of thy valley, lie senseless and dead.
So soon may I follow, when friendships decay
And from loves shining circle, the gems drop away.
When true hearts lie withered, and fond ones are flown,
Oh who would inhabit, this bleak world alone,
This bleak world alone.
Its a truly beautiful and sad song. I dont know who sang it but it was a mezzo soprano with a fantastic voice. The other song I loved was one I hadnt heard before, called, Listen to the Mocking ~Bird. I think Its an American Folk song, it was performed by the NY Symphony Orchestra and again I didnt get the name of the soprano, but I was very impressed. Music is balm to my soul.
|
|
|
7
Comments
|
|
To link to this blog (Robyn5) use [blog Robyn5] in your messages.
|
|
|
| Sun |
Mon |
Tue |
Wed |
Thu |
Fri |
Sat |
| |
|
12
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
|
63
|
7
|
8
|
9
|
10
|
11
|
12
|
13
|
14
|
15
|
16
|
17
|
18
|
19
|
20
|
21
|
22
|
23
|
24
|
25
|
26
|
27
|
28
|
29
|
30
|
31
|
|
|
|
