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2008 - May 3rd - Saturday

This morning also started with a swim – but a little later than yesterday.  As JH had told the Skinners about her ‘accidental’ visit to an exhibition of Memory Boxes in Greenwich in November 2007, Kathy and Ralph were quite determined that JH should visit Blackheath’s Age Exchange Reminiscence Centre, which JH had been invited to, by one or two of the exhibitors to whom she had chatted.  During the journey, JH was taken passed Kathy’s childhood home in Blackheath, and passed Kathy’s school. 


 

JH had quite forgotten the name of the Centre, and so did not spot it opposite Blackheath Railway Station.  However, after the car was parked (Kathy having had to move it after spotting a threat of clamping in a private road) JH called into the Music College (which Kathy had originally thought JH wanted to visit).  The helpful lady in the College reminded JH of the name of the Centre, and even drew a little map – when JH looked all worried about finding the Centre (and also allowed JH to use their toilet).  However, when JH got to the door of the Centre she met another lady who was delivering leaflets and who was most surprised to find the Centre shut (of all days!) when it was supposedly open from 10.00am till 4.00pm every day.  Anyway, said lady directed JH to the Prince of Wales – to where the Skinners had driven, because of the difficulties of finding a parking space. 

As JH was walking past the Heath itself, and the pond, a young bride emerged from the posh Hotel (in which Kathy had had ‘Office Accommodation’, when she was working for an Estate Agents) and walked over to the church, in radiant sunshine.  The plan had been to move on to Greenwich for lunch – where the food is cheaper – but as it was by then past 1.30pm, we all studied the menu in the Prince of Wales, and decided that it was high time to eat!

After lunch we visited a long-time friend of Kathy’s, Iris Woodward, and her husband Brian who lived locally.  It was somewhat soporific sitting in the Woodward’s sun-bathed conservatory so Ralph dozed off!  JH had been told by Kathy that Iris and Brian were smokers, but JH noted that Iris, only, smoked - outside in the garden, which JH thought was a courtesy extended to the visitors: we had a most enjoyable chat and very welcome cup of tea.

Kathy wanted to drop some things off for Lorraine, so she rang Lorraine up: Myles answered but, apparently, was too excited to speak coherently to grandma because, for the first time, he had a particular friend round to play with him; however, somehow grandma persevered in telling Myles what time we would be arriving.  Lorraine and Colin invested in their terraced house a couple of years ago: JH was given a tour of inspection and was quite surprised to find so much space on several floors; furthermore, Colin had a music studio in a shed in the garden – said shed being of superior construction over and above an ordinary garden shed!  And there was a garage accessed from the rear of the property.  Whilst Lorraine showed JH the garden, two 5 year old boys were rushing about quite oblivious to the adults standing in their way, and to Lorraine’s plants: Oh Dear!  But as the saying goes, boys will be boys. 

Myles had been taken to Southend Hospital the previous day, to have blood specimens taken to screen him for diabetes – having been noticed to be constantly thirsty, and drinking ‘gallons’, and often going to the toilet – but he got up bright and early and helped himself to a chocolate éclair for breakfast, although he was not supposed to have anything to eat after 8.00pm the previous evening: JH admits that she is ignorant of how a 5-year old lad’s mind works even if he had been told that he must not eat anything before his tests were to be done; and an éclair does seem a rather delicious substitute for breakfast!



 
 
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