I've been keeping up with the walks; yesterday I rocked up to the post box and then discovered I hadn't addressed the card... I nipped into the post office-cum-corner shop and asked if I could borrow a pen and added the address there and then. I'll leave the recipient to guess if they were the one!
I was doing a solo hike this time (all of 0.6 miles!) BB was back home 'guarding' the dishwasher. WE don't like leaving the dishwasher or washing machine running unattended. This could be because of the time BB and the children came back from the fireworks one very cold dark November night, rounded the corner towards the house to find a fire engine in all its glory and flashing lights outside our front door. I'd stayed at home to cook supper as I wasn't bothered about fireworks and I am bothered about getting cold. While I was pottering in the kitchen I noticed that there was a smell of burning and the washing machine drum had filled up with smoke.
I switched it off, and then proved to my disgust exactly how useless I was in a crisis;
me - dial 999
voice - fire, police or ambulance?
me - fire! My washing machine is full of smoke, I'm standing outside, could a fire engine come? they are only just down the road
voice - what's your address madam?
me - I think I need some help with the washing machine, it's too heavy for me to get it out of the house
voice patiently extracts details of my name and address and slowly I calm down and realise how unhelpful I was...
Learning Point; rehearse exactly what you need to say to the voice on the phone in an emergency...
Anyway, to get back to the here and now, or here and yesterday, there was plenty of oxygen left in the cylinder, so I extended my walk to visit the duck pond, just across the little common outside the corner shop.
There are ducks and geese, ducklings and goslings, or there will be soon. I only saw the ducks across the far side (not in the photograph, and the geese. One was in the water, the other standing guard in a slightly threatening manner;
I gave him a wide berth, staying on the path.
Today BB came too. We took a slightly different route, involving a couple of slightly greater upward slopes and I was glad he was carrying the cylinder. I didn't make it all the way to the post box; I rested on a bench nearby while BB walked to the post box with a card, and bought himself a pizza for supper. The weather was colder, and grinding up the slopes had sapped my energy. Still, after my rest we made it all the way back again, downhill all the way, and I reckon I walked a similar distance.
It's astonishing what a difference the slightest gradient can make for me.
.......
Indiana Jones; just a short extract. The Vienna Philharmonic and Sir Simon Rattle. So many opportunities for people-watching!
No doubt I'd mess up calling 911 in an emergency. I did call once but that was because a vacant house behind us had smoke billowing out. I was calm because it wasn't my house!
ReplyDeleteI think you've hit the nail on the head, far easier if it's not your house, and no people are involved 🤔
DeleteOnce, while calling an ambulance, I could not remember my telephone number for love nor money. Total blank.
ReplyDeleteOne's mind is in such utter turmoil.... it's not surprising. The staff my father's sheltered housing were stunningly competent, too much practice 😑
DeleteIt's difficult to remain calm in emergencies, unless you're very accustomed to them. Well done on the walking - it all helps!
ReplyDeleteNow I know why they have a session on this at cubs and brownies groups!
DeleteI don't know if I've ever called them before.... I might flap too!
ReplyDeleteI like Indiana Jones. Glad you had a nice walk to the fowl. The sloping gradient feel a lot when I'm on my bike too!
I never noticed before except when pushing a loaded double buggy. Then this lung business crept up on me....!
DeleteIt must have been terrifying, seeing fire in the washing machine! It's not surprising that you weren't logical straight away. I'm glad that no-one was hurt.
ReplyDeleteI would absolutely avoid the Canada Goose as well. They are scary creatures and if they're guarding eggs or goslings, they're not likely to take prisoners. Your walk sounds lovely, if tiring.
I do try to avoid any situation where I might have to run! That includes geese and crossing the road!
DeleteThere was a memorable occasion many years ago, long before I officially needed oxygen but was already experiencing breathlessness, when we were out with friends and got caught in a cloudburst of rain. They were ahead of us, and ran for shelter, then watched in amazement as BB and I just slowly walked up the 30 yards or so to join them, literally soaked to the skin!