First of all, some good news: I now have my corrected ‘Blue Badge’, this time with my photo on it. The new badge was issued without charge, but despite the promise that it would be delivered direct to my home, it still had to be collected from the library. And it only took 16 weeks!
The new badge arrived just in time for our holiday. Our annual pilgrimage to Northumberland has, for many years, been my opportunity for a few days’ salmon fishing on the Tweed or Tyne. Salmon fishing is a highly mobile activity, and this time last year I was shocked by how difficult it was for me, negotiating the uneven banks. And I didn’t dare risk wading, which is essential on most beats.
Another year on, and even less mobile, I was tempted to give it a miss. Ever the optimist, though, I decided I’d ‘give it a go’, but booked just 2 days on a familiar beat where I thought I’d be able to fish some parts from the bank. The reality was even more depressing than I’d imagined. The uneven bank-side paths, and the climbs up and down to the river, proved impossible for me, and after a fall, I realised it was really too dangerous to continue.
I stopped playing golf and tennis before I was diagnosed with MND. I still had hopes, then, that medical science would restore my previous capabilities and allow me to resume playing. Standing on the banks of the Tyne, salmon rod in hand, the decision not to continue was harder because it was so final. To walk away meant acknowledging that I could never, ever, fish there again. With that decision came a deep sadness and an intense sense of loss.
I sent a text to Andrew, the ghillie, to say I wouldn’t be fishing on my second day, 2 days later, and if he knew anyone interested they were welcome to my booking, free of charge. To my surprise, he replied next day that a friend of another booked angler would like to take my day, and would pay cash. If I cared to meet Andrew later, when he had the cash, he would refund my £60 fee. I asked him instead to donate it to MNDA. The kindness of some people is quite amazing.
On the theme of kindness, we had a call from some old friends who live in the North East, who we were due to meet for Sunday lunch. Allen has always had two season tickets for Newcastle Utd, one for him and one shared between their 3 sons. Newcastle were playing Chelsea at the weekend and their youngest, Adam, a friend and classmate of our son, knowing I’m a fan, wanted to offer me ‘his’ ticket for the game. I took advantage Allen’s ‘spare’ ticket 2 years ago, so I knew the seats are high in the East Stand. There was no possibility of me making that ascent now so, reluctantly, I had to decline. But what a generous offer!
On the subject of football, I spotted the following item on the BBC website. It is an interview with ex pro footballer, Len Johnrose: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45268203 . Len is just 48 and was diagnosed with MND in March last year. Worth a read/listen.
On our way up to Northumberland, we had stopped off in Nottingham for a few days so I could go to the first 2 days of the Trent Bridge test match v India. On leaving the hotel on day 1, there was another couple packing a wheelchair into the car in the disabled space next to ours. He looked like a cricket fan so I asked if he was going to the test match. When he confirmed that he was, I said, “I’ll see you there.”
“Oh!”, he replied, “What number are you batting?” Judging by England’s subsequent collapse, perhaps we should have been playing (but we’d both have needed a runner!).