I have just finished a book by Ruth Rendell. I chose it because its title reminded me of my brother. It is called "Adam and Eve and Pinchme". Frank was always playing tricks on me. He recited this rhyme.
Adam and Eve and Pinchme
went down the river to bathe
Adam and Eve got drownded
Who do you think got saved?
Pleased for once that I knew the answer to one of his riddles I said triumphantly "Pinchme".
And he did!
Monday 30 June 2014
Wednesday 25 June 2014
In Touch
Highlight of the week. An interview with Lee from the programme for visually impaired people on BBC Radio 4. My family thought it went well but they are prejudiced, aren't they?
I must confess to feeling nervous waiting for the programme to start. I didn't want to sound like a dotty old lady rambling on. Oh ye of little faith! I should have known that it would be accomplished successfully with Lee in charge.
I don't know why I felt nervous. Over the years I have spoken to many gatherings of people and organisations wearing many different hats. I was twice interviewed on Danish TV. But this was Auntie BBC. Something special. But as my friend, Captain in the Girl Guides used to say "What fun!"
If you missed it, click here
I must confess to feeling nervous waiting for the programme to start. I didn't want to sound like a dotty old lady rambling on. Oh ye of little faith! I should have known that it would be accomplished successfully with Lee in charge.
I don't know why I felt nervous. Over the years I have spoken to many gatherings of people and organisations wearing many different hats. I was twice interviewed on Danish TV. But this was Auntie BBC. Something special. But as my friend, Captain in the Girl Guides used to say "What fun!"
If you missed it, click here
Saturday 14 June 2014
Calibre
"You've always got your nose stuck in a book" That was my mother from the kitchen where I was supposed to be drying the dishes. From the age of five I had loved reading so it was very depressing to find about three years ago that I was losing my sight aged 88.
A blind friend introduced me to Calibre Audio Library, a national charity which lends audio books to anyone who is unable to read print. The service is free. It is supported by fund raising and voluntary contributions. It does not receive a government grant.
My books come on memory sticks. These are about the size of a small latch key and are sent post free in a small zipped up bag which will go through a letter box. I have a small box called a Boombox Plus which cost me about £30. The memory sticks slot into the top of this box which is powered by either a mains lead or a battery . The box also incorporates a VHF radio. It is very simple to use and is portable so with the addition of a pair of plug in earphones you can listen in the garden! I do have a computer but it is not needed with the Boombox Plus.
The library has over 8,000 books.There are wide categories including biographies, diaries, thrillers, detective stories, family sagas, history and many of the classics. A lot of the books are read by actors which I enjoy as they can do all the different voices! There is also a very important children's section. I read on average two books a week. I love Calibre.
I ws listening to "In Touch a BBC radio 4 programme for visually impaired people when I heard a request from a man who wanted help for his 90 year old father who could no longer read. I sent an e mail to In Touch to tell them about Calibre. As a result I yesterday had a most exciting visit from Lee Kumutat, a delightful,friendly lady who is an interviewer on the programme. Lee, who cannot see, came on the train from London to Hove accompanied by her guide dog, Josh, a beautiful golden retriever.
If something more exciting doesn't turn up there will be a very brief interview with me on Tuesday at 8.40 p.m.
A blind friend introduced me to Calibre Audio Library, a national charity which lends audio books to anyone who is unable to read print. The service is free. It is supported by fund raising and voluntary contributions. It does not receive a government grant.
My books come on memory sticks. These are about the size of a small latch key and are sent post free in a small zipped up bag which will go through a letter box. I have a small box called a Boombox Plus which cost me about £30. The memory sticks slot into the top of this box which is powered by either a mains lead or a battery . The box also incorporates a VHF radio. It is very simple to use and is portable so with the addition of a pair of plug in earphones you can listen in the garden! I do have a computer but it is not needed with the Boombox Plus.
The library has over 8,000 books.There are wide categories including biographies, diaries, thrillers, detective stories, family sagas, history and many of the classics. A lot of the books are read by actors which I enjoy as they can do all the different voices! There is also a very important children's section. I read on average two books a week. I love Calibre.
I ws listening to "In Touch a BBC radio 4 programme for visually impaired people when I heard a request from a man who wanted help for his 90 year old father who could no longer read. I sent an e mail to In Touch to tell them about Calibre. As a result I yesterday had a most exciting visit from Lee Kumutat, a delightful,friendly lady who is an interviewer on the programme. Lee, who cannot see, came on the train from London to Hove accompanied by her guide dog, Josh, a beautiful golden retriever.
If something more exciting doesn't turn up there will be a very brief interview with me on Tuesday at 8.40 p.m.
Saturday 7 June 2014
Passports
A has been reading some letters to me from people who had mislaid their passports. One passed Immigration using his O.A.P. bus pass. Another his National Trust membership card and a schoolboy was allowed to join his party on showing the name tape his mum had sewn into the waistband of his trousers.
Going on honeymoon to France in 1947 I did not have a passport. My name and photograph was included on my husband's passport. And so it was for several years. We were on the train leaving Paris to go to the south of France. When we stopped temporarily D spotted a notice on the opposite platform saying "l'eau potable". He said "I'll just nip over and fill our water bottle" and vanished. Suddenly with a jerk the train started. I didn't know whether D had gotm back on the train. He was in possession of our passport, our tickets, our money and the address of the hotel we were goingto.. I sat there getting more amore panicky. How to explain matters in my schoolgirl French? After half an hour the door opened and D came in wreathed in smiles. I have been sitting in the observation car talking to the guard and having lovely views of Paris" he said. When I told my friend she said "Did divorce cross your mind? "No, never" I replied "Strangulation perhaps".
Going on honeymoon to France in 1947 I did not have a passport. My name and photograph was included on my husband's passport. And so it was for several years. We were on the train leaving Paris to go to the south of France. When we stopped temporarily D spotted a notice on the opposite platform saying "l'eau potable". He said "I'll just nip over and fill our water bottle" and vanished. Suddenly with a jerk the train started. I didn't know whether D had gotm back on the train. He was in possession of our passport, our tickets, our money and the address of the hotel we were goingto.. I sat there getting more amore panicky. How to explain matters in my schoolgirl French? After half an hour the door opened and D came in wreathed in smiles. I have been sitting in the observation car talking to the guard and having lovely views of Paris" he said. When I told my friend she said "Did divorce cross your mind? "No, never" I replied "Strangulation perhaps".
Monday 2 June 2014
My Book Choice
A few weeks ago I was looking at the online catalogue of my Audio Book Library . Each entry gives you a synopsis so you have an inkling of what the book is about. A book by Robert Ryan caught my eye. I had long ago given up reading books about WW2. In the years immediately following the war I had read every book I could find about the Maquis, the Partisans, the S.O.E. etc. Tastes change, however, and I haven't read a war book for ages. But this book I felt I must read.
"After Midnight" tells the story of an Australian girl's search for the fate of her father, an airman reported missing in Italy in 1944. This reminded me vividly of my Australian friend, Anne, whose father's plane had been delivering supplies to the partisans in Italy when it disappeared.
I emailed Anne to ask if she knew of this book. Her reply was a surprise. The author had contacted her ten or so years ago to ask permission to make her story the basis for a novel he proposed to write. She saw the book before publication and after the author agreed to tone down one or two sex scenes the book was published. The Audio Library has over 8 ,000 books so it was another of those coincidences that I hit on this one.
Anne is still pursuing her search. Over the years she has travelled many times to Italy meeting people who were involved with the partisans. She has been following up leads in Poland and South Africa where she has made friends with people who are still interested in what happened in the war. By her efforts relatives of the crews of planes which were lost in the war have been put in touch with one another. As one can imagine this has been the source of great comfort and interest.
For more about Anne's father and her search, click here.
"After Midnight" tells the story of an Australian girl's search for the fate of her father, an airman reported missing in Italy in 1944. This reminded me vividly of my Australian friend, Anne, whose father's plane had been delivering supplies to the partisans in Italy when it disappeared.
I emailed Anne to ask if she knew of this book. Her reply was a surprise. The author had contacted her ten or so years ago to ask permission to make her story the basis for a novel he proposed to write. She saw the book before publication and after the author agreed to tone down one or two sex scenes the book was published. The Audio Library has over 8 ,000 books so it was another of those coincidences that I hit on this one.
Anne is still pursuing her search. Over the years she has travelled many times to Italy meeting people who were involved with the partisans. She has been following up leads in Poland and South Africa where she has made friends with people who are still interested in what happened in the war. By her efforts relatives of the crews of planes which were lost in the war have been put in touch with one another. As one can imagine this has been the source of great comfort and interest.
For more about Anne's father and her search, click here.
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