November's story

Sue got the most votes scoring three.

Next meeting is in January and the word is "piece"

'Futile' 

It's futile.  I have been round and round trying to find a way out, but I am getting so tired now and it's pitch black.  Even if I close my eyes for a few seconds, then open them again, I can't see any difference.  I sag against the nearest wall, then sink down in a heap, completely spent, thinking, "I'll just rest here for a few minutes before I start again."

Behind my closed eyes I relive the beginning of this nightmare.  We'd been driving to a remote cottage in the Scottish Highlands, where we were looking forward to doing some walking in the rugged countryside.  The weather was pretty awful, with heavy rain and a sort of twilight all day.  James had just said to Isla that we should be there soon when he gave a shout and Isla screamed once, before the car was veering crazily across the road, then tipping sideways and starting to career madly down the steep hillside.  There was a grinding crash and we tipped over even further so suddenly that my door flew open and I was catapulted out and continued to roll and bounce down the crag side.  I saw a stunted fir tree right in my path and tried to avoid it, evidently unsuccessfully, as the next thing I knew was opening my eyes and seeing nothing below me.  I was wedged into a fork at the base of the tree with my head hanging over the void.

I stayed like that for a few minutes to get my bearings and check how I felt.  Apart from being battered and bruised, I felt okay, so looked cautiously around.  I was on a narrow ledge with a solid rock wall at its back.  The ledge seemed just wide enough to accommodate the tree, then petered out to nothing.  I wriggled around until I could get myself out of the tree, then carefully backed towards the solid rock and looked up.  It soared away above me until it met the sky, so there was no hope of climbing up that way.

As I sat there, I noticed there was a scrubby bush at the base of the tree.  I idly pulled at it and realised it was concealing a low cave entrance.   "Well," I thought, "This looks like the only way to go, and besides, at least it will be dry and a bit warmer in there."

 I had sat in the small cave and pondered for a while, getting myself pulled together, then decided to see if there was another way out.  At first it had seemed very promising, as there was a narrow passage leading back into the hillside.  I followed this slowly, bumping against the walls, as I couldn't see where I was going.  It felt very damp and smelled of small creatures which had sheltered in it before me.  Then suddenly there was nothing either side of me and I realised I must be in another cave.  

So here I am, having followed the walls blindly for I don't know how long, always coming back to the passage I had come down, recognisable by the lump of rock at its entrance which I kept falling over.

I must have slept because I suddenly jerk my head up and think, "I'll just go round once more, then go back the way I came."  I must be going even closer to the wall this time, because I find a small slit in its surface and eagerly investigate.  Is it wide enough to slide through?  I try putting my head to the gap - not a chance.  But I persevere and bend lower.  Yes, it's wider here, and I stick my head through, then squirm first my shoulders, then my body, after it.  I hope I don't get stuck.

I find the new space is a little larger and seems to go even further back into the hillside.  It begins to slope more steeply downwards as I creep along.  Soon I am having trouble keeping up with my feet and lose my balance, sliding down the steep slope until the ground disappears altogether.  "Help," I scream in my head as I tumble on, then splash into icy cold water which closes over my head before I claw my way back to the surface.

I soon realise I am being borne along on a rushing torrent and before I can gather my wits, whoosh, I am catapulted out into the dim daylight again and find myself in a pool at the base of the hillside.

I drag myself to the bank and lay gasping for several minutes.  Then I become dimly aware of noise, people calling my name, so I drag myself up and stagger towards the sounds, realising at the same time that it is James and Isla calling.  Then they spot me trying to run towards them and cry out in relief, "Oh, Scotty, there you are.  Good boy, we wondered if we'd ever see you again when you were thrown out of the car and lost your leash".

Oct story in November

All of us at Pat & Brian's so a lot to listen to Sue the previous winner started her story first about returning to her childhood home in Cornwall. Rosemary an intergalactic holiday. My story about my first car. Joan our holidays when Mark was young. Joan R, John the pilot proposed and we were left wondering. Sheila remembered days before Asda spoilt Totton. Pat's decision to go to the USA and their houses they lived in. Jenny a holiday in the USA. Brian all about Mason's and their craft. John a dad sorting out his daughter's wayward boyfriend.
The chosen story with a surprising wake up ending was Ann's strange tale.

Next month "futile"

Ann's story

Packed Up

“I’m home Sam”, Adele called as she and the children came in the front door, but there was no answering welcome. Thinking Sam may have gone out while she was shopping and collecting Kelly and Noah from school, she started unpacking and putting things away. It was Kelly who found the envelope with Adele’s name on the front propped up against a vase on the sideboard. Tearing it open she read it with a look of utter disbelief on her face – “Darling Adele, I don’t know how to explain this, but I have found my calling and am going now to pursue it. Please don’t try and find me. I love you all dearly, but this is something I need to do. I will always be thinking of you and wish you all the best in everything. Your ever-loving Sam.” Having read and reread it several times, she went to the bedroom to see if there were any clues there. Everything appeared to be there – no clothes seemed to have gone and his passport was in the drawer along with his bankcards. When she went back downstairs she looked in the alcove under the stairs where they kept the computer and everything was packed up neatly, along with Sam’s laptop. The only thing she could see missing was a family portrait they had had done last Christmas for the grandparents. Frantic with worry she phoned her brother who came over with his wife. David said they should contact the police and show them the letter, but Adele felt they wouldn’t take it seriously. She decided to call his office and see what she could find out. Sam had been on a couple of days off, but they may be able to shed some light on his mental state. Things got even worse when she spoke to his manager. Sam had resigned three months ago saying he had got another position. What other things had been happening that she had no idea about. He had been going out every day as if nothing had happened. She thought she had a happy, loving marriage with two gorgeous children now it had been blown apart. They had met at school and always knew they would end up together. They married when they were twenty and twenty-one and Kelly arrived three years later. Noah came along two years after that. Now at thirty her life was falling to pieces. What was she going to tell the children? How could she explain that the daddy they adored and had thought adored them had suddenly walked away with no real explanation? In the end she and David went to the police taking the letter while his wife took the children to the park.

The police did take the situation seriously and made many enquiries regarding his financial status and health issues. Nothing untoward was uncovered and appeals were made around the country - even Interpol became involved. There were several sightings reported in far-flung places, but they all proved to be false. As time went on Sam’s name melted into obscurity and the general public forgot him. Adele and her family never gave up hope though and always believed he would return eventually. Life went on. The children grew up having done well at school and both got jobs they enjoyed and were good at. In time they both married and Kelly had a daughter who went on to make Kelly a grandmother and Adele a great grandmother. Noah had a son who went into the army. Adele never married again saying that no one could ever replace Sam, but enjoyed her role as regular babysitter for them all. When she was in her late seventies she had a slight stroke which she recovered from, but which left her with a limp. Complications set in and she found life difficult on her own, so moved in with Kelly. One day a young stranger in his early thirties turned up at the door. He asked to see Adele and said that she must be Kelly. She thought he seemed vaguely familiar, but just couldn’t place him. However when Adele saw him she gasped and said he was the spitting image of Sam when she last saw him nearly fifty years ago.
“I am Sam” he replied. “I’ve been helping with research in another universe with my space friends all these years, but I’ve been keeping up to date with you all. I know Kelly has a daughter and granddaughter and Noah a son who has become a soldier. I was visited by these beings who chose me to go with them to help in their research into cell regeneration. I’ve never stopped thinking about you all, but there was no way I could explain what had happened and if there had been, you would never have believed me. I knew I had to come and see you all again before it was too late. There was a price to pay though. I will never be able to go back and in the morning I will have aged as you all have, so I can grow old with you.” When morning came granddad Sam was there to meet his granddaughter and her new baby in person.

September meeting

Ten of us today but 11 stories, Sue sent hers in. Ann started, story involved brain haemorrhage. John immigrants making good. Rosemary the difference a cataract operation makes. Sheila, daughter thought mum wore crinoline. Joan Read ladies of the night being murdered.  Jenny happy memories of childhood. My story about Michael Bentine and reincarnation. Joan from Cadnam to here. Pat Sci-Fi with teleportation.  Brian away with the fairies, the story not Brian.
Unusual voting results only one story got 2 votes to win and that was Sue.

Next month's meeting will be on the 2nd of November at Pat & Brian's.

"Packed up"

Sue's story

'When I lived ...' Those three words conjure up all sorts of memories for most people, especially if they have moved around the country, or even lived abroad. My mind immediately goes back to the time when I was first married and we had to move whenever my husband changed his job, which usually involved travelling some distance. He didn't do this because he was found wanting in any way, but as a way of gaining promotion.

Brian had chosen dairy farming as his career and having completed his college training and his Army service, we married and made our first home ten miles outside Cambridge, where our first child was born.

Two happy years later, it was time to progress, so we moved to Wiltshire, with me expecting my second child. It wasn't an easy process, moving a great distance, with a young child, another on the way, and having to see the furniture off before we left, clean up, then drive to our new home and hope to get there before the van. This would have been an impossibility but for the kindness of Brian's parents, as we didn't even have a car!

This move proved a disastrous one, as the lady farmer was not very pleasant and her beloved pedigree Turkey stock had all just been destroyed because of fowl pest. Not a happy time, although Brian became the dairy herd manager. This job only lasted six months, until Brian became herd manager on a Co-operative Society farm in Radstock.

We were very happy there and our second daughter was born the day after we moved. We had a modern house - our first, the other two being Elizabethan and early Victorian respectively - on top of a hill above the town, with panoramic views all around. Even when we were snowed in from Boxing Day until March 1963, we enjoyed our life there, with friendly, generous people in the village who made sure we didn't go without anything. We would have happily remained there, but fate played a hand in moving us on yet again.

This time Brian was head hunted by a gentleman farmer from Whitchurch Canonicorum in Dorset. He came to see us! He wanted Brian to breed a herd of pedigree Red Poll cattle, which was a challenge Brian could not refuse. The only problem was, there was no accommodation, but planning permission for a Woolaway bungalow had been granted.

Meanwhile, a large caravan had been purchased for our use. Not ideal for the four of us, but full of youthful optimism and a certain sense of adventure, the job was accepted and we packed up once more and set off for Dorset and what was to become my spiritual home. Would we have moved if we had known what awaited us, what fate had in store for us, in the years to come? Judge for yourselves.

We spent the winter enduring more cold, snowy weather and life would have been much more difficult but for the kindness of the farmer's wife, who made her bathroom available for me to bath the children, allowed me to use the washing machine and plied me with coffee while entertaining the children on many a bleak morning.

The summer in our new bungalow was sheer bliss and I could walk the two miles to Charmouth beach on sunny days, spend the day there and return home in the evening with Brian when he finished work.

This life came to an abrupt end when the farmer's son-in-law was sacked from his job and brought to the farm to take Brian's job and our home. We were given one month to find another job and a new home, so once again were on the move, this time with little time to search, and fate took us to a village between Watford and the M1 and events which changed our lives forever.

Do I dwell on 'what ifs'? What is the point of that? I firmly believe we have to live life as it is and not always be wishing it had been different, and I have enjoyed a full and happy life doing my best to live by those principles.

August meeting

Nine of us today meeting at John's braving the rain and floods to do so.
Pat having won last time started with dancing with death on a cliff edge not forgetting the dog. John on the child who lost his parents and was a problem. Joan Read mistaken identity.Brian seeing things that weren't there at least we hope they weren't. Sheila self catering holiday cottage. Jenny bike ride to the New Forest. Joan live as it is for us, My story my first job in the docks. Joan E staying home happy with what is.

When I lived - next month's story

Ann won

Tell Me What

When Felix told me he was leaving I was devastated, but on reflection, I should have known this was coming. All the signs had been there for several years and I had chosen to ignore them – working late at the office, overnight meetings midweek and taking more interest in his appearance. How could I have been so gullible?

We had met at university twenty years ago and there had been an instant affinity. When we graduated we managed to both get jobs in the same town and got a small flat. I always hoped we would eventually get married, but Felix seemed in no hurry saying that we didn’t need a piece of paper to prove our love. I accepted the situation, but said that if we started a family I would want to be married before the child was born. No children came and things continued in the same way. We moved into a large house in a smart area of the town, had holidays in exotic places, were able to eat out at fancy restaurants when we felt like it and go up to see the new shows in London. Some of our friends said they envied our carefree life, but if the truth be know, I envied them theirs, with their small families and regular routines.

As time went on the holidays, restaurant and theatre visits got less and we both became immersed in our jobs. We met at breakfast and made polite conversation and as we came home at different times, often ate our evening meals alone. One Friday evening I arrived home to find several suitcases in the hall and Felix waiting in the lounge. He told me he was moving out and had got a flat in the next town. On further questioning he admitted there was someone else and they were moving in together. I ranted and raved and told him none too politely what I thought of him. I ended up by picking up one of the smaller cases, took it to the front door and threw it into the front garden and told him to take the rest and clear off. When he had gone I was so exhausted I fell into the chair and cried myself to sleep. I woke up the next morning and took stock of the situation. I was not going to let this drag me down. I almost felt a sense of relief that there wasn’t any obligation now to put on a show of unity any more and decided that even though I was nearly forty and unmarried, I still had a life ahead of me. That weekend I sorted cupboards, drawers, bookcases and shelves out, filling dozens of bags with anything Felix had left and things he had given me. I even went into the roof and got cases down with old clothes in – the dress I wore on our first date, clothes he had bought for me when we went on holiday. On the Monday morning I called into the charity shop near my office and left them all there. That lunchtime I visited an estate agent and enquired about small flats for sale. I phoned Felix and left a message for him saying I was putting the house on the market. A few days later my boss told me the promotion I had applied for had been agreed and I would be in charge of the training. I started the following month and enjoyed the challenges the new job entailed. Alice, one of the young girls was having a few problems with some of the work and I took her aside and gave her more instruction. She opened up and started telling me that she didn’t remember her parents as they were killed in a car crash when she was small. An aunt had brought her up with her own children, but she had always felt an outsider. I liked her and over the months we went for coffee together and she would tell me things she was doing and planning. I almost felt like a surrogate mother to her. One day she told me she and her friend were going to a fancy dress party. She had got the perfect outfit and would bring it in to show me. The following day she came in with a bag and explained she had done a trawl of the charity shops and had found this. I couldn’t believe my eyes. There on the table was one of the outfits Felix had bought me on one of our trips abroad.

“Tell me what you think,” she said. “ I can’t imagine what sort of person would wear this, can you?”

“No I can’t,” I gulped. “It looks very, er, um, unusual,” I replied, as I inwardly smiled to myself at the thought of the big putdown for Felix’s choice of outfits.

.

July Meeting

Just nine but 10 stories as Joan Read read out Rosemary's who could not make it.
The story was how to pack holiday clothes. Joan all about an assassination. My story emigrating to Canada. Ann a time travel for hay making. Sheila hoarding clothes. Jenny the delights of flying to the USA. Pat losing the home and downsizing. Brian saving to buy a house. John on inspiration to write a story. Joan bathroom renewal.

Four people had two votes each so we picked one out of the hat.

Pat 's story.

Lack of Space

Angela was 9 and her brother David 7. They lived in a nice house with a lovely garden to play in. Angela was a little 'mummy in the making' so to speak. Her five dolls were changed each day and their hair combed, then sat in a neat row on her bed. Mother was proud of her tidy bedroom unlike brother David’s as he was a typical boy.

One night Angela heard loud voices, looking over the bannister she could only see shadows but she could tell her mother was really upset. Then, her father left with a suitcase, where was he going without saying goodbye? Not wanting to disturb her mother who was quietly sobbing, she crept back to bed. The next day they went to school as usual, but Angela couldn't concentrate and was told off for the first time in her life for day dreaming. Tears came to her eyes and her friend Ellie passed her a tissue.

That evening after tea, their mother told them they were going to move into a mobile home, not too far away so they could still attend the same school. They were given two bin bags each and told to pack only the bars necessities in one and everything else in the other which was going to a friend to keep for the time being. My dolls thought Angela. I can't leave them, so she put shoes on the bottom of the bin bag, then her five dolls then topped up with clothes. They both packed David's as he was in floods of tears at not being able to take his beloved train set.

Angela walked into her new bedroom. There was barely room to turn around, talk about lack of space. I mustn’t let mother see the dolls she thought, and spying a hook on the ceiling, threw a piece of string over and hauled up the five dolls in a bag. Her mother's normally smily lips were in a tight line, and they didn’t like it.

One evening a neighbour brought her eight year old twin girls to stay the night as she had to leave unexpectedly. Their soft hearted mother agreed and a blow up mattress was put on the floor next to her bed. Now there was no floorspace at all. During the night Angela heard the twins whispering. They were quiet and withdrawn, wouldn't say boo to a goose. The next day she asked her mother “ what does going on a binge mean”? After three nights the twins mother reappeared full of apologies and they quietly left.

A few months later mother announced they would be moving to a bigger house. Apparently the old house had been sold. Down came the five dolls, they had been up there for almost a year. For some reason she didn't feel like changing their clothes after all they were only toys. Thinking long and hard she took four of the dolls to the tiny mobile home where the twins lived and gave them to the girls who knew exactly where to put them having seen the hanging bag in Angela's room. She smile and stood tall and went to get her brother. “you can get your train set back soon” she told him, sounding just like her mother. After all, she was ten now, not a child any longer.

June meeting

Full house apart from Rosemary. Sue's was the mother waiting for her son to come back. Ann all about a puppy. Jenny down memory lane. Joan on the bird entertainment. Pat, Maria watching Wimbledon. Brian and old sailors tales. John treading the boards in the rear end of a horse.  Sheila death of a dog.

Next Month
The lack of space




Joan Read had 5 votes.

Enormously Entertaining

Joan Read

Abigail Woods and her husband Ted had been living in their house for ten years it was an old colonial house still with its original fixtures close to the old quarter in New Orleans. She and her husband Ted had bought it when he was transferred from the sheriffs office in Texas where they had been for five years. They loved it all year round but especially the night of All Hallows' which Abigail used to find enormously entertaining with the tricking and treating the weird and wonderful costumes and the parties. But just recently she had been having scary nightmares it all started two weeks ago. Every night when she closed her eyes the figure would appear dressed from head to toe in black and say with a gentle voice "Follow me" she had no choice but to get up and they would walk through the streets where people were in dressed in fancy clothes as skeletons, zombies witches and warlocks some with make believe skin falling of their bodies it was just like the Michael Jackson DVD Thriller she would close her eyes and try not to make a noise because she did not want them to see her. They arrived at the cemetery she tried to turn round but could not, on through the church yard to the church he opened the door but no she would not go in she woke herself up crying for Ted but of course he was working as usual. 

She had tried for the past two weeks to talk to him about it but he just ignored her. She went down the stairs to the kitchen to make a drink but found she was just to tired to lift the kettle she must not go back to sleep. He was there again "follow me" this time people were dressed in their normal clothes she recognised some of them she tried to say hello but of course she was dreaming they reached the church this time she made up her mind that she would finish this dream so she went in he crooked his finger for her to follow she went to the alter where the coffin was, breathing hard, she looked round and there was her husband her parents and friends so this was a warning someone they knew or loved was going to die. 

She watched as the vicar started the service then her husband got up and started to speak in her dream she screamed she turned and looked into the coffin and she realised what this nightmare was it was her in the coffin she was dead she had been knocked over by a drunk driver two weeks ago and the figure had been trying to tell her it was time to move on she realised now thankfully that Ted had not been ignoring her he just couldn't see her but ahead she could see the bright light shining she took one more look at her loved ones and walked towards the light.

May meeting

At Brian's and Pats just 8 of us on the Monday bank holiday. Ann's story  flying a kite . Rosemary a conversation between a spider and a snail.  Joan The gardening year and its seasons. Joan Read The seasons weather. Jenny the panama hat that went into the sea. My story the Abominable snow man.
Three with two votes each  this week.
Next month Enormously entertaining.


From Pat

THIS WEATHER

Jill's eyes flew open. Its today she thought to herself. After weeks of planning the big day had arrived.

Her brother Peter was going to be 70 and as he had lost his wife a couple of years ago, Jill had decided to throw his a 70^th. Birthday party. Everyone offered to help which she gladly accepted.

The garden was blooming, showing off really, must have been all that hard work earlier in the year. The marquee was up, tables set and the bar well stocked.

The phone rang and Jill jumped out of bed, who could be calling at this time? It was brother Peter asking if he could bring a friend, would that be all right? What could she say...of course he could, after all it was his party. Male or female, she had forgotten to ask. Oh well one more wont make any difference.

Looking out at the marquee which covered most of the lawn, she thought please, please do lets keep this weather. By 2pm all was ready, and with one foot on the stairs the door bell rang. Oh no, I don’t have my new dress on and besides its only 2pm not 3 as the invitations had said.

It was her friend Sheila bearing a beautiful strawberry pie. “ I thought I would come early to give you a hand” she said. Jill put on her big welcoming smile, inwardly collapsing. “ how lovely, please find a place for it in the marquee on the small table”. With Sheila and her husband dispatched to the tent, she flew upstairs to change.

After that her husband dutifully greeted all the guests and served them drinks, quaffing a few himself along the way. Then brother Peter arrived with his guest on his arm. A female, with blonde ringlets! RINGLETS! She must have been in her 50,s but stuck in the 60's. “How lovely to meet you, please make yourself at home”. The dress wasn't quite mini but inappropriately short. She carefully tottered towards the bar where her husband stood with his mouth open. More guests arrived and there were many sideways glances.

In the marquee lunch was served and the wine was flowing. The birthday cake was a huge success with 70 candles which Peter managed to blow out with one mighty breath. Was he showing off? No, of course not. The children were getting restless so Jill announced puddings. “please do come up and help yourself with Peter and his guest Juliana first. They squeezed through the closely packed chairs just as the children ran passed, knocking Sheila's strawberry pie down the back of Juliana's dress. There was a sharp intake of breath, then silence. “ never mind Juliana trilled “ children will be children”. Sheila, by that time had had a few glasses and totally missed the whole episode, thankfully. Peter the birthday boy steered dear Juliana back to the house to clean up.

Later that evening when everyone was mellow, Peter reappeared rather sheepishly, we must sing Happy Birthday Jill though, walking over to him whispering “do tuck your shirt in”. “happy birthday to you” she began with a big smile. No sign of sweet Juliana. Jill heard whispered questions “where is she” amongst the guests. Finally Jill ran upstairs to fetch their coats and jackets, and there she was, fast asleep on the pile. “ shall I wake and embarrass her, or call Peter?.  

From Brain

THIS WEATHER (2)

My name is Ben Dark. I was as born in the fourth year of the reign of our good Queen Bess. Most of the men in our family worked on the land., but my Grand father and father were sea men. Father said that we were second cousins to Francis Drake, on my mothers side.

We lived in small village in Devon called Cornwood. When I was very young, I think 11 or 12, I worked on some of the farms as casual labour. In the winter, hedge cutting, digging ditches, hunting rabbits, in the summer cutting hay, helping with the harvest.

One day father arrived home from one of his trips With more money than we had ever seen, it was enough to keep Mother, myself and my three sisters for over a year. He told us that he had sailed with John Hawking. As their ship was sailing close to Santo Domingo they spotted a SPANISH gallon sitting low in the water. Captain Hawking ordered our ship to close in on her. Well after a brief exchange of fire, they boarded her, she was a treasure ship carrying gold and jewels to Spain. So we removed the cargo chopped down her main mast, destroyed her spare sails, and spiked her guns Then Captain Hawking let the ship and the crew go.

This set my mind and heart racing, what a life it must be, to travel to far distant lands, to see strange and wonderful sights. This would be the life for me.

After much talking and begging my mother to let me go to sea it was agreed, that father would talk to Cousin Hawking.

Ten days later a message arrived from him to say that he had spoken to his good friend Francis Drake, Who was about to sail on a long voyage, and he needed a personal servant.

I was to be in Plymouth in two days time and look for the ship PELCAN.

She had 22 guns and a crew of 80 men.

There were Five ships, with a total of 160 men.( so I was told.) We sailed with the tide on the third day I was on board, but had to put into Falmouth for repairers to one of the ships.

Once the repairs were done off we sailed. We crossed the ocean towards the new world, every now and then we spied Spanish galleons on the horizon. The weather as we went south got warmer. One day the the cry went out “ Land a Ahoy.”

The was a land call Brazil. All five ships had made it but Captain Hawking now change the name of our ship to the Golden Hind.

All hands were called on deck, there the captain told us that we were going where no English ship had gone before. We were going around the horn to the PACIFIC, there we will raid the Spanish treasure ships.

All the crew gave three mighty cheers.

( 2 )

I got talking to one of the older seaman, he had been on a ship that had tried one before to go around the horn, but had failed, he said the waves were like mountains, and the wind too strong, it was the wrong time of the year, but this time the winds and the seas were just right and this weather seemed perfect to try.

It seemed that the gods were pleased with us, only two ships made it through.

Two of our ships turned back before the horn, one was lost with all hands, the fourth one was in such bad condition that we had to sink her, the crew came aboard with us.

We sailed up the south American coast, raiding towns along the coast. In the city of EL Callao, he got information about the treasure ships.

The Golden Hind was now disguised as a merchant man. Thus we were able to close in on the Spaniard, our first broad side took off the Spanish

mizzenmast. Not expecting English ship to be in the Pacific, the Spanish crew were taken completely by surprise, and surrender with much Resistance. We destroyed her main sail and the spare ons, plus spiked all her guns.

Drake moved both ships close to shore, it take six days to transfer the treasure to our ship. We sailed up the west coast , pulling into places for water and to hunt for food. The Captain told us that we were not going back the way we came, as the Spanish may be waiting for us. He had decided to cross the Pacific and the Indian ocean round the cape of good hope, the on to Plymouth.

We sighted England one sunny morning, a great cheer rose from the crew. We had lost so many, only 56 of us returned. The ship had been away for three years.

We unloaded the treasure under armed guards, There were 8o Tons of Gold, 20 Tons of Silver, 13 chest of royal plate, one chest of a mix of diamonds, ruby’s and Peal’s.

We all shared in the booty, the Queen had a Third , Captain Drake 20%

The rest was spit between the rest of us.

I had enough to buy this pub, the “ QUEEN BESS” and enough so I would NEVER have to go to sea again.

From Sue

"This Weather" 25/05/15

"This weather has hardly let up since we sailed from Portsmouth a week ago," I said gloomily as I peered out of the window.  "Well, we'd better get down to breakfast and make our packed lunch, or there won't be any left."

We could hear the noise as we clattered down the bare boards of the stairs and entered the refectory, to be greeted by mainly cries of "Bonjour," with a few of "Morning" from our fellow Brits.  We chomped our way through dry baguette and jam, washed down with copious quantities of coffee, then threw our packed lunch together before gathering our rucksacks, donning waterproofs and hiking boots and setting off along the shore.

It was a blustery, cold day, with squally rain and the leaders, both French and English, were worried we might not be able to cross the sands.  We could see our goal, Mont St Michel, sporadically through the stormy weather, looming closer as we approached the crossing point, but still seeming a long way away.  The angry surf clawed at the shore as if to say, "You won't get to us today," before snarling its way back and launching towards our feet once more.

We huddled in our waiting groups, sheltering from the worst of the weather.  Luckily, by early afternoon the rain had stopped, but the wind persisted, leaving us chilled and apprehensive as we were called forward.  We took off our boots and socks, heaved our rucksacks and canvas bags containing water and baguette supplied by our hosts, onto our backs, and took up our position.  We were to lead the crowd of hundreds of walkers on this special Millennium crossing of the sands on St Michael's Day.  

At last the tide had receded enough for the Fire Brigade to lead us out, probing the sands as they forged us a route, ever watchful for quicksands, marking the way with long poles as they went.  Even so, we still had to gingerly negotiate patches of quaking sands which threatened to such us down into their depths.  We had to ford three rivers as we crossed and these were higher than usual, sometimes soaking the shorts of the more vertically challenged of us.  We linked hands with our nearest pilgrim friends and drew ever nearer to the awe-inspiring height of the Mont with its soaring abbey and spire at its peak.

After three hours, legs and feet burning with the effort, we neared the edge of the sands and the bells of the abbey started to peel out a welcome.  We noticed the whole causeway was lined with people, waving, cheering and clapping us on as we reached the final hurdle of the muddy rocks which had to be scaled.  Such an undignified finish before so many people, but somehow it didn't seem to matter, as everyone was so welcoming.

We eventually extricated ourselves from the crowds, washed our muddy feet at the freezing water tap, donned our boots once more and set off to toil upwards through the town to the abbey, where a service of thanksgiving and the ever-present reception with speeches and welcome food awaited us.  What an experience

27 th April meeting cheznous

Jenny started with more memories of her childhood and the pleasure of going to the pictures. John different held political views. Sheila a long saga about why her story wasn't finished. Joan Read how to get rid of an abusive husband stick a knife in and twist. Be careful Jack!
Sue swimming lovers - fish? My story about kissing horses - yuck. Joan E exploits of Mark.
Ann about babies. Brian and fairy stories and kissing a frog or was it a toad? A marriage proposal in the park.
Pat got 3 votes

Kissed Him

There’s that mosquito again! He follows me around. Why me? I know its the same one, I recognise his sneering look. Also, he re-incarnates himself as the trusty fly swatter has smashed him several times already.

I wearily went into the bathroom, and there he was, grinning at me. I chased him around with the towel, Whack, whack, I've got him now. Ha de Ha Ha Ha.

Where we live there are ponds and ditches and we all know the mosquitoes hatch out on warm days. There’s no hope it seems.

Feeling rather frustrated I thought I would take it out on the compost, but no. A giant fuzzy bumble bee was busy flying in and out of compost bin number 2 which was the very one I wanted to turn over. Now I love bumble bees and if it is building a nest in the compost there's no way I am going to disturb it. He was so lovely I could have kissed him (no I wouldn't).

Walking back up the garden path with the empty wheelbarrow, a cloud of gnats appeared from nowhere, catching the sun it seemed there were thousands of them! Or were they freshly hatched mosquitoes?

Later that evening I woefully watched huge red weals appear on my arms and Oh! How they itched. That dratted mosquito had finally got me!

Next time

This weather

March meeting at John and Sheila's

Full house today. Brian told of the harrowing experience of orphans  who were shipped off to the Empire told that they had no family.  Rosemary a love affair between a cat and a dog. Joan E a secret garden. Sheila naughty girl scrumped apples. John Family who were too ambitious with little talent.  Sue a knock-out blow and a stolen pendant. Joan R a Christmas party and an unexpected present.
Pat embarrassed Brian with Nelly the Elephant.
Next month kissed him.
Two winners Ann's  and Jenny's.

Ann's
I Didn't Even

 After Tim left for his business trip to Germany, Ben and I went to the shops in the morning and then after lunch we had a quiet afternoon when he played with his cars and garage and I got up to date with some long overdue ironing. I went in to check on him after a while and found him curled up in the middle of the mat asleep. When he woke up later, he was very grizzly and I thought it was because he was missing Tim. However as the evening wore on it got worse and he had a very unsettled night. After breakfast, which he didn't want, I decided he needed to see a doctor and was lucky to get an appointment for later that morning. By the time I got to the surgery, he was sleepy and really not very with it. Waiting for our turn, seemed endless and as people came and went we appeared to sit there for ever. Eventually our name came up on the board and we went in. The doctor examined Ben, turned to me and said he needed to be admitted to hospital straight away. An ambulance was called and we were taken under the blue lights to The General. A myriad of things were going round in my brain. The word meningitis had been mentioned, but it was not definite. If it wasn't that, what was it? How would I get hold of Tim? How long would it be before he could get home to us? I must phone my mother and let her know what had happened. Hopefully she could come and be with me, although it wouldn't be for a while as she lived in Somerset. All this time the Ben was lying there in a semi conscious state quite oblivious of the turmoil going on around him. I eventually got hold of mum who said she would come as soon as she could. I contacted Tim's boss who managed to locate him and said he would get him home as quickly as possible. After hours sitting waiting by Ben's bedside, the nurse in charge suggested I go and get myself a coffee while I waited for mum as they were going to take Ben for some more tests. I was loathe to leave him, but made my way down to the cafe and got myself a drink and settled in a quiet comer away from everyone else. Suddenly I saw a shadow beside me and looking up saw an elderly man. He asked if I was alright as he could see I was upset. I didn't even realise I was crying until he spoke. He said he didn't want to pry, but if I wanted to talk, he was a very good listener. He had such a kind face I felt it would be churlish to not ask him to join me and began to tell him about Ben. I said that I felt guilty for not realising that there was something seriously wrong with him and that I must be a very bad mother. He patted my arm and said he was sure I was a very good mother and I mustn't blame myself as these things happen so quickly that often there is no warning. Before I realised it I found myself pouring out heart and telling him that Ben was very precious as we had tried so long for a child and had almost given up when I found I was pregnant. It wasn't an easy pregnancy and he was born prematurely, but had made up for lost time and until now had been a picture of health. I have no idea how long I sat there talking and telling him my innermost thoughts, but as he had said, he was a good listener and I felt so at ease in his company. I glanced at my watch and mentioned that I was hoping my mother would be here soon and he said he must be getting along as well, but it had been lovely talking to me and I was not to worry my pretty head. Everything would be fine as my son was in the best possible place - just wait and see. He patted my arm and left. I sat there musing over the things he had said while time ticked by, when suddenly I saw mum coming along the corridor and waved to let her see where I was. I said I would get her a coffee as she sat herself down and went over to the counter. I asked the lady serving if she knew who the man was I had been talking to, as he had been so kind. She looked at me rather strangely and said I had been on my own all the time, crying a lot of it. I took the coffee back to mum in a trance and she told me that she had just come from the ward as she hadn't realised I wasn't there, but they said that Ben had stabilized. They didn't think it was meningitis and were very hopeful that he would soon begin to rally. I will never know if I've got a guardian angel, but if I have I think I may have met him.


jenny's

"I Didn't Even"

It was a normal Summer's day; my daughter was at school and I was washing up the lunch dishes.  The boys were playing in the garden, or so I thought!  My thoughts were suddenly interrupted by a little voice with a lisp, "Mummy, Kebin's on Mr Barnet's buth."  Oh, for goodness sake, tell him to get off," I said as I was hurriedly wiping my hands.  "I can't, the buth has gone," came the reply.

I rushed into the garden; the gate was still tied up but the boys had made a hole in the hedge and escaped into the next garden.  Aged three and four, they didn't need a big hole!

The back gate opened into a cutway leading to the road.  Yes, the bus was gone and no sight of it.  Nothing was normal now!  My heart was pounding!  Mrs Barnet was in her garden, so I asked where her husband was going.

Mr Barnet was a Corporation bus driver.  He drove a red double decker bus and sometimes would come home for his lunch before going to a local school.  He would park his bus in the road alongside our houses.  Today he was going to Glen Eyre School, to take the children swimming.  It was quite a long way from our house!

I didn't even have a telephone in those days, so I ran to a friend's house nearby and phoned the Police, and explained my three year old son was on the bus alone.  I told them where the bus was heading.  The next thirty minutes or so were agony!  I pictured him panicking and falling down the steep stairs.  The red buses still had open backs then.  He could fall off the platform onto the road and under a following vehicle, or perhaps he was being thrown from side to side between the seats - he wasn't very big!  My mind was conjuring all sorts of horrors!  Little did I know he was sitting comfortably in the front seat enjoying every minute of his adventure.

Only when Mr Barnet stopped at some traffic lights did a passerby bring his attention to his little passenger, sitting all alone on his bus.

The police were very good and soon caught up with the bus, and one excited little boy's adventure was over, well, almost; he was transferred from the bus into the police car.

He was returned home to the nervous wreck his mother had become!  Needless to say, I was too relieved to be angry!

February

Ten of us today and four stories each received two votes. 

Next month "I didn't even"

Jennies
More Than Two by Jenny Day

I have only recently owned up to my sister, Joyce, although why she seemed to be surprised I don't know. How could she not know it was me who wrote all the numbers on the toilet wall and for which she got the blame; after all, there weren't more than two of us children! I suppose I must have been about five and she was seven.

We lived in a Victorian house owned by a local bakery.  What should have been the front room was the baker's shop.  Outside, at the rear of the house, was a toilet for  the use of the shop lady.  At the end of the war some loos were quite grim and this one was no exception.  It had a wooden boxed seat and whitewashed walls,   absolutely ideal for writing on when you're five years old and just learning your alphabet and numbers!  My sister was always regarded as more clever than me, so credit for the writing was unfortunately given to her!  I don't remember the punishment; I'm sure it would have been Mum shouting at her.  Mum didn't smack us - just shouted, and that was enough - I hated it when Mum shouted.  Funny thing is, when I had my own children, the roles were reversed and she hated me doing the shouting!

I loved living in that house; it had so much character.  The front door was on the  side and when you stepped in there was barely enough room to get round the door. The stairs went straight up in front of you, so we always used the back door, which was still on the side.  We entered via the scullery and then into the kitchen.  This room was our living room-cum-dining room.

A large black range went through from the scullery into the kitchen, providing both heating and cooking.  In the corner of the scullery, next to the range, was a concrete copper heated from beneath by wood or coal.  In time, the kitchen range was replaced by an open fire and the scullery gained a gas stove.

Because of the design of the house being on the side, you would ascend the main staircase and, once at the top, either turn right up three steps and go along a dark, eerie passage to a small bathroom and the back bedroom, or turn left and left again, up three stairs to a small landing with a large room over the shop on the right or, on the left, a bedroom over the kitchen.  The banisters were beautiful and large, and perfect for "riding".

I remember using this front room as a sitting room and, although it was very big, it was cosy, with a fire in there.  It overlooked the shop front which was always busy, especially mornings, so there was lots to watch.  Once my sister and I grew older, we had our own rooms and Mum and Dad had the front room converted into their bedroom. 

The entrance to the property had a double green gate with a heavy metal latch, fronting a long gravel path wide enough for a motor vehicle, which led to the rear of the property and a huge galvanised garage, which may have originally been a barn.

We always knew when we had visitors because of the footsteps on the gravel and, as Joyce and I grew older, it was very difficult to sneak in late at night undetected!  My goodness, that telltale sideway seemed so long - bit like my story!

Pat's

MORE THAN TWO

Can we do more than one thing at a time successfully? I think we can. Here are a few examples...

Watching TV whilst knitting.

Walking and talking.

Riding a bicycle and texting, yes, we've all seen them.

Driving a large lorry whilst reading a map, spotted from my seat on a coach...not a good idea.

How about reading an absorbing book and eating chocolates?Heaven.

Crying and laughing, we all experience that at some point.

Then there’s ironing and listening to the radio.

Watching TV while sleeping, does that count?

Juggling triplets, that’s three things,

Being on a diet and cheating.

Going on holiday with the family and thinking all the time about your lover.

Catching the eye of a shoplifter, then freezing.

Smiling politicians who shake your hand while ripping you off.

I could go on, but...

How about cooking, drinking sherry and watching TV, now that’s more than two!

Brian's

MORE THAN TWO.

Daisies on the lawn. Only one or two but they were there. A Periwinkle, no it can't be. But down in the shade almost on the ground that little blue flower. The garden was beginning to wake up.

The man next door ( we called him Mr. Dumper.) used his as a dumping ground for all sorts of things. There were old pieces of timber , bits of old cars, beds, mattress , huge piles of old newspapers and cardboard, paints pots, and there was even an old large heavy lawn roller. Why he had that, heaven knows. For there was not a blade of grass in his garden, but lots of tall dead weeds,

In one corner were three old rusting 45 gallon oil barrels. Some of the oil had started to leak all over the ground, and seeping into the garden of the young couple next door to him, a Mr & Mrs Don Shrive, they have a little girl about six months old. In nice warm days they would put the baby pram in the garden.

One day about a week ago. I heard raised voices out the back, being inquisitive, I went out to see what was going on. There was Old Mr. Dumper and Don having a right shouting match about the oil seeping in to his garden.

“ You silly old man, yelled Don “ you had better fix this, you are a menace to the neighbourhood, if you don't do it soon, I will report this to the council” with that Don went off.

A few days later, Don knocked on my door, and said he has had enough, as the weather was going to get warmer, the flies would get worse than they are now.

Also they could not put the pram out, as he found the the rats were getting bolder. He has reported the matter to the council, and they will sent someone out to have a look.

Two days later, the man from the council came to see Mr Dumper, he knocked on his front door about seven times, with no luck. He then tried to open the side gate ,again no luck. I know that it has two bolts on the inside

The council man said he name was John Blades, from the department of health. Asked me if he could come into my garden and look over the fence to Mr. Dumper's garden, which he did. Then he took a series of photo's .

“My God, I haven’t seen one as bad as this, it must have been going on for years.

It will take a day or two to get an court order to get into the property.”

With that he left, and put a notice on Mr Dumper's door.

It was three days later, four men from the council arrived with a large and smaller pick up trucks. Before they started work the foreman asked if he could have a look over our fence so he could get an idea of what was involved and where to start.

“ Bloody Hell, I think we our going to need MORE THAN TWO trucks,

At the bottom of the old man’s garden the rubbish was over FIVE FEET high,

As the men started to dig in to the pile, the smell was so bad they stopped, to put mask on their faces, All at once one of the men dropped his fork he was using and shouted, “Jesus Christ, Boss come and have a look at this”

There at his feet was a human skull and a arm bone.

SO DO YOU KNOW WHAT IS IN YOUR NEIGHBOURS GARDEN?

Joan Read's 
Click to enlarge.

26 Jan 2015

Full house today with some good stories mostly different. Jenny joined us for the first time. I started with a story that was a mental stroll of my thoughts. Joan a birthday party for Mary. Rosemary brought an end to the gay saga. Ann the IRA troubles. Sheila surprise visit of son at Christmas. Sue a new chat up line come and see my boat. Joan Read a surprise birthday party. Brian a naughty father of a young sailor that Brian was mates with.

Next month More than two.
John and Pat got most votes Pat's story to come after computer repaired.

John's story.

 WONT SAY A WORD.
I WON'T SAY A WORD ABOUT MY HUSBAND JOE. THAT'S WHAT I USED TO THINK, BECAUSE IF I DID YOU WOULDN'T HEAR ANYTHING COMPLIMENTARY FOR SURE. UNFORTUNATELY, I'M ABOUT TO BREAK THIS VOW, BECAUSE HE'S PASSED AWAY AND I NEED TO GET MY THOUGHTS ABOUT HIM OFF MY CHEST. IF EVER THERE WAS ONE OF LIFES LOSERS IT WAS HIM. I DON'T KNOW WHY I MARRIED HIM. I WAS TOO SMITTEN TO REALISE WHAT A WASTER I WAS COMMITTING MYSELF TO. THE BARMAID DOWN AT THE NAGS HEAD KNEW MORE ABOUT HIM THAN I DID, I'M SURE. JOE COULDN'T HOLD DOWN A JOB FOR MORE THAN A COUPLE OF MONTHS, MAINLY DUE TO TURNING UP DRUNK FOR WORK. AND GUESS WHERE THE BEER MONEY CAME FROM. YES, HE WAS ALWAYS SPONGING OFF ME, AND I'M SURE THAT HE PINCHED MONEY FROM MY HANDBAG, TO PAY FOR ALL THE BOOZE. I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN SHORT OF MONEY, AND I WOULD LIKE TO GE T SOME OF THE SMALL FORTUNE, HE POURED DOWN HIS THROAT, BACK BUT OF COURSE ITS ALL GONE DOWN THE DRAIN, LIKE MOST OF MY LIFE. I SUPPOSE YOU'RE ASKING YOURSELVES, WHY ON EARTH I STUCK WITH THIS LOSER FOR SO LONG, BUT OF COURSE LIVING ROUND HERE ON THIS SINK ESTATE, IT SEEMS INPOSSIBLE TO BETTER YOURSELF AND MOVE ON. SURE, IF I LIVED MY LIFE ALL OVER AGAIN THINGS WOULD BE DIFFERENT. I WOULD HAVE MADE MORE OF AN EFFORT AT SCHOOL, CHOSEN BETTER FRIENDS THAN THE ONES I USED TO HANG ABOUT WITH, AND LISTENED TO MY PARENTS WHEN THEY WARNED ME ABOUT JOE. BUT THERE YOU ARE, YOU THINK YOU KNOW BETTER, AND SO I BECAME THE CLASSIC VERSION OF "ACT IN HASTE, REPENT AT LEASURE". JOE SEEMED TO BE A LARGER THAN LIFE PERSON, OR SO I THOUGHT. I CAN'T BELIEVE WHAT AN IDIOT I WAS. MUM AND DAD WERE RIGHT ALL ALONG. THEY DID HELP ME OUT FROM TIME TO TIME, BUT JOE WAS NOT WELCOME IN THEIR HOUSE. I CAN'T BLAME THEM, BUT IT ALWAYS MADE THINGS DIFFICULT FOR ME. HE NEVER HARMED OUR CHILDREN, MAINLY I THINK BECAUSE HE WAS ALWAYS DOWN AT THE PUB, AND THEY WERE IN BED WHEN HE USED TO STAGGER IN AFTER CLOSING TIME. YOU MAY WONDER WHY I DIDN'T LEAVE HIM, AND IN HINDSIGHT, I SHOULD HAVE DONE, BUT WHAT WITH THE KIDS AND MY PARENTS LIVING CLOSE BY, APATHY WAS MY LETDOWN. SO I CARRIED ON LIVING THIS WASTED LIFE, UNTIL MATTERS CAME TO A HEAD. JOE WOULD NEVER GO TO THE DOCTOR UNTIL THIS ONE OCCASION, WHEN HE WOKE UP BATHED IN SWEAT TELLING ME THAT HE FELT TEN TIMES WORSE THAN HIS SHOCKING HANGOVERS. I KNEW IT WAS SERIOUS WHEN HE SAID THAT HE WASN'T GOING DOWN TO THE N AGS HEAD THAT DAY. I NEARLY FELL OVER WITH THE SHOCK, BUT KNEW THAT I HAD TO GET THE DOCTOR IN. HE SOON REALISED THAT JOE WAS IN A BAD WAY AND HE WAS TAKEN OFF TO HOSPITAL. WELL HE NEVER CAME OUT, AND I WAS ABSOLUTELY DELIGHTED THAT THE HOSPITAL ASKED ME IF THEY COULD USE JOE'S BODY FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH. IT SAVED ME THE COST OF THE FUNERAL, AND I'M TOLD THAT JOE'S PICKLED LIVER HAS BECOME A BIG DICUSSION POINT AMONGST THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. AT LEAST JOES WASTED LIFE HAS HELPED TO TRAIN DOCTORS.

Pat's story

I Won't say a word

Amanda's 60^th. Birthday was looming, and she was feeling at a loss. Having always been busy with her family and work, now she had some time to herself. Her husband loved his job and worked all hours.

Pouring herself an early drink, went into the neat garden and had a really good think about her life. Certain things were unchangeable, cooking, the house and garden, which she enjoyed doing anyway. The time had arrived to do something different. Climbing a mountain for a charity? What a thought! Running a marathon? Even worse.

Hearing the family car draw up, she quickly poured her husband his favourite merlot. Suddenly she had a flash of inspiration...I know, I will learn to drive. Chatting about their day, for some unknown reason didn't mention her idea.

Next morning she made a reservation with a female instructor. The small car with L plates back, front and on top arrived with the instructor looking all of 15 years old. The weeks went by and still she hadn't told a soul. Finally it was the day of the exam. Feeling a little excited but in a calm frame of mind off they went. Amanda enjoyed driving and wondered why she hadn't learned years ago. After passing with flying colours she realized there was no one to tell!

Her husband was still in the dark and besides, she had no car to drive. The day her licence arrived, her daughter happened to be visiting and picked up the post as she came in. Glancing down she read DVLA addressed to her mother. Amanda confessed all and her daughter said she wouldn't say a word. They hatched a plan. The family car was due for its MOT soon, so her daughter offered to follow her father to the garage and then take him to the office. Later in the day Amanda was getting nervous, which was unusual for her. Along came her daughter and getting in the driver's seat felt uncomfortable as it had a different feel to the instructor's car. They drove around until she felt more at ease, then went to the office, parking right outside, fortunately as it turned out. Her husband waving ,as he came out tripped down the steps breaking his toe. He hadn't noticed Amanda was in the driving seat,being so engrossed in his painful toe. The hospital was quite close by, so off they went to have it x rayed, and plastered up. What a to do. He groaned all the way home. They managed to get him out of the car and into the house, propping him up on the settee. It was a hairline crack so he shouldn't be in plaster too long. You would think that he had broken his leg by his reaction. “This won't stop me going to the office tomorrow” he mumbled through gritted teeth.

I will take you Amanda said. All right he answered, not realizing what she had said. Her eyes went up to heaven. Their daughter couldn't stop laughing as she waved goodbye.