Why birthdays are pointless

I remember at some point last autumn, hearing that Tom Jones would be performing at the Open Air Theatre in Scarborough. Now, I haven't been to many music concerts and he is, in spite of his age, rather appealing, so I mentioned to Neil that it might make a good birthday treat. Josh does the same - he finds events that he would love to go to and asks for it as a birthday present, even though it's not remotely close to his birthday. Anyway, after some investigations, we realised that he was also performing at York Races (Tom Jones, not Josh) and that the tickets were cheaper there and included an evening at the races. It seemed silly not to.

Those of you who know me well will know that I have some concerns about outdoor events in summer and I did wonder whether wasps like to watch the races too and listen to a smiley Welsh chap sing or whether they would get bored and start seeking out people to torment. However my fears were unfounded and we had a wonderful insect-free afternoon and evening.

Having worn a dress (rare event) for the occasion, one thing I wanted was a nice picture of me in my wheelchair. I haven't really got a photo I like. I know some would wonder, when I can stand for photos without difficulty, why I want one. It's hard to explain that but days like yesterday do kind of help.

If we had done our evening at the races before I got my chair, I would have been in pain before we even got into the grounds. Walking from the car park to the gate and then standing in a queue for 45 minutes would have been too much. My legs and back would be agony! If I'd have made it inside, there was seating in the stands but it was plastic tip-up seats. Ten minutes of sitting on them would have been quite enough. As for fighting my way through the bar to the toilets, I would have been jostled about and probably got an elbow in my back. My wheelchair means that all of that stuff isn't a problem. I can be out for just over 7 hours and still not be in any more pain than normal. That makes my chair my friend. I actually really love it. I love being independent and being able to enjoy days out like we did yesterday.

So I know I've already shared this photo on Facebook but I really like it, so I'm putting it on here too.

As for the races, it was my first time at a 'posh' race meet. I think our last one together was at Bangor-on-Dee when we were camping there. It was totally unposh! I'm not really into horse racing and I'm certainly not a gambler. It was wonderful though to spend the day with Neil - he looks gorgeous in a suit! - and just relax and enjoy the atmosphere.

Can we settle now?

The last two years have been a bit of a whirl! Actually, it goes back just over two years to the day we decided we were moving back here (which is where this blog began). At that point, we knew the future was an unknown quantity but we had a fairly set idea of how it might pan out. We decided on Scarborough as a base. Josh would carry on as normal with his daily 2m commute from his bed to his desk. Andy would go to 6th form college and do A levels. Neil would find work in finance, probably not in Scarborough, unless he got really lucky, but possibly in York or Leeds - doable by train. I would get a job in a village school as head of a primary school that 'requires improvements' and turn it around. We had a plan. Plan A.

Plan A didn't happen. Well, it did for the boys but not for Neil and me. We did both find work but only temporary contracts. We found a house to rent but then ended up moving after 6 months and again after another 10 months and then living half in Scarborough and half in Goole. Oh yeah, Goole. After just over a year, Neil got work in Goole and then almost immediately, so did I. Scarborough to Goole is a rubbish commute so we had to move. When you have a 17 and 19 year old, you expect them to soon move out but there's something a bit weird about the parents moving out.

Anyway, we're both now permanent (as much as any job is permanent) working for East Riding of Yorkshire Council. We are both thoroughly enjoying our work. I do sort of miss aspects of teaching but not as much as I thought I would. Now, the latest development is that we have bought a house, which hopefully means no more moves.





The area where we are now living is quiet and pretty. It's not what I ever imagined Goole to look like. Now we have the exciting task of adapting the house so that I can try and do 'normal', whatever that might be. First is the bathroom. The bathroom has been ripped out and we are in the process of putting in a walk-in shower room. It's taking ages but hey, life in Finland taught us to cope with this kind of thing. Why were swimming pools originally invented?