The 18:50 into Heathrow

Marble Hill House, Twickenham, Yesterday.

Bloody knee! What was all that about? I have never had that happen before!

I had been out cycling last night and on my way home from Richmond Park I passed the back of Marble Hill House (see photo) in Twickenham, looking out onto the River Thames. I pass this way everytime I cycle to Richmond Park and even if I went the front way along the main road I would still pass the house with a very similar view. But the tow-path is a much more pleasant route. What with the ducks, swans, geese & even the odd water rat and not to mention the very welcoming lack of traffic. You do have to watch out for the dogs that have those rather long leads that seem to extend for the whole length of the path & seem to go on forever and ever. I haven't got caught in one yet......I only hope I notice or when I get home I will have a dog and the dogs owner dragging behind me in need of some urgent medical attention or in the very least a hot cup of tea & a dog biscuit!
My cycle around the park was just the same as any other evening, although there were less puddles than there were the other night, but the moths were still there........thousands! I have never seen that many before!
So, as I passed the house I thought I would take a photo of it and try and get a plane in the shot too. That wasn't too difficult since that is the main flight path (flying from right to left) into Heathrow Airport. But I did want the plane placed directly over the top of the house and central. I think I managed to get it alright (6 second exposure) and only had to wait for three planes (9 mins) before I got it. The Moon was directly behind me and looks to be entering his halfmoon phase and seemed to be completely at ease looking out from behind his black curtain onto the river and all the helicopters, planes and the "odd" cyclist. The river was perfectly still and the Canadian Geese were trying to sleep in the cold, dark water. The rest of the path was deserted and drenched in dull orange puddles of light from the tow-path lamps.
I finished my photography and got back onto my bike and my right knee went funny and the kneecap kind of locked into place! Very strange and scary as all I was doing was pushing away to begin pedalling. It seemed to go back in the right position again, but it still doesn't feel right. I might have damaged it! I really hope it is ok.........it really scared me, in fact I'm still not happy about it as my knees are pretty good compared to my other joints. If my knee goes then that is me finished! So I called off todays visit to Covent Garden and washed my car instead. It certainly needed it as does my bike, which will have to wait his turn (tomorrow maybe). Plenty of Factor VIII and it still feels the same! It isn't swollen and isn't actually a bleed technically but had to be treated regardless. I must rest it (ie, no cycling for a while and no long walks). Fingers crossed it goes away soon! I will give it until Monday and then take it up to the RFH and get them to check it out.

"Walking with your Eyes and not your Pain"

Washing my car in between the garages and the pavement, an elderly man slowly approaches with the help of two walking sticks, he is taking his time and I have never seen him before. I continue to wash my car, sponging plenty of warm, soapy water all over the black bodywork and glass. The sun is out, but low, and there are hardly any clouds in the sky. It is a wonderful day.
10 minutes later the old man has almost reached my car and I. I have been watching intermittenly for the last 10 mins and have noticed him stop several times to catch his breath so he can begin walking again. He takes the time he is stationary, to have a little look around him at the green parrotts that screech around in groups of about 20 from tree to tree. He is smiling too, always smiling!
Again he sets off with a new lungful of fresh air and continues his walk towards me and seemingly the end of the road which is about 100 yards away. One stick in front of the other, eyes looking down carefully to see his way forward is flat and foot friendly.
5 steps forward....look down.....up....down.....smiling.....stop.......look around....smiling.....eyes down......sticks.....carefully placed feet.......eyes....smiling.....5 steps forward.......until he finally reaches me.
I hear him say something and stand to see him. He is out of breath but so fresh and eager looking. He makes me smile. I say hello and he says hello too. He has stopped again and I say "Lovely day for washing cars eh"
Yes he says, still smiling, holding onto his sticks and looking around at the sky.
"I haven't been outside in over 3 months" he says. "I am going to try and reach the very end of the road today.........I really hope it doesn't rain!"
I look at the sky and my watch and say;
"I don't think it will rain" and told him he would be fine and wished him luck.
So off he goes again, very slowly and very carefully too. He seems totally intent on reaching the end of the road just 100 yards away. It must seem like miles to him, he must be in so much pain and he isn't letting on. I smile to myself again and watch him while I wash the rest of my car. He stops about 50 yards from the end of the road and speaks to an old lady for a minute, she is throwing nuts to the squirels. I hear the lady ask him how old he was, But I didn't hear his reply. I'd say he was about 80 or 90! He carrys on.......looking up, down......probably still smiling.
It takes him a while to do it, but he reaches the end of the road in about 20 mins and stops for a while watching the cars go by and the birds in the sky. Our road is a cul-de-sac and there aren't many cars at all that come down except residents. My road is a very quite, peaceful road.
My car is almost clean now and all I have to do is shammy the bodywork and wash the alloys and I will be finished. The old man is heading back after his journey and I notice as he gets closer that he is smiling even more now.
Several minutes later he has again found himself next to me and my car.
He stops again, and looks happy with his days work. Smiling all the while.
"Hello again" I say to him. "Blimey, that was quick!" "You did that quicker than you thought you would I bet eh"
"Yes I did didn't I, and I spoke to somebody on my way up there too"
"You did really well and should be very proud of yourself" I said.
"Thank you" he says. "You did a very good job cleaning your car, it looks Lovely".
"Thank you" I say and tell him that it was filthy and really needed it!
After getting his breath back again and finding the next spot on the pavement for his next step he says; "I must be off or my wife will wonder where I am" "I have been out a very long time".
I tell him bub-bye and say "I expect she will have a Lovely hot cup of tea waiting for you".
"Yes" he said, "That would be wonderful".
"Cheerio" we say to eachother.
I watch him, thinking...............how wonderful!
I am smiling now.

Jason




(C) JPT 2006