SCARBOROUGH #1.

As some of you may be aware SCARBOROUGH, a seaside resort on the North Yorkshire coastline, holds fond memories for me as I visited there every year as a child plus it was one of the first places where Husband dearest and I holidayed as a couple.

Having friends now living there we have returned for a short break for the last three years - last week being our latest trip.

Everything started well, leaving the keys with a friend who was busy decorating our spare bedroom, we sat, cases all packed, train tickets remembered, waiting for our taxi. Me in a high state of nerves, Hd, as usual, trying to reassure that all would be well with Madge (my wheelchair for those of you new to Pen and Paper), that there was no chance that I'd get stuck half way up the ramp into the taxi AND even less chance that I would fall off said ramp. Some deeps breaths taken, the taxi arrived and so-far-so-good but then ........

Disaster struck - Madge lost all power. Now was the time to panic and panic I did. What to do? Luckily Madge has the option of us disabling her motor in order that, if needs be, she can be pushed as a manual chair. As I was now half way up the ramp, we decided to continue to the station and worry about things when we got there so Hd, on his knees, checked over Madge as we continued our 15 minute journey to the train station, telephoning the company who sold us Madge as we went.

What an amazing service from ALTONAIDS - "No problem. Where are you? OK, we'll send an engineer out to met you there." And true to their word, five minutes after our arrival, an engineer turned up, pressed one button (it turns out Madge has a safety feature which automatically cuts off all power if her motor capacity is compromised) and we were on our way to sunny (fingers crossed) Scarborough.

THE ROYAL HOTEL where we stay. *

Our bed - the size of a football pitch. (If you click to enlarge you can see Bear Necessity on the pillows). Never have we known a telephone right next to the toilet. What call could be so important? **

* Photograph courtesy of Scarborough Tourist Information.
** Photographs by NJ Terry.

Coming next time: A chuckle, A midsummer night's dream and a naval battle.