Continuing from
last blog then.
If you remember,
I am doing my usual blindsimming outing but with a difference as my
'guide' in the past, Tony, is in Australia for the summer. I am doing
'dry runs' on a slightly different route escorted by brother Chris in
order to convince myself that I can next time do it alone and
unaccompanied – at least until I have to cross the main road to
catch my return bus. We haven't come up with a solution to that
problem yet.
I got as far as
the bus stop last time where, again as usual, the bus driver made
sure I got off the bus alright and met up with Chris waiting there,
he having parked further back in the village as there was nowhere to
leave the car at this point on the busy road.
Chris then
suggested that I found my own way to the gate and walk up the lane.
He would keep a long way behind, he said. That all went well even
though I was now completely blacked out by the eye-patches, just as I
really like it. Through the gate at the other end and I heard no
sound of Chris but I had heard the bull-finches – a piping call –
that I knew were in a copse of trees about halfway up. I turned to my
right and using my stick now on my right side passed the two seats
and approached the third. There was someone there. I could hear two
lady's voices and realised someone was sitting on the seat, now just
on my right hand side. I asked if there was room for me to sit down
and of course there was and they soon started talking to me in a
general way. Chris arrived very soon after and joined in the
conversation. The girls were Scottish, on a walking holiday here in
Sussex and were aiming now for the Seven Sisters, the high cliffs
next to the sea about 10 miles across the South Downs before going
into Eastbourne, where they had overnight accommodation booked. He
helped them with their map and pointed out that the most direct way
was down the lane that we had just come up.
He explained to
them that we were siblings and he was accompanying on my walk. Yes,
he said, I was totally blind but quite able to get about with my
white stick, preferably accompanied, of course. Then, to my surprise,
he told them that the type of blindness that I suffered (!) from
meant that I had to wear patches over both my eyes in any bright
light, and suggested that I remove my dark glasses to show them,
which I did! They seemed to accept this as not unusual. He further
explained that he was on the way to a meeting in Eastbourne (no, they
didn't want a lift!), said he had to run back to the village to
collect the car and, if they didn't mind, could I walk down the lane
with them as far as the main road where he would be along soon in the
car to pick me up? Of course, they willing agreed.
Chris went off
and after a while, they too were ready to go and off I went with
them. They were most considerate but not used to walking with a blind
person and between them I was virtually 'frog-marched down the lane –
very slowly! I can walk at a normal pace if I am holding someone's
arm – not someone holding my arm – years of practice!
So all went well
after that and Chris reckoned that I had passed the final 'dry-run'
test. He has since thought up how I can avoid crossing the busy road
– the only hitch to our plans – and I am looking forward to my
solo effort soon – not eye-patched though!
Jane.
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