The weather is warming up, and we had made it successfully to the hospital. Huddersfield, and Halifax are grey towns, carrying their past municipal age with dignity but so dispiriting. Modern new bus stations help relieve the austerity of it all.
The diagnosis was as I had thought it was and will of course need more treatment so another visit in a couple of weeks time.
I have been listening to 'I am an Island' by Tasmin Calidas another adventure story into the wilds of the Hebridean Isles by a Londoner. What do I take from it? Well something that sticks out like a Martian in another land. The ways of the Scottish Isles are very different to an emotional female who goes looking for something to romanticise and then finds herself cooped up with an angry husband (she later divorces him) and resentful islanders, this denied in this Guardian article by the way.
She makes friends but also is subject to a certain vicious element in the females she meets, not helped by the fact that her husband has been sleeping around. There is a feeling amongst locals that as a lone woman running a croft, she should sell up and let a family move in. In this of course we see strong tribal elements from the islanders. She also finds it difficult with the custom of leaving your door unlatched in the evening when people can just pop in for a chat bringing their own drink. As a solitary female she feels threatened by a man walking in and making himself comfortable.
It seems sad that the tight knit communities of the Scottish Isles are now open to the vagaries of the modern world, great liners wallow in their tiny harbours discharging vast loads of American (and other) tourists to sample the delights of 'wilderness'.
She has written a good book - Sunday Times bestseller, whether it is all truthful or in fact an interpretation by a Londoner, who has had a very different upbringing heaven knows. But I shall listen to her today and perhaps come to a different conclusion.
I am glad your appointment went smoothly with no unexpected surprises for you.
ReplyDeleteWe got in early as well and the ophthalmologist saw me half an hour before my appointmen Ellen.
DeleteI'll be interested in the conclusion you draw at the end. What a fascinating way of life though!
ReplyDeleteWell she has settled down on the island and is now healing with herbs. I think she is a very pleasant woman but also very emotional about everything. Also the fact that there was a certain amount of racial abuse over her father, this is being tackled in meetings. She even goes swimming in the sea in winter, now that is brave Debby!
DeleteJust to let you know I am back in the land of the living again.
ReplyDeleteHurrah, love Jan Bx
DeleteYes hurrah I am always worried when you disappear for a couple of days. So welcome back.
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