Day 2256 My social network

17th October 2023

It is exhausting being social. I had a full day marked out for meeting up with friends, starting out with a early train journey into Bath.

I hadn’t been on a train for over six years, and I was excited to ride one. I had been awake early, not because of the imminent journey, probably because of the amount of coffee I had drunk.

I took a shower to try to kick some life in me, and then chose clothing that Kelli had carefully selected for me. This was documented in a picture that he had taken so I wouldn’t forget

I scramble down a glass of orange juice and set off for the station. As usual I didn’t want to leave it too late, so I went to the other extreme and got there early, so I paced up and down the platform like a hungry lion willing the train to appear through the tunnel.

When it did, I couldn’t wait to get started.

Things looked greener than I remember, maybe other people’s garden were overgrown,

It was a shorter trip than I remembered, but walking out of Bath Spa Station was a special moment.

My first stop was to see my old hair stylist. He instantly recognised me, which meant I hadn’t changed much or his memory was good.

I booked an appointment for next week where I’m sure we will have plenty to talk about.

I walked up through the middle of town noting all the new business and empty shops. I was surprised at the number of new coffee shops and restaurants, you would never go hungry and thirsty in Bath.

Reaching the Boston tea party by the Assembly Rooms, I ordered a breakfast and coffee then waited for Steve Mower. He is my oldest friend having met at infant school in Upper Swainswick when the world was young.

He turned up twenty minutes late and apologised profusely, I replied that waiting to see him again for four years, a few extra minutes didn’t matter.

The told me the reason for his lateness was due to problems he was having with his father in law who is suffering from dementia. He explained how it was taking over both him and his wife’s lives.

This a reminder to me that everyone faces different challenges in every stage of life. Caring for others, especially when they start on a different journey is not easy. I felt sorry for him, but he still had a great sense of humour, and we ending finding something to laugh about.

My next point of call was Mallorys to get my watch strap shortened. I didn’t think the strap had stretched, rather my wrist had shrunk.

Getting into the shop was interesting, security was extremely tight, a guy outside who controlled the outer door leading to an air lock. Someone on the inside let me in, and inquired what I wanted. Now Mallorys is not a place where you say “I’m just looking” especially when you have the entry procedure, I can only hope there isn’t a strict bodily inspection on the way out.

I was led through a labyrinth of rooms and invited to sit to await an “expert” on my watch.

I young chap appeared sharply dressed and very well spoken. He checked the strap, deciding to remove a section and a half, and disappeared into another room leaving me alone amongst some of the most expensive timepieces on the planet.

I tried to remain cool, just in case I was being observed on CCTV, I wanted to give the impression that this was an everyday occurrence for me, not sure if I was convincing.

Finally he appeared holding my watch in a black gloved hand, slipping it over my wrist, it fitted perfectly. When I asked the cost, he said no charge, he enjoyed working on the watch it was his favourite make. Now I wasn’t going to argue, I still had the thought of getting out again, although I needn’t have worried, I managed to press the correct buttons and I was in fresh air again.

I made my way to meet my next friend, Rob.

We went to an Indian restaurant overlooking the abbey. We chose a Dosa Masala, our favourite lunch, it’s never large enough, I always want more.

Then it was a walk back to the Boston Tea Party to meet the rest of the gang from the art school. It was a surprise to see Paul Colley and his wife who were in the UK on holiday from Melbourne Australia. I hadn’t seen him since we left school. He had a very distinct nose, which was why I recognised him.

After Tom, Rob and Paul all exchanged stories about heart attacks and other ailments, I felt a little left out.

Then Carol turned up unexpectedly, she was the wild child of the class, I alway felt intimidated by her, well by most of the girls in the class, but now we were friends. Her free sprit is still there, she will think nothing of flying off to some distant place, and stay there for months. She is alway full of storied of her travels.

We stayed talking until the place closed, although we continued out in the street.

When we said our farewells I gave Paul a hug knowing we would never see each other again, this was our swan song, and we knew it.

I went back to Rob’s place to look at a project I agreed to help him with, but on the next trip.

He then dropped me back at the Mint Room for the final part of the day.

Already sitting at the table were Phillip and Bob. I had been waiting a long time to meet up, and it was great to see them again. The food was superb as usual, but I couldn’t finish it all, the day of naughty foods had filled me up.

There is never enough time to cover everything, and I was on a time crunch to get back to the station.

I didn’t know how long it would take to get there. I was taking unusually long strides, so I got to the platform in record time, too early in fact. I now had to walk up and down for about fifteen minutes.

Once on the train we sped through the darkness until the lights of Bradford on Avon came into view.

A walk up the hill and I was back home.