Charity begins in the chair !

So my ' break all the rules ' Andreas and I head out for a little, let's get outa here time ! He, I think deep down believes that I suffer more from mental health issues rather than tetraplegic transformation from completely abled body to wheelchair bound person with a mind ready to voice any form of opinion !!! Our unique bond is something like the symbiotic relationship between a rhino that has a tick plucking bird that casually sit on the back of the rhino feasting on the blood sucking of parasites annoying the sh/t out of the thick hide of Reggie the rhino. Already ladened with emergency pack attached to the back of the 4 x 4 , his supplies of water and daily intake of food are added. This Italian can eat !!! 5 panini' a day, together with crisps, fruit and snack bars bares testimony of how to keep a nearly 7ft carer happy - food, food, food !. His constant smile, infectious laugh, broken English and total dedication to my well being are admirable. He is a pleasure to be with and a tonic for the soul in embracing anything I might be capable with in dealing with the public whilst out on the road. Today, and in fact this week, I inform him that my mission is to keep him well fed whilst road tripping around London. First stop is Waterloo, where I am to meet Annie, a friend of mine from SA who has limited time in LND, but has earmarked a morning to catch up with me. Thanks Annie - it was great ! And was so cool to catch up with you prior to your ongoing trip to Ireland ! We enter our homestation, make our way to the lift and there stands an elderly lady who snuggles into the lift with us. She is chewing, what I presume is gum ! I casually ask her for some, and she produces a packet of Haribo's, pops a few in my hand. Anndreas is so embarresed, and makes all kinds of thank you speeches to her, all the while giggling and chatting with her whist we descend into the bowels of the earth to platform level. We exit the lift and at full tilt head for out platform. Creating havoc by, jump mounting onto the train has wide eyed passages scattering for cover, fearful of their shins being damaged by my foot plates. Standing right behind us is the ' sweet lady ' who thanks us for creating a path for her to get into the carriage. We get to Waterloo and prep for our exit - as we are backing out the door she pulled out the large packet of Haribo's and pushes it between my legs ! " you guys finish them " what a refreshing start to the day !! It is quite amazing that a smile from the chair, or a simple greeting, joke or banter with people on the underground can change morose, grim faces of the underworld ! So with a new ' game ' now we make it our business to get as many smiles, laughs or greetings out of the people on the trains !! I'm feeling good about myself. Completely over my spaced out days of over dose of Baclofen, which saw me tripping like a giraffe with eight legs, body and mind back to normal, hair finally grown to a length that now needs styling, and the diet showing signs of a little weight loss !!! Time to start grooming myself back into society - so off we go to the local High Street in search of a barber shop. We find one that I barely fit through the door, but, there is no step ! Bonus !! Thankfully the cutting chairs are not bolted to the ground and with much reorganising we manoeuvre my 4 x 4 in front of a mirror. Reggae, my new best barber is Kurdish, cannot speak a word of English apart from " top eend Sid " which I assume meant - short back and sides !, I nod, he smiles and grabs his scissors. We have a very in depth conversation neither of us understanding a word we were saying to one another, but all smiles and nods, and within literally 5 minutes I'm done ! He suggests I have some " solar straaaks " which I assume means high lights ! What the hell, I think, let's just do it. I agree with Reggae, but then realise that he himself does not do them, but the hairdresser across the road is " virrrry guud ". I wheel over and see two rather large steps to gain entry - a no no !, but ask Andreas to look at the price list in the window........ High lights £120 !!! Forget it, and we start off, only to be chased down the road by the hairdresser telling us he is running a special on high lights if you have had your haircut across the road at the barber shop. Guess what ? He is Kurdish as well....... Talk about networking on the High Street ! We agree on a price of £30, but he can only fit me in the following day at 6pm. I return the following evening, conquer the access problem and he does a fantastic job, albeit mixing the potion in a used baked beans tin !!! So the Kurds are in ! My new best friends ! Sunday plans were to get out of the city to avoid the travel disruptions and huge crowds as it was the London Marathon. The route bringing the runners right past my doorstep to cross over Tower Bridge ( the grandest bridge of London ). Mixed emotions watching the athletes and crowds cheering on my way to the station. It brought back memories of myself running two Comrades Marathons in SA in the 80's ! Part of my 'last' life when my legs worked - note to self.... Get out of this chair !!! All those years ago, I would never have thought I would be in this condition today - another note to self..... Be greatful for ones small mercies in life, as life is so fragile and each day should be lived as one's last day coz we just ain't sure of tomorrow's outcome !!! So passing the runners, onto the station we go en-route to Kingston for lunch with G & N, and Stewy & Lynne who are out from SA. Kingston is always an uplifting town to meander through. Age old street markets combined with modern day shopping centres and labeled shops, with hidden alleys linking old and new, complimented by the winding river inhabited with various different duck species and graceful swans all gathering along the side walkways ever hopeful of scraps of food from the people walking by. What an afternoon ! Great catch up, great company and lovely food and wine ! Well worth a mention is The Bishop restaurant, where we ate, completely wheelchair accessible , good food and service, on the river and indoor / outdoor space. Well done Nic & Graaamie for selecting the venue !! As always, I like to believe, that their priority when choosing a place is ' can Gav get in '. Love you two !! And Monday brings us back to a new week again !! Back to the Dragon voice recognition program - a frustrating, yet liberating program ! Just when you think you got it...... Wham, it takes you back to the basics, but hey ! Isn't that what living and learning is about ? As always friends, look after yourselves, tell and treasure the ones you love, mend all broken bridges, and appreciate small things we so often take for granted. Sent with love and ongoing good health wishes !! G.