A trip by the sea

I’m just back from a trip down to the fish shop on the Mean Machine, my mobility scooter.

It was blissful. The sun is shining brightly today. There’s a gentle breeze off the water. A salty tang permeated the air.  The tide was at midpoint, so still. Just at the edges, where the water came more inland, there was the gentle sound of the final wave, more of a ripple, turning itself over as it reached the sand. At one point there was a more splashy sound as a couple of spaniels charged into the water for their ball.

Across the Bay the Lakeland fells stretched bluely. The sense of recession quite pronounced. On the left, beyond the end of the Barrow peninsula, stood the great white windmills of the wind farms in the sea.

As I came back I saw a cluster of people all in fluorescent yellow jackets. As I neared them, I discovered it was a group of adults with their very young charges, just toddlers, on an outing from a nursery. They were loving playing in the sand, just feeling the sand between their toes. A couple of braver ones, hands tightly held by their adults were venturing into the water, sufficient to say they wet their feet. They never got as near as their knee-deep, let along the knees of the adults with them. There was a happy gurgle of pleasure.

All in all it was a pleasing trip. And now I have still to look forward to the cod I bought for a fish stew this evening & the potted shrimps which always a delight.

On the downside I’ve just tried on my new glasses for use when I’m on the computer. I can see even less than I can see without them. That pair will be going back when I go to collect the new air of varifocals. They are due next week. Let’s hope they’re more successful!

Kastela

I thought the time had come for another holiday tale. This time it is about Kaštela, where we had one of our most interesting trips.

It started with a trip to the botanical gardens. These gardens are quite amazing. In 1976 a new primary school was opened in Kaštel Lukšić.  The modern concrete building was surrounded by a large area of wasteland, not particularly nice.  The headmistress of the school was a trained botanist & she soon got all the children involved in changing this wasteland into a fabulous garden, teaching them about plants, geography, design, agriculture etc along the way. Now, nearly 50 years on, the garden is a recognised botanical garden with much of interest, surrounding the school buildings. The children are still allowed to play in the grounds.

Now the school has its own olive grove, where the children press & sell their own olive oil. There is a stone theatre for the children to put on outdoor productions.

We went round the southern garden, filled with palms, eucalyptus, camellias, to name but a few. There was also a small pond with papyrus & lotus lilies growing, & a medicinal garden.

The pond

 

We were fortunate to be shown around the garden by the school agronomist. He was made the trip so special. He not only told what each plant was, he encouraged us to smell leaves, taste fruit, leaves & seeds. For the first time ever I tried a mulberry, something I only associate with the nursery rhyme “Here we go round the mulberry bush”. We tried the fruit of one palm tree which had a somewhat apricot taste.

The agronomist on the left

 

We could have spent all morning, if not day in the garden. However our tour guide took us on down to one of the 7 castles of Kaštela.  She related the tragic love story of rival families in different castles, a real life Romeo & Juliet story. This part of the coastline was magical, quiet & unspoilt. We had a gentle sit in a café, while the others went around the castle itself – needless to say that wasn’t wheelchair accessible.

The castle we visited

The courtyard inside

We couldn’t help thinking how much better a holiday we would have had if our hotel had been in Kaštela rather than Solin. There were plenty of pleasant flat walks along the promenade which would have been enjoyable to explore.

I suppose though even this brought home to us how much we don’t like organised, guided trips. Yes, it saves the driving. It gives you the information. But it also means going at the pace they want rather than you want. We would have happily spent all day here, instead we had to rush back to the hotel in time for lunch. We’re too much the individualist to appreciate being herded around like a flock of sheep.

A new world awaits

The meatball curry plops. It’s a while since we had anything really spicy – it would have been before we went on holiday, so we’re looking forward to it.

Yesterday we went & had our eyes checked out. I’ve now entered the world of multiple specs. Not only will I have my varifocal pair for everyday wear as now, but I’m gaining a simpler lensed pair for the VDU. He reckoned my vision had improved so I am somewhat bemused to have entered the world of 2 pairs of glasses. At least this second pair I can just leave by the main computer; I can manage the laptop without glasses.

The Fox, too, needs one new frame for everyday seeing & driving & his two pairs of reading glasses need new lenses.

I’m very grateful we’re in a position to have some money behind us now. For many years money was tight & a bill of over £500 would have been a nightmare. It seems so expensive now when you need new glasses. Yet good glasses area essential for your well-being (to avoid headaches from eyestrain or incipient blindness) & safety (especially when driving), not to mention your enjoyment in life (there’s nothing more frustrating than when you can’t see a menu or a road sign) & possible job prospects (if you can’t see a VDU for a job).

Now we await the phone call to go in & collect them when they’re ready. The Fox’s should be prompt enough but mine will take longer with the need for varifocals.

Then I will enter the new world of red glasses & multiple pairs. The assistant was determined I should have more colour in the frames. It will be a new image for me.