Coffee

 Last week I took part in a zoom lecture/discussion on creative writing.
I remember the breakout group was lively and animated 
One chap, older than I lived up the coast and was nearer than most of the others who were dotted around the British Isles. 
He turned up at the hospice today and dropped an envelope off for me.
It was an invitation for coffee and his telephone number
Ive accepted
I remembered him from class
He was quiet though asked some interesting questions ,was very smiley,
And he was wearing an old arran jumper in blue 

106 comments:

  1. Hope you have a nice time.

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    1. It won’t be for a while and we will see

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  2. Tell me more, tell me more.....

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    1. Nothing more to tell for a few weeks I’m away in Barcelona in a few days

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  3. What a nice thing to look forward to! Enjoy.

    Jo in Auckland

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  4. Barbara Anne4:03 am

    Did the arran blue jumper have a hole in it? Perhaps?!! Enjoy the coffee and company!

    Hugs!

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  5. Replies
    1. Like I say I was very flattered by the effort of the invitation lol

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  6. This is Tom Thompson over in Louisiana USA, Ihave followed you off and on for several years now.. Each time I try to catch up ,so I am just going to follow u Sir. when I can I appreciate al of your entries.......

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  7. The start of a beautiful friendship? Here's hoping. xx

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  8. He sounds like someone you would like to know better. Hope you can meet up after Barcelona. It's so good to have that to look forward to!

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    1. Who knows, he may be a rightnknob
      And may feel I am
      We shall see

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  9. Nice indeed but am I the only one who finds it creepy that a random encountered person turns up at one’s place of work?

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    1. We talked about the hospice as he used to Live on west shore

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    2. Anonymous7:48 am

      Or rather enterprising as he clearly wanted to contact you after an online meeting. So no, not creepy.

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  10. I hope he turns out to be a good friend.

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  11. Sounds promising ;o)

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  12. He sounds lovely. A nice catch up and getting to know you waiting for you on your return from Barcelona. Sharon x

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    1. I’m off to London after Spain !thenvwork
      I hope he’s not in a rush

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  13. Wow - I'm quite excited for you John - Hope you find or it has a symbolic hole - and blue is so unique for an Arran x 🌻

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    1. It was frayed at the neck

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    2. So may be a truly genuine kindly gentleman x

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  14. He understands old jumpers - sounds good.

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  15. The joy of just letting things happen.

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  16. Yorkshire Liz9:52 am

    The jumper does it for me! And the connection he felt with you over the ether which was strong enough to bring him bravely to the door of the hospice to make a connection. This smcks of warmth and perception. Nothing like a bolt out of the blue!

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  17. Anonymous10:16 am

    Just go with the flo, you never know, it could be the start of something wonderful! GG

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    1. Or not, but it doesn’t matter GG . I WAS ONL6 TALKING TO JANE and Colin the other day and said to both this is the year I’m not going to say no to stuff

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  18. Anonymous10:48 am

    I'm so looking forward to your Barcelona trip and now there is a coffee morning to anticipate too! Your stories are a public service.

    Ceci

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  19. How fun to be noticed, and found.

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    Replies
    1. Yes, David, we have discussed before how easy it is for older gay men to feel completely invisible

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  20. Anonymous11:57 am

    You deserve happiness take it when ever and how ever it comes your way. Who knows where it may lead. A new friend or perhaps more.
    Irene.

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  21. How nice to have someone think you are interesting enough to reach out to you.

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    1. Exactly m and who made the effort to write an old fashioned letter and to post it

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  22. Let's hope he doesn't have a sub-machine gun tucked up under his blue aran sweater when you meet up for that coffee.

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    Replies
    1. I can’t be THAT unlucky , after all I have been thorough

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  23. Nice! You can talk more about creative writing.

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  24. Anonymous1:06 pm

    How lovely, and how exciting to be sought out. Jean in Winnipeg

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  25. Anonymous1:16 pm

    So you told a complete stranger your name and where you worked. Even worse you boasted about what you do and exactly where you work with total strangers and in doing so put vulnerable patients and colleagues and yourself at risk from a stranger/stalker.

    Our opinion Mr Gray is this is utterly selfish and irresponsible and sets a very bad example about online health and safety.

    By the way you can delete this reply now as we know you will worry about tarnishing your holier than thou image with your flock.

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    1. Anonymous1:21 pm

      Yawn 🥱

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    2. Anonymous1:30 pm

      This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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    3. Right, I wondered when this silliness would creep back in , I thought a dignified truce was the way forward, obviously not.
      Initially , in the group work .each group member shared their first name, where they were from and what they did for a living or “ an interesting note about themselves.
      In another breakout group this chap shared he was living on the coast not far from me and had just moved from west shore. (Where the hospice is located) I simply told him that I worked in the hospice there and knew the beach well
      We talked about The famous Parasella ice cream which is locally made
      The letter he dropped into a locked reception was marked personal to me
      He had no more contact with any of the staff patients or visitors as any other member of the general public.

      I am big enough and ugly to to meet someone with an obvious bright mind , intellect and humour in a public coffee shop of my choosing
      I know his name, ( which is more than I know of yours btw, and I suspect you are more unstable than any of the participants on that course I attended

      It strikes me you are bothered about anything about my own happiness , something you try to scupper everytime I write about anything positive.
      This is sad and I feel sorry for you

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    4. John,you really don't owe an explanation. People believe what they want to believe. Some choose to believe the best and others decide to believe the worst. What one chooses to believe reflects on them, not you.

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    5. Anonymous3:18 pm

      John
      I understand your explanation makes anon appear rightly foolish but it was unnecessary .
      She is foolish, foolish and dumb.
      As for the pubic toilet comment now deleted
      She is also homophobic.

      I think the note was charming
      Hugs

      Keith
      X

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    6. Linda and Keith
      I know I don’t, but she’s a troublemaker and clearly unable to be dignified and remain quiet.
      I felt I had to explain in clear words of one syllable, why it was all perfectly fine…
      Thank you both for your lovely words and your support
      Nice comments even if they don’t always agree are always welcome

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    7. Anonymous7:23 pm

      I was once asked out on a date by a note and flowers. Mixed red roses and a funny card, which ticked all of the boxes, impressed my family and friends but who,proved to be an asshole .

      Thought you would laugh your easy laugh at that one

      Keith
      X

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    8. Point taken my friend

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  26. Well, he's got good manners.

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    1. Anonymous8:26 pm

      Ps where is MAVIS WHEN WE NEED HER

      Keith

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    2. I miss Mavis x

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  27. Another chance to connect is always welcome. He sounds interesting. Arran jumpers are long lasting and always lovely; he likes quality...

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    1. He’s also a bit scruffy

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    2. Anonymous8:13 am

      A bit scruffy would ring alarm bells for me. If somebody can't make the effort to be tidy when in view of others then it's not likely they'll put much effort into a relationship Didn't your ex call you out for beng scruffy and not mking an effort? You admitted it on a blog post.

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  28. weaver2:20 pm

    I hope the encounter goes well John. I love meeting new people and hoping for a lasting friendship. Sometimes things work out well, sometimes not but one should always give it a try - good luck.

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    1. Well you can never have too many friends pat

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  29. Anonymous2:45 pm

    Sounds exciting John! Jackie

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  30. Wonderful! I'm glad you accepted his invitation for coffee.
    Wishing you a marvelous trip to Barcelona.

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    1. I know , how lucky am I ? Spain, dates, ??

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  31. Nice! Do report back! (I know you will! :) )

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  32. I have a good feeling about this, John.

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  33. Anonymous4:36 pm

    How civilized. I am grinning from ear to ear . It feels good.

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    1. I haven’t been officially asked out on a date like this for many years

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  34. Anonymous4:37 pm

    Pooh again ....Gemma's Person

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    1. Anonymous9:48 pm

      An exclamation , like poop. I prefer Winnie though, so I go with pooh.
      My comment above was without my name and I didn't mean it to be.

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  35. Anonymous5:31 pm

    Enjoy!
    Barbarax

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  36. That's the thing, isn't it? You just never know what or who is around the corner. And I loved your description about the smiles and the old jumper. I can see him in my mind's eye. Thank you for sharing this fun surprise.

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    1. I’m saying nothing more, suffice to say the personal old fashioned invitation was enough to be pleased

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  37. Yorkshire Liz6:41 pm

    This sad Anonymous who has the self inflicted misery to think it is calling you out clearly does not have the guts to stand up as itself and be counted. So does not merit your explanation of yourself and your motivation. None of it's business/
    For the assistance of those Going Gently friends who are flummoxed by the new system, it is quite simple.
    When you click on ENTER COMMENT the instruction will appear as COMMENT AS: Which produces a list - Google Account, Anonymous, and Name /URL.
    Click on NAME then enter your name on the line provided. Then look top right for the CONTINUE box. Click on that, and ENTER COMMENT will appear. Write on that line until you have had your say, then click on PUBLISH box. Abracadbra!
    So now the A******* Anonymous has no excuse for not doing it properly and giving John, and the rest of us, a name.
    Simple. The challenge/explanation is thus offered. So now either put your name to your insults or shut up. No-one takes notice of, or respects, a coward who blights this warm and generous blog with such sad bile.

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    1. And there ends the lesson xxx thanks Chuck x

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    2. Anonymous9:12 pm

      I hope you leave your comments as is as I don’t t have a google account. Just let him look like the idiot he is. Any time you need my name just ask. GG

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  38. Well damn, how nicely old fashioned and civilized, hope it turns out well. :)

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  39. Always nice to make new friendships.

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  40. Uh oh! Did the jumper have a hole in it?!!

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  41. Debbie in London9:12 pm

    Oh how nice to be sought out. You must have made a lovely impression John, and I’m not surprised about that x

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  42. Good for him for making a move! I too hope it goes nicely and at least you make a friend.

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  43. Traveller2:52 pm

    Bit late to the game here but that sounds exciting.I rather like the old fashioned approach.

    Have a wonderful time In Barcelona - as others have said watch out for pick pockets. Had a meeting there once (we were about 36 people). One person was pickpocketed the other was mugged - having said that he was mugged in the same area I had happily walked around in my own the evening before.

    It will be good practice for Rome. I avoided a swarm of children there because I saw them pick me out and come towards me.

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  44. Could be a bootay call as they say in sex and the city!

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I love all comments Except abusive ones from arseholes