I’m longing for summer
Dust on the main road, and every widow wide open
This is an old post from a summer a decade ago
A sunny day and the " Marian " lane seemed almost black with mayflies this morning. Everyone seems out in the sunshine. Fan of The Walking Dead pensione John escorted Auntie Glad to the town bus still holding his mug of tea and policeman Ian could be seen chatting to Basil the farmer at the top of High Street, they both waved. I thought I'd spied Trendy Carol driving by, wearing something interesting in chiffon but I couldn't be sure. The sun was too bright on the main road.
Mary and I had just reached The Crown ( for those that don't know, The Crown in the village pub) when, far in the distance we spied a strange figure emerging from the heat haze on the road.
The vision looked almost ethereal
It reminded me of Omar Sharif on that camel scene in Lawrence Of Arabia
Slowly......details started to emerge from out of the mirage,
Until finally Gay Gordon on his invalid trolley trundled magnificently into view
" Hello Flower" he bellowed " Nice day for a drive!" Obviously oblivious of the string of usually fast moving traffic wanting to pass....
" You'll kill yourself on that thing" I called out after the final lorry had rumbled by
And Gordon bellowed out a lusty laugh....." My legs needed an airing" pointing at his corned beef shins.........bugger knows just where he had been!
Mary bounced up into his lap,she as most dogs seem to like this strange loud village character and Gordon was thrilled to find out her name as his " lady friend" with whom he shares his life is also called Mary. Big Mary, as you may remember looks like a large cheerful scatter cushion with half the stuffing removed.!
A delivery van wizzed by, inches from Gordon's oversized shopping basket, but he didn't seem to notice and I said my goodbyes. " see you soon!" I called
"TALLY HO!" He sang out as the invalid trolley shot off into the village!
There is something almost valiant about Gordon I always think!
He died shortly after I posted this story
Always have fun when we can, we never know when the fun will stop.
ReplyDeleteGordan was a wonderful character! There are several much missed names in this story. Gone but not forgotten.
ReplyDeleteHope you're well now.
Hugs!
What a lovely post to repeat, full of fun, fresh air and the scent and silliness of summer. Gordon had the right idea about getting old. As Clint Eastwood - still working hard and still making movies at 95 - says: "Don't let the old man in."
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely recollection. I love the imagery of Gordon emerging like Omar Sharif on a camel. It also reminded me, on a dreary, damp overcast January afternoon, that Summer isn't too far away!
ReplyDeleteHope the lurgy is retreating swiftly, and you're feeling more chipper! xx