This video of a ninety year old Italian Nonna, excitingly opening her birthday gifts took me back to auntie Glad. Some years ago now I was visited by a fellow blogger Hippo, whose life was saved by his blog connections. Living in a real African backwater, he sustained a simple garden injury to his thigh when cutting a hedge.
The injury quickly went necrotic and septic and knowing my experience in the field he sent me a photo, I told him plainly that he would be dead in days if he didn’t refer himself to a specialist hospital, and so with the Great British reserve only known by ex servicemen , he wrapped the injury in cling film and drove a hundred miles to an airport which eventually took him to London.
Presenting himself to the ER he had hours of life left, but the wonders of the nhs saved his life and many weeks later he was sat in my front room, paying his respects amid bulldogs and terriers and Albert the cat.
We went to Auntie Glad’s for tea and scones and she met us warmly in her blue tabard which was dusted with scone flour.
Gladys was in her 90s and not quite understand who Hippo was she still afforded him a cheerful Welsh welcome .
I was amused that when we ate our scones and drank our tea she disappeared for a few minutes only reappearing in her best frock , a string of pearls and a splodge of bright red lipstick on her lips
Now that’s class
I remember this happening. Well done John for timely rescue. Does anyone know what/where Hippo is now?
ReplyDeleteAfter a sudden hiatus of contact ( email) and blog, he last blogged last year
DeleteSadly I took his lack of contact personally
You saved his life John. Nothing can change that. I think he led a very complicated life. Love Janx
DeleteI was pleased to be a part of his drama x
DeleteHow lucky for Hippo that he was able to consult you. I see from your reply above that you've lost contact with him. Such a shame.
ReplyDeleteWhat a class act auntie Glad was. The generation where you dressed up when you had guests. xx
The Nonna’s excitement over the pearls set my mind racing back to Gladys
DeleteRed lipstick ….get her !
ReplyDeleteLee
💋
DeleteI remember Hippo's dramatic trip to England to save his life and I remember being thrilled that he came to meet you (and Auntie Glad!) I hope he's doing ok. I wish he'd update his blog again.
ReplyDeleteI hadn't found your blog when this happened and my goodness! It's excellent long-distance doctor by you, John, and am glad Hippo followed your good instructions and lived to tell about it.
ReplyDeleteHow lovely that Auntie Glad made you and Hippo welcome and then dressed herself up - plus red lipstick - as befits a lady hosting guests. Wish she was still in hugging distance!
Hugs!
Hippo knew you would give him good advice.
ReplyDeleteYou are the best friend anyone could ask for.
As for Auntie Glad, she will always and forever be remembered as the grand matriarch of your village. Lovely woman.
the whole hippo thing messed with us all didn't it. it still confuses me and makes me sad. i miss you!
ReplyDeleteI wasn't one of your readers yet when the Hippo life-saving drama occurred, so I'm glad to hear of it now. Wow, what a story! And of course, any story about dear Auntie Glad is always great!
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