Monday
Tim came about lunchtime and dropped me off at Summertown. Strolling back I passed what I thought was a pavement café with tables and chairs outside, and thought I'd have an idle half hour with a piece of cake and cup of tea. But I was told they didn't have a "licence"(??) for the likes of me (or words to that effect). With more than a little bewilderment I asked who DID sit there, and was told "people who smoked". Just when did smokers start to receive such favoured status? It's a shame my mother never lived to see this; as a smoker she always felt persecuted at non smoking signs.
Tim came about lunchtime and dropped me off at Summertown. Strolling back I passed what I thought was a pavement café with tables and chairs outside, and thought I'd have an idle half hour with a piece of cake and cup of tea. But I was told they didn't have a "licence"(??) for the likes of me (or words to that effect). With more than a little bewilderment I asked who DID sit there, and was told "people who smoked". Just when did smokers start to receive such favoured status? It's a shame my mother never lived to see this; as a smoker she always felt persecuted at non smoking signs.
I also passed a dentist and thought I'd make an appointment for a check up, but was told I needed to 'register' first, and was given a form to take away and fill in. Is it just me, or has life become more hard work while I've been away?
Tuesday
Today I went to the hairdressers and that was a nice surprise. I'd forgotten that English hairdressers bring you a cup of tea (or coffee) while your hair is drying. When I first went out to Shawnee I used to get quite hacked off at the fact that I could be in the hairdressers for hours and wouldn't be offered a drink. It has occurred to me that I need to look around for a cinema - as my regular readers know, I like going to movies, and I'm wondering if I need here to "smuggle" in my thermos, or if I can sit there in the auditorium openly drinking my tea. I wouldn't have minded buying tea or coffee at a concession stand, but they only sold cold drinks.
I have to say though that they don't serve refreshments at my bank here, that's a facility I got used to in Shawnee. I wonder if I can introduce the concept.
I thought I would take the bus back. I need to get used to jumping on and off buses, it was a bit tricky but it will be alright when I know which ones to take. I sat right at the front, near the driver, and was very astonished when a young mother boarded the bus, pushing a pushchair - and it wasn't a small one. There wasn't a step up to it, like buses used to have, she literally pushed the pushchair straight from the pavement on to the bus, then walked down to the back. I was very impressed at this sign of progress.
When I got back eldest grand daughter knocked up some pain de chocolat for afternoon tea. How wonderful is that.
Tuesday
Today I went to the hairdressers and that was a nice surprise. I'd forgotten that English hairdressers bring you a cup of tea (or coffee) while your hair is drying. When I first went out to Shawnee I used to get quite hacked off at the fact that I could be in the hairdressers for hours and wouldn't be offered a drink. It has occurred to me that I need to look around for a cinema - as my regular readers know, I like going to movies, and I'm wondering if I need here to "smuggle" in my thermos, or if I can sit there in the auditorium openly drinking my tea. I wouldn't have minded buying tea or coffee at a concession stand, but they only sold cold drinks.
I have to say though that they don't serve refreshments at my bank here, that's a facility I got used to in Shawnee. I wonder if I can introduce the concept.
I thought I would take the bus back. I need to get used to jumping on and off buses, it was a bit tricky but it will be alright when I know which ones to take. I sat right at the front, near the driver, and was very astonished when a young mother boarded the bus, pushing a pushchair - and it wasn't a small one. There wasn't a step up to it, like buses used to have, she literally pushed the pushchair straight from the pavement on to the bus, then walked down to the back. I was very impressed at this sign of progress.
When I got back eldest grand daughter knocked up some pain de chocolat for afternoon tea. How wonderful is that.
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