Memories of Manderscheid

Memories of Manderscheid

2004 can it really be almost 18 years ago, since we were invited to the most magical, mediaeval marriage in Manderscheid?

Yes, it can - and since the computer has been restored to health, photographs from that time have become accessible again - and what happy memories they bring back!

 

The younger son of a dear friend of ours was getting married in a very romantic setting, in an old castle in Manderscheid. It dated from mediaeval times, and guests were asked to wear attire appropriate to the age; without a moment's hesitation, we accepted the invitation, and really entered into the spirit of the occasion!

I got my old sewing machine serviced, which I'd bought at the Co-op in Portsmouth, when Wendy was about 2 years old. I'd made a number of outfits on it, but for years it had languished unused and rather uncared for, so I made sure it was in perfect working order, and then I could set to work.

An elegant pattern was found, satiny material chosen and in due course set out on the lounge carpet, with the pattern pieces pinned to it; being extremely dexterous at wielding large (and heavy!) scissors, Bob did all the cutting. I made a full-scale dress in red for Wendy; an adapted outfit for Mum in mauve, and a full-scale dress for myself, in blue.

I was really delighted to learn my sewing skills hadn't deserted me. My Grandma used to hand sew so many pretty dresses for me; she could do smocking and she would embroider them for me as well. My Mum used to make all my ballet outfits and the floral head-dresses to go with them, so I had lots of good ideas to work with. The sewing machine was put to good use, stitching up the (very!) long seams, but I also did a lot of sewing by hand, especially when it came to attaching the trimmings. 

When I was 9, and at school in Port Shepstone (on the coast in South Africa, south of Durban), I was the best hemmer in the class; to this day, if I have to turn up a hem to shorten a dress or skirt (or trousers for Wendy, as I had to do recently), I still sew all hems by hand; you get such a beautiful finish, and my stitches can scarcely be seen. 

Mum was really thrilled to bits to be invited to the wedding, and when the day came for us to set off on the journey to Germany, she was packed and ready ahead of all of us! 

We travelled in Wendy's Vauxhall Corsa - it was not a very large car, and we had to put a roof rack on the top for the suitcases - and then off we went, in high spirits. Al was only 8, so he, Mum and I sat in the back; Wendy did all the driving, with Bob in the front seat, making the most of the extra leg room.

 Ready to go to the Wedding!

As Manderscheid Castle is set atop a mountain, I was also worried about accessibility, especially for Mum; steps to climb up to the different levels were roughly made, but in the event, Mum managed them magnificently! and what a wonderful experience the Wedding was, for everyone present. 

The weather was beautiful, and the bride and groom made their vows under a blue sky with brilliant sunshine. The guests looked magnificent in their outfits - Bob and Al were dressed as Knights of the Realm, and Mum, Wendy and I enjoyed moving in the stately way demanded by our long gowns.

 Couldn't decide which picture to choose - so I've kept both of them!

Red balloons floating in the air, against a clear blue sky

After the ceremony, we all enjoyed a Wedding Feast - the logistics of bringing everything that was needed to a venue like Manderscheid Castle must have taken a great deal of organising! but it all went without a hitch - it was only the happy couple who got "hitched!"

Enjoying the Wedding Breakfast

Looking back to 18 years ago, it also makes me so happy to know how thrilled Mum was, to be included in all the celebrations; she was so keen to be part of everything, she coped magnificently, and enjoyed it all so much. She was nearly 85 years old at the time of the Wedding, and it just shows we should never think of anyone being incapable of joining in what was such a wonderful experience; how privileged we all were, to have been able to share in such a happy and memorable day. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I Have My Computer Back!

 I Have My Computer Back!

It feels as though I have been sans computer for a very long time!

Months ago it became obvious all was not well with this computer - it got slower and slower, and packed up a few times, and made its displeasure felt in a myriad of ways. Finally, it was necessary to do something about it, and a wonderful techie expert took it away to install a new hard drive with a greater amount of memory. I think it now has a tera byte (it has now become obvious just how little I know about the inner workings of computers!) and it is a great relief to have it back, up and running. 

I am also delighted to be able to write my blog once again. I've missed it! There is something about maintaining the discipline of writing a regular update on what interests me, what I've been doing, or just generally going on about what I feel about the state of the world, although in that respect, we could soon end up in some despair. 

Nevertheless, I keep hopeful and positive, and plan to carry on for as long as I can.

Being without a computer has certainly confirmed one opinion I have: we must always remember these machines are meant to be a tool, and used by us, and they should not become our masters. 

I have kept in touch with people by phone, and writing letters - I've always done that anyway, and it's quite amazing how good these old-fashioned methods of communication are; it's nice to have proper missives delivered by the postman, and plopping on the mat. 

I think it's important to remember we shouldn't become too dependent on modern technology; there is an awful lot that can go wrong with it, and leave us disappointed and frustrated!

I once wrote a poem about Valentine's Day, and how nice it is, to receive a proper card. I think I have probably recorded the verse here before, but I hope it will bear repeating again! So here it is: 

A Valentine Verse 

 

We may all be ultra-modern

With mobiles, voice and text;

But with all of these devices,

We can be sorely vexed.

 

We need a touch of mystery

And of one thing I am sure:

Nothing beats the gentle plop

Of post, landing on the floor.

 

I'm waiting for that special card,

Picked with love and care,

From that one darling other,

Whose life I want to share.

 

So, to the Royal Mail, this plea

Is made with all my heart:

On St. Valentine's, can you please

Play your major part?

 

It might be called "snail mail" by some

But for romance, it's best:

You cannot tuck an e-mail

Up close against your chest!

 

 Alexandra Wilde

 

 

 

 

I Have Become Brave!

I Have Become Brave!

Back in the day, when we lived in East Africa, it seemed to me, as a child, there were very many regular visits to the Medical Officer of Health's office, where we would be inoculated against smallpox, yellow fever, typhoid, para typhoid - I remember we did not have to have cholera, as that particular delight was reserved for people living in West Africa - and the number of times we had to attend filled me with dread.

My fear was not eased when on one occasion, standing about third in line for my inoculation - there wasn't a privacy, everyone just queued up - I watched a great strapping chap in front of me, rolling up his sleeve and standing "arms akimbo," baring his arm in readiness for the inoculation. He was having what was called a "cholera cocktail" - I think a combination of at least two, or possibly three, vaccines - and as it was administered, he fainted! This was not conducive to inducing a feeling of confidence in those of us who were left still facing our moment of truth.

I don't recall having any particularly bad after-effects, but I absolutely loathed the actual moment of being injected with the serum. In those days, disposable, one-use needles were not around; needles were sterilised in autoclaves, and then reused. Of course, patients weren't injected one after the other with the same needle - everyone had a freshly sterilised one - but I have no idea how many times they were used before being deemed too blunt to keep. Unless you were lucky to be one of the first few people being injected, things got more painful. 

I also hated the idea of blood tests - I rarely had one of those, but on one occasion when I did, I certainly didn't believe the Doctor who tried to convince me there was nothing to it. He told me his daughter simply loved having her blood taken, and would actually hold out her arm and ask, "Can I have another blood test, Daddy?" 

"Oh, yes," I remember thinking, "and what scientific subject is she most interested in?!"

So it went on like this for me, for years. I would submit to it all when I had to, but always attending with trepidation! 

In Dar-es-Salaam, we also took a regular dose of Daraprim to protect us against malaria. I remember it well, because I thought the name perhaps had something to do with Dar-es-Salaam itself! As a child, I had a very small dose. The pills were tiny, but I think I took half a tablet, twice a week; it could have been even less than that. I know now, the modern drugs tourists can take before going on holiday to areas with malaria-carrying mosquitoes may have very serious side effects, which rather puts me off travelling to such countries in the future; back in the 1950s, we had no such qualms. 

We also used a DDT spray each evening, to kill off any stray "mozzies" that could be lurking in the rooms; all windows had mesh inserts that would be put in place in the late afternoon, and then the spray gun would come out. We would make sure the little tin reservoir was filled up with the liquid, and then go around in each room, squirting this "flit" to into every corner and finally into the air, before leaving the room. 

We knew it wasn't a good idea to breathe in the spray, but then many people (mostly ladies, who might have bare legs - it was too hot to wear stockings!) would turn the flit gun on themselves, and spray their bare skin with DDT. Not everyone realised this could be absorbed through the skin! but it was a common practice; maybe that was considered a safer bet than getting bitten by a malaria-carrying mosquito.

Everyone had a yellow record card, showing all the vaccinations/inoculations they had received; there was no question of refusing such a document as, along with your passport, it was giving you freedom to travel, and I don't think anyone felt resentful, or intimidated, by carrying it.

And so, my trypanophobia endured for many decades. I gritted my teeth when I had to face anything involving needles, until one day, many years after I had returned to live in England, I had a lovely GP who said, "Oh, there's a way of doing blood tests and inoculations, that means they don't hurt!"

He knew I loved cats, and as he took hold of my arm, he proceeded to tell me all about his cats - and his two dogs - and I became so engrossed in what he was saying, I hadn't realised he had actually done the deed; I truly hadn't felt a thing! Apart from the "distraction therapy," I think he was also really skilled in aiming and hitting the target at precisely the right angle; at all events, I began to think there just might come a time when I would not be sitting in the waiting room, in great trepidation, waiting for my name to be called.

And then ... I also discovered EMLA Cream. This is the same medication that dentists can rub on gums prior to giving injections to numb the nerves before fillings, etc., and it comes in a 5g tube you can buy over the counter at the chemist. This is terrific stuff! and especially useful  in recent times, when we have had to have so many vaccinations during the pandemic, and you have no idea how good the person administering the serum will be. Now it really does not matter! An hour or so before zero hour, I spread the cream over a goodly portion of my upper arm (giving plenty of options for the nurse to aim for), cover it with some cling film or a plastic food bag and I am ready to go. It is truly the most effective antidote against fear of needles I have ever come across; and I am very grateful to know about it.

Since being triple-vaccinated against the virus, I have also had the "ordinary" flu vaccine and, most recently, the vaccine against pneumonia. 

When I first heard about EMLA cream, I was reminded of the name of a sherry that was popular in the 1970s - EMVA Cream - but as I drink but very rarely, the EMVA Cream option was not going to be of much use to me; I might have had to drink a great deal of it to lose my fear and, as I would actually prefer to remain conscious, EMLA Cream is my go-to solution of choice. Wouldn't it have been wonderful, to have known about it 70+ years ago!

 

June Spink - A Lifetime of Volunteering

JUNE SPINK

Whenever you move into a new area, one of the first questions asked is: "I wonder what the neighbours will be like?"! I've always been pretty lucky, as most people with whom I've come into contact have been friendly and kind, with nearly everyone willing to help one another, whenever the need arises. 

We have been especially fortunate in this area; one of our lovely neighbours is a lady called June Spink, one of the kindest and most delightful people it's ever been our privilege to meet. When Mum was still with us, if ever she was in a grumpy mood, June would call us and say, "I'll pop over - your Mum won't be like that with me!" and it was true - within a few minutes of June walking into her room, Mum's mood lifted and improved. 

June has a real gift for making things better, and we are so grateful to have her as a dear friend and neighbour. I have been inspired to write this accolade about June, and hope her story will also delight and cheer everyone who reads it:

JUNE SPINK - A LIFETIME OF VOLUNTEERING

 June Spink is a very inspirational lady, who has spent a lifetime of volunteering and raising funds for the Red Cross – and she has no intention of giving up!

It all began in 1969: June’s children were growing up and she felt she “needed to do something” – she didn’t want to be left behind, and wanted to achieve something more in her life. This inspired her to start her volunteering work with the Red Cross – work which also came in useful when she ran a play group that catered for children aged 2 ½ to 5 years old. June ran the play group for 25 years, and the parents and other staff were very reassured to have someone in charge with so much knowledge in first aid, nursing and counselling.

June was trained by the Red Cross, who arranged for representatives from the professions to teach the volunteers: doctors, nurse tutors and counsellors all gave lectures.

Later on, with the help and support of her husband Ron, every weekend would find June on theatre duties in the West End, ready to help in case anyone in the audience, or in the cast, might be taken ill during the performance. Some of the theatres she worked at included the London Palladium, the Dominion, the Royal Festival Hall and the Queen Elizabeth Hall – and there were many more, including her local theatre, The Queens, in Romford. June loved this aspect of her work.

Although she put a lot in to the volunteering work, June said also got a lot out of it in return – it was great going behind the scenes and having the opportunity to meet many of the famous stars appearing on stage at that time.

One of the highlights of volunteering for the Red Cross was when over the years June was invited to not just one, but two, Royal Garden Parties at Buckingham Palace; hosted by Prince Charles, they were both memorable occasions.

The first occasion, in 2008, was slightly dampened by pouring rain, but June remembered how kind and sympathetic the Prince of Wales was when the afternoon was marred by the dreadful weather; but the second time June was invited to Buckingham Palace, on 15 June 2014, everything was perfect for all the guests. 

June was accompanied by her good friend Lynda Lloyd; in the photograph taken at the time of their visit, they are proudly wearing their Red Cross Long Service Medals, and both June and Lynda are continuing with their invaluable work for the charity.

Working as a volunteer with the Red Cross has permeated June’s life. Her work has included going to schools to demonstrate first aid techniques and life-saving procedures, and neighbours also knew they could always call in and ask for help in removing splinters or checking for a foreign body in someone’s eye.

June is now more focussed on fairs and fundraising; with her two friends, Marlene and Lynda, she is looking forward to organising more events in Havering,  when the restrictions imposed by the pandemic allow them to take place again.

She has recently been given a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Red Cross,  for 50 Years’ service; its arrival was a little bit delayed because of the pandemic, but June is now the proud recipient of this prestigious award.

Clare Conroy,  British Red Cross Senior Community Fundraiser for London, was full of praise for June, and the work she has carried out so steadfastly for the Charity.

She said, “It’s amazing that June has been volunteering with us for over 50 years. The funds she has raised over the years, along with her local fundraising group, have helped us to make a real difference to the lives of people in crisis. 

June is a real inspiration, and we are so grateful for her ongoing support and commitment to our cause. She  is a true humanitarian.”

Because it is now so rare for volunteers to achieve 50 years’ service, the Red Cross has lowered the time scale for the longest-serving volunteer certificates to 40 years – which  makes June’s award even more remarkable.

June always says she has had a very interesting life, but of course this is also down to the fact she is so positive, wise and kind, and willing to help other people. She will be celebrating her 88^th birthday in June, and with her young at heart approach, she is a real inspiration to everyone she meets. She is such a remarkable lady, and a shining example of true English spirit and enthusiasm!

 June with her Lifetime Achievement Award

June and her friend, Lynda Lloyd, at Buckingham Palace, 15 June 2014

Christmas Celebrations

Christmas Celebrations

So where has the past month gone?! The days, weeks and the month since I posted a piece on my blog back in November - about our visit to Chartwell, followed by a short item on 4 December, about migrating violas, blossoming in a flower basket hanger in which they had not been planted - have flown so fast, but it has been a very happy time, culminating in a joyful festive season.

It's also been lovely to record our interesting visit to the Draper's Hall in November, and then of course I had a further delay caused by problems with uploading photographs - I just hope that doesn't happen again!

So here I am, back on track at last. Thinking again of our Christmas celebrations, I felt really pleased this year, in that I had been so well organised, and so early! I had bought a fresh tablecloth, and had it all laid on in good time, with crackers and Christmas serviettes; a lighted candle completed the festive show.

Al was working - he always volunteers to work over Christmas and New Year, so that colleagues with children have the chance to spend some time with their families; I'm sure that when he has children of his own, people will do the same for him - at least, I do hope so! - and he was able to phone us during a break from work, so at least we had that precious contact with him.

We are quite traditional - Wendy bought a fresh turkey for us, which I roasted with all the trimmings - I am assured my roast potatoes are truly first class, soft yet crispy…(I shall have to go off now, and cook some more!)... Yorkshire puddings, and a variety of veg. Wendy is very partial to Brussels sprouts, but not the usual frozen ones, or even the fresh sprouts that come loose in a bag; she buys Brussels sprout "trees," and I just cut off however many are needed, before boiling them up in lightly salted water. They certainly taste totally different to the others! We had carrots and peas, sage  and onion stuffing, and gravy; it all came together in good time, and we really tucked in. This was followed by a slice of Tunis cake, and Wendy had also brought along a delicious chocolate log; we were well supplied with treats!

We also made a few phone calls on Christmas Day, to dear friends who live abroad - in Europe, and even further afield - making sure we were ringing at an appropriate time, remembering which countries are in time zones quite far ahead of us! Happily, I don't think anyone was woken up at 2.00 in the morning, "their time," and it was so good to be able to "touch base" with them, to hear their voices, and wish them a Happy Christmas.

We never forget the true meaning of Christmas, and how delighted we were when we opened all the presents we had been given, some of which were beautifully handmade. We were delighted with everything we received; what a treat it is, and what a blessing, to know we have such wonderfully kind, loving and thoughtful people around us; and that got me thinking, about ephemera.

People make such an effort to please us, and wrap everything up so carefully, with thoughtfully written messages attached, and it never seems right to me, just to tear off the wrappings and throw everything in the rubbish bin. I know many people enjoy making scrap books as a hobby, and I have done this for years, preserving these happy thoughts and messages for other folk to read at some point in the future.

With this idea in mind, I was inspired to write a Christmas poem this year; it's called:

EPHEMERA

I love ephemera. I collect

Things other folk throw away. I select

Sparkling paper from presents, tinsel-wrapped,

And gifts tags, with loving messages: if these are scrapped

Then the moment’s forgotten and joy’s just a shade

As life swiftly flies, and our memories fade.

 

Without ephemera, where will historians find

Primary source material, from an old humankind?

Will they investigate in electronic cyberspace?

They’ll find it harder, to find clues left behind.

In my scrapbooks, letters still quietly exist

With postage stamps, cancelled, securely affixed

On hand-written envelopes, precisely inscribed,

With tender love notes, nestling inside.

 

Under layers of dust, in some basement or attic

Treasures remain, as a spider runs frantic

For cover. Turn over the pages; re-live times long gone

Of friends and of lovers; prove what they have done.

Historians will read, and sense their quintessence;

Feeling their presence, from the ephemera of presents.

Alexandra Wilde

December 2021

 Christmas Day 2021

Why There Was Such A Gap Between Posts!

Why There Was Such A Gap Between Posts! 

So, there I was, merrily tapping away on the computer, writing my latest ideas for something people might find interesting to read on my blog; the piece was about our visit on 1 November to Drapers Hall in London, and everything was going well. I also had several photographs to insert to illustrate the article, and after several editorial checks and re-writes, I was ready to add the pictures, before clicking on the "publish" button.

I have been writing my blog for a few years now, and I reckoned I had got the routine for adding photographs to my text, down to a fine art: click on the "insert image" button, ask to "upload" it from the computer, "choose files," and then press "select;" and, hey presto, as if by magic, the picture appears wherever you placed the cursor on the page.

The computer had other ideas. I went through the routine correctly, and it appeared to upload the photographs, but then, when I wanted to copy and paste everything into a word document - so that I could print a hard copy to proof-read, with both pictures and text - it produced only the text, with great gaps where the pictures should have been. 

Clearly, this was most unsatisfactory - I am not comfortable reading articles straight off the screen - and a way had to be found to allow me to have a full draft of my blog, complete with photos.

Up until a few days ago, I had been using my old tried and trusted (trusted? well... maybe not!) web browser, but the emphasis was on the fact that it was indeed, very old. After much head scratching and searching for a solution (not by me!), one was found by transferring my blog to another, more modern, web browser.

 Happily, there are not many differences in the way it works, and I have just had to learn where my blog is "sitting" - in the bookmark section - and it now seems to be fully operational once more, which is why on 10 January, I was at last able to post my article about the Drapers Hall visit.

This is the trouble with computers, though. They get old and then they become obsolete, pack up working, and very often need "mending with a new one" - at a great deal of expense, plus the aggravation of having to learn the intricacies of a new system and new layout - when all I need is a "QWERTY" keyboard and being able to print out what I've written.

I must admit the facility of being able to "cut and paste" text from one part of an article to another is very useful, and if I change my mind about the juxtaposition of one paragraph with another, saves me having to type the whole thing all over again; but most of the fancy tricks available just pass me by, and I just want to use it like a glorified typewriter - without having to think about getting replacement black and red typewriter ribbons. Does anyone remember those, now? Or the little white plastic strips you could use to correct a typo?  Happy days. Simple days! 

I am presently writing about Christmas and our happy festive celebrations, which will be next up in the "Wisdom of Mum" saga. Mum may not be with us in a physical presence, but we think of her - and my Grandma, and Uncle John - so much, and we all feel my blog is still influenced by them, and all the other lovely people who have a positive influence on our lives. 

 

We Have Lunch In The Draper's Hall

We Have Lunch In The Drapers Hall 

Drapers Hall is not open to the public, but tours can be arranged in advance, and we were lucky enough to be able to join a small group on 1st. November, and to enjoy lunch afterwards. 

We are learning so much from these wonderful events; knowing how we are surrounded by our history, which is still relevant today, and having a knowledgeable guide walk through the magnificent rooms with us, explaining the background as we went, really made it come alive. 

The Guild of Drapers is one of 12 Livery Companies in the City of London; it is the third one the list, preceded only by the Mercers Company and the Grocers Company; others include the Fishmonger's Company,  the Goldsmith's Company, the Haberdashers Company, the Salter's Company and the Ironmonger's Company. What an amazing heritage we enjoy!

The art work in the hall is very interesting, too - I was particularly taken with this bronze of a man being bitten by a lion. I first saw it, "face on," as it were, and found the agonised expression on the man's face really startling in its intensity; but then, walking past the sculpture and viewing it from the rear, as it were, I could appreciate why he was so obviously in agony, with the savagery of the lion's attack.  

The bronze sculpture of man with lion...

...And the rear view explains the poor chap's pained expression!

There are many framed Royal Warrants hanging on the walls, each of them beautifully illuminated; one of them also includes a mention of King Edward VIII, for although he was King for less than a year, and never crowned, he is still mentioned in one of the Royal Warrants. 

My Mum would have enjoyed all of this visit, too; she loved chandeliers, and there were some magnificent examples hanging in the hall, and two either side of the fireplace: 

The picture above shows these chandeliers as viewed through a window from the corresponding hall on the other side of the courtyard. I think it gives a clear perspective of the size and elegance of the lighting!

The peaceful courtyard

 

Two aspects of the ceiling - the first with natural light, the second illuminated - and motto running around the hall:

 1866  UNTO GOD ONLY BE HONOUR AND GLORY  1910

This stained-glass window in the corridor contains the coats of arms of 

Prince William of Orange; Prince Carl of Denmark; HRH Prince Albert; HRH the Princess Elizabeth

After the tour, we had lunch of roast chicken, lemon tart and coffee (tea was made for Wendy and me) and petit fours, and I was really impressed with the way dietary requests had been complied with. Because it's impossible to ascertain before any function if the food will be as plain as I personally would like it to be, I never worry if it will really suit me on the day; if it doesn't, when I get home, I can soon rustle up something I do like! But on this occasion, it was so pleasing to have a decent lunch, with good company. 

My opposite number at the table was a lovely lady and we discovered we shared so many similar interests and experiences - including knowing the words to old songs from the Music Halls (my Grandma taught me so many, from all the shows she went to, as a girl) and well-loved stage musicals. We ended up  singing (quite softly!) "Oh, oh, Antonio, he's gone away... Left me on my own-io, all on my own-io..." - and how well I remember Grandma and me, belting out that particular ditty at full blast!  

I wish the lady from this lovely afternoon and I had thought to exchange contact details; we didn't, but we both agreed it had been a most delightful occasion. Perhaps we shall meet again at another event.

Because we were still wary of travelling by public transport, we decided to book a taxi to take us in to London; after the lunch ended, the driver also picked us up at 2.30, to drive us back home again. 

What a lovely time was had by us all!