I am trying to hold it together... I'm sitting in the lovely bar of our hotel - the Apex Waterloo..... Stranded
Turn back the clock just over 24 hours - I had struggled out of bed, rejiggered plans, had had a yummy but expensive breakfast and had found a hip and trendy wool shop where I could disappear to for a couple of hours on my own...
Off I scooted up the main road ..... Appreciating Regents Park and the regency buildings on my travels ..... Despite non existent drop curbs and mixed quality of roads and pavements I arrived at a little place of heaven "Ginger Twist Studio" and had a really happy half hour nattering about craft and just a spot of retail therapy.
Back on my wheels again.... Heading back within 5 minutes my scooter had stalled and refused to go.... Where had it chosen ... In the middle of the London road with two lanes of on coming traffic about to come behind me as the lights changed.......
So my body already not at its best switched into fight or flight mode and adrenalin kicked in, and my right hemiplegia body went into spasm.... Fortunately girl power appeared with a friendly young woman who helped me disengage the motor and freewheel then lift it back onto the pavement.
Waving her off, I tried to remain calm, and went into re - engage mode lifting out the battery and firmly putting it back in place - joy - the little green light no longer blinked and shone merrily at me.... On I got moved off round the corner and with a shudder it stalled again. This time I could feel the adrenalin still running through my veins leap - I got on my hands knees to get nearer to the battery compartment ( no easy feat) disengage scooter , battery in out firmly push into place, try again, green light flashing no joy, repeat, repeat, no joy. I give in.....
Telephone call to taxi company to rescue me, I am alone, unable to go anywhere in the middle of a pavement, in not the nicest of places and feeling unwell with a spasmed body, high anxiety levels and feeling very vulnerable. Desperately trying to keep hold of my dignity as in these circumstances part of my condition means I cannot easily regulate my emotions.
Then the hour of hell .... The first taxi promised in 10 minutes was cancelled after two phone and 40 minutes later - not to mention the young women who sat in the car in front of me running their engine for 20 minutes making phone calls until in desperation I knocked on their window and said their petrol fumes were turning me green ... Finally after an hour I was rescued - 5 minutes later I was back in the hotel £8 poorer and ordering a stiff drink as I hadn't dared have water as when I have to go I have to go....
I retired to bed, wired on adrenalin, really emotional, body in spasm and really angry with the world and my poor husband.
The day was effectively written off ....
I swapped my afternoon out with friends and my romantic dinner for a half hour massage ( another unplanned £45 ) to try and release my spasm. A glass of vino and fish and chips in the bar.
I didn't want to think about my scooter... My OH patiently cleaned the battery compartment and locked the battery back succeeding to get the green light....
It was with mixed feelings and trepidation I sat back on the scooter this morning but after a few blinks the green light glowed ... Off I set lift, stair lift out the front door and then stalled fortunately 5 metres from the front door, the process of disengaging etc started again - no joy.
With sinking heart my day in tatters I free wheeled it back into the front door at 9am this morning...
It's now 11.30am I've just had a cuppa and a sandwich... Having planned to have brekkie out and by the time we had sorted an alternative plan of action.We decided to go and get some breakfast we found they had stopped serving but would offer to a Continental for the princely sum of £16 ahead! so 50 minutes later, we were able to order a sandwich at the bar and my sugar levels have levelled out...
The TGA engineer has just telephoned to say he will be with us in an hour but does not carry parts!
An Edinburgh mobility hire shop is about to deliver a scooter which will need charging but will have me mobile again by 2pm and will get me at least to the tattoo tonight - - princely sum of £68 for 24hrs but does include deliver and collection .....
We now are considering posting the scooter home and having to get a taxi home from Kings Cross as tomorrow will have to rely on my legs...
I wanted an adventure on the train but I wasn't bargaining on this one.....
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