Happy Saturday! Today's post is the first of many which will feature my beloved Hampstead Heath - the 7-mile stretch of (mostly) untamed parkland we are lucky enough to have just across the road. Over the last two-and-a-bit weeks, thanks to a combination of my new chair and this gorgeous weather we've had, I've been able to spend a lot of time there - usually, like today, with the dogs in tow. Mum and I took them for a ramble this morning, which is when the inspiration for this post occurred.
I was zooming down the first part of what eventually becomes Parliament Hill (so named following Guido Fawkes et al.'s Gunpowder Plot, because you could and can spot Westminster Palace from the top). Now, when I say 'zooming', I really mean zooming, because I can do it again. Carefully, of course, and respecting those around me - but relishing the feeling of the sun on my back, the wind in my hair, and the possibility of picking up some rather impressive speed. Aside from making sure that I wasn't disturbing any of my fellow Heath-goers, and checking on my dear dogs (who I'll introduce properly soon, because they deserve a post of their own), I was pretty much in my own world.
Imagine my surprise, then, at being lifted out of this reverie by the gentle 'Hey' of a smiley (and attractive) Australian guy about my age who, when he caught my eye, followed his greeting with 'nice ride!'. I must admit I didn't know how to respond, so I just giggled and drove on, probably blushing furiously. I was caught off guard - not so much because he spoke to me as by the originality of his comment. Most people, however fast I'm going, shout 'don't get a speeding ticket!' and cackle away at the brilliance of their quip. (Except it isn't brilliant - if I had a pound [or even a penny!] for every time that particular line has been brought out, I'd be well on the way to paying off my student loan! Alas.) So to have someone not only say something different but for it to be positive, nay, approving...was, well, novel. And nice. More than that, though, his phrasing accounted for the importance of my chair whilst also acknowledging that we are separate entities. I don't live in it, I 'ride' in it - and apparently look rather good whilst doing so. That meant a lot - and was a huge boost to my self-esteem!
So, thanks, whoever you were - maybe in future I'll be more confident haha...
Imagine my surprise, then, at being lifted out of this reverie by the gentle 'Hey' of a smiley (and attractive) Australian guy about my age who, when he caught my eye, followed his greeting with 'nice ride!'. I must admit I didn't know how to respond, so I just giggled and drove on, probably blushing furiously. I was caught off guard - not so much because he spoke to me as by the originality of his comment. Most people, however fast I'm going, shout 'don't get a speeding ticket!' and cackle away at the brilliance of their quip. (Except it isn't brilliant - if I had a pound [or even a penny!] for every time that particular line has been brought out, I'd be well on the way to paying off my student loan! Alas.) So to have someone not only say something different but for it to be positive, nay, approving...was, well, novel. And nice. More than that, though, his phrasing accounted for the importance of my chair whilst also acknowledging that we are separate entities. I don't live in it, I 'ride' in it - and apparently look rather good whilst doing so. That meant a lot - and was a huge boost to my self-esteem!
So, thanks, whoever you were - maybe in future I'll be more confident haha...
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