Life at Crief Hydro part one

I'm so excited I'm going to Scotland to work with horses,well I do have to work in the hotel first, but then I can live my dream.My Mother is with me on the train to make sure I get there safely and see what the place his like. My Auntie and uncle got me the job has they live just seven miles away in Auchtararder, so they were near if I needed them. The job was at Crief Hydro in Perthshire, I was to work in reception giving out post and newspapers and helping the residents in any way they asked. afterwards I can go and help in the stables.
We arrived at Perth station and were in a taxi taking us to the Hydro, we entered a drive which was long and winding lined on both sides with tree's. We went to the front entrance, the doorman looked down his nose at us and sent us round the back. We met the housekeeper there who was very friendly and explained my duties to me . Then she showed us round, explaining that the Hydro was a kind of convalescence hotel for the upper classes.She showed us my bedroom which was right at the top of the house.It was quite frugal with a bed, a dressing table and a chair.Still it was mine.Then she took us to the Staff's rest room and introduced me to the staff there, then she got someone to take us to the stables. I met Moira who ran the stables she was really nice and showed me the horses, my Mum stayed outside, she didn't fancy horses and things.

Well my mother has gone to stay with my Uncle and auntie for the night before she gets the train back tomorrow. So now my life can really begin now I'm on my own.It feels a bit scary but exciting has well.I was sat in the staff's rest room, their were old leather chairs and settee's  round the sides of the room, the floor had a faded carpet that had seen better days. there were tables with chairs round them. Two men were playing cards and some girls were playing draughts an older man was reading the paper. a young woman called Glenda was sat with me she told me a bit about the place and said she was a waitress in the same area that i would be working so she would keep an eye out for me.It seemed their was a minibus to take residents to town and we were allowed to take a lift on it. Crief was about two miles away it was a very pretty small town
Next morning I started work at 7am I had a small desk with partitions behind me for the post and newspapers for me to hand out to the residents .But first i had to empty the ashtrays in the conservatory before the people came down for coffee which I was to serve them.
Later I went down to the stables and helped to muck out the horses stables, i had done this at home for free rides at the local stables .The horses were lovely, Moira said I could ride one in a few days. I think I'll be alright here.

Watch out for part two next week

9 20 to Southampton by Heather Benn

Jo and Alf were marching through the town of Morley in West Yorkshire'They had both joined up and were setting off to war, they had been to training camps but now this was the real thing They were on there way to Southampton to join a Troop ship, they didn't know where it was taking them but this was so exciting , everyone could see they were doing there duty and it felt good.
When they boarded the train it was already half full with soldiers, a whistle blew and they were on their way.They watched the town disappear they passed all the mill buildings looking really grimy in the weak sunlight. It was early March and still quite wintery their had been hail storms the day before but today was lovely and sunny but still a little chilly.

'Come on Jo we'll take a walk ,down the corridor'.
'Yes ok it may be quieter further down, but i doubt we'll find any seats its just so packed'.
They both shuffled past soldiers looking out of the , it was ess crowded has they went further down.They were looking in each carriage looking for seats when Alf stiffened
'Jo look at that soldier he looks really odd'.
'Yes he does lets look closer, its unusual for him to be on his own when the train is so crowded'.
They entered the carriage and Jo gasped
'He's dead looks like he's hung himself'.
Alf pulled the emergency cord and the train screeched and shuddered and finally came to a stop. they could hear the guard running down the corridor till he got to the.
'What you two up to pulling the cord thats only'---he suddenly saw the dead soldier, 'Oh blimey what's happened here,'
'We don't know  we just found him', said Alf.
'Alright don't touch anything I'll have to radio for help, said the guard.

What do you think  has happened to him', said Alf.
'I reckon he was frightened of fighting and ended it all'.                                                                                 'No I think someone did this to him, he looks like he's been thumped, look he's got a bruise over his eye, he didn't do that to himself', said Alf.

The Police surgeon was examining the body, 'well it looks like he's been given a beating, I'm afraid you've got a murder on your hands Inspector'.
'I was afraid of that ', said Inspector Davis. he looked to his Sergeant.'We've got work to do'
'Yes Sir,'
Start by taking statements off these two soldiers that found him'
Alf and Jo gave their statements and were told they would be contacted.
'But we're going to fight the war 'said Jo.
'Yes well  I'll have to contact your Commanding officer', replied the Inspector has long has we know where you are'.
The body had been removed and they were proceeding on their journey, the carriage had been locked so no one could remove any clues and the police were still on the train speaking to people.
They were hanging round the corridor when Alf noticed something on the floor sticking out of the door,
'Look Jo',
 they pulled it out of the crevice it was caught in,
'Its an identity card said Jo, had we better tell the Police'.
'Not likely said Alf, they treated us like criminals I think we can solve this ourselves they're a right couple of wallies they don't seem to know there is a war on'.
'Lets look see if we know whose it is', said Jo'
'No I've never seen him he's called Mortimer Liston, what sort of ponsy name is that', said Alf.
They both sniggered 'Lets see if we can see him'.
They walked down the corridor looking in all carriages when suddenly they came face to face with the soldier on the card, Alf tried to hide it behind his back but it was too late
'What have you got there soldier, I think it belongs to me, so hand it over or their will be trouble'.
Jo screamed out Police', then all hell broke out The soldier in the photo tried to get away but Alf grabbed hold of him and Joe tripped him up and he was sprawling on the floor when the Inspector arrived.
'What's going on here boys'
Alf waved the identity card in the air, we found this and then he tried to get it off us so we shouted for you'.
'Ah well done boys, it looks like we've found our killer,'
He got hold of the guilty soldier and said'You come with us you've got some explaining to do. you boys will have to make another statement I'm afraid'.
.Yes Sir, no problem said Jo and Alf nodded in agreement.
                                                                     


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

The Sea of Sand by Heather Benn

The sea of sand they called it, but it was really just a  dessert, the Sinai dessert in Egypt. I looked from the Jeep at the panoramic view. I walked over from the road to the shimmering sea in the half light, the clouds were menacing, it was eerie and the solitude got right inside of you.    

There was a single tree, they said to follow behind it to the dune beyond, and you will see the Bedouin camp.I measured my steps, I wanted to be sure of finding my way back, One,Two,Three.

Suddenly I sensed a movement to my left, a Camel came into view with a lone Nomad leading it. No doubt he'd come to guide me.

I had met an Arab at a camel fair in Alexandria, he said he had been trading with a Dutchman and had acquired this stone.It was a real beauty but it wouldn't feed the camels.

So here I was, they said come alone the Nomad beckoned me, and I went to meet him. Would I come back, you hear such stories but they are probably exaggerated. We  shook hands and he led me off into the dessert. I could feel the grit in my face a storm was blowing up I'd heard of storms in the dessert but I had never experienced one.The wind shrieked, the sand whipped up like a whirling Dervisher. I pulled my scarf up over my mouth. I kept my head down.  Then I was surrounded by camels and Nomads.

They led me to their tent, it was a relief to get out of the storm. They gave me some liquid, they said it was tea but it tasted dreadful.

I woke up, I didn't know where I was, my head felt muzzy and my mouth was full of grit. The sand swept over me, I looked around, I could see nothing and it felt like I was sinking down, down, down. A sea of sand they said.

Unconscious at Treliske Hospital

Steve's Father rang, that was unusual, he told me he'd had a telegram from Steve's commanding officer in the Royal Navy. Their had been an incident at the naval base where he was stationed. Someone had poisened him and he was unconscious in the Treliske Hospital, which was in Cornwall where he was stationed. His Father said he was unable to go has his new grand  daughter was having a heart operation

So I was on my way by train to Truro, I had got compassionate leave from the hospital where I worked. It was quite late when I got to Truro has it was a long journey from West Yorkshire, but I got a Taxi straight to the hospital.  I found out where he was and spoke to the Sister on duty, she said their was no change in his condition but she would get the Consultant to  see me in the morning.  

I sat with him and held his hand he had a drip up and a tube into his stomach.I spoke to him has I believed that it was possible unconscious people could respond to touch and sound, After a while the sister brought me a cupof tea which was very welcome, and asked where I would spend the night. Well I'll stay here with Steve.
'Yes but you would be better getting some rest, you've had a long journey and I'm sure you are very tired'.
'Well yes, but where could i go at this time of night'.
'We have a list of people willing to put people up when they are visiting the Hospital and i took the liberty of contacting one, has I knew you were coming a long distance, so I only need to give her a ring to confirm your booking'.
'Yes that would be very kind of you'.
So I went to this bed and breakfast  accommodation, the lady was very kind and gave me a warm supper.
The place was clean but basic, and I. was really thankful.
I knelt down by the bed and prayed that is really prayed desperately for the first time in my life. I promised to follow him all my life if he would just heal Steve.

The next morning I saw the consultant at the hospital they showed me to the sister's office, and Mr Gerald and the Sister was there. He explained hat they didn't expect Steve to gain consciousness and if by some chance he did he would have permanent brain damage, in fact he said he would just be like in a vegetable state.
It was silent in the office they were waiting for some response from me but I couldn't take it in. Then I started shaking and then the tears came and I just couldn't stop, the sister came and put her arm round me and I heard the consultant slip quietly away, I sensed what was going on but I couldn't respond.
Gradually the tears stopped,
'I'm sorry i said but it was such a shock, but he may be wrong it is possible isn't it'.
'Yes we will just have to wait and see won't we'.
I went into see him then and they brought me a drink. Later that day My Mum arrived she had travelled all that way to support me.It was nice to have someone to speak to

Next  morning I went in to see him and I couldn't believe my eyes he was sat up in bed and looked absolutely normal, he was in for another three weeks and made steady progress They said he might have        Liver and Kidney damage, but he never had any problems.I thanked the Doctors and Nurses but never said thank you to God who I'm sure did more than the doctors had done has they had given up on him. How ungrateful I was, but the day would come when I addressed that.

The Sea by heather Benn

                     
                                                               The Sea  

                           The gulls swept across the sky squawking,
                            like Seraphs announcing the dawn of a new day.
                            The sea below mirrored the gulls
                             The sun was rising with a red fanfare.

                             Dissolving the remaining shadows,
                             with its startling effervescence
                             The feathery waves rendered a musical symphony.
                             Awakening nature to its creation.

                           The tide ebbed and flowed throughout the day,
                            like a bird lighting on the tops of the waves,              
                            Flying and dipping, flying and dipping.
                            Has the bird so the waves with the same monotony.

                            Then on the horizon , a cloud approached
                            to end the peacefulness of the day.
                            It scudded across the bay, the sky was leaden,
                            snuffing out the light, then came the rain.

                            Lashing across the bay, where was the beauty now!
                            thunder rolled around like the beginning of war.
                            With its cracks like gunfire, and lightening
                            like the flashes of the guns.

                           Now the light has gone, another day over
                           the sea silvery under the darkening sky.
                           The gulls had gone to there nest
                            waiting for the dawn of another day.

                          The wind arose and whipped the waves
                           like creamy champagne, bubbling up.
                           And shooting skywards like the cork has been pulled
                           So the drama of the elements were being played out..