Carol reports at the end of day one of Dementia Diaries Gathering at Woodbrooke and a Chamomile Tea!

Hello, it’s Carol here. This diary is about my trip from Canterbury West Station up to Ashford International with Tracey. The journey was good with no hiccups on the way and we arrived in Ashford as planned. We vacated the train and made our way to the platform which I said I had previously used for the same journey, 1B. I popped off to the toilet and on my return Tracey pointed out that we need to move promptly to Platform 5 where the train we require is arriving as we speak. We had a walk up a flight of stairs, across the floor and down a flight of stairs; each with our heavy, bulky cases, and at speed. We made it just in time. Well done Tracey for spotting this! I would not have and would have stayed on 1B and wondered where my train was. Due to our late arrival we failed to meet up with Chris and the train was packed, and I mean packed. There was one seat available which I used. Poor Tracey had to stand, with a stick, and nobody volunteered a seat. It always amazes me these days, the ignorance of the younger generation who do not feel the need to offer a seat to a person using a stick. Maybe I am wrong to raise this but it’s something I feel quite strong about. I am always considerate of others. We duly arrived in St Pancras and met up with Chris and made our way to Euston Station where we met Lorraine and Wayne. We had lunch before making our way to our platform to catch our train to Birmingham. We were all in high spirits and had a jolly good laugh during the 2 hour journey. Other passengers in our carriage were also laughing with us. We were quite loud I suppose when I think about it. By the time we reached Birmingham [inaudible] Street we were all tired and waning a little. The lovely Rachel met us with her usual smile and affection and joined us in a taxi to the hotel. We are staying in the Quaker Hotel and I was not quite sure what to expect. If I’m honest I was thinking strange people and in the strangest clothing, walking around somber and in prayer. I was so wrong. We were met by such friendly staff, all as normal as us, and very helpful. My room was lovely, small and comfortable and cosy; the shower/toilet room a little of a squeeze but manageable. We socialised with other diners as they arrived and met our transcribers and supporters. We had dinner back in the gardens with our beverages and had good banter, lots of laughing out loud and some hilarious mind-reading from Teresa. Some jokes and rude comments about exercise at 7am. Not so many takers there. So a walk with gentle movement is on the agenda. Our group are all such lovely friendly people and everyone gets on extremely well. Well, I am tucked up in bed so I will leave it here. I will keep posting as I have more to report. It’s been a fun but tiring day so I hope to have a good night’s sleep. I even had a Chamomile Tea before bed. That’s a first! Thank you. Night-night.