Big adventure...

Backblipped 22.05.21

Our last big social adventure out was when we visited friends Natalie and Jim to see their outdoor kitchen and sample pizzas from their newly built pizza oven.  We had cause to be visiting that way again yesterday (more of that later) so I contacted our other friends Alan and Gail (Jim and Natalie's neighbours.  Didn't contact Jim and Natalie as Natalie is down south visiting their younger daughter at Uni, and Jim had his second vaccine today and was feeling a bit rough) to see if they were around and free and if so, we could pop in for coffee.  

I was delighted when Gail responded to say they were free and invited us not just for coffee but for dinner too!  I was a bit embarrassed as had not intended her to go to any trouble, but Gail being one of the most organised people I know insisted, and was removing venison stew from the freezer for dinner as we chatted.  How could I refuse?  

And so just after 1.30pm we headed off for Edinburgh, well to Straiton Mains retail park just south of Edinburgh.  Due to road works and an accident the hour long journey took almost two hours, but we got there eventually.

The purpose of our journey was to visit a mobility aid store that specialises in mobility scooters (and other equipment).  Some of you may remember I hired a mobility scooter on holiday in Devon three years ago (and caused havoc in the Pandora jewellery store in Barnstable!!) that allowed me so much more freedom to move around than my own leg power could ever do.  I've been toying with the idea of buying a scooter ever since. 

In the intervening time my arthritis has worsened and my ability to be on my feet for any length of time without great pain, has reduced further.  There is no way I could wander round shops or visit a gallery these days.  So that, and the fact life has been on hold for over a year because of lockdowns convinced me it was time to get the finger out, get a scooter and start enjoying full access to places again.

And so we found ourselves at the store, chatting to a very helpful lady, who had identified a scooter that met our requirements (has to be able to be dismantled to go in the boot of the car)  I liked it and it was comfortable but had a couple of little niggles that could become big niggles.  She suggested another model that she could order in for me to see.  

Then she threw me a curve ball by asking if I had thought about a power chair instead of a scooter.  She brought one over and explained it was compact, lightweight (as these things go) and instead of coming apart into five different sections like a scooter, you pulled a lever and it collapsed, like a child's pushchair, to then be lifted straight into the car.  To reassemble it was just a cast of pulling the handle up and it all clicked into place.  Took seconds instead of the two or three minutes reassembling a scooter takes, a huge advantage when it's pouring rain!  

I sat in it and was amazed by how comfortable, quiet and compact it was compared to the scooter.  It was a bit of a revelation to be honest.  One of the downsides of a scooter is I would be limited in where I could use it.  Smaller shops would necessitate me leaving it at the door, therefore restricting the time I could spend in the shop browsing.  Similarly I would have to leave it outside of cafes and restaurants, meaning I would need to have my elbow crutches with me at all times.  With the chair I wouldn't have these worries.  The chair also felt like an extension of me, whereas the scooter felt more like a vehicle.

There is another chair she also thought would also be suitable but again, would have to order it in to demonstrate it.  We left with brochures and information and agreed to contact her on Monday to let her know our thoughts.

We left there just after 4.00pm and after a quick stop at M&S to buy some flowers and wine to take to Alan and Gail, we arrived at theirs in Eskbank just before 4.30pm.

It was so lovely to see them!  We were their first dinner guests since restrictions lifted.  Gail was giddy!  lol!  We had a lovely evening with them and enjoyed our dinner very much.  It felt so special to be visiting again and impromptu get togethers are so good!  

Gail is over the moon about my forthcoming improved mobility and was excitedly making plans for shopping trips everywhere!  David is thinking this could be costly.  

In the blink of an eye it was 10.30pm and we said our thanks and goodbyes and with promises to get together again soon once they return from their holiday in Skye and we return from Kildary.  

Got home and opened the fridge to get water and was greeted by a glorious sight.  Alan and Ally had spent the afternoon making crispy cakes and chocolate, marshmallow and biscoff spread and crushed biscoff biscuits tray bake!  A wee treat for tomorrow :-)

*Glendevon was looking lush and moody as we passed today.  Apparently Wayne and Coleen Rooney have been staying at Gleneagles this week so they have seen the surroundings in all their dramatic glory.