WHO KNEW...

...that penguins needed or even wore sunglasses?  Well, we didn’t until we went to our favourite Opticians and Hearing Specialists, Leightons, this morning.

Mr. HCB had an appointment with Adam to have a hearing check, so as I had a box of biscuits for them, because we like them so much, I decided to go in with him.  We always get a very warm welcome and today was no exception.  I think that Lauren, one of the receptionists, knew that I would be looking around for a Blip - and there it was, right in front of me - a penguin wearing sunglasses.  Thinking about it, when  you watch people skiing, they often wear sunglasses because there can be a lot of glare from snow, particularly if it’s sunny too.  Not that it was sunny today, in fact, it was rather dull and dismal again, weather-wise that is, but it certainly wasn’t gloomy inside Leightons.  It’s almost like going to visit family!  

We met three new members of staff, Andy, Hannah and Laura and of course, Wendy, who tries to keep the others under control, was also there - but we all kept our requisite two metres apart!  I’m not sure though, what happened when Mr. HCB went into his appointment with Adam, because I stayed outside the room - but I guess he had to be quite close to look inside his ears!

I did ask permission to take this shot and Lauren was happy.  We then pondered a name for the penguin and after some suggestions from Lauren and Wendy, quite silly, I thought and worthy of Silly Saturday, I said I thought we should call him “Leighton” and there were nods of approval all round.  Of course, there is always the possibility that Leighton could be related to our very own Penny Penguin - now wouldn’t that be a turn-up for the books? 

We were sorry not to see Kate, the Manager, who we understand was away on holiday - apparently, she had a BIG birthday last week - so we said we would pop in and see her sometime in the New Year - and in fact, Mr. HCB has to go back in early January to have some earwax removed, so hopefully, Kate will be there then and we can see how she looks now she has reached the grand old age of 40.  I know she often reads my Blips, so if you are reading this, Kate, Happy Birthday - and don’t believe the words of the song that say “Nobody loves a Fairy When She’s Forty” because we still love you!

When we think of last week’s “Strictly Come Dancing” Final, and having watched again the wonderful dance by the winners, Rose Ayling-Ellis and Giovanni Pernice - particularly the few moments of silence in the middle of the dance - we are so grateful for all the care and attention that Mr. HCB receives from Leightons for his hearing loss, which is not like being deaf - but his hearing aids make such a difference to his life.  It makes a huge difference to mine too, especially when he is watching sport on the television, because he can hear it “straight into” his ears, after Adam sorted out some issues for him sometime ago, so that I don’t have to listen to it.  

It’s interesting to note that The British Sign Language (BSL) Courses website say they have seen a 2,844% increase in signups for their free trial training programmes the day after Rose and Giovanni’s latest appearance on Saturday.

The runners-up were John Whaite and Johannes Radebe, and afterwards, John said:

"I’m so proud to have been part of such a diverse, groundbreaking series of Strictly Come Dancing.  What started life as an entertainment show has this year provided solace for so many outcasts.  Whoever you may be, I pray you always have the heart to be kind, to be understanding and to love. It really is as simple as that."