Helen_Highwater
05-18-2017, 04:49 PM
Well just got back from spending 3 nights, 2 and a bit days as Helen. This goes on a bit.....
My holiday home this time was on a caravan (trailer) park. Anyone who's stayed on one of these knows you're in close proximity to your neighbours and in truth I found this really difficult to cope with. In hindsight I suppose it's because if you're spotted coming and going then you sort of become the goldfish in the bowl. Opening the door to the caravan and stepping out was one of the most nerve racking things I've done.
Once out and in the car and away fine but taking that step out was not easy. You try to rationalise it. Never going to see these people again, you've been out loads of times so what's the problem? In the end it's a deep breath and JDI.
Anyway, first night set off out a little later than planned looking to get something to eat. Drove to a seaside town called LLandudno about 15 miles away and parked intending to take a brief stroll along the sea front. Before setting off I quickly glanced at the stuff I'd been handed when I arrived. "The park gates close at 10:00 PM. If returning after that time please park in the late arrivals area". WT*, 10:00! It's now gone 9 and I haven't eaten. Quick drive to Mac's, pick up a drive through and go hell for leather back to the park just beating the curfew. Normally it wouldn't be an issue but I had plans for the next day and I didn't want to either waste time retrieving the car in drab or walk through the park enfemme.
So next morning drove to Llandudno, parked in the station car park, bought a ticket from a polite and professional assistant and boarded the train to the old walled town of Chester. Pleasant journey of about an 50 minutes, ticket collector polite and courteous, arrived and headed out of the station to catch the shuttle bus into the town centre. There were about 6-8 people boarding a waiting bus and I asked one of them if this was indeed the shuttle and he replied in a friendly manor, "I hope so that's where we want to go". A pound for the short hop and then off for a wonder around.
I wanted to recheck my foundation so located the Boots and went to the No7 counter. I was served by a young (18-20ish) male who invited me to sit on the stool, asked if it was OK to wipe of a little of my makeup and used the little gizmo to do the test. Turned out it was the same so he offered to repair the damage and asked if there was anything else I needed. I asked about highlighting under the eyes and he fetched the appropriate one for my foundation, showed me how to best apply it and would I like to buy it. "Yes please". "Well if you buy something else the other item is half price". "Eyebrow pencil if you have one", which of course they did.
Well as we made the sale we chatted showing me that he wore mascara to work. A few more pleasantries and then I went off hunting for some better makeup brushes to replace my cheap old ones. I also bought some false eyelashes. Bought cheap ones before and had limited success so thought I'd give better ones a go. Didn't get time to experiment while away though.
I'd vowed not to just browse shops for the sake of it and was on the lookout for a short cardigan to wear over sleeveless dresses and tops and I also wanted a small coin purse to keep my parking change in. No joy in M&S but they did have a blue necklace that would go with the dress I planned to wear the following evening but decided to keep looking. TK-max should be good for the purse, er no. Decided to go and have a look at the cathedral, the outside at least. It's funny the way they built a bank onto the side of the Cathedral but it was probably used for a different purpose when built. Needed a small battery and as I was passing an independent electrical shop decided to pop in. Addressed in the female gender by the owner while we chatted for those few moments before leaving thinking it was now time to eat. Started looking for somewhere to eat and in doing so came across a leather wear goods shop. Purse I thoughtand yes the owner again helpful, using the fem gender terms showed me a few nice little purses before I settled on one, paid and thanked him for his help. Found a nice little bistro a few doors away and enjoyed Serrano ham starter with fresh made bread, then a Ceasar salad with anchovies all wash down with a light Chardonnay. And yet again those serving me were polite and engaging. Used the ladies before paying and heading back towards the town centre. Passed a couple of police officers who didn't bat an eye.
Into the kitchen wear shop to look for a replacement for a broken storage jar. Wait for it.... yep the SA was polite and helpful, showing me several options and checking air tightness, dish washer proof, this one's reduced. Treated me like any other customer.
Back outside and this is for music fans of a certain age. Chester has a cohort of street good performers and as I walked towards where they perform I over heard "Purple electric violin"; "He's there now". To many this won't mean much but back in the early nineties a chap called Ed Alleyne Johnson released as CD called "Purple Electric Violin Concerto" which had quite a bit of success. No, it can't be him. Well as soon as I heard him tuning up I knew it was. So there's a spare seat on a bench nearby so I say and was treated to some, dare I say, virtuoso playing. Oh boy was I taken back to the day when. Passed a good while listening to him play before dropping a few coins into the hat and carrying on with the day.
One last thing I wanted and that was a new but cheap watch so headed down the street to find the Argos store. You'll never guess, another polite and helpful SA. Would you believe it! £9 for a ladies expandable bracelet watch. Just the ticket.
Walking back to catch the bus back to the station I passed Roman. Always worth a look especially when there's a sale on. Nearly found the cardigan I wanted but just not quiet right. The SA asked if there's anything she could help me with, and the asked where I got my jewelry from and how she liked the colour for my nails. I know flattery when I hear it but I'll take it all day!
Also passed M&S so decided to get the necklace but noticed one I liked even more so bought that.
So, bus to the station. Seeking help from the platform staff re which platform, again the use of the fem gender.
Sat opposite me on the train was a GG with a suitcase so I asked if she'd been anywhere nice, "On holiday for a week but nowhere warm, just south Wales". So we chatted about favorite holiday destinations before she got to her stop.
When I got back to LLandudno I thought I'd find a Chinese restaurant for my evening meal. Drove around but couldn't find one, resorted to Google maps which took me to a non existent restaurant so I decided to find the supermarket, buy a Chinese microwave takeaway meal, go back to the caravan and watch a film. So glass of wine in hand I settled down to watch, what else, The Danish Girl.
So for those of you worried about going out. PEOPLE ARE NICE!!
That's enough for now.
My holiday home this time was on a caravan (trailer) park. Anyone who's stayed on one of these knows you're in close proximity to your neighbours and in truth I found this really difficult to cope with. In hindsight I suppose it's because if you're spotted coming and going then you sort of become the goldfish in the bowl. Opening the door to the caravan and stepping out was one of the most nerve racking things I've done.
Once out and in the car and away fine but taking that step out was not easy. You try to rationalise it. Never going to see these people again, you've been out loads of times so what's the problem? In the end it's a deep breath and JDI.
Anyway, first night set off out a little later than planned looking to get something to eat. Drove to a seaside town called LLandudno about 15 miles away and parked intending to take a brief stroll along the sea front. Before setting off I quickly glanced at the stuff I'd been handed when I arrived. "The park gates close at 10:00 PM. If returning after that time please park in the late arrivals area". WT*, 10:00! It's now gone 9 and I haven't eaten. Quick drive to Mac's, pick up a drive through and go hell for leather back to the park just beating the curfew. Normally it wouldn't be an issue but I had plans for the next day and I didn't want to either waste time retrieving the car in drab or walk through the park enfemme.
So next morning drove to Llandudno, parked in the station car park, bought a ticket from a polite and professional assistant and boarded the train to the old walled town of Chester. Pleasant journey of about an 50 minutes, ticket collector polite and courteous, arrived and headed out of the station to catch the shuttle bus into the town centre. There were about 6-8 people boarding a waiting bus and I asked one of them if this was indeed the shuttle and he replied in a friendly manor, "I hope so that's where we want to go". A pound for the short hop and then off for a wonder around.
I wanted to recheck my foundation so located the Boots and went to the No7 counter. I was served by a young (18-20ish) male who invited me to sit on the stool, asked if it was OK to wipe of a little of my makeup and used the little gizmo to do the test. Turned out it was the same so he offered to repair the damage and asked if there was anything else I needed. I asked about highlighting under the eyes and he fetched the appropriate one for my foundation, showed me how to best apply it and would I like to buy it. "Yes please". "Well if you buy something else the other item is half price". "Eyebrow pencil if you have one", which of course they did.
Well as we made the sale we chatted showing me that he wore mascara to work. A few more pleasantries and then I went off hunting for some better makeup brushes to replace my cheap old ones. I also bought some false eyelashes. Bought cheap ones before and had limited success so thought I'd give better ones a go. Didn't get time to experiment while away though.
I'd vowed not to just browse shops for the sake of it and was on the lookout for a short cardigan to wear over sleeveless dresses and tops and I also wanted a small coin purse to keep my parking change in. No joy in M&S but they did have a blue necklace that would go with the dress I planned to wear the following evening but decided to keep looking. TK-max should be good for the purse, er no. Decided to go and have a look at the cathedral, the outside at least. It's funny the way they built a bank onto the side of the Cathedral but it was probably used for a different purpose when built. Needed a small battery and as I was passing an independent electrical shop decided to pop in. Addressed in the female gender by the owner while we chatted for those few moments before leaving thinking it was now time to eat. Started looking for somewhere to eat and in doing so came across a leather wear goods shop. Purse I thoughtand yes the owner again helpful, using the fem gender terms showed me a few nice little purses before I settled on one, paid and thanked him for his help. Found a nice little bistro a few doors away and enjoyed Serrano ham starter with fresh made bread, then a Ceasar salad with anchovies all wash down with a light Chardonnay. And yet again those serving me were polite and engaging. Used the ladies before paying and heading back towards the town centre. Passed a couple of police officers who didn't bat an eye.
Into the kitchen wear shop to look for a replacement for a broken storage jar. Wait for it.... yep the SA was polite and helpful, showing me several options and checking air tightness, dish washer proof, this one's reduced. Treated me like any other customer.
Back outside and this is for music fans of a certain age. Chester has a cohort of street good performers and as I walked towards where they perform I over heard "Purple electric violin"; "He's there now". To many this won't mean much but back in the early nineties a chap called Ed Alleyne Johnson released as CD called "Purple Electric Violin Concerto" which had quite a bit of success. No, it can't be him. Well as soon as I heard him tuning up I knew it was. So there's a spare seat on a bench nearby so I say and was treated to some, dare I say, virtuoso playing. Oh boy was I taken back to the day when. Passed a good while listening to him play before dropping a few coins into the hat and carrying on with the day.
One last thing I wanted and that was a new but cheap watch so headed down the street to find the Argos store. You'll never guess, another polite and helpful SA. Would you believe it! £9 for a ladies expandable bracelet watch. Just the ticket.
Walking back to catch the bus back to the station I passed Roman. Always worth a look especially when there's a sale on. Nearly found the cardigan I wanted but just not quiet right. The SA asked if there's anything she could help me with, and the asked where I got my jewelry from and how she liked the colour for my nails. I know flattery when I hear it but I'll take it all day!
Also passed M&S so decided to get the necklace but noticed one I liked even more so bought that.
So, bus to the station. Seeking help from the platform staff re which platform, again the use of the fem gender.
Sat opposite me on the train was a GG with a suitcase so I asked if she'd been anywhere nice, "On holiday for a week but nowhere warm, just south Wales". So we chatted about favorite holiday destinations before she got to her stop.
When I got back to LLandudno I thought I'd find a Chinese restaurant for my evening meal. Drove around but couldn't find one, resorted to Google maps which took me to a non existent restaurant so I decided to find the supermarket, buy a Chinese microwave takeaway meal, go back to the caravan and watch a film. So glass of wine in hand I settled down to watch, what else, The Danish Girl.
So for those of you worried about going out. PEOPLE ARE NICE!!
That's enough for now.