Storing beauty into one's mind

I was only joking about the knighthood. I really don't think Her Majesty would consider me as a potential knight. A few hundred years ago there was a knight called Sir Walter Tyrrell and he allegedly killed King William Rufus in the New Forest. I believe it was with a bow and arrow, but I'm sure it was just an accident. This story (which is true!) could possibly put her Majesty off the idea of knighting me. If she did decide to forget past history and the fact that my surname is also Tyrrell, she might still grant me this great honour. But I bet she would have the bows and arrows safely hidden away! Then again Her Majesty coming at me with a rather large sword would be pretty frightening for me; it could be pay back time! The last words I’d ever hear, could be "off with his head!"

There is a very pretty pub in the New Forest called The Sir Walter Tyrrell and its fairly near the Rufus Stone. I have been there twice and I can certainly recommend it.

If the weather is nice next week, I plan to start walking again. I shall do my normal routes, but not as fast as I did when training for the Marathon. Walking is my favourite hobby, there is a special reason why I like to be outside and walking free. It stems from when I first started to lose my sight, I knew that if I became totally blind I would become a prisoner in my own home and in my own head. I decided to get out as often as time and weather would allow. There is so much beauty outside, that is missed and not even seen by fully sighted people, mostly because we're all to busy working. I want to get as many images of the changing seasons in my mind as possible: the spring beauty of plants and trees turning green and then flowering, the ducks, swans, coots and geese swimming aimlessly up and down the river. The auburn beauty of a bright Autumn day, with wonderful colours and crisp leaves under your feet. Those birds in the sky, flying from tree to tree and the ever-changing sky itself. I want to store these images and feelings in my mind, then my mind will become my photo album, if the time comes when I cannot see at all and age creeps upon me, I will still have beauty decorating the inside of my head.

Sleep tight my fellow dreamers!

P.S. If any of the readers of my blog would like to come with me on a guided tour and see where I walk, that would be fine. I wouldn't want paying, but if you would like to donate to Sense, that would be fabulous. Especially for the children and adults who can't see the trees and hear the birds.

If a walk appeals to you! email me at: clive.tyrell@o2.co.uk

The way to Knighthood

Well, the 2009 Marathon is over now and in the past. Fortunately Larraine and I are still here; and so is the great charity called Sense! So, we still need your financial support, if you've got any money to spare. Search the back of your sofa, check the bottoms of your deepest pockets, look under the bed, go through the laundry basket, delve under the seats in your car, open the glove box, you know there's always some cash in the car ash tray, put your pets on a diet and send us the change, steal the kids pocket money, send the kids out washing windows and cleaning chimneys.

Honestly, Mrs Brown of Basildon Essex, there's no need to sell the kids - that's going to far! A small donation will do!

It seems our 15 minutes of fame has been stretched a bit, Larraine and I have been interviewed by Radio Jackie, Insight Radio and a local hospital radio station called Radio Wey, which you can listen to on the web. We've also featured in numerous local news papers and on a local talking newspaper for the blind. Yesterday a young man from the Sense charity rang us and asked if we would like to go to Westminster and meet Philip Hammond our local MP. We said yes of course. Could the Knighthood be just round the corner, or are these the fantasies of an ageing dreamer? I suppose I would have to dress up. I haven't worn a suit in years and I've only got one tie, and that's holding my trousers up right now!

We recently had a five-day break in Sidmouth Devon. We did a small amount of walking, but not too much. The hotel was lovely and the hotel gardens were fantastic. The garden would be great for children playing hide and seek. We were also very lucky with the weather, it was sunny every day. While we were there some people were showing a great interest in us, as they saw Larraine and I using our white canes. In chatting to these nice people, Larraine explained that she also has two digital hearing aids and how fantastic they are. I said to them, "Larraine's digital hearing aids are so technologically advanced that she can pop a CD in her mouth and it will play!" Larraine and I burst out laughing, but I'm sure some of them thought it was true.

This week I had a denervation operation on my lower spine, I've been suffering from lower back problems for some years now. I've a prolapsed disc and arthritis in my lower spine and it gets very painful, but hopefully this operation will ease the muscle inflammation and stop some of the pain. I'll be a new man if it works and running round like a teenager.

The community centre in Staines is having a little celebration in our honour next week, we both think that's really fabulous and we're looking forward to it. Although you might not think so, I am quite shy and reserved, especially if there are lots of people around me. I will probably hide behind Larraine and let her do all the talking. As I'm mentioning Larraine, can I tell you all that she is a true Wonderwoman and a constant inspiration to others. She has the heart and spirit of a lion and more wisdom than that owl in old Windsor.

So don't forget! Look for those pennies it doesn't matter how little, you know it makes Sense!