Malibu and pineapple and blind travel tips

I’m sitting in one of our lovely pubs, in the centre of the city I live in.

Taking in the Spring Bank Holiday afternoon.

I have, for the first time in decades, ordered a malibu and pineapple drink.

Probably due to just coming back from Tenerife and having a few pina coladas there which have abit more to them, but taste similar. Maybe due to some nostalgia for a time that this would have been a rare treat when I was young and having first nights out with my friends.

Me and my friend Melanie would treat ourselves to a short drink when we got our wages. Hers was a pernod and blackcurrant drink. We were teens and we both wouldn’t have earned much I’m reckoning, but I remember feeling very good after buying my, one and only, malibu and pineapple of the night. A poor man’s Pina colada I call it. Which back then unless it was on offer, and lasted me most of the night, I couldn’t afford to drink regularly. Only on special occasions when we used to go to the nightclub here. It was called Rooftop Gardens. 2 for 1 cocktails first thing.

This has made me reflect, as it’s coming upto 10 years since I was diagnosed with Macular Dystrophy. I think back to those times (late 1980s) and I’m so very thankful for the memories and for the people around at that time.

I’m fortunate and lucky for this slow onset and I now see that person as not me really.

I can’t remember when my mind was so free and easy like that from not having to look at the floor. Escape from the glare. Squint at everything. Fall on the floor. Bang into stuff. Getting frustrated. Not trusting my eyes. Staring at the object to find it. Etc. Etc. Etc.

I’ve nearly finished my drink now and feel happy about my memories. You sometimes have to shove the good memories to the front of your brain, rather than the bad.

So thinking back to my recent holiday and having lovely memories from that too. I thought of something I did so I wouldn’t lose my suitcase or at least I could have a chance of spotting it out against all the others there.

Bit of an anticlimax after that though ☺️

I bought a bright neon yellow suitcase. Brightest bugger I could find.

Then stickered it up with friendly suns, just to make it stand out a little more.

When I went on holiday before. I always sort of panicked when they go around that whirly thing. Can’t think of a name #ThisDrinkIsStrong . Richard is here now I’ll ask him.

“Conveyor belt” bemused stare

I thought I wouldn’t catch it in time. Or have to run around after it, looking a right tit.

Also. I bought myself a neon yellow and white striped towel. So instead of potentially sitting with other people I don’t know. This was to give me a fighting chance to know where my friends were. As I reckoned I wouldn’t see them among the throng of sunbathers. But I maybe able to recognise the bright towel.

So that’s it really.

A bit of a rant and a handy tips.

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