Author: carolanneyeomanson

As you know my son and I love to go to the races and have got shares in a lot of horses, so yesterday we went to Brighton Race Track to see one of our horses run. Believe me, this was the first and last time. We got there and went into the Car Park. We were directed in and just about managed to get out of the car without taking the car next door’s door with me when I got out, we were parked so close. We meet our Owner, and went in and found out where we were supposed to go. Now usually the Owners Suites are lovely, well this one came with an enormous – well more than enormous great shock.

Usually syndicates sit together. No – apparately you just go into what looked like a poor mans cafe and sit anywhere you like!!! So there were almost 18 in our syndicate which wasn’t much used when there were only tables of six. So after a slight exchange of words were went to sit ‘outside’ in the cold weather while the overspill went ‘somewhere’.

Now usually you get a nice view of the Race Track as Owners. We had a view of – what looked like a Factory wall and our seats were wooden benches. It was perishing cold out there. Next came our food. So we all queued up. It’s supposed to be extremely good. Well that was a matter of opinion. We were offered Beef Stew, Hake with Green Beans) or Pasta Now the problem here was they had run out of the beef. The Hake was stone cold, as was the Pasta. The pudding was lemon cheesecake or a chocolate slice. Onto the tea or coffee. The cups were so dirty that my son complained about them and we ended up with a can of coke.

This who meeting was sheer misery. The staff were unhelpful and rude and to be honest it was like sitting looking at a factory.

In the end my son and I left after we’d seen our horse run and then matters really took a turn for the worse. We got back to our car and we were pinned in so he went back to the Office and asked if they could bring the people parked next to us and get them to move their care to allow us to move out.

No! they said. Sorry we won’t. After the meeting the bar is open for one hour so you’ll have to wait until they come back. Like it or not.

We were absolutely furious. It was as though we were bring help hostage. Again after the racing was over, the Egan boys came to the car next to us. They’re both jockeys who had been racing that day. Yeah – they couldn’t get in their car either because the car the other side was too close.

Anyway being slim, they managed to get in but weren’t sure that they could get out either we were all so close. They very gently edged what felt like inch by inch this way and that and finally found a small gap but then they had to try to find a way to get out of the gate.

Once they had Jack, my son was able to twist and turn to get one.

One thing we both said that we’d never go back to Brighton again if that’s the way they treat their Owners. It’s easier and more comfortable to just stay at home and watch on t.v.

Some time ago my son and I entered a Charity Auction to spend time with the top Race Horse Trainers at the Studs. You could choose whichever Trainer you wanted to visit. It was a silent Auction. Jack and I chose Nicky Henderson because he had the horse we desperately wanted to see. Consistution Hill and Shishkin. Although all Nicky’s horses are wonderful. So this Auction ended at mighnight from what I remember and we were determined to stay up. It went up and up, and we decided to pay half each. In the end it actually ended at £300, when the last peson bidding against us finally gave up and we won. We were over the moon. We actually got a voucher and then we had to arrange a date with Nicky’s Secretrary. We decided that December wasn’t the best time, so waited and finally got to March, and then the worst thing happened. Cheltenham. He ran his horses so it had to be put off, so we made another date. Constitution Hill having already been ill.

But – his Secretary was fantastic and said – Look don’t worry. You will get here. If Nicky makes a promise. Nicky keeps a promise.

So three days ago. We set out for Nicky’s yard. We got there at silly O Clock in the morning. Parked Jack’s car, looked around and the stable staff were so lovely and said – over there. So we went over there – to be told – down there under that arch. So we went down there and under that arch, to be told why are you waiting under that arch? To be told why are you waiting under that arch. Come into the House for goodness sake and get warm. Tea is waiting. This was Nicky’s wife!

Come on – inside and get warm. What a lovely warm hearted lady Mrs. Henderson is. Warm tea and them came breakfast. Sausage, bacon and eggs and then toast alright? Alright? It was more than alright.

Nicky will be here she said, but he will be in a different world until he sorts out the runner. He has to make his Declarations before 10am. She explained. So we chat to Mrs. Nicky about her part of things. We had taken plenty of carrots, and little cake bites and other things for the stables lads and lasses. Now this was the bit we didn’t understand. You would have thought we’d taken a million dollare for the stable lads and lasses. We always do if we go somewhere. Apparantly people don’t don’t anything for them!

Anyway, we’re having our breakfast and in comes Nicky. Good Morning Nicky we both say. All we get is a grunt as he sits down next to me and picks up a piece of paper and starts looking at it with a pen. In comes one of the top Jockeys – blowed if I can remember his name.

Nicky – we have important visitors here with us – snaps his wife.

“What?” he snaps and starts to eat eggs, bacon and sausage with his fingers. Didn’t even look at us.

“Take no notice” said the Jockey. “Talk to me as well. He has to get this down and decide where he’s going to run them to give them the best place of winning and taking other the other Trainers Horses. Otherwise we’re done for.

“It’s OK” says Jack. “It’s watching a Master at work. Leave it alone. It’s brilliant”

Jack suddenly overhears a phone call with a man he know from Middleham Park talking about a horse he’s involved with. Jack makes some sort of comment about it and Nicky pricks up his ears and actually listens to Jack.

Anyway when it’s all done it’s time for us to start our Tour. Jack and I go in a Land Rover with Nicky’s wife. It was so muddy you would not believe at Seven Barrow. Jack gets out every time but Nicky advises that, with a back problem to stay inside and his wife Parks the Land Rover in such a way that I don’t miss a thing. and explained everything to me word for word.

Both Jack and I were speechless by the way that Nicky trains these horses for the the love that him and his staff have for them. The one horse that really impressed me was Marie’s Rock. She was alone going over some fence. Bit like the ones you see Show Jumpers go over.

Head held high – the perfect frame. It was a though she look back and us and you could read her mind.

I am Marie’s Rock. And? You are?

From there we went up on the gallops, watch the horses being worked. Then when Nicky had finished, he said It’s time for me to spend some time with these lovely people and before we knew it he had got into the Land Rover with us and we saw Nicky Henderson, the absolute Genius of a man. Driver? Yes well that’s another question. He drove down the side of his string of horse and chatter to each of his Jockeys about how each horse had acted then, he suddenly turned the Land Rover, opened both mine and Jack’s windows and said now we Gallop.

This was the moment when I thought I would die. String of horses I suppose were going to gallop. He put his foot down and just went. What an amazing experience to drive at the same speed as Race Horses. The power of those horses was something I never thought I would ever know. When it was finally over, I admit I had tears running down my face.

And he knew it!

We then went back to the house to pick up our things and say our goodbyes. Sadly we couldn’t see any of the Horses close up because Nicky has had so many problems with illness with his horses that only him, Sophie, his wife, and the jockeys and stable stable were allowed near them, but after the day they had given us, who were we to complain.

Thank you Nicky, and Sophie. Nicky Henderson, a true Gentleman and a lovely, lovely man.

I found this question today and it really did make me think. As you all know, I’m an Author. It was my dream and now it’s my heart and my soul, but this question has really made me think. So how about you all think and please feel free to let me know.

If you had been born one hundred years earlier – what would your Occupation have been?

Don’t worry about whether you would have been born rich or poor. Married or not. It’s your Occupation that we’re thinking about. I have thought about mine. I’m a Crafter as you know and I think I would probably have been a Dress Maker. I definitely wouldn’t have been anything like a Teacher. Would I have worked in a Mill? No – not unless I had to. I would have wanted to work alone. It’s certainly given me a lot to think about and it’s fun.

So please let me know if you do give it some thought. I’d love to know.

As you all know, my son and I love to Cruise, but believe it or not we get some raised eyebrows because we Cruise together. Why do you want to still Cruise with your Mum they say?? Are you still hanging on to your Baby Boy othr people have said?

Well no – sorry to those people. We go on Cruises together because we enjoy each other’s company. Sorry if people don’t like that, but that’s the truth and just to let those kind of people know, my son also goes on Solo Cruises by himself..

We’ve gone on somewhere in the range of 34 Cruises now. His first was when he was ten years old, but lets talk about the present. I’m 71 and Jack is 38. We normally Cruise Princess or Cunard, but our favourite line is Princess because we are at their Elite level, which means we get benefits like free Laundry and the Captains circle meeting every evening, but being a Cruiser I’m already diverting this to the benefits of Cruising instead of talking about the real reason I’m putting this up.

We share a twin bedroom cabin because it’s actually cheaper than two separate cabins. Do we care? Not in the slightest. I mean why would we? We take equal turn in making the morning tea. We sit on the balcony together. In our case what would we care? I have a slight back problem. I am not an invalid who needs a carer! I am not forgetful! The only slight problem I have is that I need a stick to walk with, and that can be difficult when it comes to carry food in the buffet. Stick – plate – reach for food from the buffet – making sure stick doesn’t tall over – try to walk through crowd without tipping plate over – so can you see where I’m coming from? So Jack helps me out with that.

Shore Excursions. Jack and I are not stuck together. We both look at them and we very rarely do a ships excursion because we find piling onto a coach, walking around with a Guide, steaming off at ninety miles an hours and then can’t keep up is definitely not for us. If Jack wants to do a Tour and I don’t, then he goes off on his own and I stay on the ship and either sit on the balcony, or I might sit in the International Cafe or find something else to do, and I’ve never yet been bored on a Princess Ship and with the wonder of the Medallion all he has to do is get me a message saying Back on board Mum.

Even when we’re both on board together we’re not always together. He might say Mum I’m going to the Bar, there’s a football match on, or he might go to watch a film or something else that’s happening around the ship.

This year we’ve already decided what we’re doing with our days. Not one of them have got a single Ship Tour. Two include Restaurants for lunch. One in Copenhagen and the Other in Norway. Two days together, and then three days apart. The rest, as yet unplanned, but for us, it works because it gives us something to talk about.

In the evenings, we always ask for a table for two. Mainly because we don’t like sharing. We’ve asked for Balcony Dining this year. First time ever so that’s something we’re looking forward to. We tend not to do the Quiz that happens daily, but we love to find a quiet place to sit and read.

Why do we chose to travel Princess? Many reasons. The main reason. As I’ve explained Jack and I love to travel together but alone. Princess accept that and respect that. We aren’t pressured into “Come and Join in – come in you know you want to”. I sit alone – quite happily writing my next book – and no one thinks I must have a problem.

So Jack and I are proof that a Mum and Son can travel together and be separate people as well.

Now I know you are going to look at this post and think who is Liam Leddy? Well Liam is a very good friend of mine, but more importantly Liam is an Indie Author. The most important word here being INDIE. Which means we are all Self Published, and don’t have Publishers and Companies behind us, but we work very hard and I still think there’s a lot

to be said for that old phrase Kick one of us and we all bleed.

Anyway, this is Liam’s page, so I’m going to talk about him – and by the way I do have his permission to do this!

In 2002 Liam’s GP suggested he take up a hobby. He had already studied English at St. Mungo’s Academy in Scotland and that led him to become a writer and with the aid of a pen and a piece of paper he produced his first short story. He then upgraded to a typewriter which he bought from a local market. He read constantly and purchased the Writers and Artists Year Book which led to a deeper understanding of what it means to be a Writer and how to accomplish that.

Liam does not believe that a person can be taught to write, but can improve their writing skills. All his books are written in ‘thick Glasweigan slang’ that he grew up with that definitely makes them unique.

He was first picked up by e book publisher Deunant Books who published Body Language, his first book.

He appeared in the Hamilton Advertiser and The Sunday Post as a local Author and on Local Thistle t.v. in Scotland.

Liam is also a Member of the Society of Authors and the Writers Guild.

Funding then became difficult – as it does for many Authors and Liam’s books are available in the Mitchell and South Lanarkshire Libraries.

Liam has published many books. So why not pop into your library if your’e in Scotland or search for the name Liam Leddy on-line?

And Liam? My final message on this page in my blog that you have allowed me to write? Whilst I think you are an amazing Writer, and I respect you for that. I know that I am very lucky to have you as a friend.

With the greatest respect and love x

As most of you know, I love to go horse Racing. My son and I are Members of Kempton Park and Sandown Park and we also belong to a Racing Club of Syndicate, call it what you will called the All Weather Racing Club, which means we get Owners Badges to go into the Owners Suite at Kempton, Sandown or Lingfield. Ours is a lovely little group run by our Syndicate Manager Kevin. We all sit at one table, and you can come and go as you please. Now, my gripe here, and it’s a major gripe, isn’t with Kempton, or Sandown, it’s with Lingfield Park, and believe me after yesterday it’s a major gripe if ever there was.

So we all go in, like all groups, we trickle in and we grab a table for the group, and settle down. You get you tea, or coffee. Lunch is normal, soup and a roll, a hot meal and a pudding. Go up and help yourself at whatever time you want, but it’s becoming so Dictatorial and we are all starting to get fed up with it. Plus – now – come on some of you Trainers – you might be Trainers – but get down to earth. My son and I know several. I walk in there a few days before. One Trainer I know quite well and I know Race Going public will know puts his arms around me, kisses my cheek and says Hello Carol, lovely to see you again,. Another we went to see says – Come in you too. Bet you could do with a cup of tea. Treats us like family. That room was full of Trainers. Please don’t treat people like something you’ve just trodden on. It’s not necessary when we’re all having lunch in the same room and eating the same food.

Anyway, my next grip and this is the big on. We all line up for lunch in a big line at Lingfield, just like school dinners. First you get your soup and a roll. Soup comes in a paper cup. I’m a Diabetic Type Two. So I take a roll. No soup. I move to the main course. Pork and Rice, with boiled potatoes, and three kinds if potatoes. Then you go back later for your pudding, which was some kind of African Cake and Custard, which being a Diabetic I couldn’t have and there was no alternative. Absolutely nothing so I missed out on that couse.

Now bearing in mind before your’e allowed any lunch you have to show a Voucher that you’ve been given. Yes, this is the ‘Ultra push Owners Suite” Even the Owners themselves and Trainers have to show their Voucher before they get any lunch!!!! Next thing I know I’m in trouble and being told that I took a roll and only the people who had the soup were allowed a roll! I had ‘illegally’ had a roll!

Now my gripe is why was there such a fuss of my taking a roll because at the end when we left there were dozes of rolls, and why can’t Lingfield Races Owners Suite maybe put something out like maybe a bowl of Fresh fruit in case they have Diabetics?

It’s not as though they will allow you to take your own food in with you anyway, because they won’t. Otherwise I wouldn’t be complaining now.

Anyway then my day got a million times worse. Because of a slight back problem, I usually stay inside and watch the race on one of their t.v.s. Most of the waiting staff in that room are much older. Along comes one of them to collect our glasses with an almost full tray of glasses, loses the tray, every glass smashed, and I was absolutely showered with broken glass. It was everywhere over me. What did they do> Nothing. He said – as both him and the tray wobbled some more? Are you alright? I don’t know – I said – picking broken glass off me and my clothes. He just picked up the glass he could see – walked off and I saw him and two others laughing about it up at the bar. By the time my Son came back from the Race he was watching with the Others I’d actually found some more broken glass in my clothes and laid it on the table.

I’d have thought that maybe the Manager of the Owners Suite might have come over to ask me if I was alright and what had actually happened but obviously I wasn’t that important. One thing I do know is if that had happened in Kempton Park Owners Suite or Sandown Park Owners Suite, they would have been over like a shot to see if I was alright.

And this is one I never thought I would hear but I did. I will keep the name of the Trainer to myself but my son knows who it was. It happened the time before this at Lingfield. I did take a piece of the pudding. It was a square of cake and some custard. I’m 71 and have a slight mobility problem. The Trainer was behind me. His words – I hope your’e going to leave some for other people? Is that what some Trainers are really like? When you see them giving Interviews on T.V? Or maybe this one was just the one that slipped through the net and was a pure arse-hole?

A gift from my son was a visit to the Hard Rock Cafe for lunch and then onto a show at The Crazy Coq in London. I’d never been to the Hard Rock Cafe before and it was one of the places I’d always wanted to go. It was amazing and that was an understatement, but it made me realise something and it hit me hard.

So we went by taxi. That was a story in itself. Our driver must have had a death wish. Nice enough man but every time he stopped at a set of traffic lights both Jack and I nearly shot over the top of hit and went through the windscreen. He got us there so early we hit a cafe for a cup of tea and coffee. Well I ended up with a cup of hot chocolate with orange flavour. Very nice with it was a fight to the death to get a seat but somehow we managed it. We then managed a short walk to the Hard Rock Cafe. What suddenly hit me was this wasn’t MY London any more. Even though we go there by taxi to things like Guild events – this wasn’t. Maybe it was the time of year? A singer who was charging something like £5 a time to hear him sing in the street. In my day they were buskers who sang for nothing. You couldn’t walk on the pavement for people. It was packed.

Anyway we got to the Hard Rock Cafe. You had to walk through their shop. Fair enough and we asked where the Cafe was. Over came a man and said you have to go up Three Flights of Stairs Sir. He took one look at me and saw I was using a Walking stick due to my back problem.

Wait Sir – the Lady won’t manage the stairs. Let me call you both the Lift. We have a lift for people who can’t manage the stairs.

Such kindness – but then it hit me and it hit hard. Suddenly I’m old and a lady who can’t manage the stairs any more and has to have a lift called for her. I felt totally humiliated.

The Hard Rock Cafe was absolutely brilliant. Except for the food. I’ve never seen so much food in my entire life. Both Jack and I had to give up after the main course. The Music was rock and you would expect but what I wasn’t expecting was that not only did I remember every song, I remembered what I was doing when every song was played! Some of it was very embarassing I can tell you!!! 

Plus they also take requests if there is a certain song that means something special to you from the past.

Anyway it was then onto the Crazy Coq. We’ve been there before. I’d say it was a bit like a seedy joint but a lot better? Once again though because there we stairs that I couldn’t manage, I had to be shown to a lift. Such a kind and lovely man ensured that I was comfortable though. We were shown to our table and found a lovely pot of smoked popcorn waiting for us and ordered a Cocktail and various people arrived and like everything there were a mix of people. There was the lady with the voice you could cut class with who had obviously had a few too many drinks before she arrived and was determined that everyone was going to listen to her and hand over their camera so she could take their picture. Then the show started which was one man who sang Christmas songs, and told a few jokes and got us all singings which was really enjoyable.

The journey back though was an absolute nightmare. We came out and were going to get a taxi home. Well that was the idea until Jack tried and found that he couldn’t get a signal on his phone and most taxi drivers don’t like coming South of the River Thames because they can’t pick up another Fare. Anyway after much trying, and panicking about how we were going to get home, we did finally make it back to the peace and safety of our own house.

All things considered it had been an absolutely brilliant day but it made me realise something very painful. My back is never going to be the same again. I’m almost 71 now. I’ve been given pain control by my GP. I have to use it and not pretend that I don’t need it. I have to use Disabled Toilets now because their facilities are easier for me to use. I have to accept that I can’t stand in queues. I have to try to find a seat and if I can’t find one I have to ask someone to find me something to sit on .

However, I also have to remember that things could be a lot worse for me. I could have something like cancer and I should always be grateful for that.

So who am I going to look to for my “Inspiration” and stop me from sliding into a pit of Depression that I can’t pull myself out of?

There can only be one person for me. The Amazing Dame Maggie Smith from Downton Abbey. When I am finally leaving this world – which I hope won’t be for many years yet – I intend saying her words – if I am able to speak my final words that is!

“Be quiet – I can’t hear myself die!”

Are you looking for another of my books that I haven’t talked about before. It’s called Speakeasy Days.

A quick easy read. Marylee is a young girl just starting school. Her Father is in prison for his role in the Speak Easies in America and she finds that the other children won’t accept her because of this. Except one – a young boy called Moyshee. Their friendship blossoms until the day that Moyshee disappears – or does he?

You can find Speakeasy Days on Amazon Kindle or Kobo. So why not give someone a Voucher for Christmas if your’e still looking for a Christmas gift – or buy it for yourself even?

As you know I’m fascinated by all books, so I thought I’d have a look at some Vintage Christmas Books.

1. An English Christmas by John Julius Norwich who was a Historian and Christmas Cracker Compiler.
2. Merry Hall by Beverly Nicholls.
3. Christmas Customs and Traditions by Clement A. Miles
4. .A Treasury of Old Fashioned Stories by Michele B. Slung
5. A Surprise for Christmas and Other Seasonal Mysteries.

Please note everyone, all these books are available to buy now. I found them on line simply by putting in the search bar Vintage Christmas books and they all came up Free Postage. And they’ve got one of those Buy Now buttons.

It was my love of books that made me look for them. Hopefully they might have given you some ideas for gifts as well.

It seems there is actually an update on my new shop and something I didn’t mention.

Looking further into things, I won’t be selling overseas after all. There is a returns and refund policy – but only if the buyer hasn’t used or damaged the goods in the first place – and I’ve chosen where I will be having my Stalls – which is all part of the new people I’m with.. This is something I’m really looking forward to. I’ve chosen London and Surrey.

Why am I getting over excited? Because years ago I used to make things like Teddy Bears and dress them. I used to make dolls and dress them. I could indulge my inner child, and there was nothing better than seeing the look on the child’s face than looking at one of my Teddies and saying “That one!”