We left off last time reflecting on the trip so far as we settled into our 5 hour high-speed run down from Paris to the Mediterranean port of Toulon. So far, aside from a slight panic in Paris, things were going smoothly. The SNCF train we were on was spacious and comfortable although being on …
Last year my wife of 17 years and I celebrated our anniversary by going out for dinner with the kids at Hard Rock Cafe in Piccadilly Circus. This isn’t our usual choice for a romantic anniversary meal but there was a special reason for being in London on a warm August evening. We were due …
As I sit here on a Sunday morning on the eve of my 44th birthday, I can’t help but smile. As usual, I’ve been woken up by the telly blasting through our bedroom floor as William watches some random rubbish on YouTube. We normally turn the TV down before bed, but forgot last night as …
Continue reading Musings from a blind man: the power of perspective
Original post from January 2024 I decided to do a little experiment today as Chester and I took a solo trip to visit my eldest at university in Kingston. It’s quite a straightforward trip on South Western Railway from Reading with just a single change at Twickenham. So what’s the experiment? Turn Up And Go …
There is a common misconception that a Guide Dog is simply delivered to an owner like an Amazon delivery, and the next day you are ready to step out the door and go about your life as normal. Reality couldn’t be further from the truth as it takes significant time and commitment for this highly-trained …
Continue reading Chester the Sunburst Saviour: 1 year qualified
This week Chester and I celebrate another huge milestone – one year since we started on class. No matter how much they prepared me, I honestly didn’t realise how much goes into training with a new guide dog. Once the initial matching process is complete and you get that life-changing phone call, there are a …
Every year as Pride comes to a close on 30 June another, equally important, series of events take over the reins from 1 July – Disability Pride. Much like Pride, Disability Pride is a month-long celebration of the disabled community, some of the amazing advocates and their tireless work, and a means to continue to …
Welcome folks to the latest musings of a blind man. This week’s edition is all about the impact of keeping up a brave face when deep inside you’re having a tough time! Last week was a mixture of highs and lows which, with this week being Mental Health Awareness Week seems appropriate to highlight to …
Continue reading Musings from a Blind Man: The impact of our actions
There’s nothing like a warm Saturday afternoon to take advantage of sitting outside (albeit wearing a thick hoodie to combat the chill) with some music in the background and a large joint of pork smoking on the grill. Slowly cooking a side of meat takes a lot of time and patience and it is the …
Close your eyes and pick up your phone then try to do something simple like open your messages and very quickly you will come a cropper as you stab aimlessly on the screen and, if you do actually find the app you want, you probably won’t know because there won’t be any audible cues. Now, …
Blind Man with a Backpack 