A Coventry Kid's Tale

A ago year last October I went away suddenly on a short holiday. Someone texted me to find out where I was and I replied by e-mail and left them to guess where I was. If anybody is willing to indulge with me and guess where I was then here is most of the e-mail I sent. After a long and exhausting trip I arrived late at my accommodation. It was late and I was so tired I just collapsed onto my bed and fell asleep instantly. Which is unusual for me as I do not sleep well in a strange bed. On opening my eyes, the vista before me was outstanding. The sun was just rising, slowly appearing from out of the low lying mist which was hiding the landscape. As the sun rose higher in the clear blue sky the heat slowly dissipated the mist and a great plain of parched grassland appeared before me. In the distance was a forest which stretched from left to right, as far as the eye could see. Room service brought my breakfast but to be honest the view was more interesting. The mist rose up out of the forest but I spied smoke rising from the interior, I had never seen a forest fire before but this one was going quite well. No large animals about yet but birds are flying in the distance, vultures, eagles? No binoculars, must get some. The fire was now raging but nothing moved on the plains, no hippos, lions or elephants, just some natives with dogs and sticks going in and out of the few bushes, obviously looking for prey. Time goes fast and room service is back with dinner, which is eaten while still admiring the view. The heat of the sun is now intense, even with the air-conditioning you can feel the heat trying to penetrate through the glass. Dust devils are starting to rise up and dance across the plains but still no large animals. Out of the corner of your eye you catch glimpes of things moving, but so quick you cannot see what they are. The heat has now even beaten the natives for they have dissappeared as well. A few vehicles in the distance can be seen, probably a safari or two and it now looks as if someone is trying to put the fire out as it is no longer spreading through the trees. The day has gone by quick, didn't feel like going out anyway as I was still to tired. The evening meal was served, which went down well and so did the sun, very quick. The fire in the distance was now only a wisp of smoke so I thought I would have a wisp of smoke too and went for a stroll outside in the compound. I did not have to worry about being attacked by wild beasts as there were plenty of security men about. They were close enough to help me if in trouble but far enough away so as not to hinder me. Or to put it another way, they could run away first and leave me as bait. It was nice to see the star studded sky and with a gentle, cooling but warm sea breeze on my neck. After my "wisp of smoke" I retired back to my bed. Another day tomorrow, must get my binoculars. Where was I?

I can say one thing Mattash you were certainly not in this country!

Sounds like hospital but not local. Maybe the BUPA hospital on the coast somewehere? It reminds me of when a family member was in for an op in a hospital in Leamington, she said she watched the farmer on his tractor all day in the distant field. If it's not a hospital then it's a convalescence home for old folks, at the seaside. My grandpa went to a very nice one in Dawlish, some years ago.

Hi, I will let it run for a bit, anybody who knows me would guess. There are already clues in the writing and less of the "OLD", there's still life left in us yet, lol. I would be surprised if Rob cannot guess as he knows how I write.

Sounds like Heaven mattash - did you have a near death experience.

Was it the Land of Nod?

Your writing style never fails to make me smile Mattash! It sounds a bit like it could be South Africa to me.... do you play the role of "Du Plessis" in the series Wild at Heart by any chance???

Because it was a short holiday, I think he may have been at Longleat or somewhere similar.

Good morning all, Elaine comes top of the shop followed by Mayjan for the near death experience. Lol, I like that. I was in the Medical Assessment Unit, Coventry University Hospital. The window overlooked the fields (plains) leading over to Coombe woods (forest). The vehicles were on the A46 (safaris). Afraid the natives were dog walkers beating the stinging nettles down with their walking sticks. The security men were just that but having a quick ciggie at midnight. The wind came across from the Atlantic but it was warm, albeit 200 miles away. The birds were rooks (the wife brought the bins in for me). It's the way I look at life, better than moaning. Oh, if you make friends with room service they offer you seconds, sometimes thirds, I always seem to put weight on in hospital. Philip would love it. Do not like hospitals but owe my life to them a few times over, so I will never knock the NHS. The staff have always been good to me even the ambulance paramedics came back later to see if I had made it, thumbs up to them all.

Nice one Mattash, and there was me thinking you was somewhere warm and exotic and it turns out you were right on our doorstep, thumbs up to the NHS.

Anybody who buys my book, all royalties go to the Friends of St Cross who buy all the things the hospital cannot afford. "A Coventry Kids Tale". Thought I would get a plug in.

Echo your sentiments about hospital care ! PS I ordered a copy of your book immediately after the last breakfast meeting, there was supposedly one in stock but it has never materialised

Hi Mattash, for those who don't know (like me!) where can your book be ordered?

Hi Tony. Either from the book reviews on here or from the link when I make a post. Just underneath here.

Order placed, thanks John.