A guest post from Kate Ansell - THE LOVELY VOLUNTEER

A fortnight ago, partly by choice and partly through genetic circumstance, I found myself with three hospital appointments in three days.  By day three, I’d sort of had enough of healthcare environments  Fun tho it was to compare the waiting rooms and clientele with one another – Twitter seemed convinced the men eating sarnies in the gynaecology waiting area were all transgender; I was more certain they’d just bought a lunchtime butty from the stall around the corner and stumbled in by accident – by day three, it wasn’t funny anymore.  

It was therefore unfortunate that I got invited to another hospital appointment a week later – I’m just medically interesting.

Having been such a regular attendee, I thought I knew my way round St George’s Hospital, so blithely left my appointment letter and map at home, having entered what I thought were all the relevant details into my phone.  St George’s feels like it’s as big as two Hyde Parks, but I got the taxi driver to drop me off outside the relevant wing, and all seemed well.

So I was a bit befuddled to find myself stomping up and down the corridor ten minutes later, failing to find the clinic I was supposed to be attending, or even a sign pointing in that direction.  Plus, I’m disabled and walk with a stick, so stomping is not a core skill of mine. 

Which is when Lovely Volunteer came to my rescue.  I can only call him Lovely Volunteer because I didn’t get a chance to read his name badge, which is a shame. 


Lovely Volunteer accosted me in the corridor, sat me down, and helped me figure out where I was supposed to be going, even though he was as confused as I was by the information I’d been given.  He gave me his best possible guess at where I was supposed to be, and told me to come back if he was wrong. 
  

Brilliantly, he was right, and I attended my clinic without further incident.  I got sent for some blood test, got confused about where I was supposed to be going, and Lovely Volunteer pointed me in the right direction again, thus saving me miles of pointless knackering stomping.  Hurrah!

The other thing about Lovely Volunteer is I’m pretty sure he had the same impairment as me – I admit it, I didn’t look at his name badge ‘cos I was too busy looking at the alignment of his knees and feet, if anyone did that to me I’d punch them, I  can only apologise – so I’m going to take a guess that hanging out in hospital corridors looking for lost people to help out probably isn’t the easiest or most comfortable way for him to spend his day.  That’s his choice and I salute him for it.  If I could get you a stool to perch on, I would, mate.  But, thank you.

Kate Ansell can be found on twitter @CrippledWriter

Half a bank holiday

Friday night turned in to a local smile fest and continued on Saturday in Northamptonshire and Warwickshire.

Friday evening, London, the man and I got a bus to West Hampstead.   We were on a number 13 (there is a point to this stay with me) rather than wait for the 328 as its just a short walk down from Finchley Road.   Being the bank holiday, London was lovely and deserted so the bus was hurtling along Finchley Road with no one getting off the bus and no one flagging it down to get on.

Our stop for West End Lane was approaching so we rang the bell.  The "stopping" light lit up but.... The driver went past the stop.  However he was stopped a few feet further along by the traffic lights, about the same time he heard me saying "excuse me" in my best polite British manner.

The driver couldn't have been nicer or more apologetic, he let us off with a smile, a honk on the horn and a wave agreeing he was having too much fun on the lovely empty roads. So number 13 driver on the Finchley Road/West End Lane junction Friday night at about 8:00pm, may we give you a thumbs up.

A walk down the hill then towards The Black Lion pub.  Coming down the hill you get a great view of the fire station and we could see the fire engines out and the blue lights flashing but no sirens.  Peculiar? Not when we realised it was for the benefit of a three and five year old who were being allowed to sit in the cabin and have their pictures taken. (hope this doesn't get anyone in trouble) but a thumbs up to the firemen at West Hamsptead station

Arrived at the Black Lion where we greeted by both Gloria and James.   More of James later in future posts about the Black Lion and the Read for RNIB Day Campaign http://www.rnib.org.uk/getinvolved/readforrnibday/Pages/read-for-rnib-day.aspx but for now Gloria.

I first met Gloria last year when taking part in World Book Night.  I was giving away copies of Pride & Prejudice and her smile then just wowed me - here's the evidence - and you can still enjoy that smile when she's at work in the pub so Gloria, you get a thumbs up as well.


The man felt like pizza and although we seriously like La Brocca being a very warm nice summer's night I didn't fancy a basement so we plumped for Pizza Express.  It was the right decision.








The staff were collectively and individually having their own smile fest and it was lovely to eat in the middle of that.


Reginaldo, our waiter (on the right) was sweet and we had a nice joke about my ignorance that Syrah and Shiraz are the same grape   Then the manager, Ago, (in the middle), was very helpful over my runny egg on my pizza, while also being very funny (ha, ha) about his name being like Argos.

Meanwhile, the chef, Frederico, "the ugly", was grinning like he was on a red carpet with the flashbulbs going while he tossed the pizza dough, delighting the watching children when he pretended to make a mistake.

There were many other smiling chefs and staff there that night, including Serena on the left in the picture above. So not only a thumbs up each to Reginaldo, Ago and Fredericobut. Thumbs up to Pizza Express West Hampstead staff
.

With all those smiles our Friday night was a delightful thumbs up night.


No photos to accompany the smiles and service on Saturday evening but some folk that deserve a few thumbs up; first of all Mark on the bar in The Olive Bush, (http://www.theoldolivebush.co.uk/# ) in Flecknoe village (Warwickshire) for some true old fashioned pubican hospitality,and to Jane and her staff for serving some homemade pub "fayre" all with fun and smiles and then on to Braunston in Northamptonshire where a local, Pete, was running a pop-up pub in his home, (which was the site of a pub many years ago, the Dog & Gun), for charity.  The music, drink and atmostphere were aces, so thank you Pete and a thumbs up to you
.

service with a smile

London is bathed in sunshine and it is definitely making a difference not only to my mood, but others too.  I just hope that this feeling I have had since starting this blog of seeing the good continues once the grey returns.

Staying on seeing the good and the positive, it is most definitely continuing at the moment and I feel like I could almost post daily, which is really weird.  Londoners are meant to be surly and people are supposed to be miserable in their jobs, according to the press, but all I keep seeing is people smiling and giving that extra something.

Today a British Gas Service Engineer came to the house.  We'd made an appointment, managed to narrow it down from a 12:00 to 6:00 slot to a specified two hour slot.  Now, I don't have to tell you that this waiting in for a service engineer, particularly for the utilities, is normally a groan making event; we wait in for hours, they do or don't come, then there might be some sucking in of the breath between the teeth over the issue.  Not today.

I was telephoned by the engineer to let me know that he was on his way and would be with me within 15 minutes.  This was within my two hour prescribed slot.  Already I was in pleasant shock.

Devene arrived, and as you can see from his picture, he arrived with a smile.  He was polite, efficient, knew his stuff, (and some other stuff too), and with a smile was off again.

So, Devene, from us, thank you and you get a thumbs up  .

And while I'm on a little "thank you" jag, I want to say thank you (not in any particular order) to the helpful folk at Myeloma UK http://www.myeloma.org.uk/, the lovely people in reception at Volvo Cars Central London (Swiss Cottage really), NW3 http://www.volvocarslondon.co.uk/contact-us/11/volvo-cars-central-london-aftersales, the helpful people I spoke to for general advice at Get Private www.getprivate.com NW3, St. John's Wood Medical Practice http://www.stjohnswood.nhs.uk/ NW8 for their continuing care and attention to my mother. the really nice and jolly (tall) guy on the till at BP Connect Fuel Garage, Finchley Road, NW3, the nice gentleman at Vistaprint I spoke to on the 19th who is getting married on the 24th (an additional thank you and good luck to him) and to the giggly manager (?) at the Cancer Research Shop in St. John's Wood High Street http://stjohnswoodhighstreet.com/charity-shop/ NW8.  Thank you all and thumbs up -

Friday in London

So my first bit isn't really about "staff" but just a nice smile and I think, since it is my blog, I'm allowed to include it.  

After my yuchy West End experience earlier in the week, I had a nice one yesterday; met with a lovely German producer that I'd been corresponding with for years but never had a chance to meet before, at a cute coffee bar just off Carnaby Street in Lowndes Court, Speakeasy Espresso & Brew Bar. 

We got a great table outside where we could watch the world go by but away from hustle and bustle of Carnaby Street.  Of course the problem, or the upside, of sitting outside in the West End is that you are likely to be approached by various people wanting money, selling stuff, or just some eccentrics.

Yesterday,we were duly approached by this guy asking for money for food.  As I often do, if possible, I won't give money but I will buy food.  I asked him if he would like something to eat and he said yes so I suggested he just go inside the cafe and choose what he want on me.  I turned to look through the window and "authorise" this purchase and was very heartened to see that he was being served with all courtesy by the staff and not as if he was a "smelly tramp".     He chose an apple muffin and I was rewarded with the warmest, biggest smile from him so I felt on top of the world (for such small effort).

Then, my lovely German producer talked about the karma of the event and insisted on picking up the tab for everything thereby converting the karma to his.  It was a real win win situation.  

The smile really was a special one.  

Later on we met some friends from Dulwich at the Holly Bush in Hampstead, (our local).  Our Dulwich friends smoke so we wanted to stay outside.  Because of the licensing rules with the local neighbours, one must stay within the lines of the pub area if one is to drink so our only option was to stand near the tables as all the seats were taken.  

We didn't stand for long.  Nuno, a waiter there, (a waiter in a pub?), asked us if we would like some stools.  Errr.... yes, please.  He immediately rushed to get us four with a lovely smile. (the smile was on him not the stools in case there is any confusion).

Nuno is from Porto and even when one customer "cut up a bit rough" later, (more below), he never lost his sense of humour or equanimity.  So Nuno, thank you for your service with a smile and have a thumbs up from us.

So.... we sat down, we started chatting, and couldn't help noticing a gentleman in a small group beside us, kept necking some red wine from his own bottle inside a bag. 

He looked like a respectable sixties something Hampstead type until I caught his eye and he gave me a very loud "what" that made me think everything was not quite as it should be.

Our gentleman got up to go inside and Nuno stopped him in the doorway.  We thought this was because of the drinking of his own wine, but it turned out that he was barred.  This gentleman who was quite a bit bigger than Nuno, became very aggressive towards him.  Nuno stood his ground, politely.

Then John, the Door Supervisor, (never call him a bouncer or security guard, he doesn't like it!), came out to deal with him.  He reminded this gentleman that he was barred and after a few choice words from the "gentleman", he started to leave with his pint glass.  John asked him for it and when it wasn't handed to him, he took it.  The gentleman then kicked up a fuss about he paid £5.00 for that so John, got the barman to come out, give this gentleman £5.00 and asked him so politely to go and not darken their door again as they didn't want to call the police on him but he had been barred several times.

Now John is a laugh.  He says I remind him of his (favourite) form teacher, Mrs. Beardsley, but I had never seen him actually have to "deal" with someone before.    I have to say, like Nuno, he remained polite but in John's case, there was no mistaking that he was serious and you did not want to mess with him. 

So again, a thank you and a thumbs up from us for doing your job with a smile.

It was a great day of street drama in London.  Just what I love.

it's hard to be positive some days

Today was one of those days when one just hates the West End; there were far too many tourists, far too many children and, on top of that, it seemed the world was hell-bent on being rude and hitting me; no less than four times!

I got hit on the arm getting out of the tube, (bruise worthy), I got my heel trod on, I was run into by a child on a scooter and most painful, a man hit me in the breast with the corner of his bag.  Not one of these people even paused to check what they had done never mind dream of apologising.

However, this blog is not about focusing on the negative but to find those bright sparks in our day and today it came from Citibank in Hanover Square.  (picture courtesy of Google). 

I needed some Euros and since I was walking past, popped in.  What an oasis of calm and smiles.  Although I want to give a particular thumbs up to Simone (who didn't want her picture here) I really want to thank all the counter-staff who never fail to be friendly, efficient and helpful.  Thank you.



So just a mini post today, but remember guys, please do post, comment, follow and spread the word.  This is your pin-board.  
Thanks for reading.

The sunshine helps

Well we're still having lovely sunny days in London and oh, what a difference it makes to everyone's mood; people are happy to say hello and linger.

I'm getting nice reactions to the blog as well, a lot of people asking if I will thank so and so on their behalf and, except for my mum, I'm trying to avoid this as I really want it to be your voice on the posts and comments, not mine.  But moving on.....

I got home late last night to find one of those annoying red cards from Post Office on the door-mat telling me they had tried to deliver a parcel that's too big for the letter box.  Normally I really hate going to the Cricklewood Royal Mail Sorting Office as it's in the absolute opposite direction to my normal route in to work and a mile's walk on top.  But this morning, with the sun shining down, I didn't mind at all.

When I got there, instead of some pimply youth who won't make eye contact, I met the very nice Sunny, who, before he was in the office, was a postman on my route and he asked about all the old neighbours, remembering both them and their house numbers.

So, Sunny, may I offer you a big thumbs up
for starting my day off with such a nice smiley chat and for making Childs Hill feel even more like a real community.  

Later on when I was on the bus, there was this young man, probably in his twenties.  There wasn't anything "wrong" with him but he obviously doesn't understand normal, recognised social boundaries.

His name was Sam and he was introducing himself to everyone around him, be they white grand-fathers, black middle aged men, young Indian mothers or Malaysian students.  He told us where he lived, he wanted us all to stay in touch and drop in on him, he asked for our mobile numbers.  Not unsurprisingly, not only did no one write down Sam's address but they didn't proffer theirs.

What was sad, was that the young Indian mother, when Sam got off the bus, told me she'd been scared by him. 

Even though I'm doing this blog and trying to see the good where I can, I have to admit to also not wanting to "engage" with him in conversation so I have to give myself, and all the others on the bus, a thumbs down .  Sam on the 46, if you ever read this, I apologise.

To close this post, I'll just remind you all again, this is your pin-board, you can send me yours posts or comments, preferably positive ones and preferably with nice accompanying photographs, and I'll put them up here.  Oh, and one other thing, if you are reading this, tell others.  Let's spread the "nice".

Thanks for reading.

A guest post from Kay Sexton - HE-VAN ENCOMIUM

We were blithely told we'd be able to move house on 1 August. Somehow we knew that was audacious and so it proved. That's today - we have not moved. We do not even have a date on which to move. And it is just a bit hair-tearing-outy (or in fact, in my case, hair-cutting-offy).

There aren't many bright spots to such scenarios - it's a high class problem to have, of course, but it's still a problem. The absolutely non-problematic part of the non-move has been Julian of He-Van. He's been amazing, keeping in touch with us and keeping us in touch with what's happening with his other clients as our date has moved inexorably backwards - so we've always been confident that He-Van will be able to fit us into their schedule and that our needs won't cause some other poor mover to suffer. 

Julian actually rings me to find out what's happening, rather than waiting for me to call him, so I can relax and know that I'm not having to hold all the pieces in my head. And he's so nice to talk too ....

So, a real vote of thanks for the service so far and looking forward to the day when Julian and He-Van actually get to move us! 

Editor's note from Londoner - apologies for not posting on the 1st when Kay submitted her post but Julian, here's a thumbs up  

Kay Sexton can be found at  http://writingneuroses.blogspot.co.uk/ and on twitter @KaySexton

An interesting lesson

One of the problems I thought I would have with this blog was finding enough positive incidents and people to write about on my own, that's one of the many reasons I so want to encourage others to post and comment here too.

However one of the nice lessons I'm learning is that if you go out of your way to look for the positive in your day you'll be surprised what you find.  

Now I'm not suggesting I've gone all Pollyanna-ish on you; I'm still the cynical glass is half empty person I ever was but all I'm suggesting you try is to think if anyone you meet today/this week deserves a "thumbs up" thank you.  You might be, like me, pleasantly surprised.  

So 10:00 am and I have my first thumbs of of the day: it's to Ian

Ian works for one of those companies that goes 'round putting up for sale and to let signs on white wooden poles.  

I have an allotment and I'm building a fruit cage. Those poles, when they are no good for the signs anymore (tatty, split, broken ends etc) are still perfect for me but no good to the signage people.   I saw Ian this morning putting up a sign and noticed in his flat-bed truck a load of poles.  I asked him I I could have any of the tatty ones and he very kindly gave four with a smile. 

I thanked him and he said it doesn't cost anyone anything and he's just glad someone's walking around being polite rather than "snarling" at everything.  

So, Ian with the sign posts, a big thumbs up   thank you.  

And readers, (if I call you guys, I do not mean it as a male gender term but more as an inclusive everyone term), I really want to think of this place less as a blog from me and more as a central pin-board for all.  

A guest post on behalf of my mother

My mother, Lila, wants to do this post but she's too lazy to do it herself, (it's great that I get to put that in print with her permission).

She has been attending the Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead for a year now for Multiple Myeloma and the team in the POTS room, (Private Oncology Treatment), are so super, they always have a smile and giggle while putting in the cannula so from Lila, and me, a big thumbs up to Monica, Aruna and Christel (from left to right).

So if you have someone, just doing their job, that you want to praise, please do post something here, preferably in your own words with your own photos.  You don't need me to put your thanks in to words.