JUST LIKE MAGIC !

After learning of Brian and my joint protest, an old chum wrote. He asks, "How did you manage to stay warm for twenty four hours ? Who fed you both ? What about tending to your toilet needs ? And, most importantly, how did the meeting go inside the County Offices ?"

Several questions - but most point in one direction.

Well, despite his own poor photo taking skills, all real credit must go to 'Ali' - whom, without his help, Brian and myself could never have endured our '24 hour protest'.

Ali, a chum of Brian's son, was a 'Carer par excellence' ! Not just through our '24 hours of protest' but during the days proceeding it. These, of course, included all the preparations : banner stand and poles, press photo opportunities, van loading, TV filming, double checking, meeting myself, driving, making tea - before even leaving from Louth for Lincoln !

First Ali collected myself from North Somercotes. A printer had just delivered a 'banner' and 'display boards' - these, my case and duvet, the myself in electric wheelchair, was loaded abord Brian's (then empty) 'disabled access' MPV. No anchors for myself, so a 'loose cannon' I would be - sod health and safety - we had an appointment with TV.

Fast on the straights, slow on the bends, back to Muckton and collect Brian. More to load, but Brian first, his wheelchair 'locks' into position of nearside front. Then it goes banner poles, pole stands, kettle, stove, hamper, breeze-blocks, another hamper, duvets, apple-pie, kit-bag, sailing suits, water, cycle capes, tool box and finally driver Ali - we hit the road again.

As bends were entered, I reminded Ali of the ilusionary 'tumbler of water (beer or gin)' balanced upon the bonnet - not a drop to spill. As a 'loose cannon' I remained, er, 'steadfast' - and Ali remianed, er, 'cool'.

Lincoln. Once at County Hall, under the harsh glare of TV floods, harsh words from TV presenter Vicky, "You're late" - coolest Ali parked our van, extracted two electric wheelchaired 'old geezers', fetched and carried without a glimmer of exasperation. All this, and not yet 15 minutes into our 24 hours vigil (save for the 15 mins we were late to arrive).

It is 6.30pm and County Hall falls quiet - TV crews and council employees go off home, Brian, Ali and myself are left alone.

We selected a 'pitch' beneath Linconshire C C brand new sign - an ideal spot, it'll do us just fine. Traffic eases, we'll hold the line.

An interesting note : No 'curb drop downs' for wheelchairs (or prams) are available - so, now we are here with Ali's forceful assistance, we'll stop hard until "move on" is demanded ! The night ahead appears interesting - in case of showers Ali moves the van closer, but rain seems elusive the temperature mild.

A car pulls up, two of Ali's chums arrive. They were "the entertainment", and none better could we have booked. A double act BARNEY and ANDY, a 'turn' to behold, all the way from OZ, with Digeriedoo and Wabble-board at hand, a 'fair dinkum' style of Assie Rap filled the air. The police stayed away.

Later another car pulls up. A couple from Louth. They had seen us on Look North TV earlier that evening. A thermos of hot coffee laced with brandy. Who needs to be wrapped in a duvet I begin to wonder.

Every third car acknowledges us with a 'honk' of their horn.



Further 'answers' later . .

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