Walking around in the centre of Brigantia yesterday,it was interesting to note all the new building which is happening. Round every corner ,goblin workmen would appear,brandishing spades,or hammers,or other assorted items,in their rickety hands .Their pale green faces were marked with another layer of cement dust,and grime. Bottles of ale to slake their thirst were tucked into their safety vestments.It was therefore not the quietest place to be,but it was busy. Some areas have already been finished,and already in use. One new seating area was full of city folk eating their lunch or just sitting around talking with colleagues or friends. The day was somewhat gloomy,but warm,so no one was dissuaded from this pursuit by the weather.
I was in Brigantia,mainly to visit my Faery Physio,but thought I would use the waiting time to scour the library and used possession shops, for further stocks of used parchments to sell on.There were plenty on offer,but I felt I needed to be circumspect before making a purchase .It is so important to weigh up all aspects before laying geld on the counter. Age,condition, sellability, topic, all need to be taken into consideration. And how much it will cost to put them in the mail slot to a buyer. I seem to show promise in making wise decisions but it is still early days.
I arrived a little early for my Physio appointment, but did not have to wait long. He seemed pleased to see me,and we settled down to discuss how my sore hand was progressing. Tendonitis takes ages to go away,so although there was progress.I still have some weeks of exercise and treatment to go.
This morning I rose early with Pendragon ,as two little gnomes were due to undertake some house repairs, and no doubt would appear sooner than expected. Breakfast and bathing was completed,and tidying begun when the toadstool door knocker was rapped and the Power Specialists were here.Their appearance ,I have to say,did not inspire enthusiasm or credibility. I do like my workmen to take their career choice seriously,with possibly a uniform,matching cap,and an air of workmanship about them. These two had been lucky- dipped out of the Dingley Dell postal list, and first glance told me ,maybe we should have dipped again. They were both overly tubby specimens (definitely,too many Dingley Dell pies),and the moment they entered the toadstool,I just knew that their every movement would be a liability to our designer furnishings. They were to fix a special switch to our new glowworm fitting,and repair our control on the heating mechanism. Neither job very difficult,but in the wrong hands.......................
They did eventually set to work,after wandering about for twenty minutes,and I thankfully got the impression they did know what they were doing. But Bobbus and Beamus,as I have decided to call them,were finding the navigation of their girth ,around our splendid but small toadstool, rather a challenge. I found myself following them around,just trying to steady items in their wake. Two books fell out of the bookshelf as Bobbus passed, and my collectible white jugs were teetering back and forth ,as Beamus
used their resting place to sit on. I couldn't wait for them to finish.They talked all the time, ( and kept calling me missus. )so it was difficult to escape them,but I was so anxious about our decorative objects, that I could not have left the room anyway. Finding myself rooted to our leather settee as a ventage point from which to avert any destruction,they seemed to have drawn from this that I was then available to listen to all their troubles. Divorces, medical ailments, financial stress, their many relationships,other folk's relationships, holiday disasters, work projects past and present - they hardly drew breath between topics,and I was completely wrecked physically and emotionally by the time they turned their final screw in the heating control.
My smile was very wan indeed. I had barely the strength to hand over their fee (desperation kept me going). Bobbus wrote me out a receipt,while Beamus tossed their working tools carelessly into an old leather bag. His chances of finding anything at his next job,within half of one hour, would be less than remote. Not my worry,for by now I was clutching the geld in my left hand,waving it in front of Beamus as I led him casually to the front door. Only when both of his feet were on the doorstep did I shove the notes into his puffy hand,say a swift cheery-bye, and close the door. Relief swept over me just knowing they were gone. If we develop any other repair jobs,and Pendragon suggests these two rapscallions,I shall tell him to throw the phone list into the air,open it where it lands,and choose the first name which is not Bobbus,and does not rhyme with Beamus.
I needed some restoration after this,so I headed to the Jolly Woodman tearooms,for a baked tomato with assorted salads. In the gardening shop next door,I found two patio rose bushes,a yellow and a pink. I also bought some bird treats, and some spicy candles.
I brought them home,but before I could begin my planting, the heavens opened with a very sharp shower. The garden will be pleased, even if we have to put our plans aside for another day.
Much happy doing- it- yourself, my dear friends, and may the joys of the gnomic workman be kept forever at a distance. From Amarantha,currently in her wellies,the delightful Rainbow Faery.
