Ho ho ho!
We are going to Beverley Christmas Market today with our friend.
‘Hurray!’ Bob says.
We get picked up at 9 am with our friend and arrive at 10.15am near the race course and park near the common land.
It was a scenic journey and a crisp winter day. Bob enjoyed looking at the landscape and commented that he could see for miles. We took a risk and didn’t take the wheelchair which I’d bought about a month ago for longer walks. Bob has started leaning to one side and the more tired he gets, the more he leans.
We set off walking along the common.

Two minutes later and Bob has had enough.
‘How much longer?’
‘Just a little while longer‘ I answer.
He holds onto my hand like a vice, crushing my fingers.
It is scary when your spacial awareness and depth is compromised.
Constant reassurance and guidance as to where to walk and preparation for getting up and down uneven steps or paths is called for. I’m determined that we walk every day as I know once the movement goes I won’t be able to manage him at home.

It is very crowded, even this early. It is Christmassy and the brass bands are playing Christmas carols which Bob recognises and joins in with, singing the lyrics and choruses he remembers.
‘Jingle Bells, Jingle all the way,’ he sings. Sometimes he just la la’s the tunes, quite loudly. I’m so happy when he remembers something and it brings a big smile to my lips.
We manage a few stalls but Bob finds the crowds difficult and the stalls are very busy. My friend and I take a hand each and we walk together, the three amigos.

I look for benches where Bob can have a rest and see one near the Beverley Brass Band. I get some change and put it their tin and the gentleman moves his music sheets and we sit for a while. My friend and I take it in turns to have a look at the stalls whilst Bob sits happily listening to the music with the person that is left. I can’t leave him to stay on the bench himself because he would get up and walk around looking for me. He went missing once – for 6 hours.

We head back towards the car. Bob spots a stall selling small hearts to hang on the Xmas tree. They are made from felt and embroidered with messages. He picks a white one with red embroidery and wants to get it. He holds it and tells the lady at the stall he has no money.

‘It’s okay, darling. I’ve got my purse and you can buy it,’ I say.
It says ‘I love you’.
That’s the best gift I could have, I think, when he gives it to me. It’s now on our little tree.
Happy Christmas everyone.