I know that we guard our privacy and security very well on the site. But I can’t resist when I see a post from someone who I don’t think I have heard from before, I always try to check on the user name button to see where they are. I think it’s fascinating how we all come together from all over both UK and the wider world. Our common factor is of course, our stroke experiences and they way we all support each other. We immediately offer advice, comfort and a recognition of how we were when our stroke occurred. I appreciate very much how I felt in the early days and how I’m feeling now, all because several people held me up, telling me ‘It’s ok, you’re safe.’
Myself and hubby have had an itinerant life and have lived in most areas of the UK and overseas. So when I see a post from a particular area I know well, I recall the friends we knew, the places we went, and most of all the resident population who cringed at deciphering my Yorkshire accent! One area that I would love to live in again was Plymouth. I had a job based right on the edges of Dartmoor, so I had the opportunity to often sneak off in my lunch breaks and explore. I often had to cross the moor and I do remember one incident when I’d stopped to eat my lunch. I walked toward a small stream and almost fell over a hidden body. To my horror it rose up and loosed off a stream of language I’d never heard before. I do hope that poor soldier passed his survival test!
I loved strolling along the Barbican watching the fishing fleet unloading, buying fish newly caught within the hour. Between the moor and the sea is my go to place when I do relax exercises. Lovely days. Where do you go? Best wishes Norma
I too am a yorkshire lass but now live in the scottish borders.
Two Yorkshire lasses!!
I’m a Lancashire lad, who used to spend his summer school holidays working in a hotel in Blackpool.
Nothing exciting happened over the last weekend but I’ve been experimenting with producing some audio files and looking at how to make podcast content.
I’d like to hear you speak your post, @Norma751 and maybe create an audio file from it.
Your story makes a good read and I think it would be great material to listen to on a podcast. Not that I’m sure I know how to podcast yet. It’s a learning thing and finding projects like this is stimulating.
My grafx need working on. This is left hand sketching. Stroke stole my right hand. Now I’m left with my left hand to do what’s left to do. That will have to be alright.
Here I introduce myself.
@ Lizzie Hi I was born in fife Scotland on the east coast but lived most of my life in the Scottish Borders from Selkirk to Tweedbank. I am now based in Manchester with my 12 year old daughter. Small world to think we might of known each other.
Just popped in for short while. I’m expecting a saviour to come to fix my lap top. I managed at last to join in one of Bobbie sessions over the weekend. Sadly between us we couldn’t make my microphone work and I couldn’t hear Bobbi. So hopefully the chap with unmute me.
I often think like you Marnie, right down to the fact that I have a very large extended family. In any part of the country I may be standing right next to someone I am related to and not know it. Strangely when we moved here and registered at the local surgery, one of the doctors was the son of a doctor we had known in another part of the country. As you say, small world.
Best wishes Norma
Hi Lizzie, how did you cope with the Scottish accent? Did you find that sometimes you had to translate or explain what you’d said? Have you now taken on some local accented words? I’m like a sponge and I strayed often into the local dialect, but still with my Yorkie accent. Oh the fun we had!!! Best wishes Norma
Hi Norma, great idea. Like you I always look to see where people are in the world. Actually I’m quite nosey:nose: 
.
I’ve spent all of my life in the South East. Born in Wandsworth SW London, then at the age of 7 we moved out of London to Kent, then at 18 I met my hysband, a Londoner passing through Kent and at 21 we married and moved to Dulwich SE London. At 26 we moved to Kent, had our 3 kids and are still here now.
As a child we always went camping in Devon and Cornwall and have some great memories.
My parents were Londoners who met in Ramsgate in Kent in 1957 and on Saturday my brother and I and all of our kids and grandchildren met in Ramsgate to scatter their ashes, their final resting place, back where they started 
. Enjoying reading everyone’s stories.
Regards
Sue
It always amazes me how connected we all are somewhere in the world. I spent many happy months researching my family history during lock down, like many other people I suspect. It was interesting to see how far my ancestors and their descendants have spread over the planet. It saddens me that despite the things that connect us in the world we still have conflict and wars.
Hi Norma,
Its not too bad I have a Glaswegian uncle and he has a very strong accent so I kinda of got my ear in through him. I have definately picked up some of the local vernacular over the last 20 years but my husband says the closer we get to Yorkshire when we visit, the stronger my Yorkie accent returns.
I was at the Masham Steam fair a couple of weekends back and it was lovely to hear the real broad yorkshire accent again. I love it when I go back to the area, even though I have lived away since my late teens. I will always remain a yorkshire lass, the dales are in my viens and its in my DNA as most of my ancestors came from the leeds and Bramley area.
I am Shropshire born & bred. I did have a few years living & working in London before returning to Shropshire. Through work i have visited large parts of the UK. The problem is when you’re working you don’t get to see much of the places you go to. Usually the inside of a hotel room and office 
Lizzie, I wonder if I could plant an idea in your mind? I don’t know if you are up to date with the idea that some of us have had about having an on-line magazine ‘Stroke Zine’. Bobbi is trying also to set up an option for an online ‘drama group’. He wants to try recording many of our voices reading out poems or song lyrics. But that is early days, he’s working on it. I have been writing little bits for the ‘magazine’ just a little diversion from the reality of our strokes. (Just little things/articles that you would find in a magazine) Your visit to Masham steam fair would be of interest to many I’m sure. Or even tit-bits on living in Scotland, how you came to be there etc. I’m going to put a little bit on Halifax at some point (bit busy tonight). I thought of talking about all the films that have been made here recently. Like everyone else we all have a fund of stories that others may well find very interesting. No pressure at all, if it’s not your thing don’t even consider it. But it is lovely to connect with someone else, since my stroke I’ve been a bit of a hermit. I’m now getting out there, when I’m not too tired, housework, workman, and all the other distractions we have to put up with! Lovely to chat to you anyway. best wishes Norma
Hi Mrs5KI know what you mean about hotel rooms. The most soulless place on earth aren’t they? I know Shropshire quite well. I met and married my hubby at RAF Cosford Hospital. Many happy memories of good mates, lots of midnight snacks on night duty and the odd drop of something, (don’t tell Sister!) Lovely to hear other folks memories. Best wishes Norma
Oh that’s lovely. I worked at Cosford for a number of years. Loved it there. The hospital is long gone but you have some great memories.
Im a Yorkshire Chap - Hull
Hi Norma,
I am intrigued by what you have suggested. I would be happy to contribute, though I have never written anything like that before. I have some photos from Masham and a little story behind my reason for wanting to visit it again if that would be of interest.
@Norma751 @Lizzie22 @ben_mcfadden @MarnieT @Mrs5K @Susan_Jane
I think we are all interesting.
When we share a little of who we are we are making the world a better more interesting place.
All those stories and shout outs are like bird song in the early morning.
So great to wake up to.
Doing it is what both we and the birds do and it makes us all a part of our world.
So make a noise. I’m glad to hear you and to know you are here.
I’m up at a silly hour again.
It is quiet.
It’s 4.30 am just before what Hilary calls sparrow fart.
Almost 5.00 am now and first light when the owls and night creatures will be heading off to roost.
Almost time for the yawning, stretching and rubbing of bleary eyes.
The sun is about to cast its first search light over the horizon.
But now I must shut down my laptop and climb back into bed for another couple of hours.
Thank you for being in the world whoever and whereever you are.
Hi Norma and stroke friends!
I think I am the only one responding so far who is not from the UK, even though my ancestors on my Dad’s side were mostly from the UK. I live in Manhattan Beach, CA. USA.
I have visited the UK many times and I absolutely love it. I am so happy to have found this group- there is not much support here. Looking forward to hearing more of your stories and how you are all doing.
Betsi
Welcome to this space, Betsi.
You will find much here of value to one affected by stroke.
Stroke knows no borders. No matter where we are on planet Earth the effects are the same.
Our health systems differ from one area to the next but our needs are the same worldwide.
I live with the effects of a stroke which happened three years ago.
Over that time I have visited here for advice, companionship, amusement, to offer comfort and much more. Folk here are friendly, supportive, understanding and dealing with those problems we all endure.
There are regular visitors here from around the globe. We are English speaking and affected by stroke. (I have had a short delightful conversation in Swahili but this was unusual and not my native tongue.)
keep on keepin on
Hello Betsi, nice to meet you. Not sure of the time difference, but good morning. Sorry to hear that you have little local support for stroke survivors where you live. But you are very welcome here amongst friends. May I say that I have always wanted to visit America, but now I’m not sure I’ll ever make it. So to hear from you, about your town etc would be lovely.
I will apologise now to you and others about my language. I am very proud of my Yorkshire roots and I have been known to lapse into the broad tongue of my native county. Even my fellow UK friends may not understand it, (as with all our lovely country’s local accents)I However, enjoy your time with us, we’re a great bunch. Best wishes Norma