GRUNGY COW

Mr. HCB had an appointment at the Great Western Hospital today so I had earmarked this visit to take a photograph of the grungy cow, a sculpture created by Tom Gleeson, sometime in the 1980s, and which stands by the side of the flood storage lagoon at the entrance to the hospital.

As we live quite near, we decided to walk there because it can get very congested in the early afternoon.  We left ourselves plenty of time and had a gentle stroll in the sunshine.  It only took about us about 20 minutes so when we arrived, we had time to look at the cow from all angles.  I decided that it would be good to have Mr. HCB “in the frame” so although he wasn’t that bothered, I snapped him anyway!

Apparently, this sculpture used to be at the old hospital and instead of just getting rid of it when that was demolished, it was given a new lease of life and is now “chewing the cud” to its heart’s content in full view of everyone who visits the new hospital, although it’s not so new now, having been built in 2002.

After I had taken the photograph, we wandered around the lagoon where there were plenty of seats with many of the hospital staff sitting and eating their lunch.  Whilst we sat and looked over the bulrush beds - I mentioned that it would be easy to secrete a baby in a basket amongst them - think Moses - we saw a lady walking round.  She had obviously done the circuit more than once, so I asked her how many times she was going round.  She stopped and chatted to us - and you know me (!) - I found out her name was Karen and that she often came out for a walk at lunchtime to clear her head and get some fresh air.  I told her about Blip and she seemed quite interested - she said she did write a journal but it might be good to take a photograph to add to it.  I gave her one of my cards and told her she might even get a mention in today’s Blip, so I hope that she might look and possibly join us. 

We arrived in the clinic at 1.55 p.m., were called in almost immediately, and had seen the consultant and were walking out again by 2.05 - and Mr. HCB’s appointment wasn’t until 2.10 p.m.  What wonderful service!  Pleased to say that Mr. HCB was given 10/10 for wearing his hat, putting on his suncream and wearing a long sleeved shirt - he has to have a small lump removed in the next few months, but the consultant said it was nothing to worry about and it could be done there rather than having to go to Oxford as he did previously.

Thanks to the internet, I was able to tell both our sons the news immediately - and we are now back home and enjoying the sunshine in our conservatory.

“The cow is of the bovine ilk; 
     one end is moo, 
          the other milk.” 
Ogden Nash, Free Wheeling