An unexpected discovery
Now I know one of the reasons it can take me a day or two to get settled in a new place! Staying at accommodation other than your own can be testing. I arrived in Bournemouth to the knowledge that Cee’s shower unit had overflowed causing flooding to the small bathroom and unto the carpet outside the door.
Ri had thought Cee had caused the blockage and was reluctant to make a fuss. When I arrived I could smell and feel the wet on the carpet. I found it hard to believe it would be due to neglect so I tested it out and discovered there was a blockage. How quick did I jump to the conclusion that Cee had caused it?
When I reported it to reception the receptionist was more concerned as to why I hadn’t reported it before now. I explained that I had only arrived the night before to relieve Ri though that did not move us forward. She said she would have maintenance look at it.
In the late afternoon, I checked with her and she reported that the shower had been unblocked. I asked what had happened about the wet and the smell to which she said it would dry. I was not satisfied and she asked what more she could do. Somehow I forgot to ask for a change of room. I asked for some recompense for the inconvenience. Bodily and verbally she was dismissive returning to “Well you should have reported it when it happened.”
Now I don’t read self-help books for no reasons and I could feel every gene of incredulity rising to my mouth. I controlled them holding them back like crowd control at a concert though she called me rude and defensive. Did my shadow creep up on me without me seeing it?
I am trying to deal with these situations differently so I said, “ You and I are not going to sort this I will take it higher” and moved on. I remind myself that life goes on whether at home or on holiday though I kind of confirm to myself that the reason I feel unsettled in new places is, I don’t really want ‘a clash of expectations’ which unfortunately often happens.
Despite this, I was pleasantly surprised earlier in the afternoon with my discovery of Russell-Cotes House
I often arrive at a place not knowing what there is to do in the location, I then walk and see what I find. I saw the signs for the Russell -Cotes House though dismissed them, I don’t see myself as particularly interested in houses. A while later I found myself so close to it that I walked up the garden to the entrance.
On hearing it was £6 I thought it may be a useful way of spending a few hours while I wait for Cee at her Summer school.
Merton Russell-Cotes had the house built as an expression of love for his wife. He presented it to her on her 66th birthday. The house is filled with artefacts and paintings that they acquired over the years. On their death, the house and its contents were left to the people of the town and have remained in their custodianship ever since.
I came upon two chairs facing out some windows unto the sea. Most of the blinds were closed to protect the furnishings from the sun so it was a welcomed opportunity to sit and act as if I was the ghost of Merton.
I sat and sat as I sat in peace. I was gaining pleasure from watching the families, the tourists enjoying themselves at the beach. I was happy from a distance watching them, like a ghost, like God.
g.
