3 minute read

Lines From Linda

Art Days

Art On Parade offers art classes for children of school age, which takes place at Ripley Arts Centre in Bromley. To find out more about the next available dates call Nicky on 07736 400763 or email info@artonparade.co.uk

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CAUGHT SPEEDING

PIB (People In Business) recently held a charity Speed Networking event at the Bromley Court Hotel to help raise funds for the MumMum Foundation and The Chartwell Cancer Trust. Just under £400 was raised as the ticket money was kindly fund matched by Southeast Legacies.

Cake, toast and light refreshments also available. This is a community venture for anyone, particularly those who are lonely or suffering with mental health issues post Covid.

Lines from Linda

Life is so different when the sun is shining. Of course, as I write this I have no idea what the weather is currently doing, as the column is written a few weeks in advance, and weather conditions are, nowadays, very different from the hot British summers I experienced as a child in the 60s.

Being an eternal optimist, I am hoping the sun is shining as you read this, as we are planning an early summer holiday. We love the British seaside. Our Kent coasts are so convenient if you live in Bromley, Orpington, or its surrounds. Nothing better than long, lazy, sunny days on the beach, and so easy to get to. One drawback though, (at this point, Dracula music streams through my head), as I recall one holiday when a giant seagull swooped down and dived speedily into the paper-wrapped bag of chips that I was happily eating by the side of the sea. Then it sped off, beak full of chips, only to come back a minute later to repeat the crime, and as quickly as I lifted my hand to swipe it away, the feathered thief had nicked another few chips and was off, again, then again, until only my greasy paper was left. My Hubby now always packs an umbrella, no matter what the weather forecast. Understandable, me thinks, remembering our very first date, now thirty- two years ago. We met playing husband and wife in a play in

Eastbourne. At the end of the season he asked if he could take me out to dinner in a unique and romantic Italian restaurant. I, of course, was delighted. After a very lovely candle-lit meal, being the perfect gentleman, he said he would walk me to my flat. Again, he very considerately walked on the outside. Here again, that Dracula music flows through my head, because on our romantic walk homewards, another giant seagull flew toward us, hovered above Hubby, then before we could say ‘Shoo,’ it had opened its bowels and left the contents on poor Hubby’s bald head. Slithering seagull droppings immediately started to slide down the side of his head as I speedily fumbled in my handbag for a tissue to come to his aid. In that few seconds all the evening’s romance vanished. I had to fight to keep a straight face. Hubby’s head was bright red with a mixture of embarrassment and the rubbing needed to I now fully understand why the English are so famous for being seen by the sea in swimming attire and a handkerchief over their head " remove the damage. I now fully understand why the English are so famous for being seen by the sea in swimming attire and a handkerchief over their head, nothing to do with sunburn on their heads, all about seagulls, bags of chips, and the saving of romance.

For more about me and my crime novels see www.lindareganonline.co.uk