'Tales of a Carer ( Number 1 )' by Peter Hodges

We deliver Christmas cards together. Our road and round about, she with the white stick, me guiding. Well, that's the way it's supposed to be, isn't it? I carry the cards, about a dozen divided into roads and houses, the ones she can do, the rest for me.
We're about halfway when she says, "How many left?"

"Six," I say.
"Which ones?"
I read out the names. She asks for so-and-so's and so-and-so's. "And you do numbers 32 and 34."
"Why not 33?" I ask.
"No, I'll do that. They've got a funny step. You'll fall over it."

'On the Way to the Match' by Marina Jeavons

We’re on our way among the throng.
The hustle and bustle and hubbub of voices surround us. We hear the would be experts extolling their opinions and the would be football managers putting their team to rights. “What the hell was he thinking taking off the centre forward, we need somebody up front!” “I wish he would buy a good striker”. “Our problem is shooting … we’ve got nobody who can find the back of the net.”
Everyone is wearing jeans. Jeans of every shade from darkest navy to palest blue. Tight fit jeans, baggy jeans, torn jeans and jeweled and sequined jeans. All are here on display.
But the bums in the jeans are varied just as much.
In front of me is a wobbly one, clad in pale tatty jeans. The jeans are low slung and the crutch reaches nearly to its owner’s knees. The bottoms of the jeans are dragging in the dust, torn and frayed. Their owner walks with a rolling gait, hands in pockets.
Now along comes a neat and tidy one clad in dark blue, tight fitting stretch jeans. Their owner strides purposefully along and soon overtakes everyone.
Ah! Here comes a bricklayer. Low slung pale jeans with a broad leather belt not doing it’s job. Their owner is loud and slobbers as he puffs on his cigarette.
Now we have the jeweled-jeaned bums, two together. Oh my God! One has the bottoms of their jeans tucked into knee-high shiny boots, while the other displays the top of a lacy thong.
But enough!
We are nearing the turnstiles and the tempting aromas of the food stalls beckon. Let’s forget about backsides and think about the match!

'Walking by the River Severn' by Jan Lloyd

I enjoy walking along the tow path of the River Severn which stretches from my back garden around the historic town of Shrewsbury. The well trodden route has become familiar to me over the many years I have walked here but my favourite time is when spring arrives. It's wonderful breathing in the fresh, new air after the long, winter months have had their toll on my psyche. What an uplifting experience to witness the bursting forth of new life with the promise of warmer weather to come. Seeing the drakes on the water becoming excited, fluttering and flaunting their amorous advances toward their chosen, but indifferent mate, is always amusing to watch whilst I feed them yesterday's bread. I can't get enough of the fragrance which arrives at this time, particularly from the sap of the balsam poplar trees as it rises to greet the sun. The smell reminds me of a particular brand of sun tan lotion which my mother would daub on me as a child. The moment I breathe in the delicious scent I wonder whether the lotion contained this aromatic ingredient which makes me long for those idyllic, far off days of my childhood.
The trees line the edge of what was the football ground but sadly they have now dwindled due to root damage from the new developments taking place. I hope that the few remaining will continue to thrive and kick start my senses for many more spring times to come. Not only do they provide me with pleasure but they are used as landing posts for the cormorants visiting the town. I have counted up to six sitting in the branches whilst they quietly survey their surroundings. They perch patiently, waiting to swoop down and land a tasty fish for dinner.
The sounds from the river change with the seasons and the spring brings the rowers out. Boys from Shrewsbury School start their training in earnest, and whilst they exert their physical strength, the exuberant trainers shout out instructions from the bank. As they build up momentum the rowers appear to skim effortlessly whilst the rowing boats glide smoothly down stream.
I never fail to enjoy my outings along the river and despite the endless years I have ventured along the path there is always something new to take in. I usually complete my walk with a visit to a local cafe for my guilty pleasure, a creamy cappuccino and a Danish. I then return home feeling refreshed and contented.

'I Love India' by Elisa Hill

I love India. The first time I went to Goa I got off the plane and was overwhelmed. The heat was like walking into an oven. I had an initial panic that I couldn’t breath; then I noticed the very air smelt spicy! Such a culture shock. You become an immediate target for street sellers; there were no pavements; old ladies were digging the roads - red earth, bright colours - ordinary women wearing the most vivid saris. Motor bikes were everywhere; no rules for the traffic, constant hooting, expecting everyone to get out of the way! Whole families on one motor bike - Dad, Mum and two kids and their flowing saris! Health and safety nightmare!

In the town of Margua there was a man with a pneumatic drill, digging the road, with people walking next to him (In Shrewsbury they put up barriers and council workers lay out traffic cones every time the river overspills its bank by a few inches).

One day I was on my own walking down the street, looking at the roadside stalls. I heard a loud shout and looked over and saw a Danish tourist pushing an old beggar, who had approached him, to the ground. Everyone seemed to gasp. I felt very ashamed, angry and confused.

'Senior Moments' by Maureen Bradley

The Potato Peeler
I had been looking everywhere for an old fashioned potato peeler without any success. I was visiting an agricultural show and as I was looking round the stalls I found just what I was looking for.
When I got home and started to prepare the evening meal, I thought I would try out my new purchase. It was absolute rubbish and would not peel the potatoes. I was disappointed and threw it in the washing up bowl thinking that I had wasted my money.
Later that evening when I was washing up I came across the awful peeler and was about to throw it in the bin, when I discovered that the plastic cover was still on the blade.

Bargains
I was shopping in my local supermarket when I spotted a bargain shopping trolley in one of the aisles .On the top there were cakes that I presumed were past their sell by date. As I delved further I came across meat and vegetables. How strange, I looked over my shoulder and standing there was the tallest lady I had ever seen and then I realised she was wondering what I was doing going through her shopping.