It's times like these I remember why I chose my course...

Today was a very emotionally draining one. I got up at 5:30, and at 7am was on a train to Grantham to carry on my coverage about the "Keep Safe" project.

Basically it's a scheme whereby stickers are put in shop windows for people with learning difficulties recognise a place to go if they experience any trouble or are victims of crime.

It had got to about 2pm, I hadn't eaten since my breakfast at 6am and I was tired already - but I was finishing up. I decided to interview one of the representatives of the project from Hertfordshire where the project has been tested. This lady has learning difficulties, but gave some excellent responses to my questioning.

My heart began to tear when she said quite plainly "People think of us as children, people with learning difficulties". I bit my lip and continued the interview. The lady continued to relate about how she had been assaulted in more ways than one by her family members , neighbours and had abuse thrown at her by people in the street all because of her learning difficulty.

I was so disgusted. She genuinely was one of the nicest people I've met, I got on so well with her and she was so upfront with her responses. The smile never left her face and she really seemed interested in what I had to say.

There is however a silver lining to her tale. She was awarded the MBE for her services to disabled charities, and she told me quite a few funny stories about the times she visited Buckingham Palace for various receptions!

I left the day feeling quite torn inside. Part of my degree is finding people like this to interview, and as I always say - everyone has a story to tell. Unfortunately those stories aren't always the best, and I really can't help but feel for the pain that some of the people I speak to have been through.

I just hope I can do her story justice with my radio package, after hearing her tale I feel compelled to.

What a day! Free creme brulée and being stranded...

Blimey - to say the past day was hectic is a bit of an understatement.

It all began when *cue hazy music* Lincoln Christmas Market was cancelled. I had arranged for the lovely Mark to come and visit so that I could show him round (and finally buy him a long overdue dinner)

What happens in the news this week? The market was cancelled. Urgh. I don't think the word "upset" quite covered how I felt.


Photo: the noggin_nogged

Never fear though! Mark very kindly agreed to drive me to Leeds for the Leeds Christmas Market to make amends for it.

So he arrived last night, and we drove out of Lincolnshire. I must ask you at this point to keep in mind the fact that all the roads were perfectly fine.

Leeds Christmas Market was wonderful! I managed to get my SU Secret Santa present sorted out, had a good browse round all the lovely German stores (and even saw the butch BBC Look North sports lady doing a 2 way from the scene)

On an interesting sidenote, we met a lovely -albeit tipsy- lady in the queue for the cash machine. "I've been in the hog roast since 2pm" was the first thing she said. It transpired over the course of our conversation that her son was planning to propose to his girlfriend, and that we were the first people she had told.

I find it impossible that her or her son will read this, but I'd like to wish them well. Her story warmed me so much in the cold :)

We then went for dinner, which I paid for as a thank you to Mark for driving me all this way. Dinner was extra nice because some morons forgot to charge us for dessert. We went back to Marks house, watched the Muppets (and some godawful film that Mark swore was good when he was 7) and went to bed.


Photo: Joe Penniston

All was nice and rosy with the world.

Fast forward to this morning. We woke up and set off back to Lincolnsire. Once again, Mark had very kindly agreed to drive me back. We just arrived in to Lincolnshire only to find out the A15 was closed. At this point a string of expletives rang out from the car.

So the satnav set us off down this other route - which turned out to be too snowed in to get past. We had to face it - it was looking rapidly like I would be spending another night with him. I was frantically googling various train routes from Scunthorpe (which we were at this point passing) before I suggested that he drop me off at my Grandparents.


Photo: Andrew Harvey-Adams

I got out in Doncaster and had a lovely lunch with them - it was nice to see them once again :) I then: set off from Doncaster, got the bus to the station, the train to Newark and the train to Lincoln. Thankfully those lines were running (otherwise I'd be truly stuffed)

I got back tired and wet - but very thoughtful. Whilst we were discussing things at the dinner table in the restaurant, Mark said he thought that I showed unwillingness to change myself (citing my conservative dress sense as an example).

It did get me thinking a lot, and it was one of those things that you deep down know, but don't want to admit. Long story short, I've taken onboard parts of his advice, and I'm going to try to change the way I am and behave for Christmas.

Because let's face it - everyone thinks of me as an 80 year old man, no matter how politely they may try to disguise it.


Photo: Jerry Wong