Lying on the bed talking to the attractive nurse

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Lying on the bed talking to the attractive nurse

Tuesday, 28 April 2009 21:45

Fiona's having a few well earned days rest from blogging at the moment. Her fans need not worry: she will be back, but in a mad moment I (John) said I would do the daily contributions while we are at Northwich.

We are moored just above Town Bridge

Talking of contributions, one of the things that I have done for many years now is to give blood. I wonder if Tony Hancock's sketch comes to mind when I say that? A classic, wasn't it? "A pint? thats very nearly an armful!" I had forgotten the punchline - returning home, Hancock cuts himself on a bread knife and is rushed back to the same hospital, where he receives a transfusion of his own blood — the only pint the hospital has of his rare blood type.

My blood isn't particularly rare, but it is valuable - O negative. O-neg can be given to anyone. That means my blood is the only safe option when a patient's blood group is unknown or not immediately available - such as in emergencies, or in the case of specialised procedures for unborn babies. Apparently, only 7% of donors share my blood group, so every so often a reminder drops through our letter box back at Banbury, telling me I'm important, inviting me to drop into the Bouverie Hall, Pewsey - the last place I donated twice. Because we are continual cruisers that isn't very convenient!

However, there are two methods that I can use to continue my donations. One is to use the National Blood Service web site to find out if there is a local session. The other is to spot posters when you're visiting towns. We spotted such a sign in the Northwich Tourist Information Office, and so this afternoon I made my way to the Memorial Hall.

These days you can make an appointment, so from arrival, to checking in, to giving the blood, drinking the lemon squash (you can have tea) and eating the chocolate biscuit (or plain, or crisps) took only about half an hour. Then it was back to the boat to relax - that's a good excuse said a certain person, but it's genuine; and I may have saved someone's life, so I think I deserve it, don't you?

Earlier, while I was lying on the bed, talking to the attractive nurse, I mentioned that I was living on a narrowboat. "Oh, a friend is trying to sell hers at the moment, because it's getting more expensive - but she's having a hard time shifting it." From what I read, the credit crunch is going to hit boat owners hard; the boat can be a luxury. Add to that the increased mooring costs, licence fees and diesel prices and British Waterways and the Environment Agency need to be sensitive to the situation, or they will kill the golden goose.