Published on 12, July, 2020
Hello everyone my name is Rose and I am 58 years old. My hobbies are Twitter, gardening, classic cars, art, photography and spending time with my dog.
Recently I became very stressed when my beloved 12 year old dog was dying of heart disease and things were incredibly hard for me at work. Things have always been very challenging at work, I always end up in conflict with colleagues or managers, but as I get older it is more difficult to keep finding new jobs. This has finally led to me seeking an autism diagnosis after years of wondering if I am autistic.
I had my first meeting with a psychologist for my autism assessment last week. I was amazed at how much we talked about in that hour and a half. So many things from my childhood and adult life are starting to make sense. Lots of 'what ifs' and 'if onlys' started going through my mind but I am trying not to feel regret. I phoned my younger sister afterwards and she said she has thought for years that I am autistic (she thinks my Dad is autisitc too).
After my Norfolk Terrier died I realised that I could not cope without a dog as a best friend. A week later my husband and I adopted a Border Terrier who had been used for breeding and was not wanted now she cannot have any more puppies. She was very nervous when she first arrived but she is beginning to trust us (see photo below). I badly injured my ankle going on too many dog walks, so I am off work at present. In a way this is a good thing as it has removed me from a very stressful work situation. It has also given me time to think about the autism assessment process.
Finding this online community and reading some of the discussion threads has been incredibly helpful. It's wonderful to be among people who have had similar experiences.
Welcome, Rose.
What a wonderful picture. It instantly reminded me of my Grandad's terrier sitting on his knee in his old Hillman Avenger when I was a kid! I'm also rather partial to classic car rallies, steam fairs and transport museums; I don't get to as many as I'd like as I don't drive myself, but it's always something I check out if I stumble across one, and I always try to go to the annual Jowett get together in nearby Bradford (I'm very partial to Jowett Jupiters!)
Hello lovely to meet you. It is really lucky that our little dog likes cars - we had no idea if she would when we adopted her. I think she associates being in the car with a nice walk somewhere. How wonderful that the photo reminded you of your Grandad's terrier and his Hillman Avenger.
I'm glad you mentioned the annual Jowett get together - we're not far away so we might try and go next year. I have always admired Jupiters and Javelins and I like them even more after finding out via Google that Jowett was a stubbornly independent car manufacturer based in Idle!
One of the best things we ever did was a trip on the Waverley paddle steamer - the last sea going one in the world. The engine room was incredible. I also love visiting the beam steam engines at Ryhope near Sunderland. Watching them work is mesmerising and it's a lovely place to warm up on a cold day!
Thank you so much for welcoming me.
This all sounds wonderful! How fantastic to have an uncle with such an amazing collection! I enjoyed visiting Crich Tramway village and museum a few years ago. Have you ever been? Fascinating to see the evolution from horse power to steam and then electric trams.
Been into steam for years - my uncle has his own traction engine, Sentinal steam lorry and a Stanley Steamer (amongst a whole load of other toys).
The two Kempton engines are huge - you can do a tour of the non-operational one (if you're fit) and climb right to the top.
I did Brooklands last week - excellent museum - it's been recently expanded/upgraded so it's a whole day experience. I'm off to The Shuttleworth Collection on Wednesday - a nice gentle day out.
Wow, Kempton - can't believe how good this sounds - next weekend there will be MGs Meccano and steam pumping engines the size of a block of flats! http://www.kemptonsteam.org
I'll check out Kew Bridge steam museum too - thank you so much for these recommendations. It's lovely to meet a fellow steam enthusiast.
It will be worth the wait to go on The Waverley. Third time lucky as they say! We got picked up from Clacton Pier then steamed round the coast and up The Thames disembarking in London at twilight. Totally awesome! If you like roast dinners they do a fantastic one on The Waverley but you have to book it in advance. How exciting that the Maid of the Loch is being restored - something else to add to my list! Were the puffins there when you last visited Lundy? I've never been to Lundy but I love the name because it features in the shipping forecast. Lovely to meet you by the way.
If you're into big steam, I can recommend the Kempton Steam Museum - that have 2 enormous (1000 ton) steam pumping engines - of similar size to the Titanic's engines (it was used in the film for the engine room). They get one going every now & then.
Kew Bridge steam museum is good too - 90" & 110" (piston diameter) beam engines.
Sunflower said:One of the best things we ever did was a trip on the Waverley paddle steamer - the last sea going one in the world.
I have been 'waiting' to go on the Waverley for the past three years. I booked to go to Lundy Island from Penarth in 2016, the trip was cancelled due to weather.
Then in 2017, it was cancelled because the boat had a little accident in Scotland and was laid up. This year I was too late, all the tickets had been sold. So next year, on a beautiful calm, sunny and warm September day I will look forward to making the trip. Over forty years since I went to Lundy which was on the Balmoral (not a paddle steamer).
The last paddle steamer I went on was the Maid of the Loch along Loch Lomond in 1977, one of the last years of its service under Caledonian MacBrayne, the largest inland lake steamer in Britain and the last paddle steamer built in Britain. It is now being restored to steam again so I look forward to another trip on it in a few years time.
Visiting Bradford Industrial Museum is an excellent suggestion, thank you. As you say it is marvellous when you get to hear people who are enthusiasts talking about the machines.
I've added a drive in a Jowett Jupiter to my wish list. They are such elegant cars as well as having incredible performance capability. So sad that the firm did not survive it would have been interesting to see what they produced next.
I did not even know there was such a thing as a boat lift - off to Google it now! Thanks for reminding me about Jodrell Bank too. None of these places are too far from where we live, and it would make a good campervan trip.
If you come out this way, the Bradford Industrial Museum is well worth a visit; they have a good collection of old industrial machinery (a lot from the former textile mills), engines, and classic vehicles. There are certain hours when they have people in to run the machines, and if you can get a moment with them, they're fascinating people to talk to.
It's a shame that Jowett came to such an ignominious end so prematurely. Their cars had a fine reputation at the time, not least the Jupiter's stunning performances at Le Mans, and they'd already invested a lot in trying to make themselves more self-sufficient.
You've reminded me that I need to badger an old friend from Cheshire; he's been promising me a visit to the Anderson boat-lift and Jodrell Bank for quite a while now!