PERAMBULATING TWO
Friday 8th October 2004
Today we took out the pram-buggy again. This time we put one L plate on my back and the other in the front of the pram. Once again Eamonn was the instructor and I was the learner. I practiced arm signals. Before making a turn I would stop, take one hand from the handle, clearly indicate a direction with outstretched arm, return hand to handle, and move on in the appropriate direction.
Again I experienced difficulties on the escalators. Going down was a strain on the back. Going up Eamonn had to explain that I didn't need to struggle to keep the pram horizontal but could allow it to tip backwards a little. I always stopped if i saw people coming towards me. eamonn told me to keep going - pedestrians would automatically move aside.
We raised a small harvest of smiles. One man approached me in all seriousness and said that someone had put an L- plate on my back, so I had to explain that I was learning how to push a pram.
The experience was , as before, extremely relaxing. Instructor/learner relationship provided an excellent dynamic for conversation. Next time Eamonn will wear a white coat, peaked hat and white coat, in order to emphasise his role. We all add a bicycle bell to the pram.
O Pram you are a wondrous beast
Of splendour and renown.
Your handle is so gripping
As I stroll around the town.
Your wheels are small, yet do the job
Required of them which is
To give free, fluid movement
Without a clang or hiss.
A beast which clangs and hisses
Would find it hard indeed
To take a little baby
From A to B, C, D.
Its noise would wake the baby up,
Its jolts would cause distress.
The baby's nappy surely would
Be one continuous mess.
A clanging, hissing pram-beast
Could carry other things
Like plants, cement or shopping,
Some booze or balls of string.
It could be used to frighten dogs
Or waken sleeping owls -
Could scare away the crows from corn,
And disguise noisy bowels.
No, I prefer my quiet pram
Though a bell I wouldn't mind,
To warn the slow pedestrians
That i'm coming up behind.
A bigger version of this picture is available
To walk behind a pram is blissful fun,
It brings solace if your heart needs mended;
Though some folk break into a gentle run
Hurrying fast is never recommended.
Use empty prams if you speed a lot
There'll be less harm if over-ended.
But this won't happen if you've been well taught
And lessons are a great investment,
Because at cornering skills you'll be real hot;
Reversing and parking will be your bent,
Traversing pavements will uplift your soul
In the knowledge that prams are Heaven sent.
A bigger version of this picture is available
