During the lockdowns of the Covid 19 Pandemic, I travelled the world unencumbered by masks. I dismissed sanitisers and socially engaged with diverse nationalities.
In a leafy suburb of London, I encountered Alan Bennett. As I was entering his driveway, I passed a scruffy old van. A feisty old woman stuck out her head and said “He’s not there, you can come into my van and wait.” There I met “The Lady in the Van” who entertained me with stimulating conversation until Alan returned.
Umberto Eco took me by the hand and led me through Mussolini’s Italy, while Elena Ferrante introduced me to a host of interesting families in a very different Italy.
“The Power of Geography” was explained to me by Tim Marshall when he brought me to places like Australia, The Middle East, North Africa etc. in order to update me on their current political situations.
Nearer to home, I learned “Thirty Two Words for Field” from Manchan Magan, who accompanied me around Ireland and introduced me to the lost words of the Irish landscape.
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| Ah, the cup of tea! |
I was delighted to meet Doireann Ni Ghriofa who informed me that her “Ghost in the Throat” was Eibhlin Dubh Ní Chonaill, wife of Art O'Laoghaire. I revisited the great Irish lament, “Caoineadh Art Uí Laoghaire” written by Eibhlin, his heartbroken wife.
I travelled to other places and encountered very interesting characters while I curled up on a chair with a cup of tea and a bar of chocolate and read to my heart’s content.
Thus the Retired Teachers Association Book Club transported me to other zones during this strange time of the Covid Pandemic. It lifted my spirits, honed my cerebral functions and provided me with human contact through the medium of Zoom.
Thank you, Galway Retired Teachers Association!
I really appreciate you!
Margaret Quigley