Image of the week… The nurse’s kind eyes

22nd November 2024

The nurse’s kind eyes gently placed my elbow back onto the arm rest.

“You’ll need to get a GP to remove these stitches in 10 days”.

“Hmmm I’ll be in a really remote place in Germany, can I wait until I return?”

She shook her head and handed me a DIY kit – a scalpel and some tweezers and said –

“I’m sure you’ll find someone who is brave enough to help”.

I thanked her and looked at the tapestry now holding my elbow together.
Strangely I hadn’t felt much when I slipped on a tile floor and brushed it off.
Turns out it was a deep one. I messaged Jan asking if I could use his tripod.
Knox is a character.
His weathered braces hug a dart straight posture. I am always greeted with a Cheshire cat grin and his eloquently confusing British accent is sprinkled with German inflection.
I first met him when invited to his garden party in 2022. Entering the grounds is like stepping into a magical world. The manicured vegetation surrounds an old house swamped in Ivy.
A band were in full swing as several bonfires were alight toasting small groups of local villagers knocking back home-grown food and wine.
A year later I returned and reiterated the idea I had drawn up last summer.
‘We need to sedate the pig is that possible? Will it harm it in any way?’
“Not a problem,” said Knox.
However, it was, the pig was not available.
Plan B – “What creatures have you got Knox?”
He reeled off a list until I stopped him at baby turtles.
“That might work. Can we book them in next Tuesday please?”
Before we start, I have another favour to ask. Can you take my stitches out please?
If there’s no GP a vet is my best bet and I was right.
He smoothly returned with his tools.
As I turned away, I was greeted by Jan’s iPhone camera hovering and ready to document the operation with a little too much enthusiasm.
Knox’s hands were stained black from picking berries that would soon become wine. I showed him the spots I had recce’d and we headed inside with the cage of baby amphibians.
These folk tales have slowly seeped into my subconscious and the images that arise remind me of when I was studying painting as a teenager. I am always left frustrated that my hands can’t form the shapes to create my vision but often this is overridden by the joy of being in flow state. In this case it was. Turns out turtles are also faster than I expected- and poop a lot.
My huge thanks to Knox who has always been someone who I feel I can open my head and heart to easily. He has an infectious chilled energy blended with a huge love of art and creation. I miss hanging out at his castle.
Oao x