A Nice Day Out

After my recent terrific few days with Lucy and Mandy in Somerset things took a rather quiet turn. Apart from all the usual catching up that needs to be done, even after such a relatively short break, my enthusiasm for being Susan waned to a slight degree. This is nothing unusual and many trans women experience such lulls from time to time and it didn't worry me. What's more, after living for a few days as a woman, going back to my usual pattern of life did seem dull by comparison.

However, after about a week of this I was starting to get desperate for some good Susan time, so on Thursday of this week I went for a shopping trip to Royal Tunbridge Wells. Over the years this town has attracted an unusual reputation as being rather quite, refined place populated by retired colonels and their ladies. This is often epitomised by the somewhat legendary letter of complaint signed "Angry, of Tunbridge Wells". (I wonder if anyone ever did write this?)

In reality, the town is typical of many English country towns with a very wide mix of inhabitants and is a very busy centre of population. The town grew out of a spa resort in the Georgian period and is today a significant tourist attraction. However, unlike other such towns and cities I've visited, the tourist and shopping areas are quite separate and therefore the two do not get in each others way. In fact the shopping area is fairly modern and is based, like most of our towns, around an indoor shopping mall

A few weeks ago I bought myself a new maxi dress from a well-known supermarket chain and I took in to Somerset in the hope of wearing it one of our days out. During my visit I was in the local branch of this supermarket in Taunton when Lucy picked the very same dress of the rack and pointed out how weak the shoulder strap adjuster were. I told her that I had exactly the same dress and I knew myself that I was going to prove her wrong. So, on the day of our trip to Weston-super-Mere I put it on and guess what? - one of the shoulder strap adjusters was broken. So, that went back and I got a full refund.

But I was still a maxi dress down and so the main intention of this trip was to buy a replacement. First stop was Mark & Spencer who seemed to have most of their stock at 50% off. Amongst the Per Una range I found a couple of maxis that really appealed to me. However, I wanted a good look round first so I left them, hoping they'd still be there later. In the event although I saw many others, none of them appealed to me as much as the first two I found. So, it was back to M&S for a closer look and a try on.

Although I've been shopping for some years now in male mode for women's clothes, nothing beats shopping as a woman. Instead of feeling a bit furtive looking at dresses, as a woman you can have a good look round, hold the dress up to you to check its length and of course head for the changing rooms to try them on, which is what I did. In the event one of the dresses was a little loose around my bust and to be honest was too low cut for my liking. But the other one fitted perfectly and so I bought it. Being reduced it was only £1 dearer than the supermarket dress and much better made.

By now it was time for refreshments and so I headed to the mall's food area, which is located in the basement. Like so many modern shopping malls it consists of a number of different outlets and a large centre seating area. I saw a sign as I entered boasting "25 different outlets". However, most of them were shut, and this on a busy week day in high summer. The only ones open for business were one specialising in "sub" rolls, another selling jacket potatoes and of course the ubiquitous international burger chain.

None of these are known for their coffee products so I headed for nearby M&S to make use of their cafe. This by contrast was heaving, so much so that I decided to head back to the mall's food area and try my luck with "Mr Sub's" coffee. It was passable but a pretty poor show for the central shopping mall in a busy town centre. Given how many people were queueing up in M&S for refreshments, I think that someone has got it badly wrong at the mall.

Scotney Castle

After this it was time for more shopping before leaving the town. I wasn't ready to head home just yet so I went on down the road to Scotney Castle, which is National Trust Property some six miles outside the town. Much more about this place can be found by using the above link, but for me is was just a delight to wander around enjoying the fresh air and the lovely scenery. The weather did alternate between warm sunshine and rain, but that's been the nature of our summer this year. I rounded off the visit in the gift shop followed by the tea room. This was well stocked and open - the National Trust weren't about to let trade pass by.

It was time to head on home but I made sure of going home via Ashdown Forest, where you can usually guarantee to find an ice cream van on most days of the year. And so it was the case on this day and it although it was rather breezy up on the forest the visibility was very good with the South downs visible for many miles along the coast. This set the back-drop whilst I enjoyed my ice cream

Going out shopping in female mode is something that many of us wish to try and it can be quite nerve wracking the first time. Even with experience now I'm never totally at ease. Maybe that ease will come with time. But nothing beats that feeling when you do it and there are many pluses to being able to shop as a woman. to be it's a totally different experience to shopping as a man. Above all, there's that ever present feeling that tells you this is so right......

So, it was a fairly ordinary day by any standards, but a really nice one too.

More to come another day but thank you for reading this.

Susan XXX

 

A Special Few Days in Somerset

Over the last 16 months or so I've become good friends with another Tgirl from the West Country. Lucy lives in Somerset and is one of those people who tackles her transgenderism in a robust and positive manner. What's more, she's is always happy to share her experiences with others and pass on the benefit of these experiences in both writing and in practical ways. I could probably fill many pages of blog describing Lucy, but she can do a much better job herself. Her website is always interesting and useful to other Tgirls and can be found here: Pretty Lucy

Recently, after much consideration and preparation, Lucy started to live full time as woman, as part of her eventual transition. She formally marked this occasion on the 4th July by legally changing her name by means of a deed poll. I arranged to be with her on this occasion and also spend a few days with her afterwards. This blog will describe those few days.

Wednesday 4th July

I travelled to Taunton on the morning of the 4th and booked into a hotel in the town. I'd travelled there in male mode, planning to change to female and spend the rest of my time there as Susan. I couldn't book in until 2 pm and as I'd arranged to be at Lucy's by 4.30 I was a little concerned about being able to get everything done in time. I can usually put my makeup on in about 30-40 minutes. Any quicker and it's not to my satisfaction. But in the event I was ready in good time and headed off to meet Lucy and her family.

It's a strange feeling booking into a hotel in one identity and then walking out past the same reception staff a couple of hours later in an entirely different appearance. I'll admit to feeling quite nervous at the prospect, but, these things have to be done and are regular features in the life of a trans woman. To be honest, I'm getting to the stage where I think it will be easier to book in as Susan and stay that way.

With This Pen..........

Lucy lives not far from where I was staying and I was soon with her and her partner, Mandy and also her father. To say that they made me feel at home during my visit would be an understatement. Hospitality of the kind I was to experience over the next few days is something you don't forget.

The central event of this evening was to be the signing of her deed poll document by Lucy. Changing your name and/or title by can be carried out in a number of ways but Lucy had chosen a Deed Poll document prepared by a professional company and this had to be formally witnessed. She had chosen as a witness an old family friend, Al, and it wasn't long before we were on the road to his home in Bristol for the signing and an evening out.

The signing took place in Al & Sue's living room and the photo here shows Lucy doing this. Afterwards a bottle of champagne was opened and a toast made to Lucy and to her future. We then adjourned to a nearby Mediterranean restaurant nearby for a fabulous meal and evening. Al and his family made us all feel so welcome and personally it was very special to me. I'm still rather inexperienced at being out and about as Susan and spending an evening in a restaurant was something new. However, I can truly say that I was at ease the whole evening and that is mostly due to the wonderful company I was in.

Sadly, though, it was all too soon time to say our goodbyes and head back to Taunton. It was late by the time I finally turned in for the night but even so there was a warm feeling left by a fabulous evening.

Thursday 5th July

Time For Breakfast

Originally Lucy and I were going to spend a couple of hours in Taunton this morning to allow Lucy to get her ears pierced and register her change of name at the bank. Afterwards we planned a country walk. However, it was decided that we should start with a "power breakfast" to get the day off to a good start and so in company with Mandy, we set off for a walk along the River Tone towards Morrison's for a good hearty breakfast, and of course some photos along the way.

The breakfast lived up to expectations so it was just as well plenty of exercise was on the cards for the day. It was a short walk from there into the town centre and the first port of call was Claire's so that Lucy could have her ears pierced. Although the act of ear-piercing is fairly simple and quick, I was impressed by the care that was taken over hygiene and also measuring up to ensure that it was done in the right place. Lucy chose a lovely pair of gem studs which were really quite attractive. These have to stay in for about six weeks so it was a good idea of hers to choose ones that are very pretty.

Come See The Roses

After this it was on to the bank for Lucy to register her change of name. Whilst waiting, Mandy and myself began to feel the effects of the previous night and the early start. We both were close to falling asleep and Mandy had visions of Lucy having to come and wake us up. At this point it was clear that our plans to spend the afternoon going for a country walk weren't going to happen. Time was moving on and we were all rather weary. So instead we all spent the afternoon in Taunton town centre taking in lots of shops, plenty of coffee and snacks and a visit to Vivary Park for some photos.

Two Great Friends

When I had previously visited Taunton in April with Lucy and Mandy the weather then could only be described as appalling. It rained heavily all day but that hadn't stopped us taking in a full day's shopping in Taunton and photos in Vivary Park. However, I was looking forward to being able to visit the park in better weather and I wasn't to be disappointed. The park is a lovely place and a credit to the town. The flower beds are beautiful and the whole place is really maintained well.

So, with plenty of photos taken it was off to finish our shopping and head back home for some rest and an evening meal cooked by Lucy's dad. By the time I got back to my hotel I was completely worn out. And there was more to come.

Friday 6th July

Today we were heading to Bath for a day out with Lucy's friend Vicki. Bath is listed as a World Heritage Site and as such is a location we should all be proud of. Although there is much there to meet this criteria our experience was less than happy. Because she is awaiting treatment for a knee problem, Mandy has to use a wheelchair to get around in when out. To describe Bath as "wheelchair friendly" would be a joke. It's true that the more modern parts of the shopping area were ok, but that was not the case elsewhere.

Many of the pavements were narrow and of poor quality. Dropped kerbs were in short supply which meant a lot of bumping poor Mandy up and down kerbs. By the end of it she said she felt as if she'd been in a rodeo! The whole thing wasn't helped by the ignorance of so many people who just didn't seem to be aware of the wheelchair. Even when they were there seemed to be a complete lack of appreciation of the difficulties involved in propelling a wheelchair in a crowded area.

The day wasn't helped by some poor weather, although that can hardly be blamed on the City. But the attitude of the waitress in our chosen lunch place seemed to match the rest of the day. Bath as a City and tourist attraction might have a lot to offer, but sadly for us most of it seemed to be off limits.

Les Trois Dames

But in spite of all this we did enjoy ourselves with lots of shopping and plenty of coffee stops. It was great to meet Vicki for the first time and her sense of humour certainly helped to improve the day. And of course we managed some photos of us all together.

Eventually after saying goodbye to Vicki we headed off home for a well-deserved rest and a fabulous fish and chip dinner. Lucy and Mandy have recently moved to Taunton and somehow they've ended up close to what is locally considered to be the best fish and chip shop in Taunton. After sampling their wares I'm certainly not going to disagree.

Saturday 7th July

My last full day in Somerset and already I was having feelings of sadness at having to leave my friends and head home the following day. But in the meantime Lucy and Mandy had one more lovely day out planned for me. Anyone examining the weather records for this particular period will be aware that in a pretty poor and wet summer, this weekend stood out as appalling. Not far from where we were there had been some pretty serious flooding. As it was, our intended destination for that day, Weston Super Mere, had had a lot of heavy rain forecast. However, it was agreed that we would go anyway and make the most of it in spite of what the weather had in store.

I Don't Really Need This

As it turned out the forecast had been rather over-pessimistic and although there was some drizzle at first, the day gradually improved. Weston-super-Mare is far friendlier to wheelchair users and we all had a great time indulging in our favourite activity - shopping. To go shopping as a woman is a completely different experience and although I've done it before, with Lucy and Mandy for company it's something else.

We had already taken in some coffee and snacks, but as lunchtime approached we headed towards the town's Grand Pier. This structure, which dates from the early twentieth century, was badly damaged by fire in 2008. Some 34 million pounds was spent on its rebuilding, and it shows. Visitors walking along the pier have a choice of walking in the open, or along a covered passageway (we choose the latter). At the end is a modern building which houses one of the largest (and noisiest) amusement arcades you've ever seen. Lucy and Mandy enjoy subjecting their guests to this onslaught because they know that beyond the arcade is a complete contrast.

Ready for Some Serious Tea

This is in the form of "Tiffany's Edwardian Tearoom", and a more complete contrast to its next-door-neighbour you couldn't imagine.

Although we had come for some lunch, envious eyes immediately fixed upon some other patrons enjoying afternoon tea. This consisted of a double platter each with "daintily cut sandwiches" scones, jam and cream and a selection of cakes. How could we resist? (Well, we didn't.....)

Tiffany's Tea

The atmosphere, the service and the food were superb and it was easy to see why Lucy and Mandy enjoy bringing their friends here.

After this it was back into town for some more shopping and more coffee before heading off home. After the disappointment in Bath the previous day, or trip to Weston-super-Mare more than made up for it.

Back at Lucy's we were treated to baked potatoes and quiche for an evening meal, although to be honest no-one could have accused us of being underfed that day. Then it was time for goodbyes as I was heading home the following day. It was sad to part with such lovely friends but the memories I took away will stay for a long time.

And finally.............

Two Wonderful Friends

The main purpose of visiting Lucy at this time was to offer her support at a crucial time in her life. She had finally come out at her place of work and so completed the remaining obstacle to living full time as a woman. In the event her determination and preparation had ensured that everything had gone as well as possible and she was far more relaxed about it the she had hoped for. So for me it tuned into a few days of living and enjoying myself as a woman in the company of two really lovely people. Thank you Lucy and Mandy.

 

Thank you for reading

Susan XXX