A Visit To The Nut House

One of the local institutions for the mentally impaired had an ‘open day’ not so long ago. Somebody I know works there and she invited me to pay them a visit and offered to act as my guide. What a revelation! I always thought that everybody were in straight jackets and padded cells. Everybody seemed quite normal… well, that is until they spoke. In fact, it seemed so normal that I was scared that they’d keep me there so I did not stay long enough for my face too become familiar. hole

The hi-light of the day was undoubtedly the rugby match against another institution of the same kind. But they were playing a different game. The ball was played on the ground, off-side lines were not observed, and throwing punches was part of the game. When a loose scum developed everybody, forwards and backs alike, climbed in. The home team lost the match but certainly won the fights. boxing

But all set aside, it was fun to watch. Discounting the handling errors (which were not blown at all), the game was quite flowing and the whistle seldom blew. And when it did, it took for ever to get the game to stop and everybody back to the point of the ‘infringement’. Methinks the whistle only went when the referee needed a rest. It also appeared that neither team had a kicker. Not a single kick at post, not even a conversion from squat in front of the posts, was attempted. It may be a rule; I don’t know. dunno

During the game a troop of Boy Scouts came marching my way. They were halted and their leader, a tall guy with more decorations than Idi Amin, approached us where we were leaning against my car. Under a spray of spittle I was told that I may not park there. It was a clearly marked parking bay but saw it best to humour him and asked where I should park. He pointed to the adjacent parking bay and stayed until I moved the car before marching his troops off to where they came from. In the process I missed a try being scored. doh

After the match my hostess took me into an restricted area and when a half dozen or so older ladies behind a 2 meter fence had to be restrained for wanting to climb over the fence to get to me, I decided to leave. uh oh

But the visit left me with a few other impressions. Foremost it was the compassion in my hostess for this people. She was born for the job. Then there was a woman pushing a pram with a doll in it. I was told that she stole a new born baby to end up there and another fella, about my age was also pushing a pram; fitted with registration plates, reflectors & a horn and giving hand signals and blowing the horn from time to time as he went along. I wonder what went wrong in his life. sad flower

I always thought my hostess had a few nuts and bolts missing but now I understand her better. She has the same problem as policemen and primary school teachers. Have you noticed how policemen talk to everybody as if they are criminals and how primary school teachers address everybody like children? giggle
cats meow cats meow

Have a wonderful day.wave
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Comments (49)

Biff ~ That's interesting what you said about Tara and the huge wall. The Dundrum Mental Asylum which is still there, is built on approx. 7 Acres, it is an archaic, austere type of building with long dark corriders and no sense of Happiness or joy. Busy nurses and people sitting in chairs aimlessly looking at a T.V. set.

The wall is quite famous, it the highest wall, It looks to be about 30 feet tall, Granite, but on the Irish News when I was going to school , the odd dangerous criminal would scale the wall using bed sheets, and there would be a stern warning for those living in the area to keep their doors and windows locked. That was in the late 50s.grin
blushing Sorry , That message was meant for Catfoot.
Hi GG
No problem there. I read them all, no matter who they are addressed to.laugh
hug
GG,
Now that you mention it, I noticed that the nurses are mostly sturdy woman. That is probably by design. I woulldn't want to get tangled with one of them.
Catfoot ~ I know a Nurse working in that Asylum as they still call it. She is strong, and very happy by nature. She is retiring in a year and a half when they close down the whole place.

It is not fit for purpose anymore and psychiatrists are seeing that these type of prison institutions are not conductive to any sort of a life for those who work there or live there.
The people will be all moved to another large psychiatric hospital but near the Sea , and with better facilities, keep fit, other activities.
The woman I speak about said to me she is emotionally very tired and that you do soak in the atmosphere unless you are built of stone.

Things are changing slowly .wave You are still a great and interesting blogger cat.
Hi GG
I only wish I knew a bit more about the topic. All I know is what I observed in a few hours as a visitor. I was not even sure if talking about it here was a good idea. I never dreamed that it would turn out into an interesting blog. That is why I kept it for a 'Friday' blog. My blogs are usually fairly quiet on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
hug
Hi Catfoot, sorry I didn't ask you earlier, How was your visit with your daughter, and did you get a chance to visit your lady friend. If I am not mistaken I believe you said once she lived kind of close to daughter.

cheers my freind
Hi Wen
Delightful. I always enjoy visiting her.

With regards to my holiday romance. I gave her a call while I was up there but she was rather lukewarm and expressed no wish to meet again so I did not push the matter. After all, that is what we agreed beforehand.
cheers
Excuse me for the typos, as long as the meaning is clear and all that was written can be understood, won't correct the mistakes or mind about the mistakes laugh peace
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Catfoot

Catfoot

Around here, Western Cape, South Africa

I know I cannot always have what I want, but that does not make me want it less. Otherwise I’m easy to please, flexible, accommodating and forgiving. I cool down as fast what I get cross. I hate it when people lie to me. I’m hooked to my laptop, but [read more]

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created Apr 2018
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