Little Red Riding Hood

LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD.

In December 2009, Bert made the trek west to visit Matt & Emma.   He though it best to  visit his sisters on the island before heading to Powell River.   He flew into Victoria & spent a few days with Lane & Don.   Being a train fan, decided to take the dayliner to Courtney.   Bob suggested I meet the dayliner in Ladysmith & ride to Nanaimo with Bert.     What a great idea, so I  shared my plan with Lane & Patty.     Then it took off from there.    More than a few phone calls back & forth, just enjoying ourselves immensely as to what Bert would do.   Of course,  I could be Little Red Riding Hood ! !        I had red heels, a red T-neck sweater & I grabbed a red felt tam from my hooker friend. ( She hooks rugs not the other kind😊☺)    A bit worse for wear so to cover the  hole on the top,  I  decorated it with a bright  red & gold snowman brooch.   It was the right colour !      My black cape would be perfect.    What to carry his lunch in,  a basket of course, covered in a red & white tea towel.   I had some lovely large red rimmed plastic glasses.   Lane & I had worn them off the plane a few years before when Patty, Ken & Bert had  met us at Dorval.   Needless to say they were a hit then,  so why not use them again?   Her basket was full, a couple of generous egg salad sandwiches. some tangerines, a pop & a hostess gift for the party that would meet him in Courtney.     Bob drove me to the station & who is waiting there  as well  ----- is  a girl I worked with ! !   She is  seeing her in-laws off to Courtney too !       I assured her I did not always travel looking like this & explained my plan. " Here" she said, " stand by the luggage with your back to the train"  .   The train pulls in  with two coaches,------- oh no------ where would Bert be!     At that point Bob who is watching all of this yells, "Bert is in the last car"   Apparently Bert  had got up to look out at some machine they had just passed.  The conductor gave me an odd stare & once again I  found myself trying to explain my plan ! !     " My brother, he is going to Courtney, this is a joke & he doesn't know I'm getting on"    Without a pause, he took my ticket,  "he will be in this car."    For those of you who have worn those plastic glasses know your vision is somewhat impaired.   I stepped out of the sunlight into the dim car & I was suddenly nearly blind, I could hardly see a thing.   But I had to keep walking.    Of course everyone always looks up as to who just got on.   I got the end of the car & no BERT.   So as casual as I could be, I turned around,  lifted up my glasses & started back the way I had come,  up the isle.    The second seat from the front I found Bert, crouched down in the corner, nearly on the floor.    He said I should have known.  The passengers around us enjoyed the prank & a nice young kid offered to take our picture.   It was a fun trip to Nanaimo, said our farewells & Bert continued on his way to Courtney.   Bob met me & as soon as I got in the car I  phoned Patty & Lane  who were dying to find out how it all went down.  That was so much fun.