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Tuesday, 9 October 2018

Stair Rail

Soon after moving to our current home more than a quarter of a century ago, I fitted a handrail to help my ageing father and mother-in-law get up and down stairs. They hauled themselves up, breathless, unbending backs and aching knees, and eased themselves down, woodwork and bone groaning as one.

I remember bringing it home on top of the car, which was a bit risky because at 14 feet long (4.25 metres) it stuck out both front and back. It’s a pig’s ear handrail – a reference to the cross-sectional shape, not the quality of fitting.

Sadly, my father and mother-in-law no longer need it. I fitted it for them. Even in my darkest moments, I never thought it would be for me.


  1. It seems you never had many dark moments.

    1. O the mind, mind has mountains; cliffs of fall
      May who ne'er hung there.

  2. Nice to see you keep your copies of the Harry Potter books in a bookshelf at the top of your stairs.

    1. I thought they were my son's, cluttering up the bookcase. Good. If they're mine I can take them to the charity shop.

