DB Openhand Magazine_June2017

Bill’s Board
Welcome to Bill’s column
A trip to Avebury
Last summer I took a trip
to Avebury; a village in
Wiltshire which contains
the largest stone circle in
Europe. This prehistoric
site attracts many visitors
each year and although
its original purpose is
unknown, it is now a place
of religious importance to
contemporary pagans.
I visited during the summer
solstice celebrations that
happen every year. There is
always a lot going on during
this time including dragon
dancing and fire juggling;
it’s a great atmosphere. The
fire juggler was a friend of
mine so I was able to join in
with some of the dancing,
luckily for me there were
no photographs of this for
Deafblind UK to get their
hands on!
I have been to Avebury
many times both when
I was sighted and not.
Since loosing my sight
the experience was very
different; it was filled with
blossom aroma, the sounds
of the excited crowd and
even some interested bees!
After the celebrations, we
went to the local pub which
has a well inside it! Guests
can throw coins down the
well and make a wish whilst
enjoying a well deserved pint.
I would thoroughly
recommend a trip
to Avebury; it’s a
fascinating day out!
The stones at Avebury
Bill becomes
mobile compatible
You may remember
me writing about my
new mobile phone, the
Samsung Galaxy J5 which
has been adapted with
Synapptic accessibility
software for visually
impaired users. I’m
pleased to say that I
have now got to grips
with it and I would like to
thank both Synapptic and
Blind Veterans for their
willingness to help me out!
The only limitation that I
have come across is it is
difficult to make selections
once you are on the call, as
the keyboard disappears.
For example, when you
are asked to enter an
extension number or select
a category from a list.
The Synapptic
accessibility software
Bill’s talking microwave
My kitchen friend
I also recently wrote about
my new talking microwave
which I have been very
impressed with. I am now
much more used to it
and have been trying out
lots of the audio recipes.
However, if you’re thinking
of getting one I would
recommend patience as
the microwave has been
programmed and
you haven’t!
Get in touch!
If there is anything
you would like me to
write about in my next
column, please let me
know by contacting
Deafblind UK. I would
love to hear from you!
32 Open Hand
Open Hand 33