40 Steps Backwards and A Pirouette. : York: By Fair Means or Foul - Day 1 - Tuesday 24th September 2019

After a pretty uneventful journey from London, with the exception of the gentleman on the seat beside me on the train, regaling me with the story of how in China or Tokyo, travellers can manoeuvre their seats into any position they like, I arrived in York. I promise I didn't tell him that the same was true of trams in the past and that the seats could likewise be shifted depending upon the direction of travel (see I learnt something at the London Transport Museum). Also I was amused by the Platform Nine and Three Quarters at King's Cross Station. A queue of people eager to have their picture taken by a brick wall. Interestingly, some enterprising individual has opened a 'Harry Potter' theme shop to cash in on the stupid Muggles who enjoy the texture of grouting (to fill in the gap, please pardon the pun, Harry Potter and his friends effectively run at a brick wall in order to catch the train to Hogwarts, the school for budding magicians).

Anyhow, the trip was occupied with my new book, Iris Murdoch's 'The Sea, The Sea'. So far, so good. A retired actor, playwright and director escapes to the middle of nowhere to allow himself the space to write and contemplate both his past and current life. I appreciate his need.

Arriving in York, I was struck by how hard it was raining. The rain probably reminded me to use the loo, which was plastered with reminders concerning the high rates of suicides amongst young men (and men in general). The need to mythologise the urge to pee (I went, it provided relief. Big deal) has passed now, so I left the station and began walking around. My poor umbrella bore the brunt of the weather.

As I walked around, I searched for somewhere to eat, whilst trying to get my bearings. I eventually went into a Carluccio's. York, like every other town or city seems to offer a mass of franchises. If you have seen one high street, you have seen them all. I ate some pate and a steak, choosing to resist the craving for something sugary until later. The Waiter chatted to me a bit and I made him laugh when he asked me where I was from and what I was going to do today. I joked that I would probably spend most of the day searching for my hotel. I added that if I couldn't find it, I would probably come back to the restaurant.

I walked around a bit and thanks to the map I printed out of York, I finally found the hotel. The Receptionist asked me if it had stopped raining. I assured her it had slightly eased up.

Having used up most of the day travelling, I decided to visit Clifford's Tower, which is just around the corner from the hotel. After agreeing to Gift Aid my entry to what could possibly be the quickest visit to a tourist attraction in the UK, I went in. I headed up into the battlements, deciding when I got up there that I am not the biggest fan of heights when I don't feel particularly confident or happy in myself, so took some nervous photos then descended the dodgy stairs, enjoying the rusty railings and the orange tinge they left on my hands.

I then wandered aimlessly around York seeing lots of the places I will endeavour to visit in the next couple of days. I also saw references to at least three separate ghost walks. As I was feeling (and still am writing this entry) very wet, I suspect tonight will be spent reading my novel. I have activities planned for tomorrow night and Thursday night.

I walked past what could have been an interesting exhibition on mental health, but chickened out as it was late (i.e. after 4.45pm and many places in York seem to close at 5pm).

My hotel room is very nice, designed for a couple and as I am alone, I am reminded of that fact but solitude has its pluses.

Barry Watt - Tuesday 24th September 2019.
Photos.

The eponymous star of King's Cross Station. The place to be...

Suicide notice inside York Station toilet. Important message for everyone, keep an eye on your friends and family. Please seek help if necessary.

The paper clip on the carpet of the hotel. Paper clips seem to be a factor in my life. Where I go, paper clips seem to follow.

Clifford's Tower.

Clifford's Tower battlements where I started to get the wobbles.

Looking down into Clifford's Tower. The scaffolding is not part of the original structure.

A useful philosophy, I saw chalked onto brickwork.

Umbrellas in the air. They are taking over. Please remember to be nice to them. They have long memories.

Art work in a gallery. Roooaaarrr! Copyright to the artist. Unfortunately, I didn't make a note of the artist but it struck me as a very powerful image.