“. . . and exchanged the medieval splendors of Chalfont for the modern conveniences of Number 73 Balaclava Avenue SW.” — from Kind Hearts and Coronets
1) Though not traveling until the afternoon, I got myself packed and ready before breakfast. The day was sunny and beautiful, stereotypically English (as opposed to stereotypically rainy or foggy English days).
2) In the late morning Gail drove us over to the park around Scrivelsby Court so I could photograph the Lion Gate (and the “Strictly No Lorries” sign), and we then had a good ramble through the gardens and meadows. Ponds ringed with yellow iris, white lilac, an allée of lime trees, a particularly lovely Gertrude Jekyll rose — all suggestive of the past to me.
2a) She pointed out a pair of stocks in a bit of woods, which surprised me greatly.
2b) Stanley’s eagerness to meet new people led to us spotting two men either Older or Younger Than Myself walking up the drive, lost and looking for some sort of caravan meetup. Some quick telephoning on Gail’s part led to the sad discovering that the meetup had been cancelled without notice.
2c) Our ramble continued through the sheep meadows, after which we hopped in the car to return to the Grange for a bit of lunch.
3) Gail drove me into Lincoln to catch my train, which I made easily. Our time together was wonderful, and I am now tasked with creating a list of film recommendations, always a happy assignment for me.
3a) If I had not messaged that group on ye Fycebykke in 2013 for Scrivelsby Church, this meeting would not have happened. #grateful
4) Under two hours later, I emerged from a train that had become crowded onto a crowded platfform in Sheffield, found the lift, went to the wrong exit, negotiated the lift again, made my way down a crowded platform, found the other lift, enjoyed a merry journey down one floor with other travelers laden with either luggage or afflicitions (or both), followed the signs to the taxi stand, and got acquainted with “tea traffic” — what we call “rush hour” in America. I could not understand one word the cabbie said to me, but we made it work.
5) If Edward Hopper was still painting in this century, his hotel rooms would be from this brand of budget hotel. Strictly no frills, and my 4' x 4' window faces an urelieved brick wall. Quite a contrast from the garden view I enjoyed at the Grange, but then travel is full of contrasts, yes?
6) Using Gyygle for dinner suggestions was a mixed bag because the maps didn’t look like the streets I was on. But I found a nice little place for a bit of steak and greens and rosé, and Chasing Beauty.
7) That evening I just didn’t have it in me to write or plot or plan. Early bed for me!