2132 Weekend in London part 2

Having gone back to bed after waking and writing it was after seven when I roused myself to discover a bright but cloudy Sunday morning in Croydon. I enjoyed a coffee with a pain-au-raisin twice, immediately on waking and then before going out for the day. I made three decisions. I would go and see the latest Almodovar film showing in the Haymarket at 15.20 and I would travel by bus stopping in Brixton for lunch.

On my way back from the visit to relatives in Wallington the previous evening the bus had passed by the site of the former Reeves Corner main furniture store, now demolished following the fire and surrounded by boarded up so my third decision on leaving the Travel Lodge was to walk straight down the road which passed the Wetherspoons’ (open and full of early Sunday drinkers), the side entrance to Alders and the entrance to the now pedestrianised High Street, along passed the entrance to Surrey Street continuing down the hill passing the closed indoor market, Argos and directly onto Reeves Corner looking for signs of the rioting.

In fact as I been advised by the relatives the damaged centred on Reeves Corner, an adjacent pub which was externally damaged to one of its two fronts although evidently closed and a short row of properties the other side of the Reeves main building from which the dramatic shot of the woman jumping for her life from one of the flats above had been taken. This is at one edge of the Corydon shopping area. And while I did not go along to South Croydon where the restaurants are located I did travel along the continuation of the High Street through to Streatham and Brixton and apart from closed shops through lack of trade there was no immediate indication of fire damaged premises. Apart from Reeves corner the only change noticed was that the main street entrance to the Travel Lodge was closed with the entrance tucked away at the back.
At Reeves Corner I took a bus to the station and from there found the queue for the 109 which goes along the main highway to Brixton. I have travelled on this bus before noting the mixture of races and the absence of English Language among those who are of white skin. Sunday mid morning was a very different situation although almost from the first stop at West Croydon the bus was full and during the journey it remained full but emptied and refilled at least half a dozen times and while on a previous journey during a weekday I counted just over 100 arrivals and departures of adults, there must have several hundred between 300 to 400 at a rough guess. There were people well dressed in their Sunday best for church or clutching several bags of supermarket shopping or on a visit or meet up with someone. There were families with prams and on the way back one mother with a pram and one child struggle to get her buggy along another where a father with pram and child were already sitting.

Oh to be a parent again! I do not believe that children were so uncontrolled in my day and until recent decades. There were two examples which come to mind. In the morning of the previous day after I had moved back from seat close to the entrance to enable a grandmother to sit with her daughter alongside the pram. The child was awake and enjoyed the contact with her relatives without express any desire to be taken up and sit with them.

A second mother with pram joined the bus towards the end of he Roundshaw circle and she also had a toddler who ignoring her strictures rushed upstairs and could be heard running to a seat at back. The mother had to locate the pram securely and then go upstairs and drag her protesting infant down. The child refused to stand with the mother and then when the grand mother who had taken my seat also moved back the child refused to sit on the lap of her mother demanding a seat of her own. It seemed to me that the mother had lost control of her child if she had ever gained it.

A large West Indian Lady arrived on the bus so that standing in the passage way in the bus it was difficult for anyone else to pass by, The mother was determined to find herself a seat and seemed to have no regard for her two children one of whom the girl was full of beans as they say and talkative and the situation provoked a conversation between the two strangers in front and other raised eyebrows near by. Then there was the father alighting from the bus with his pram and another child also looking full of weekend out of school life but completely in control and clearly enjoying having the children with him on his own.

However the overriding impact of the experience was to be impressed because despite the crush which I suspect was normal for the time of day everyone appeared of good humour and chatting to those who were friends or family. The languages were various, African, Spanish and central European as well as English, The age range was also wide but the distance travelled were short with myself the only individual downstairs to make the full journey. The journey took at least 45 minutes because of stopping at every stop, and the time taken for passengers to leave and to arrive. Almost no one paid cash for their journey

It is decades since I visited the Brixton markets. Unfortunately the three covered arcades are closed on Sundays:- Reliance Arcade, Market Row and Granville arcade now called Brixton Village Fortunately the vast open fronted shops of the Victorian Terraces of Electric Avenue were open (Eddie Grant song). Electric Avenue was the first street market lit by electricity previously Popes Lane (?).And the depths of some of stores resemble mini markets and the circular road way commences a block from the railway bridge and just before Cold Harbour Lane and then continues back to the overhead railway. While the area is dominated by West Indian and African foods and goods West Indian groceries outnumbered the African here with their huge piles of sweet potatoes and yams and various colourful fruits and vegetables. I noted packs of half dozen large red sweet peppers for £1. There are also meat and fish stores with barrels of recently caught ungutted fish and pots and pans and everything one needs for the household. A farmers market was also open on the other side of the overhead railway line. Brixton is also the end of Northern Line Underground system and a bus transit centre.

I had intended to eat light but could find no where selling sandwiches and Boots had run out. I therefore settled for monster K.F.C meal at £4.99 comprising the established Tower Burger with a spicy Italian sauce (layered bun with chicken burger, slice of cheese, hash brown, lettuce, mayonnaise and the spicy sauce) plus a piece of chicken breast, a buttered piece of corn, small fries and Pepsi You could max up for 40p. The deserves respect Godfather is the latest launch from KFC and aroused much controversy because it is a Tower bun with a different sauce and the sauce lacks zing tang bite which named Godfather could expect. My investment brought the cost of the weekend to £132.54

It was then time to take the bus to Piccadilly Circus closest stop to the Haymarket. Unfortunately there was works on at least one of the bridges over the Thames river which meant a change route and traffic chaos so the half hour journey took the best part of an hour. However instead of going over the Westminster Bridge it continued to Waterloo and along to Charing Cross station where the driver announced he was turning around.

For about half an hour I engaged in conversation with a visiting Australian who I would say is in his sixties and who enquired if the bus was going Leicester Square. I said it did not directly and then advised that the bus was on diversion had come on the screen and that we would hear further announcements. He asked about my home so I mentioned about the North East and the changes hat hd occurred since living there and this led to an argument more than a discussion about the position of the UK around the world. He seemed angered with my defence of British policy and actions over recent decades in order to protect British living standards and interests regardless of disagreements between political parties about the best way of doing this.

The early exit from the bus meant that I walked through Leicester Square noting that the central area is still boarded and long way from completion and the surrounded area is having pavement replacements. Checked out the films on view at the Trocadero before doing the same at the Haymarket and then continuing to Carlton House Terrace to have a look at the statues and resting against the plinth of the Duke York above the steps to the Mall and St James Park watching the new phenomenon of the hired bicycles from the automatic held and charged stands.

I was still in plenty of time for the film so went in search of Pepsi but was not in the area for public houses or cheap cafes and I could not see the price of bottle at a mini supermarket. Back in the Circus there was the splendid party shop where you can buy splendiferous large cakes for £29 or sit down slices with tea for the price of a gold bar. I then stood by the fountain to the side of Circus observing the range of visitors passing by some taking pictures against the fountain.

Before reaching the cinema I noticed a corner store which boasts of being open 24 hours. Here I purchased a large bottle of cold still water for 65 pence which I enjoyed while waiting in the cinema bar the ten minutes for the theatre was ready. I will leave the film until write about the last episodes of Who do you think you are as the combination seems appropriate,

It had rained hard while experiencing the film but it was possible to get to the all night store without getting wet. There I purchased bacon and lettuce sandwich for £1.90 freshly made in store where it was possible to have a sandwich made up, so that with the water the total reached £135.09. It was while at a high stool window seat that I noticed a bus to Brixton pass by. As there was a stop across the road I decided to venture no further despite the prospect of another long journey as the traffic inched its way out of inner London. Had the weather been better and I more in the mood I would have got a bus to Victoria station and hoped here was a quicker route across the river Thames from there. The journey seemed to take less time but it was dark by the time I was back in Croydon in time for the X Factor and the first episode of the new series of Downton Abbey. I would watch the first episode of Spooks on return home. I enjoyed one pain-au-raisin with coffee saving the remaining two for the morning with the intention of keeping one for the train journey.

In the event I eat both with separate cups of coffee on waking and then before departing. I left just after 9.40 and struggled with the luggage up the hill to the station where there was a train arriving as I reached the platform at the end of the long walkway. There was a later apology for only a four carriage train with luggage everywhere and no place to sit but I did not mind getting a seat only after reaching London Bridge. At St Pancras I decided to wait close to the side entrance to enjoy some of the cold bottle water I had purchased with a sandwich and crisp offer from Boots for £3.79 together with a pint of semi skimmed milk £4.38 (£139 47).

From where I sat I had a good view of the completed new dome roof as part of the proposed new ticket office and waiting area, shops and other facilities to the new look Kings Cross station. This part should be open later this year with the whole station refurbishments by the summer of 2012 in time for the Olympics; The station development is part of a high 67 acre development of residential, commercial sporting and cultural development which includes the New University of the Arts with 4500 places. There will be a large screen view of all Olympic events and ten new areas of parks, open spaces and cinemas and theatres. At the height of the Olympics the transport net work will involve 450000 passenger movements each day. There will be a seven minute duration fast rail link to the Olympic Park.

Having digested some of this information I was more amenable to the crush and chaos of the present station although the situation has improved with many more seating and an attempt to organise throughways more effectively. They still only managed to let the horde onto the train to Edinburgh 10 minutes before scheduled departure time with the consequential rush especially as I had located myself at the wrong side of the concourse for the train which went from the furtherest platform away from where I was standing. Fortunately I had been allocated a table seat close to the carriage entrance and was able to place my case in the allotted area at floor level.

The second bonus was that no one came for the two window seats so that the young woman opposite and was able to stretch our legs after the train got going and moved to the window placing my shoulder bag on the vacant seat. The first part of the journey involved helping an elderly couple, that is older and more frail than me, to work out where they should be sitting as their ticket was badly printed and looked to read seat 8 and 50 at the aisle which did not make sense. The buffet car attendant worked out the numbers were 48 and 50 aisle seats. They moved to the correct seats which were also at a table just past midway in the carriage and I rescued their seats from a family without tickets who had gone in seat of seats. They proved an odd trio alighting at Newcastle comparising a woman in her early thirties and a boy who I presumed to be her son ten to twelve years of age who remained silent throughout the journey when they managed to gets seats behind me and then shared the vacant table to my left, albeit for a short while as the vacated seats had been reallocated from Durham to Edinburgh. The young man drank beer and was evidently not the father and appeared several years to the junior of the woman. I finished the police detective novel soon after reaching home and unpacking. I enjoyed a Mex Tex platter and coffee and fell asleep watching the recording of Spooks which I then watched again before going to bed. I decided to leave the return to the Leisure for the early morning swim until Wednesday. My need was writing and writing and writing catching up.

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2131 A weekend in London part one

Over six months ago I failed to find inexpensive accommodation on the South East Coast for Durham’s visit to Sussex and took a punt on the possibility of the County Cricket Club reaching the final of the latest version of the one day competition final at Lords. I was able to book three nights at the Croydon Central Travel Lodge which is located about 100 meters from the East Croydon Railway station. The cost of the accommodation was £19 for 2 night and £9 for the Sunday (£47 in total) exceptional value as it covered the weekend Friday and Saturday nights which are usually the premium rates of the week.

On arrival on Friday afternoon the allocated room was on the second floor, one level above the reception counter, the bar and restaurant and as with wheelchair room previously occupied it was ginormous with three double windows instead of the usual one. The space between the end of the double bed and the desk at the wall was longer than the length of the double bed. It was a great room and I slept well.

Durham did not make the Final on the Saturday losing to Somerset but Surrey, the cricket club from my childhood which had won the County Championship for six years in succession with the likes of the PBH May, The Bedser Twins and Tony Lock, were crowning what was becoming the best year in a long while with their appearance in the Lord’s Final.

I was tempted to attend but hesitated about getting myself a ticket because holding the game in mid September was speculative in terms of the weather conditions and Somerset having narrowly missed out on the County Championship last year and losing the two one day final competitions, and losing out again this year’s 20.20 finals day appeared destined to prove the team with the greater need to win.

When I returned from a family visit on the Saturday I watched the highlights on TV and learned that Somerset failed again. I noticed the large unoccupied areas and that the match had been interrupted on three occasions by rain. There had been heavy rain at least once where I had been so I had made the right decision and although I was pleased that Surrey had won my loyalty is now firmly with Durham although this is not say I might transfer that loyalty should my domestic circumstances change.

Somerset won the toss in the sunshine of the morning but none of their star batsmen, including captain Marcus Trescothick, could make an innings of substance after getting off to a good start. He was out for 15 from 17, Kieswetter 16 from 23, Trego 16 from 14 and Compton 26 from 41. It was left to young England batsman wicket keeper Josh Taylor to make a spirited 86 from 72 including two sixes and seven fours to enable Somerset to achieve an unremarkable 214.

Surrey still celebrating from their promotion to the first division as runners up to Middlesex was not going to be denied from getting their first silverware for eight years. Captain Hamilton Brown opened the innings and was only defeated by a brilliant throw from none other than young Taylor, out in the field, as Kieswetter is the sides number one wicket keeper, when 78 from 62 with seven fours and one six

Because of the rain instead of batting the full 40 overs Surrey were allocated a run chase in 30 overs under the Duckworth Lewis scoring system. Although Somerset took five wickets in all, Surrey reached their target as De Bruyn, previously of Somerset, hit 17 of 20 and Spriegel 24 from 16 with fifteen balls to spare. After watching the highlights I read little before going off to sleep.

The weekend had commenced well as I had managed to get the journey from Newcastle to London for £15 (plus postage £1 (£64) Moreover the train commenced from Newcastle so taking the first eligible Metro train at 9,30 and arriving at 10 am the train arrived soon after I reached the platform and after waiting ten minutes for the reservation tickets to be inserted in the appropriate seats I was able to get one of two free tables in the adjacent carriage close to the entrance and the luggage compartment. Although I could have used the lap top to write I decided on the notebook preparing for my next published piece on the concluding episodes of the fourth series Torchwood, Miracle Day which was finished over the weekend and published immediately on return to South Shields.

I also decided to read the two unread George Gently novels, among the first five of the 46 in the series which ended in 1999, and which had commenced in 1944.I had been given three for Christmas and it had taken time to overcome my disappointment as understandably the author, Ian Hunter who came from Norfolk and spent his life in East Anglia had set the majority of his novels there. Part of the attraction for me was the setting of the first three series in Tyneside and Northumbria and the two episodes of the 2011 series in County Durham and North Yorkshire. The TV series features Martin Shaw a man of considerable individuality although after reading the two novels, Gently Down Stream and Gently on the Shore I can see the links with the original character except I am not sure if Martin Shaw ever sucked the Peppermint Creams which the book man buys by the one pound weight with great regularity. I will write a separate piece on the TV series and the two books later in the week.

The journey to Kings Cross was uneventful with the table only shared by a mother and daughter going out for the day in York from Northalerton. I enjoyed a purchased chicken, bacon and pasta salad together with a belated delivered to the table coffee from the Trolley £1.50 and £1.99 illustrating the mark up for coffee (£67.49).

However the chaotic situation at Kings Cross station is a different story with barriers now installed for platforms 1-8 and everywhere the showing signs of the rebuilding and modernization. I will detail the developments in relation to the return journey. I made the mistake of going to lift on the new entrance to the Underground train system which meant taking the moving stairs with the luggage to reach the main concourse for St Pancras at the read of the restored station which is the desirable route only if it is raining. The best way is to go along the platform of the National Trains and out at the side where here are also the platforms to the Regional services and then cross the new and main concourse.

I just missed the next train to London Bridge, East Croydon and onto Brighton but found a platform seat until the next train arrived and then enjoyed the sight of the latest sky scrapper in the City, reflecting on the business man earlier on the journey south had taken a seat across the aisle at York and was constantly on the phone or using his Tablet and mentioned two and half million at five percent on one call, such is the life others lead.

The walk from my house to the station at South Shields, then between to the London terminals and then down the hill from East Croydon station to the Travel Lodge all brought to the fore my increase in weight and that I get out of breadth quickly pulling the case on wheels with the rucksack on top. The weight problem would hamper what I was to do over the weekend. I have to meet this challenge now more difficult because of the additional year since the last effort.

After unpacking and setting up the computer to confirm the times of the three films I hoped to experience over the weekend I enjoyed the first of two lots of oriental style chicken wings £2.50 (69.99) before setting off back to the East Croydon station and Victoria. The previous evening I had added £15 (84.99) to my Oyster card which registered only 50 pence and where I received an email reminding that the addition would only be activated when I used the card at one of the Yellow card readers and ensure that the light turned green as well as remembering to touch down the card at the end of the journey. Back at East Croydon Station I was unsure if I had correctly used the card and checked with an assistant who reassured that I was OK. It was only when the train set off that I realized I had left my Cineworld Vouchers in the hotel which meant I had to return which would add to the costs of the travel and be rush for the start of the performance. I opted to pay and to go to the Cineworld at Wandsworth getting off at Clap ham Junction and taking one of several bus routes immediately outside the station.

Opting for the stop after Wandsworth Town Hall where I once played Chess on behalf of Croydon Borough Council I went to buy a can of Pepsi at store I have used before on the way from the next stop back to the shopping centre in which is located the Cineworld. Unfortunate I selected a cherry flavoured diet can by mistake and which tasted gross 65p (£85.64) so after a few large mouthfuls I binned the can in the nearest street container for trash. The film I saw was Tinker Tailor, Soldier Spy £6.60 (£91.24) about which I shall write a piece together with my reactions to the first episode of the last series of Spooks.

On the way back to Clapham Junction I noted two pairs of the Police men and women at the main entrance of the station although it is possible that one pair was replacing the other as they moved down the street. It was on Saturday evening that I saw the boarded area that was once Reeves Corner and then on Sunday morning went for look on foot. There was no sign of the rioting at Clapham apart from the police presence. On that first evening in Croydon a helicopter flew over the town centre for several minutes and appeared to make several circuits while the sirens of police/emergency vehicles was heard over a period of over half an hour. I did not go out to observe.

At the M and S at Clapham Junction station I purchased two packs of 4 Pain-aux-raisins £3 (94.24) enjoying two on return with one possibly two cups of coffee during the rest of the evening and also thirsty went to reception where the machine selling cold cans of Pepsi £1 was out of order so I had to purchase a bottle which I drank in the seating area £1.60 (£95.84).

On Saturday I woke early and decided write the piece on Torchwood and became so engrossed that after dressing and sorting out the room I was late for the planned visit to the house and its family with whom I had been raised as a child. I could have caught one of the three buses from a stop close to the Travel Lodge but decided I need some cash as I was paying for the lunch out and was weary about relying just on a Credit card. There was a TSB branch across the road at the Whitgift centre where I withdrew £50.

I then made my way to the bus station from all three buses departed and the first to arrive took the circle route around the once infamous London overspill Roundshaw Estate, passing the large St Elphege Primary school which had been created because of the estate from its site, now a private child nursery centre where it had been a Preparatory school a short walk across one then quiet road from where I lived. My closest cousin in age had been taught to write and simple arithmetic by mother as was the youngest in the family who was born several years after us. The circular route has been changed with the inclusion of one way passing points to slow down movement.

The other thing I noticed is that quite young children appeared to be getting on and of the bus just for one stop unaccompanied. Because I also had a query about the deductions made on the Oyster card I have just sent over half an hour checking the present fares and concessions operating in Greater London and discovered that children under 11 can now travel on buses for free unaccompanied and without having to have a card although they are asked to have age verification if at the borderline. They can also travel free on the Underground and train if accompanied by an adult.

The Oyster card on line system is excellent as one can get a list of all journeys made and the prices charged. I could not understand that it had only cost £2.60 with the card to St Pancras but £2.90 about half the distance to Clapham Junction. This is because the time of travel was during the evening rush hour 16-19.00 and is charged at the higher rate. I also had not had a confirmed check out at East Croydon so was charged £4.40 instead of £2. Having digested all the latest information I will forget by the time I next visit.

For lunch we went to the Toby Carvery at Park place where I enjoyed a large helping of roast beef with roast potatoes cauliflower and broccoli, braised onions and mushrooms followed by a lemon ice cream and accompanied by unlimited diet Pepsi. There were surprisingly fewer people present than anticipated. The final tally for 3 adults was £28.71 plus tip £3 (£127.55)

In the evening I watch an episode of Dr Who, then the X Factor and then the cricket. I also eat the second carton of oriental style chicken wings £2.50 (£130.05) two cups of coffee and one of the pains-aux raisins having eaten another also with two cups of coffee for breakfast. I nearly went for a cold drink but went without.

Tired I went early to bed and to sleep but woke alert in he middle of the night, did some writing and went back to bed and to sleep. I remained uncertain what I would do on the Sunday. It was London Open House that weekend with hundreds of places to visit not usually open to public inspection. I was tempted to visit the new shopping centre at Stratford and see if one could get close to the Olympic Park. However my main interest remained the latest Almodovar film and I was aware that prolonged walking might prove too great a challenge, I would sleep on it!

1944 August in London

My summer trip to London has got off to a bad start despite rising around 6am, I relaxed too much until 10am and then everything became a rush as i changed mind and left too much to do with too little time to do it.

The weather was kind with pleasant sunshine but it was touch and go whether I will arrive at Kings Cross before the torrential rain forecast. If so then a taxi will be essential for the short journey to the Royal Scot and additional expense. Already I have spent an unnecessary £3 having forgotten to take the metro pass from the suit after changing into the casual summer wear with the jacket fearing that the suit could be drenched on the trip from the station to the hotel.

These were my only notes made before commencing to write again while killing time in the temporary travellers lounge just outside the main concourse at Kings Cross station three days later. It is 3.20on Saturday afternoon. The reason for the gap is that I was able to connect online on the train an engage in an important conversation on Yahoo Instant messenger. Well it seemed important at the time Earlier today I had a potentially more significant conversation and the next few hours will reveal if this has been yet another false dawn among so many false dawns over the last two months. Now reviewing this on the following Tuesday I have report it was the false dawn of false dawns.

Because of this the highlight of the trip has been one of the great meal experiences of my lifetime. Many buffet meal restaurants have opened in the UK over the past decades offering a variety of foods within a range of prices. I have not previously heard of such an extraordinary eating extravaganza as that provided by Day’s of 75-79 East Street Brighton.

It scores the maximum number of stars for such eateries because of design, ambience, choices available, quality of foods, approach of staff and costs with the food for six coming to 83.94 for a priority weekend evening and a further 16.60 for drinks. I will later see if there is an internet site for the restaurant if it is part of a chain, so I can try and recreate the range of food available as well as more detail of the six plates I was able to experience concluding with a simple chocolate ice cream before which there had been a small of a mango tasting custard with a little , a small chocolate finger and a large blackberry, a charlotte ruse and a few large grapes. It is interesting that I remember the deserts I selected and those available. A range of fresh fruits including melons, a choice of ice creams, profiteroles with sauce and cream which I rejected on this occasion, plates of sweets for the children, various cakes and creams,

There where two areas of starters and main dishes. There were three central with prepared dishes but these were constantly replaced with fresh trays as the contents were consumed

From the starters I enjoyed two separate portions of spiced prawns with some crisp seaweed on the first plate, some olives, small sushi portions wrapped with rice. With the second there was crispy fried duck, some spiced beef, and chicken portions. For the main course I had some Thai Beef Curry, a large Papadum, small piece of Naan and rice. I then had a mixture of tasty meats, some green string beans, cooked warm celery. All in sufficient quantity to savour individually and the combination of flavours, but limiting the quantity to ensure I enjoyed the puddings. I drank the greater part of a large bottle of fizzy water. I was full by the end of a good two hour sitting. There is no web site but Trip adviser reviews which I joined some time ago and had to get a new email before it was published.

I was allocated a double bed room at the Royal Scot, small but with a chair at the desk and plenty of power points although I did not need more than one forgetting to bring battery charger and deciding against the camera. The windows were not double so I heard plenty of street noise which was moderate on the Wednesday but bad on the Thursday.

I was determined to control food intake during the trip. For the Wednesday I started with cereal and before leaving the house had a piece of steak with a good portion salad and a banana, finishing the salad at the hotel which included the remaining pieces of ham and pork followed by grapes and coffee. For Thursday there was pan au chocolat for breakfast with coffee. Lunch was a box of French fries, a piece of chicken breast and three spicy wings together with an icy can of diet coke for £2.99 from the Halal no alcohol here, cooked fresh, filling and exceptional value for money. I returned for another helping on the Saturday before travelling home. Earlier I had purchased a BLT sandwich which I enjoyed back in the room with coffee.

The journey homeward had its moments of interest. There was a couple of hours to kill between leaving the room at 2pm and selecting a good spot on the station to get to the train to find a table seat. At one point I spotted what appeared to be a scarf and a book abandoned on a chair and asked a couple nearby if they knew who had been sitting at the seat and they did not so I gathered the items and placed them on top of the unit close where I was sitting to hand them in next time the assistant who checked the toilets from time to arrived. The toilets had been used by all and sundry until the assistant had locked them. The two items were immediately claimed by a young woman who had gone into the far corner close to the toilets to recharge her mobile on a power point. When she left and then a man sitting on an adjacent seat, I moved over to use my laptop. While this was excellent I then found myself advising people that the toilets were locked and where the facilities were located in the main station with new temporary facilities for ladies on the far right hand side with men’s remaining were there had always been on the far end of the far platform, unless one was first class who have their own. Those were the days.

The plan worked and I was able to have a choice of seats electing for one of two by the disability toilets and designed for those with wheel chairs or mobility problems. It was a gamble of course so I stood to see what happened. During the wait I assisted a young Black mother with a child in a buggy, looking after the child while she sorted out seats with a friend and then looked after the buggy and luggage in the other area from where I hoped to sit. Alas shortly before train was to leave there arrived two very large Black women plus electric wheel chair. My presence was fortunate for them because I was able to assist in ensuring they were comfortable and as the other seat was vacant, using a case for the computer I was able to manage where I was although the system was temperamental as it tends to be, especially when the train is packed, as it was. I was able to return to the other seat at Peterborough when the two women alighted. The station staff were well prepared for the arrival. I needed more food having a Ploughman‘s sandwich and coffee before the final lap of the journey by Metro from Newcastle to South Shields with the early Saturday nighters going in both directions. I will do a sport and film catch up as the concentration on project work of one kind or another continues.

1469 Return Journey after a full Breakfast

It was time to get ready to go home but first I would treat myself to an unlimited English Breakfast at the Travel Lodge. The Travel Lodge has an oblong dining room and lounge area facing a large screen television with a small bar in the opposite corner alongside the main reception desk where I purchased the breakfast £7.50 (261.62)

Before proceeding one is given a large and small plate, a bowl, a knife, fork and spoon and serviette. Two members of the kitchen staff ensure that all the food and drink is available and were appropriate refreshed so that although the orange and milk were only half empty they were refreshed by refrigerator cold supply. There were several families before my arrival and subsequently and this was great treat for them as they were able to indulge as they wished, trying several of the cereals, having endless drinks or just a little of everything and everything there was.

There was orange juice, grapefruit juice and apple juice as well as cold milk. There was unlimited toast which some were taking away eight pieces from a large toaster. There were croissants where I had one with a butter substitute and second cup of coffee at the end of the meal while watching the News. I commenced with a bowl of grapefruit. I cannot remember what other choice there was, except that there was. I also noticed some chocolates cakes which appealed to some of the children.

I was not tempted by these or the wrack of cereal but on the side table of hot containers with bacon, sausages, beans, tomatoes, mushrooms and scrambled egg. It was to enjoy two helpings. In the first I had two sausages four or five pieces of bacon a large portion of mushrooms and of scrambled egg. I then had a cup of coffee which was hot but required three sugars. I debated saying enough is enough but then again thought a little more of what you fancy so I selected two more sausages and several slices of bacon, after which was the croissant with another cup of coffee.

I returned well fed to my room and commenced the task of packing up, I continued until 10am when I went to Somerfield, the supermarket, and bought four rectangular breads for £1.20, two pecan Danish for £1, some Duck pate £ 1.58 and cold water £.61, a total £4.39 £266.01. I made two pate rolls and transferred the water to the flask. I had two reasons for putting the lap top in he haversack. One does not have control over bags given to the coach for packing in the luggage compartments, where heavy cases can be put over lighter ones. I was also interest to see if I could connect on line at the service station stop. This added weight to wearing the suit jacket and the sleeveless jacket, and I knew the journey with the luggage was going to be uncomfortable.

The single standard ticket to Victoria cost £4.10 and a cheap day return only £5.10. (271.11), Although a twelve carriage train from Brighton I had to struggle to find a seat and needed several sups of water.

Making my way to the coach station I was relieved that it was not raining and had difficulty in finding sweat as the whole area was crowded with more than an hour before expected to board the coach. Although it was a year since making the trip I knew what to do waiting until half an hour before departure time to make my way beyond the glass doors to just outside when the it was cooler and one could ensure a good seat towards the rear of the vehicle where there was more chance of getting and keeping two seats. Fortunately the crowd dispersed with the majority of the coaches, in two row at this part of the station were on their way at noon and 12.30. Until just after 12.30 there was just the coach to Beverley on one side of the two coaches for South Shields and a coach to Nottingham on the other. The coach driver was most insistent that only those going to Thirsk, Middlesbrough and Stockton should board first, the coach at the rear. The journey would be long arriving in South Shields at 8.30 so if the intention was to divide the stopping points between the two coaches this would mean an earlier arrival. It also meant that the majority of passengers were able to have two seats to themselves except where there were two travelling together including a pair of young women, one appeared to have a bad cold and who I was delighted to find took seats at the coach front, near me was a grandmother mother and one of her seven grandsons, and one grand daughter who was bringing him back after a three week holiday visit in time for a dental appointment, She was then staying with her son and his family until the first week of September. We had a good chat towards the end of the trip.

The journey was not as short as it could have been because of road works on the MI which involved a detour off the motorway. We stopped at Sheffield where I bought the last available newspaper, the Guardian which contained the latest Olympic news 80p and enjoyed a mug of tea £1.80. (273.71) I tried the lap top where the wireless connection was provided by Little Chef. I needed to register and I was not sure if the service was free so I decided not to investigate further given the time it had taken for the lap top to load and that the stop was only for 30 minutes. I will investigate furthering due course. Until entering conversation much of the time was used to catch up on sleep although I enjoyed the journey out of London, where we went passed Lords, the Cricket ground, which was to have been the original focus of the visit.

After Hartlepool we made an unscheduled stop at Bellingham, onto Sunderland, after which as has been previous experience there were only three or four others left on the coach to South Shields, where we arrived just before eight o'clock. The cost of the cost was £15.50 for the return journey making a total expenditure for the trip £289.21 or there abouts. There was a police vehicle and four officers at the junction but no indication what was the cause of the trouble. I was not looking forward to the climb up the hill with the luggage but it was not raining and it had been as was the evidence in the patio when I arrived.
I checked the post and there was one good surprise. I watered the plants that had not been in the open when I was away and did a partial unpack. I had some soup and the second prepared bread with the pate. I had eaten the Danish on the coach. I had drank cold water on arrival, then some orange and then some tea, and fell asleep in front of the telly so made my way up to bed and to sleep. And the surprise I won £50 on the premium bonds, first win in six months and where I had intended it write and enquire if the remaining bonds had been taken out of the draw when I had cashed some earlier in the year.

1451 The great rain day spent mainly in car parks

This was the day of the great rain storm. Last night I had taken the wrong route home and came out at the road above the service area and continued northward unable to find a cross over at the subsequent service area and having to continue yet further towards Sheffield before travelling back and addition of 20 odd miles which I could have done without. The consequence of the longer journey to the accommodation together with a day in the fresh air resulted in going to bed and sleep around 10 pm for the second day in succession. It was therefore not surprising that I awoke early and started to write around 5am. I continued until seven or so when I lost the work which was irritating. It was not surprising that I felt tired around 8 and returned to bed and slept a little. When I woke and checked the day it was dark and full of heavy rain and I was content to stay in rewriting and relaxing for most of the morning. I had purchased a four pack of pan au chocolat and two for £5 pasta salads and fruit salads for the next two days, plus some skimmed milk. I also had drank most of a bottle of lemon and lime still water, a large bottle, for the same price as the smaller plain still water but there was sufficient for half a flask together with some coffee for the day's trip. I decided to visit Newark on Trent rather than head for the City centre as the rain became torrential. Although the heat rash had cleared up I was in no immediate mood for walking in such rain which was a great pity as there was much to see in this small market town with its imposing parish church of Mary Magdalene and the ruins of its castle laid waste by Charles the first.
The town is the heart of the road and railway network although the Great North Road, the A1, now b passes the town but the main East Coast line uses one station the two railway stations with the second connecting to Nottingham/Leicester and Lincoln. There are river trips and canal type boats and there are buses services to Nottingham, Lincoln, Mansfield and Southwell my next destination. The weather conditions caused me to abandon exploration by bus travel and I toyed with going to Nottingham for a performance of Journey to the Centre of the earth in 3 D as the local Cineworld did not have the technology. The town has a mixture of buildings with many fine examples of Victorian architecture and on one circumnavigation I stopped to turn around as a shopping development where I was surprised to find a new Woolworth store, given the closure of many such stores in towns such as Sunderland although that at South Shields has recently had a face lift. It was an odd place for a picnic lunch followed by a siesta but the rain continued be fierce. The road to Southwell took me past what I later learnt is the best preserved workhouse building in the UK, rescued by the National Trust when it was to turned into apartments. It is the kind of find I would normally jump at but I wanted to return to the Minister which I had briefly explored on a my previous visit to the area. I was imprisoned in my vehicle in the car park for a long during further cloud burst. It happened suddenly and one poor pedestrian was caught in the open without an umbrella and was soaked.

My patience was rewarded and as soon as there was a break in conditions I walked the short distance from the car park, where the stay is free for the first two hours to the entrance when a volunteer was anxious to greet me and would I am sure conduct me around had I not indicated firmly that I wanted a period to reflect as well as revisit at leisure on my own. The church was founded in Saxon Time and rebuilt by the Normans as part of the Diocese of York. The church became the Cathedral of Nottinghamshire in 1884 and for practical purposes has been divided into two parts with for everyday services there is an altar and choir area at the end of the Nave. I sat at the back any my attention was immediately taken by the Sculpture of Christus Rex by Peter Bull 1987 fixed high above on the crossing arch. With hands outstretched the figure appears to be lit, to glitter and I am still not sure of its impact within this ancient building. Similarly I needed time to appreciate the1996 West Window, the Angel Window created by Patrick Reyntiens. This creates a great sense of light and contrasts with the traditional 15th century side widows with Victorian glass. Unfortunately the leaflet and web site do not provide information on two features which affected me most. The first were sculpture to represent the stations of the cross, each a small table on which are scenes in contemporary forms. I was also affected by the Kelham Madonna and Child made in wood. I had hoped to also sit alone the chapter house and think of all those who had sat here in the past deciding upon the affairs and interests of the church but on two attempts I had to share with other visitors as the weather cleared, for a time and people ventured from their vehicles. At the end of my visit I spoke with the volunteer about the town and its community and my conclusions was reinforced after managing some walking. The town centre has a good array of traditional looking shops with several attractive Inns where eating and drinking out at tables in courtyards and pavements is a feature except for days such as this but everything is on a smaller and more intimate scale than Beverley. Similarly while there is green space it is comparatively small. The Burbage Green with Old Court House is the traditional Village Green and is used for roadway car parking but also has the house where Lord Byron reluctantly spent his holidays from school and college with his mother (Burbage Manor).My approach was to locate car parks before exploring, given the weather conditions and that they were free. I followed one sign down a single track lane to where it is located opposite a large parkland and play area but I failed to locate this on the internet with included a virtual tour guide which views fro, the town centre, the Leisure centre and the Minster School. Overall this is a very prosperous, middle class community where there is not the visible signs of poverty although from one car park ticked away used before exploring Burbage Green, the possession of a home were being loaded on an open lorry truck and had clearly been the process of loaded during the storms. The most likely explanation was a house or flat clearance and the furniture looked old and inexpensive. For a town of 7500 it has a 25 metre pool, fitness centre with squash and badminton courts at the Leisure where there are also facilities for young children. Southwell Minster school nearby is considered to be a private school but is a state funded secondary establishment which has recently been rebuilt with the latest facilities as a specialist college in humanities and music. There is an annual folk festival held in June and a race course and in August Ladies Day is the social event of the year where ladies are encouraged to dress up with prizes for best hats and shoes as well as best dressed. A final insight into Southwell life is that at the public toilet visit before I left there were tiny discrete typed notices advising that two good looking gentleman offered male to male escort service which would blow ones mind and that they could travel and accommodate. The treat of the day was an early evening meal at a nearby village restaurant converted from a former Inn which will remain nameless as it rightly should remain a treasure for local people. There is a £15 early evening menu from which I enjoyed a mackerel starter with horseradish, followed by pork with fresh vegetables and small pieces of roasted potatoes served to the table in attractive and keep warm containers appropriate for the rural setting. The third course was a slice of apple pie with a raspberry sorbet ice cream. I drank still water and regretted not having coffee. I was in such a good mood after this meal that I did not get into a state when on the way back to the motel I saw a sign Southwell eight miles after I had travelled at least eight miles from the area, not realising until afterward that this was a different route to the town. This time I worked out that I needed to go south rather than north on reaching the M1 with only a short distance before the service area and crossing over to the motel. There was not much time or inclination for recording and writing before another early to bed night. I kept in touch with the Test Match through the car radio and which revealed that there had been some play in the cricket between Durham and Nottingham, where the home side had reached 100 runs for four wickets and instinct based on experienced suggested that the match was moving towards a draw with two evenly matched sides aware that they had a chance to become county champions for the year.

1448 An unpleasant condition during a visit to Portsmouth

Although handicapped by a heat rash in an intimate area I was determined to make the most of Monday before heading north to Burford in Oxfordshire for an overnight stop. I had reorganised my luggage in such a way that I would only need to take the communications and entertainment bag, plus the attaché case and food out of the car for the overnight stop. I planned for an early breakfast of, well by now I had a pattern of two croissants, grapefruit segments, fruit juice and coffee taking a pan au chocolat for later. I also planned to reach Havant by 9 am, giving me half an hour to get sun aftercare lotion and investigate a wireless link for the lap top before being eligible for a cheap day return train ticket into Portsmouth.

I considered using the bus but wanted to spend as much time as I could in the city before heading northwards for the overnight stop. I had difficulty putting money in the machine for a place in the almost full car park and fortunately an assistant came to my rescue and took the coins to another machines and brought me over a ticket to where the car was parked at the far end of the park. I must wrote about the contrasts in the behaviour of people towards me now that I am regard as old by others. In order to reach the shops I had to walk over an external bridge which involve a walk up over gardens to the left where one house had to large trampolines, another a single trampoline with side protection to prevent falling off and a play pool while a third had a larger pool possibly a hot tub and a barbecue patio area. This confirmed my impression that when one neighbour goes for something others tend to follow as if they give permission to each other. In this instance they were being brave as any activity in the gardens would be under constant observation not only from all the users of this foot bridge but there was a second linking pathway to the side of the house with the most expensive array of garden furniture. In contrast them there was one house which had attempted to create levels of privacy by a series hedges between gardens and within the garden although the height of the bridge still enabled passers by to overlook. They also had to contend with the noise of trains to Waterloo, to Victoria and to Brighton. I found a major electronics and appliance store in the shopping centre but they did not have the wireless device in stock but I felt I was making progress. I then found a chemist, not a chain store, where three assistants were waiting for their first customer of the day. Yes they had some sun after care sun for 2.99 but it was part of a two for one special offer and but they only had one tube, would I like some sun tan cream instead so I chose factor 25 and threw my existing out of date supply which appeared ineffective at the earliest opportunity. On the way back to the station I noted a car on this side of the station which would have avoided having to walk over the external bridge. I was determined to make the trip into the city although I was handicapped by the heat rash which made mobility difficult. On the train I was entertained by a mother with one or two daughters and pre school son who was taking three other teenage girls on a shopping trip singled handed, five teenage girls and small boy was a challenge for anyone. I quietly wished her success (to myself).I was able to tale a quick look at the free London based Metro newspaper when the main story was the survival of Gordon Brown as Prime Minister. It is significant that the Cabinet have not rushed to his defence and that a momentum is building up behind my Member of Parliament, David Miliband. It would be a mistake for him to stand, unless as with Heseltine it is to make way for someone's to take the crown although whoever won would have to go to the country for an endorsement. My instinct is for Harriet Harman. I decided against going to the Spinnaker Tower and chose the Naval Dockyard and although I knew I had time for only a couple of attractions I took the annual season ticket at the concession price for Seniors of £15.50 and which included gift Aid, providing entry to four major attractions, HMS Warrior 1860, The Marie Rose Museum and Ship Hall, the HMS Victory Walkup and a Boat trip around the Harbour, plus unlimited access to the Royal Naval Museum, the Dockyard Apprentice and Action Stations, the various restaurants and other facilities on what is n exceptionally large site and which in turn is only a small area of the restricted naval dockyard, I found the experience overwhelming and moving and regretted that I was handicapped and with a limited time. It is my view one of the most important attractions in the British Islands. My first interest was to take a boat trip around the port which included a view of the warships remaining in the secured naval docks and where the next trip was at 11am. I considered visiting the HMS Warrior but the assistant advised that there would not be time especially if I wanted a good seat on the boat. I took the advice and made a slow walk around the site finding toilets and getting my bearings. There is a cavernous store of naval antiques would could have occupied the rest of the morning. However my mind was on my previous visit to the Naval dock gates which were close to where the public entrance is now. Sometime between 1947 and 1949 the son of one my mother's brothers who had become a USA citizen and arrived in his ship at Portsmouth and at least a dozen of us went to see him. There was the three aunties. There was the son and his wife of one with both recently demobbed from the army after serving in world war two. There were cousins and a friend of one on whose lap I went to sleep on the return journey. It took us all day to get there and get back. (I need to know who went as I remember some but not everyone).We waited at the gates with lots of young women anxious meet American sailors with their presents of nylons, chocolate and chewing gum. Everyone came out at the appointed time except our relative. Enquiries were made and it was discovered that he was confined the ship for some misdemeanour. Representations were made and it was agreed he could meet us at a nearby café but under escort and on hearing about the numbers he had managed to acquire nylons for the lasses and chewing gum and chocolate for everyone else. It was the second great peace time event of my life after seeing the street lights come on for the first time, with oranges, lemons and bananas the third. The trip around the naval harbour was extraordinary especially as we were able to watch three visiting Japanese vessels depart, police launch ensured that we kept our distance but there was no restriction on photographs and film. Everyone had crowded on to the top deck whereas I quickly discovered the best place was at the front or rear of the saloon deck where I was able to photograph without the heads of others appearing in frame or blocking the views of the children. There were a score of vessels which we were able to see at close quarters, the majority in active service. There were decommissioned vessels including several who had participated in the Falklands campaign and had been replaced after their vulnerability to modern rocket assault had been exposed. The running commentary was excellent. In the distance we had pointed out the Submarine training facilities as well as the vessels used now a training ships. We then called in at the new marina type shopping development which includes the tower having also passed close to what is called Spice Island and is now given over to a huddled collection of Inns and restaurants, both areas to visited, hopefully. I then visited HM Warrior, in its day the most powerful fighting vessel on the seas. In order to explore the three below levels it is necessary to use steep ladders with for the most part ropes help one up and down. I had difficulty and discomfort butt grateful that I did not miss out, The main deck comprised a score of large breach loading cannon type guns each requiring 18 men to fire and maintain. The men slept in hammocks slung over the guns and improvement to when they would sleep on any available hard space and they eat at tables between the guns with food prepared at a central galley. There was no privacy or room for personal possessions and as one observant young pointed out to his parents there are no toilets or bathrooms! The captains quarters were impressive in contrast with all the atmosphere of a London Club. The quantity of other weaponry and ordinance was impressive but only served to emphasise the danger to everyone although in the instance of the Warrior it was a fast ship with the power to sink opponents using just a couple of forward mounted guns. I also explored the next deck to see the quarters of other officers, the workshops and. I did not go lower to the steam power house which made every other warship obsolete and can be regarded as the most ship to have ever been built. For those who can travel within a day I would recommend making a visit to the Warrior as one trip other wise there will not time to digest the information provided or speak at length to the available crew guides. This also applies to the Marie Rose, the only remains of a fighting vessel for the time of Henry the Eight. Known to have been sunk in Portsmouth Harbour in 1545. Like many people I witnessed the raising of the remains on television in 1982 and have since watched one or more films about the finds of objects and the restoration projects. I did not see the hull in this instance which is kept in a "dry dock " sprayed previously with water and not with a waxing preservative to prevent the timbers from drying out and disintegrating. Some 190000 objects were retrieved and many of these are on display in the museum, Shortly after arrival there was a showing of the hour long BBC film about the location of the wreck, the raising to the surface, and the information which the objects have provided about the life of naval men at the time. I watched half the film which I have seen before and then the rest of an hour in the museum, but it merited a whole morning or afternoon of a visit. I had been on site for four hours and felt that given my condition with increasing difficult in walking without painful discomfort, I had had to end the visit in this instance but determined to return and to the Isle of Wight. I decided to return to Havant where I left by rucksack the car and made my way back to the town centre where I purchased a sandwich, a bottle of water and a packet of crisps from Boots for £2.99, My dyslexia meant that when looking to see what was included in the meal deal I missed the hundred or so notices in deal in deal in deal marked on the display units. That evening or maybe the next I watched a programme about commercial sandwich making in which those from Boots rated the best in terms of healthy content. I eat these on a bench in the shade under a tree. Having not heard from the garage about my car I decided to withdraw cash from the nearest machine and called in at the nearest supermarket on the way back to the station where I bought a baguettes, a jar of large olives a three for the price of two deal on packs of salami and cured natural ham for a picnic feast that evening. Why I did not go back to the chemist for advice o the heat rash is a puzzle. It was around 4pm when I decided to commenced the journey to Burford in Oxfordshire which formed the end of my patch as a child care officer 1964 1967 and where I had represented the county at the juvenile court chaired by the wife of the Marques of Blanford and where her husband chaired the Magistrates Court which I also had occasion to attend in my professional capacity. To get to Burford I decided to journey west along the M27 and hen take the MS back north and then across from Oxford via Witney, However the MS was closed because of an accident and traffic was also congested at the next exist so I continued on taking a route to Salisbury, Marlborough Swindon and then directly to Burford via Lechlade. This journey takes one through some of the most glorious of British countryside full of quite villages with thatched roofs, However Salisbury was busy at rush hour so seeing a large supermarket and a Staples office store and left the traffic for some cold water and to see if Staples had a wireless link. This was a very successful detour using the toilet and drinking down a bottle of cold water before finding a helpful assistant to recommenced a Belkin wireless card to go min to the external slot thus keeping free the USB slots. The cost was £20.The weather changed and I reached Burford just before a tropical thunderstorm. The Travel Lodge and Little Chef were at the junction at the end of the road I had taken as it reached the A 40, thus avoiding having to extend the journey in search of the over night stop. Both building are built with stone facades to fit into the Cotswolds character. The location meant that I did not get to see the town again but I had visited within the past five years so my memory remained, Unfortunately either because of the location or the storm or both there was not mobile phone reception so I did not try the wireless. The receptionist seemed surprised that I was on my own so perhaps there is no mobile phone link anyway and the rural isolation would make it an ideal retreat for lovers of all kinds. I enjoyed my Picnic feast with two glasses of red wine, bathed and had an early night going to sleep, waking sparingly and rising early. However the rain was torrential at times and I wondered if the hot spell was over.

1447 Return to the Isle of Wight

It is becoming difficult to switch back to my feelings of only four days ago when I decided to visit Sandown and Shanklin on the Isle of Wight for the first time since the early 1950's. After the amazing experience of 20 20 finals day I did not fancy joining the tens of thousands rushing to the Naval dockyard to see the twenty vessels, including visits on board ships, and considered that it would be quieter going in the opposite direction. I pondered what to do over breakfast of two croissants with marmalade, grapefruit segments, orange fruit juice and two cups of coffee, leaving a “pan-au-chocolat” for later, which was just as well because as the wrapped tin foiled sandwiches had to go and I did not fancy the bananas or pears, there was just one container of prepared salad mixture for the day, together with one flask of hot coffee and one of ice cold water. I hoped I would have sufficient to keep me going on my travels and my practice of eating as I felt I needed to rather than according to conventional times.

Following the previous night's route into Havant I saw a sign to railway station before reaching the town centre and found a large car park where for I could park all day for £1.50. This proved to be the first of several occasions when strangers asked fro information and I was able to pass what I had just learnt on. The individual commented out aloud ask a visitor of you want an answer. The train fare was something like £3.60 return and for this day only the train stopped at the next station because of the navy days, before going to Frat ton Park the home of Portsmouth Football club, the central Portsmouth and Southsea before Portsmouth Harbour. It is only a short walk from the platform to the entrance of the Fast cat Ferry service every 30 minutes taking 20 minutes with five minutes for passengers to alight and five for them get on board. Because of my age I was entitled to seat by the exit and there was just time to acclimatise to this new environment before reaching the end of the pier at Ryde and my first memory realization. Memory has blocked out unnecessary information for half a decade. It was only on arrival that I remembered the length of the pier and that only first timers or people like me walked into the town and bus station with everyone else being picked up by friends or taxis or taking the island train which goes some six miles from the pier to Shanklin. This is made up of carriages from the London underground (Tube) system. After finding the male toilet I was prepared for the interesting walk take care when two vehicles passed by in opposite directions and the other first time visitors who stopped to admire the view. I watched the train depart and wondered if I was making the right decision given that the morning was progressing and I longed for coffee and the pan-au-chocolat. Sadly I watched, unknowingly, the first bus travelling in the desired direction, a single Decker, leaving the small bus station at the end of the pier, and to wait for sometime before the next, a double Decker, arrived, unloaded, and reloaded but was then immediately away, through the town into the countryside. At the ferry office I had picked up a copy of Wight Life which contained a double page spread map of the Island, providing a calendar of events. I am going to leave to another day reference to my interest in the island arising from relayed information related to "child care" issues as none of that information has been independent verified although it does provide a potentially challenging perspective on island life away from that presented to the tourists, see however what is happening now re Jersey and the "child care" revelations emerging The island which is just under 150 square miles with under 60 miles of coastline has a resident population of around 140000 with an imbalance of elders who are attracted by the climate and living abroad where British is the main language unlike parts of London and other major cities and towns and an a for a major part of the year as they go to further education on the mainland many meeting their future partners establishing their occupations and first homes away. The residents, especially those of generations will have mixed views about the extent to which the island is given over to long and short stay tourism. At the ferry station I acquired two excellent guides to the island for free and both contained a map. The first is magazine style island which begins with a calendar of main events plus and second list all notified events at the time of publication, called Wight life and the other a pocket guide. Later I also obtained a tourist map book and all three provided information to the extent that I immediately wished to make a longer stay. Traditionally the Island is known for its Cowes Week sailing regatta, when all the posh hotels are taken by the country and London smart set of the day. I have a poster of the first Rock festival now established in June and there is a second music festival, the bestival, There is the food "Garlic festival with 300 stalls and 20000 visitors and an international sporting event with 500 competition, with action sports in the air, land and water as well as art and live music, On the day of my visit I quickly discovered that Girl Aloud were appearing the former summer residence of Queen Victoria Osborn House. There is also great access to the Island with several crossing points for vehicles and pedestrian/cycle travellers, some 400 a day which is over 15 an hour. My route from Portsmouth Harbour to Ryde, with the vehicle ferry from Portsmouth to Fishbourne, From Southampton there is a passenger Catamaran to West Cowes and vehicular to East Cowes. From Southsea there is foot passengers to Ryde, vehicle Lymington to Yarmouth and passenger from Keyhaven to Yarmouth. There is also a chain ferry between East and West Cowes.I did a coach tour or two wishing that we were able to go in our own time. There is the needles areas where for many year I had a souvenir container of different coloured sands and several Chines small gorges or ravines but the various wildlife and adventure parks, the historic sites, river and steam engine trips are all post 1940 developments.I alighted from the bus at Sandown which I remembered well with its street of shops parallel to the road beach where wooden ladder take you down to the beach unless you go to northern area where there is no road and direct beach access. I believe the first time we stayed at Bembridge which then had a country village atmosphere but no beach so we had to take the bus to Sandown. I also remembered the pier which looked the sane externally. It follows the traditional organisation of arcade amusements designed to separate you from your cash, then a place to have an all day breakfast or fish and chips, or dunkin donuts, then an open walking area with a few seats, then a couple of rides and then a precarious area for fisherman. It is not a long pier which is why is has survived whereas that at Shanklin became derelict and was destroyed altogether in a storm. There are still the canopied high back deck chairs which I eventually persuaded the aunties as doing so was considered superior to lying out on the sand. It was time to move on to Shanklin where I had forgotten that the town is some distance from the sea front, missing the town stop at the small bus station and then deciding to get off at the Old Village, making key way back and have a look at the theatre where I was unable to remember if we were able to afford a visit or if in deed there were summer shows.. I bought the map booklet in order to work out where I was, sitting at a bench by a church and then made my way down the steep hill to the sea front at the most southern end of the bay where there is a miniature golf course which I always wanted to play but was not very good at and where there were public toilets. There used to a great long pier here but it became derelict and then was destroyed in a storm. I vaguely remembered that was a lift to the cliff top but was not in operation when we visited and the present one was built around1955, has two lifts and costs 60 p for pensioners one way. My memory is that we went to the children's parade although whether this was at Sandown where it take places to day or at Shanklin I cannot remember. I am certain that one year we did go to Shanklin rather than Sandown for the illuminations. On my way back I found a bus stop just before the town bus station where I missed one again and though I did not have long to wait thinking that the time table applied to the stop. There I met a grandmother who was waiting for her son in law to take her his home so she would baby sit while the parents and older children went to see Girls aloud. One of the daughters was to be Princess in the parade. I did not recognise much about Shanklin on explore much although I was tempted by one restaurant hotel offering a dressed crab salad and another which offered steak on a slate like hot slab with vegetables served on a second plinth. The journey back was not enjoyable, first a half an hour weight for the bus. Then although I arrived in time for the 6,15 ferry it was cancelled for operational reasons so there was a great queue and scrum for the 6.45 which set off five mins late which was crucial because although I made my way directly to the station and along the platform past the five coach train, it pulled out before the stated time, When I challenged the station attendant he first lied and then admitted that the off was signalled some thirty seconds before departure time and that he worked for the railways and had nothing to do with the ferry service which sums up just what is wrong with the private enterprise system. As it happens I had a choice of train with those going to Waterloo and Victoria also calling at Havant as well as the departing train along the coast to Brighton but for some, including one family off the ferry there was an hour's wait. Back at the motel I enjoyed a made up evening meal of packet soup, packet pasta, Danish and fruit, water and coffee. It had been a very short visit back into childhood and at the point I was not certain when or if I would return, despite remembering that we had stayed at the third resort Ventnor. I was also experiencing personal discomfort with what I hoped was a mild heat rash in an intimate area of the body but nothing affected the sense of having recaptured part of my childhood.

1412 Hull, a short visit in the rain

I first visited Kingston upon Hull in 1961 having walked from Liverpool and have no memory of the reception we received in the city centre or where the march terminated. However, I and another marcher, were accommodated by a University Lecturer and his wife and family at their home at Cottingham and my memory is that because my companion was a vegan, a Cheese soufflé had been prepared which for some reason I did not fancy, so some pieces of cold ham were produced while the other marcher consumed my portion of the soufflé together with his own. I had a good night's sleep in a bed after a bath and ten days sleeping on the floors of halls.

It was then a decade before I returned, this occasion representing Cheshire County Council on the North Region Association for the Blind or the deaf, a body mainly attended by Councillors but where Cheshire had decided to send an officer. I had stayed overnight in the city and remember thinking it was a drab town much affected by World War II and the subsequent decline in economic fortunes. I commenced to make visits to the city from around 1993 and have visited the city centre and some of its suburbs for the last decade and a half although it is some three years since my list visit and what changes I was to experience!

I could have made the visit from South Cave as there are hourly buses but I only found this out later. I therefore made my way to Beverley by car where the town was full with the Saturday Market and a Folk festival and the first hints of the rain which had been forecast. Unfortunately a shower developed as I reached the bus station where the stop for Hull was not protected so I had use an umbrella. Before my bus one of the same number but going in the opposite direction arrived going on to Scarborough and I was tempted to change plans. Being third in the queue I was able to get a front seat and therefore had an excellent view throughout the journey, with part of the way out of Beverley and into Hull familiar. The route into Hull has a run down feel, full of rented accommodation much used by students sharing properties and making use of the various pubs, cafes and contemporary type bars mingling with local community shops and businesses. The Older University is spread to the west of the City at Cottingham where there a first year campus and halls of residents and where there are good pubs in the village including one where a traditional jazz band played once a week. It is only a short bus ride to the principal University Campus of buildings. The City is also home the University of Humberside created from the former Technology and Further Education colleges. It is a large city over eight times the size of Beverley and similar to Newcastle and Sunderland with large areas of riverside, and as with South Shields and the other Tyne and Wear authorities high levels of social deprivation developed in the 1970 making several generation dependent on community benefits. For Hull this was the second period of social distress for the majority of the population as it had been the most damaged city outside of London in the UK with 95% of properties damaged and much of the city centre. 192000 people were made homeless out of a wartime population of 320000 which indicates something of the scale of the devastation and why the city was subsequently rebuilt with tree lines walkways, some pedestrianised and with plenty of public seating areas, and why it has also proved possible to make major improvements over the past decade as the economy of Britain became stable and developed at a faster rate than the rest of Europe, perhaps with the exception of Eire. It also helped to have a key figure of the Blair administration as an Member of Parliament for the city, John Prescott.

When I commenced to visit Hull on a regular basis in the 1990's I was impressed by the indoor shopping facilities. The Prospect centre is a solid building tucked away between some impressive post war department store buildings notably the British Homes Stores building, the House of Fraser, Debenhams and the more recent chain of T J Hughes and where there is also the Central Library and a large Woolworths. Inside the Prospect centre ground floor has no architectural features and is simply functional but it also has a sweeping series of escalators which were under repair on this visit and with the lift out of order I decided against the stairway, hoping that I could find the photos from a visit made some three years ago. Because photos take so much space on computers I have been good at making copies to disks, but failed miserably to keep a proper record and index, so that after an hour's searching I was unable to locate those from the previous visit. I will check again.
I arrived at the new bus station which has been added to the railway station since my last visit. There are 38 bays in constant use and four coach bays. Unusually all the bays are on line with passengers only being able to reach a bus through controlled doors, thus eliminating accidents which would be the situation given the frequency of services and the brief space between bus when they are alongside each other. Large monitors announce the departure using two pages but usually only covering the next ten to fifteen minutes of services such is the volume of use. I was able to make a good study of the operation of the terminal as although there are four different scheduled services from Hull to Beverley, I had to wait nearly an hour as one service never appeared and two others had just been missed. There was no explanation given for the non appearance and I gained the impression that because each bay was is in constant use drivers are required rigidly adhere to time tables an air. One mother door way just after it has been closed and the driver did not reopen and similarly in one fairly rural spot two young women turned a corner and came rushing towards the bus but the drive moved off leaving them there, with a limited shelter from the driving rain for what, I assumed was to have been another half hour. I appreciate these were just two examples but at Beverley although there was quite a queue in the increasing rain the departing male driver continued to chat with the attractive female new driver for longer than was desirable in the circumstances. I just had the feeling this was a comprehensive and modern service system which did not allow much for passenger flexibility.

There is an impressive new ticket and information centre with coach and bus Travel on one side and train on the other and there were plenty of leaflets on services and local attractions. Hull central station rather like that at Sunderland were disgraces. Sunderland has yet to be improved given that a short distance away there is a magnificent modern station for the metro adjacent to the new bus station but at the main station there is just a utility building which house a fast food and a sandwich bakery with access from the street and the new ticket centre which is an improvement on the situation until a few years ago. I must add that the staff have always been exceptionally helpful. Hull has traditional above ground station with a direct and pleasant train service to London which I have used but had a cold and grim feel about the building with a large area derelict and where facilities on a Sunday evening were non existence. There is now a delightful welcoming waiting facility with very modern toilets staffed toilets where a payment of 20p is required and where there is a soft purple blue glow which I understand is designed to make it difficult for drug addicts to inject. The station begins to match its ancestral history and increasing importance in an era when the train and the bus needs to replace journeys made by car.

A good time mention that everywhere in Hull there are well designed facilities for the parking and securing of bicycles but on an admittedly raining day there was not much evidence of use. There are 7 stopping trains to London a day plus an express, the Hull Executive which takes 2 hrs 45 mins. There are hourly services to Manchester which takes 2 hours with extensions to Warrington and Liverpool, to Doncaster and Sheffield, two trains an hour to Beverley and Bridlington with one of these every two hours going on to Scarborough and one train every two hours to York.

The station was originally built in the 1840's and is attached to The Royal Station Hotel after a stay by Queen Victoria. A major part of the station became derelict although in one area nearby the Famous Hull Truck Theatre made its home in a ramshackle shed like single storey building. All this is changing because across form the exceptionally busy thoroughfare in constant use by the buses is the spectacular St Stephens development which opened with new bus terminal in September 2007, and which has an extraordinary vaulted glass ceiling and tower like feature. with three levels of stores and recreational facilities, including new multiplex and Bingo centre, and with a long coffee shop suspended in the space between either sides of the building. I only managed to take one photo inside the building as a security officer advised that I would have to seek management permission. To one side of the building, at the far end, there is the biggest of supermarkets, a Tesco Extra. This has the appearance of the inside of a giant aeroplane hanger with a first floor covering about half the floor area and a basement level car park. The centre includes a pharmacy, opticians and petrol station and there is a café on the first floor where I had hoped buy a hot meal but they were out of the beef and ale pie, so I settled for a baguette and coffee in an open café in the middle of the centre towards the front entrance. I also explored the outside of the centre at rear where there is a vast area of designer open space with seating and terracing overlooking the existing Hull Truck Theatre. However next to St Stephens a 440 seat replacement theatre is being built together with a Music centre for the youth of the city.

The new development takes away from what had been the main shopping precinct in the city the Prince's Quay built mainly over Prince's Dock, although an area of water remains with two fountains, with one area overlooked by an arts centre with three other bordered by several Inns and night clubs developed out of former dockside buildings. At the far end one can see part of the Marina also created out of former docks leading towards the River Hull and towards the Humber. Prince's Quay also has a three deck shopping precinct presently with 80 stores but is being extend to include another forty and two department stores. It is also a splendid looking building in glass with a vaulted centre for the escalators and car parking to one side. I have used the car park several times although I did lose my car once as there are separate levels to those reached from the shopping centre. It was here that I had yet another surprise for having retreated to the centre because of persistent and heavy rain I planned to visit the top deck where there was an in door market type stall area and eating places, what did I find. Britain's first all digital multiplex cinema boasting wall to wall and floor to ceilings screens, 3 D stadium seats and superior leather style seats in some parts of theatres. I looked in vain for the box office only to discover later that the clever clogs have abandoned the separate box office so that you buy tickets at the tills selling sweets and drinks. Well I never. I did note that whereas those over sixty could buy a tickets for £3.50 at St Stephens, at Prince's Quay it was 4.40.

Hull is not short of cinemas theatres because in addition there is a Cineworld multiplex to the north of the city at the Kingswood Retail Park together with indoor Bowling and restaurants and a Travel Lodge, all of which I have used before, other than Bowling, in times past. Moreover there is also a Retail Park across the main Humberside dockside road which continues to the Bridge and the start of the M62 Here on the Banks of the Humber next to the Ice Arena is an Odeon, with a Pizza type restaurant adjacent where I once tried to go through a glass door. There is also Hull Screen which is the Cinema Art House and which is located close to buildings belonging to a third university that of Lincolnshire across the Humber Bridge. In Hull close to the river Hull and the interesting area of buildings including Wilberforce House, The Museum of Transport, the Hull and East Riding Museum, the Guildhall, the Crown Courts and the St Mary's Church there are the Management and Health and Social Care branches of the university. I was heading for this area where the deluge commenced. However I was able to view the large BBC building and enter the Queens Dock Gardens, built in what used to be the Queen's Dock, surprise, surprise. I headed towards the gardens because I could hear some attractive Afro West Indian music and then found a small stage and large amplifiers and an odd assortment of individuals from several races dancing in the rain. On my way to find shelter at the Prince's Quay I noted a cloud of what became pungent smoke from a small group of white teenagers clearly enjoying themselves to one side of the gardens oblivious to the music and the rain. It was cool man.

I did mange to visit small arcade the Paragon but not the Hepworth, or the Trinity Indoor Market on this occasion which is near the impressive St Trinity Church and the Hull Trinity School. However at this point I abandoned my visit and waited patiently for nearly an hour for the bus back to Beverley although midway I was tempted to buy a ticket for the train. Hull was the home of William Wilberforce and Amy Johnson the aviator, Two actors I have greatly admired, the humorist Maureen Lipman and the endearing John Alderton. The playwright Alan Plater was not born in Hull but has close associations.

Hull remains an active Port including vehicle ferries to Holland with some 5000 people employed and twice as many more in work associated with the port. There are also large industrial cinema along the corridor to the motorway, including Smith and Nephew.

Final mention must go to Hull Kingston Rovers which has managed to get into the Premier Division and although expected to go straight down is looking forward to the £50 million the experience will bring in regardless of what happens.