England was great - especially my weekend with the Burgess family. Didn't find out much at the Archives although I will review my photos and notes. Walking to the train station today, on the bench where I found the frozen jeans a couple of days ago, I noticed the bench was quite occupied. There were three people sitting on it and one standing in front. They seemed a bit uneasy at my approach. I wasn't exactly approaching the bench, it just happened to be there on the path I was taking into town.
Seems that it is a branch office of a clinic. A drug clinic. More specifically an illegal drug clinic. The three "occupants" were shooting up. I just wandered on by and as they were quite busy with their activities, they just ignored me. Whew!
I tried to get a closer picture of the "curling rocks" or "tea kettles" - not sure how well it came out. Then the phone, which is my camera, shut down. Out of juice. I'd had it plugged in all night, but when will I learn to turn on the switch beside the outlet. Arrrggghhh. Fortunately I'd left on the switch on the outlet the laptop was using to juice up.
In the train station I was in the ticket purchase lineup when a young woman asked if I'd like a ticket at a discount. The advertised price online was about 17 pounds (I have no symbol for Euros or Pounds on this keyboard) and I got this one for 10. She had purchased the wrong ticket and was unable to exchange it.
So, off I went to Leeds. It was a pretty quick trip. All along the route I noticed something that in fact I'd been noticing all week in Sheffield. There's a sort of black haze over almost everything. The older buildings are tinged with black stuff that I think was soot. It even seemed like the trees were too black. This is - I think - the Midlands, where coal and industry from back in the 19th century, was predominant. It certainly left its mark.
When I got to Leeds it was far too early to go to the airport so I decided to check my bag at the Left Luggage office and wander around town. No camera. The entire batch of batteries I'd bought was no good so using the camera was out of the question. My phone was dead. Aha - my little Irish phone. I've got to update the minutes on it tomorrow, but in the meantime the camera works.
Leeds is eye candy to anyone who appreciates the old architecture - many colours, many details, all interesting. I found my way to the (I think) Kingsgate Market. It's a huge interesting structure that has been added to over the years. There is also an outdoor portion, rather like a flea market. Inside there is a fish market, meat market, and all sorts of businesses - flower shops, a Marks and Spencer, bakeries, clothing, fabrics and general flotsam and jetsam. Then I walked back outside and into The Core - another shopping area. It's all a combo of the old and the new. They have everything from an 18th century pub that is still open to the latest in designer shops. My little phone stayed heated up from all the pictures I took. Can't wait to see them larger than a couple of inches square.
Only one problem, I'm not sure how to upload pictures from it to Dropbox. I have only ever used it for calls and texts. I can charge it with a USB cable plugged into the laptop. However, I can't use the cable to transfer photos. For reasons unknown, the Android converter app on the Mac doesn't like pictures from the phone.
So when I get back to Bunclody I'll find a ten year old and hopefully get it all set up.
Disembarking at Terminal 2 upon arrival from Leeds, I wondered what the immigration officer would ask regarding the 90 day visit, which is actually 100 days. He simply said, "you've been here before". I replied "Yes" and he said "enjoy your stay". So I beetled on out of there and assume that I'm fine to stay until April 13th. Ta-da.
I had decided to stay in Dublin overnight and had pre-booked and paid for a room at the Maldron Hotel. They have a shuttle service from the airport. So, upon exiting the terminal I asked a security guard where I'd find the shuttle to the Maldron. He told me area 16 so off I trundled. It was quite a long walk. No sign of the Maldron bus. I had managed to charge the phone part way at Leeds airport so made a call to the hotel. Their bus stop is just outside the entrance to the terminal. About 100 feet from where I asked directions. So, back I went. Got my steps in today for sure.
The bus showed up as promised and I had a nice chat with the driver, Donald, as I was the lone passenger. He even carried my suitcase up the steps, whereas I would have used the ramp and not been upset about it. He suggested a nice cup of tea to warm me up. Once checked in I settled for a nice hot meal instead. Lamb shank - delicious.
Now I'm settled into a very nice room and will shortly turn out the lights. I've started reading the book I bought at the Quarry Bank cotton mill - How to be a Victorian. It's delightful - well written, informative and even funny. Would I like to be a Victorian - NO! However it does put context around the lives of my English great and great great grandparents. I'll read a bit before drifting off.
So, when I figure out the camera upload thing I'll post pics.
I wonder what make and model of rental car I'll get tomorrow when I go to Hertz again for round 2.
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