What a comfy bed! Although Jess's flat was cold, I'd been given two duvets and was therefore nice and warm, and it was a firm mattress so I slept well.
Got up around 10 and had a bowl of Weetabix and a sprinkling of porridge oats with a few bits of dried apple ring broken on top. Watched YouTube videos, including some blasts from my past, Osibisa and Steve Hillage. I logged in to facebook and saw a friend had posted about the death of Pete Postlethwaite, which made me cry as he was my favourite actor, especially after his wonderful performance in Age of Stupid. What a shame, he was only 64, and by all accounts a lovely bloke. This coloured my whole day.
Jess was mending Nomi's handbag which had poorly constructed handles, so Jess was replacing them with several lengths of tough rope and then sewing leather round to make a nice looking handle. But this meant we didn't leave the flat til well after 11, and I wanted to get the 12.19 train to York so I could be back in time for the opening of the BikeRescue HubStation. Jess and Nomi were heading over to Leeds to buy material, so they waited for the bus, and I cycled down to the Interchange, which only took about 10 minutes, and I was there in time for the 12.05 train to Leeds. But I said I'd wait until the later train, but they didn't get to that train so I had that hour quiet enough to read my NewScientist.
However, I met a cyclist with a folded Brompton who was going to the HubStation launch... a volunteer from Sustrans, and friends with my friend Gael.
Once in York I picked up my trailer and then had a toasted sandwich at ?Krunchies and then went to the new HubStation, the latest project from BikeRescue, headed up by Bernie Cullen, whom I have a lot of admiration for. The place was already crowded with York's cycling fraternity, Councillors, dignitaries. The building used to be an electricity sub-station, and in 2006 Bernie requested that the Council let it be used as a Cycling Centre. It has taken £300,000 and 4 years to get it to what it is now... with space for secure bike storage, repairs, sales of reconditioned bikes, spares and accessories, a cafe, shower, and today, a lovely cake and loads and loads of happy people. One really nice touch is a window which will be permanently used for bike-based art. It currently has a load of decorated plates in it, and is very pretty. It has been put together by Lu Mason, who I think may be the daughter of Tom Mason, one of my cycling friends who died a few years ago.
I stayed til about 3pm and then came away, I would have liked to take part in the ride through the city but I wanted to get home. Popped in to Country Fresh on the way home though, and picked up a couple of boxes of compostables.
Back to a happy home, where all was well and our eldest had gone out to a film with friends... coming back having really enjoyed it. Nice simple tea, and at about 7, I went out to the LETS meeting at the Seahorse... but no-one else turned up apart from two non-member ordinary guys who seemed happy to chat with me until their takeaway next door was ready. I left at 8.30, cleared up some frosted Nasturtiums from the Edible York raised bed, picked up a pallet and came home.
Gill was on the phone when I got in, chatting with my old friend Cathryn whom I've known since I was 18. She is considering replacing her oil-fired central heating with a Dunsley Yorkshire woodburning stove, and wanted my advice or opinion. Whilst on the phone, Gill suddenly got excited, saying 'Earthquake' but I didn't feel or hear anything. However, after the phone call had finished, I switched on my laptop and went on facebook... and several other people had felt the tremor. It was ineed a quake, Gill's third, and smallest. Her first was in Nort Wales decades ago and it threw her to the ground. We had one in York a few years ago, which was my first (and only!). This time, Gill heard the rumble, the crockery on the Delft Rack clink slightly, and felt the tremor. I was so focused on the phone conversation, I'd not experienced anything.
I rang my Dad at 10pm, to wish him a happy birthday as he's reached 70. I wanted him to know I've not forgotten him, despite not being in contact for a while.
Showing posts with label Bradford. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bradford. Show all posts
Not too hurried a start, got the washing up done and made sandwiches so I could have lunch on the train.
Gill wanted me to try to find some soya yoghurt with active acidobifidus or something culture, so I visited Morissons AND Waitrose on my way to town, so if I found what she wanted, I'd cycle back home with the yoghurt. But no, there wasn't a product available so I went on to the station, locked up my trailer and got a ticket to Bradford. I'd decided the best way to get to Manningham from Bradford Interchange was to use my bike, but as trailers aren't allowed on trains, I left that locked up in York.
Waiting on the platform, I texted Gill with the no yoghurt news. On the train I chatted with a PhD student called Phil (I think!) who is researching mathematical models of medical conditions in the aging population. Fascinating stuff. I love train journeys! I changed trains at Leeds and then chatted to an Oriental couple from Manchester who were about to explore Bradford, which was only 20 minutes or so from Leeds.
I'd memorised the route from the station to Jess's house, using Googlemaps and Streetview, and I found it very easily. Nomy was in, Jess had gone to town but was soon back with some provisions for tea. It was lovely to see them together; I'm the person responsible for introducing them to each other, and now they're a couple, which makes me very happy.
Before tea, we had a game of Scrabble on a homemade Scrabble board, made out of cardboard, and tile racks made of Lego. How creative Jess is!
Jess cooked a stir fry with noodles which was lovely, followed by ice cream and chocolate sauce.
After this we watched YouTube music videos, and then a great film called Kinky Boots on DVD, which was great, I really enjoyed it.
Gill wanted me to try to find some soya yoghurt with active acidobifidus or something culture, so I visited Morissons AND Waitrose on my way to town, so if I found what she wanted, I'd cycle back home with the yoghurt. But no, there wasn't a product available so I went on to the station, locked up my trailer and got a ticket to Bradford. I'd decided the best way to get to Manningham from Bradford Interchange was to use my bike, but as trailers aren't allowed on trains, I left that locked up in York.
Waiting on the platform, I texted Gill with the no yoghurt news. On the train I chatted with a PhD student called Phil (I think!) who is researching mathematical models of medical conditions in the aging population. Fascinating stuff. I love train journeys! I changed trains at Leeds and then chatted to an Oriental couple from Manchester who were about to explore Bradford, which was only 20 minutes or so from Leeds.
I'd memorised the route from the station to Jess's house, using Googlemaps and Streetview, and I found it very easily. Nomy was in, Jess had gone to town but was soon back with some provisions for tea. It was lovely to see them together; I'm the person responsible for introducing them to each other, and now they're a couple, which makes me very happy.
Before tea, we had a game of Scrabble on a homemade Scrabble board, made out of cardboard, and tile racks made of Lego. How creative Jess is!
Jess cooked a stir fry with noodles which was lovely, followed by ice cream and chocolate sauce.
After this we watched YouTube music videos, and then a great film called Kinky Boots on DVD, which was great, I really enjoyed it.
Another early start... this time taking a train to Leeds and then Bradford where I was picked up by Jason in a HUGE vehicle and then on to the 'Abundant Life Church' who had me a year ago and although it was a successful gig for me and the children, I really didn't expect them to have me again! It is the highest compliment possible for an entertainer to be rebooked.
So I got changed and did a 45 minute show for the 5 to 11 year-olds, then a 15 minute performance with the 3 to 4 year olds, and then 10 minutes with the 0 to 2 year olds! It was a very fast-moving set of sessions, and well paid, and friendly, with thousands of people there. I got taken back to the station by a nice Fijian Rugby player in a much more sensible sized car... and met up with my friend Jess. We went for lunch, just a bowl of soup, and then walked back to the station where we chatted for another 20 minutes before the York train came in, and I was back in York before 3pm.
I got in and went to bed for a short time as I had fallen asleep on the train on the way back to York, but a nap restored my compost mentis-ness and I came down and spent time with the family and had tea. A fairly pleasant evening, though still tired and looking forward to a lie-in, I hope!
So I got changed and did a 45 minute show for the 5 to 11 year-olds, then a 15 minute performance with the 3 to 4 year olds, and then 10 minutes with the 0 to 2 year olds! It was a very fast-moving set of sessions, and well paid, and friendly, with thousands of people there. I got taken back to the station by a nice Fijian Rugby player in a much more sensible sized car... and met up with my friend Jess. We went for lunch, just a bowl of soup, and then walked back to the station where we chatted for another 20 minutes before the York train came in, and I was back in York before 3pm.
I got in and went to bed for a short time as I had fallen asleep on the train on the way back to York, but a nap restored my compost mentis-ness and I came down and spent time with the family and had tea. A fairly pleasant evening, though still tired and looking forward to a lie-in, I hope!
An early start this morning as working in Bradford.
I'd bought my tickets yesterday so arrived at the station with just 5 minutes to spare, and got the 8.40 to Leeds. I was due to get the 9.32 to Bradford Forster Square and be collected there at 10ish, but that train had been cancelled. I immediately went to the Leeds Station Office and asked if there was another train to Bradford, and was advised the 9.23 to Bradford Interchange, and I tried to ring my contact at the gig, but she wasn't picking up...
Went to get the 9.23 but it wouldn't start! The driver rang the Station Office to see if another train could be held for 2 mins to allow the passengers to get that but it went, just as I got to that platform.... so I decided to visit the Station Office once more, try to ring my contact again, and see what to do then. Fortunately, she picked up this time and told me the road name for the venue, and I went to get a taxi from outside Leeds Station, and helped the taxi driver put the road name into his TomTom guide thingy which he proceeded to ignore until he reached the centre of Bradford, when it directed us to the venue pretty well. This extra journey cost me £20, which I will try to claim back from the rail people (I'm not expecting this to work, but if you don't try, you don't get, so it's worth a polite letter!)
So, work today was at the Abundant Life Ministries, a Christian church based in an enormous warehouse and other buildings nearby. They have a congregation of two thousand or so, and plenty of activities for children and teenagers. It reminded me of some of the huge American churches in it's scale and approach. My role was to provide the Christmas party entertainment... a one-hour show for the 4 year olds to young teens, followed by a half hour show with the 1 to 3 year olds in a different venue. These both went well and everybody seemed to enjoy themselves... including me, as usual! I was given a lift back to the Interchange and got a train to Leeds and then one back to York, getting home just before 3pm.
Had a quick coffee and then finished off building the logpile to the right of the door, looking out.
The boys were engrossed in Spore and Gill, who's quite a bit better, went to the shops briefly.
Tea was soup followed by remains of pizza for me with baked beans and mushrooms, the boys had soup and cheese toasties with beans and mushrooms.
The boys went to bed without a hitch and I sliced apples and filled another rack for drying, then washed and graded 5 bags of grapes, blanched them and put them on a non-stick tray on top of one of the lids of the cans of water on the stove, so that within maybe three days, they'll be raisins.
I'd bought my tickets yesterday so arrived at the station with just 5 minutes to spare, and got the 8.40 to Leeds. I was due to get the 9.32 to Bradford Forster Square and be collected there at 10ish, but that train had been cancelled. I immediately went to the Leeds Station Office and asked if there was another train to Bradford, and was advised the 9.23 to Bradford Interchange, and I tried to ring my contact at the gig, but she wasn't picking up...
Went to get the 9.23 but it wouldn't start! The driver rang the Station Office to see if another train could be held for 2 mins to allow the passengers to get that but it went, just as I got to that platform.... so I decided to visit the Station Office once more, try to ring my contact again, and see what to do then. Fortunately, she picked up this time and told me the road name for the venue, and I went to get a taxi from outside Leeds Station, and helped the taxi driver put the road name into his TomTom guide thingy which he proceeded to ignore until he reached the centre of Bradford, when it directed us to the venue pretty well. This extra journey cost me £20, which I will try to claim back from the rail people (I'm not expecting this to work, but if you don't try, you don't get, so it's worth a polite letter!)
So, work today was at the Abundant Life Ministries, a Christian church based in an enormous warehouse and other buildings nearby. They have a congregation of two thousand or so, and plenty of activities for children and teenagers. It reminded me of some of the huge American churches in it's scale and approach. My role was to provide the Christmas party entertainment... a one-hour show for the 4 year olds to young teens, followed by a half hour show with the 1 to 3 year olds in a different venue. These both went well and everybody seemed to enjoy themselves... including me, as usual! I was given a lift back to the Interchange and got a train to Leeds and then one back to York, getting home just before 3pm.
Had a quick coffee and then finished off building the logpile to the right of the door, looking out.
The boys were engrossed in Spore and Gill, who's quite a bit better, went to the shops briefly.
Tea was soup followed by remains of pizza for me with baked beans and mushrooms, the boys had soup and cheese toasties with beans and mushrooms.
The boys went to bed without a hitch and I sliced apples and filled another rack for drying, then washed and graded 5 bags of grapes, blanched them and put them on a non-stick tray on top of one of the lids of the cans of water on the stove, so that within maybe three days, they'll be raisins.
A good day.... I took the boyos into school and picked up a bit more pine tree on the way back.
Visited town to sort out some paperwork.
Picked up from school. Soon after we got in, Sarah came round to look after the boys so we could go out.
Went with Gill to Cartwright Hall, Lister Park, Bradford to hear Peter Randall-Page talk about his life as a sculptor, and attend a viewing of some of his work. This was the highlight of the week for me, as I absolutely love his work. It has a very strange effect on me...
Visited town to sort out some paperwork.
Picked up from school. Soon after we got in, Sarah came round to look after the boys so we could go out.
Went with Gill to Cartwright Hall, Lister Park, Bradford to hear Peter Randall-Page talk about his life as a sculptor, and attend a viewing of some of his work. This was the highlight of the week for me, as I absolutely love his work. It has a very strange effect on me...
