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Nine Thousand Evenings

In the evening of the day, all work done, we sit down and we talk.

Maybe it’s because we’re in the dark time of the year, when the evening seems to last for half the day, that’s made me so conscious of evenings? Or maybe it’s because I’ve been reading a book? A bit of both probably.

Anyway, have you ever thought about how many evenings you’ve spent talking with the significant person or people in your life? Or about how much all the conversations you’ve had over all of those evenings with these people have contributed to who you are and the life you’re living? Well I have, and ‘a lot’ is the answer to both of these questions.

Evenings are the focus of my thinking and the title of what I’m writing here because they’re the time my significant person and I mostly spend together, our different jobs of work done for the day. We’ve been together, Sarah and I, for 25 years or so now and, minus time spent away working and on a few separate holidays, sea kayaking for example, that all multiplies up to about nine thousand evenings we’ve spent together.

Nine thousand evening of conversation. Continue reading “Nine Thousand Evenings”

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Like you would do for one you love: For Liverpool and Leeds

I’ve been thinking about Liverpool, which probably won’t surprise anyone who knows me. Also thinking of Leeds and Leonard Cohen, which might. The thinking brought on by an early morning Saturday tweet which mentioned how much a friend and I openly love our places, my friend Phil being from Leeds.

This was sent as part of a discussion several Leeds friends turned out to be having about whether and how it’s ok to be critical of where you live and are mostly working. I instinctively replied:

“I always write honestly about Liverpool & as everyone knows, I love it. So any criticism is careful & gentle, as with one you love.”

As soon as I’d sent that it reminded me of Leonard Cohen’s song “Take This Longing” Continue reading “Like you would do for one you love: For Liverpool and Leeds”

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In Leeds: Talking up the North

On top of the Industrial Revolution.
On top of the Industrial Revolution.

It will be a day of top quality glass rooves, and we’ll be back to that one later.

First though, to Lime Street for the Trans Pennine Express.
First though, to Lime Street for the Trans Pennine Express.

At the same time as me, others from around the North are getting on trains too.

As planned, I arrive in Leeds with plenty of time for a walk round town, as you’d expect.

Another top roof, the Corn Exchange.
Another top roof, the Corn Exchange.
Sorry to see they're still looking for a tenant for their 'Flagship' space.
Sorry to see they’re still looking for a tenant for their ‘Flagship’ space.
Walking around after a sudden shower.
Walking around after a sudden shower.
Street food, its a thing isn't it?
Street food, its a thing isn’t it?

Continue reading “In Leeds: Talking up the North”

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Walking with Jayne

Walking with Jayne01An interesting day of doing the things I love best. Walking round Liverpool and talking with interesting people. Some of the people today are travelling over from Leeds. But first there’s a walk to be done.

My friend here Jayne is an artist from North Liverpool who’s recently moved into her new place just off Lodge Lane. Relatively unfamiliar with the south end of the city she’d said ‘Can I come on one of your walks, in return for a really detailed walk around my end of the city?’ So here we are ‘beating the parish bounds’ of Jayne’s new neighbourhood.Walking with Jayne02‘Beating the parish bounds’ is an old Saxon custom where people would walk around their place ‘to share the knowledge of where they lay, and to pray for protection and blessings for the lands.’ I’ve always done this in new places where I’ve lived, even on holiday, to make myself feel at home. So felt it would be just the thing for Jayne. Continue reading “Walking with Jayne”

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Of Time and the City: Leeds

Off then to Leeds, to introduce the great Liverpool film ‘Of Time and the City.’ And to look at a good few glass rooves.

Starting here. In Liverpool Lime Street. Look at that.
Starting here. In Liverpool Lime Street. Look at that.

At Leeds I’m met by Phil Kirby of The Culture Vulture. Introduced by our mutual friend Rob Greenland who tells me ‘Phil knows Leeds like you know Liverpool.’ He’s also what some call ‘an urban walker’ too.

Phil Kirby.
Phil Kirby.

We’ll eventually walk out to here, the lovely Hyde Park Picture House for the film showing. But first, time for a walk around the city centre. I’m not a complete stranger to Leeds. But I haven’t had time for a good walk round the middle for many years. And things have been happening. Continue reading “Of Time and the City: Leeds”