Tag Archives: colchester

16 February 2008

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Yes, that’s me reading poetry at the Appetite coffee bar in Colchester last night, in aid of Lepra. I did a double act alternating with Rupert (also pictured), and Dot did one of the poems with me. It was organised by Jason McLean and was a bit of a shot in the dark as far as I was concerned. I’m still not sure why he picked on us, because I don’t think it was anything to do with InPrint.

Anyway, it was brilliant. We went by train, it was freezing cold, and there was a walk/climb of over a mile to the cafe, which is in a dark back street. But Jason was very welcoming and bought us some wine. We were on first – nearly half an hour late after Jason postponed the start in the hope of getting more people in. Still there were quite a few, and we seemed to go over well. We both enjoyed doing it very much and want to read together as a duo again. We contrast quite well, I think. Gave me quite a lift.

On the train there we talked about Rupert’s YouTube video, which I think is pretty good. I like the idea of doing something similar with Lucy, but she may have to wait until her Paston project is over. We had discussed it in the past but never got round to it. Dot also gave me some ideas for my embryonic novel; so a good day all round, though I had trouble with my car insurance earlier. One company seem to think I cancelled it last year; another wants evidence of my no claims bonus, which wasn’t there because the first company thought my policy had been cancelled. I have all the paperwork, but it’s hard to convince anyone over the phone.

My cousin Ann has replied to my letter, and I’ve added a few details to my family tree as a result of that and a bit of digging, during which I discovered that my aunt Mary’s first name was not Mary but Abi. Puts her in a completely different light!

Not so good today. The weather is beautifully sunny, but at present Norwich City are losing 3-0 to Leicester. Tonight we go to the Robinsons for a meal, which should be fun.

1 February 2008

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Two roses in front of quite a lot of thorns. Amy and Dot walking the Whitlingham path last weekend. Today the weather has been sunny but bitterly cold, and snow is apparently on the way. Yesterday was extremely wintry, with sleet and high winds, but I managed to get into a break between the showers, and bussed up to get Andrew’s money.

Today I drove down to Annette’s then – after picking up her car from a “garage” in the middle of several fields at the end of a track, and after she then taxed it – she drove us to Colchester to pick up the PVM from The Minories. We were given a hand to transport it to the car via Rupert’s trolley. The Minories is being abandoned because its lease has come to an end, and the spectacular new building isn’t finished yet. The PVM made a measly £27 during its six-week stay, and I didn’t sell any books.

Had a chat with Annette about the future of InPrint. The feeling generally seems to be that we may be heading for a looser group with less ongoing commitment. But we’ll see at the meeting tomorrow. Sadly, I seem to be getting a cold, which is not helpful.

On Tuesday I went by train to Hull to assess the four reporters at the Hull Daily Mail. Weather was quite good both days – especially so on the way back, and the trains were amazingly prompt. Going up I had one change at Grantham, which was about as good as it gets. Coming back earlier than I had anticipated, I had to change three times, at Doncaster, Peterborough and Ely. All trains were pretty full, especially the Stansted Express (Peterborough-Ely). Best run was Doncaster-Peterborough on the very fast National Express to King’s Cross. These are very frequent, quite luxurious and make you realise what you’re missing living on an outcrop like Norfolk.

I was favourably impressed by Hull Trains – clean and modern – and by the station staff. I went to the inquiry desk to ask where I had to change on the way back, and the clerk quickly (very quickly: I had hardly finished talking) produced a slip of paper with all the details very clearly set out. At the Pumpkin buffet on the station the woman in charge was also highly efficient and clear about what was on offer. The Ibis Hotel was good too, though basic. Had fish and chips in the evening which was excellent, as was the continental breakfast. What they offered generally was limited but quite sufficient, and just the job, really.

The trainees did very well, and three of the four just have to complete their shorthand to finish their NVQs. Sadly, this may not be as easy as they think it will be. The date of my next visit has been left open.

13 December 2007

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And continuing the theme, here is my cousin Pat at her surprise 60th birthday party. Especially surprising as she’s not 60 yet: I do know when her birthday is, but I can’t reveal it in case everyone who reads this sends her a present. I mean, what would she do with two presents?

Yesterday InPrint did a poetry reading at The Minories (firstsite) in Colchester, and the four poets departed from Norwich – with friend Julie – on the 4pm train, picking up artist Annette at Diss. The walk from the station at Colchester took about 40 minutes and included quite a steep hill, which was invigorating, especially as the weather was literally freezing. The Minories was very welcoming, and there were refreshments, including mince pies. The reading itself was fun , all of us reading five or six poems in all to an audience of about a dozen – which is pretty good, and 12 more than none at all.

After posing for pictures at the end we made our way to the station – Rupert going on ahead because he had to make a connection at Norwich. We thought this was being a bit too careful, but as it turned out, it was merely prudent. Caroline and I, walking briskly, joined him with five minutes or so to spare, but the other three, who started off just behind us, dropped back so much that they went the wrong way – which was not easy, as it was a straight road. After a phone call they got back on track, but we still thought they hadn’t made it. But they jumped on by the skin of their teeth (unfortunately no photo) and in a packed train we managed to get quite close to each other.

A pleasant excursion: we munched mince pies from a goodie bag and got back to Norwich about 9pm.

Today was still cold. I managed to catch up with quite a bit of stuff – the poetry leaflet didn’t make it – and picked up the pictures I’d bought from Bally. Wrote some more Christmas cards and ordered my Christmas present – a camera – from Amazon, after discovering I would get triple Nectar points, whatever they are. Took a Christmas present up to Menita and Regis and picked up six bottles of wine they’d brought from France for us. Fortunately I had enough cash with me, because I’d forgotten about it. Dot left for Newmarket, where she’s doing a church school inspection tomorrow, about 3.30, and I wrote most of my page for the EDP. Tomorrow I need to finish it and make sure all is ready for Sunday’s carol service.