The Trains Were Cancelled

[poliphilo]

We turned up at the station to find all the trains had been cancelled. Instead they were laying on coaches. Our driver complained that he hadn't been issued with a map.

We were supposed to stop at various stations on the way, but we sailed past most of them because the driver didn't know they were there. "I'm not worrying about it," he said.

The baby sitting behind us was sick.

The tutorial was mainly about Great Expectations. We were discussing whether Dickens is a realist or not. In a literary context "realist" means something like "unsensational", "uneventful", "unexciting"- and what that has to do with Reality I really don't know.

We had lunch at the Indian restaurant where we are now greeted as regulars. I had a vegetable Bhuna, Ailz had a huge plate of meat- half of which she wrapped in a napkin and put away in her handbag. "See you next week," said the owner as we were leaving- thus creating a sense of obligation.

The driver for the return trip (also map-less) managed to find all but one of the stations.

We walked home from Oldham Mumps. There was pigeon lying in the road. A car swung round the corner and ran it over. I tried not to look. "Oh well," said Ailz, "at least it died with a full crop."

At the bottom of our road there's a house called Arnhem. I've always imagined it as the home of an old soldier with fond memories of World War II, but this afternoon, as we passed, we noticed it had a huge Irish tricolor draped from the bedroom window.

So I guess the old soldier has gone.

Comments

[jackiejj.livejournal.com]

I think your day sounds so pleasant, except for the pigeon.

I have never once been in an authentic Indian restaurant--how many are there, really, in East Tennessee?

(I like curry, too.)

"I'm not worrying about it." How funny to imagine all the people at those stops shaking their fists at him as you "sailed past"!

Does this mean Frankenstein can be laid to rest until the Final?

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

You've never had an authentic Indian meal?

Hurry on across the Atlantic and we'll rectify that toute suite.

Ailz's next paper is a comparison of Frankenstein and Great Expectations, so we're not finished with Mary Shelley quite yet.

[jackiejj.livejournal.com]

Poor Ailz, though I smile now whenever I think about her reading that endless story and making little notes and frowning and (perhaps) wanting to toss the book out the window.

We just got back from a lovely spring walk on a warm 70ish afternoon and I went Holga-ing. I got some "art shots" of the sun through clouds with greening willow boughs in the margin. We shall see...

While there, I saw (and took 2 shots, which accidentally double exposed because I forgot to roll forward the film) a family flying March kites in the park! The little girl's kite took a nosedive and she promptly sat down on the grass and began to sob. I wanted to take her photo, but felt I couldn't intrude on the family that much. (I am no Diane Arbus, and probably a good thing, too.)

I promise to take you up on your authentic Indian meal, and I would LOVE to go there by train!

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

It's 70ish? O my!

We've had very cold weather. I can't get warm. I feel chilled to the bone, or "fair clemmed" as they say in these parts.

I'm very shy about taking pictures with strangers in. I'm afraid they'll come up to me and ask for their souls back. I prefer to wait till my field of vision is empty.

And yet I love photographers like Cartier Bresson who went round snapping people promiscuously.

[jackiejj.livejournal.com]

I'm afraid they'll come up to me and ask for their souls back.

LOL.

I had two shots left, and just ahead of me on the path were a very old man and woman. He was wearing a straw hat and was holding her hand. They were both rather feeble and were walking slowly along.

I popped the lens cap off and Holga'd them. I hope they wouldn't mind.

The Holga shutter is alarmingly loud.

I do hope it turns out. They were very touching.

There aren't many nuances on the Holga, so it is up to fate whether or not it was a good shot.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I must do some more Holgaing.

I need a suitable subject. I want broken columns, I want ivy-covered walls....

[jackiejj.livejournal.com]

Do I have the perfect place for you!!!

Highgate.

I have a book of black and white photographs from Highgate.

My brother goes there every time he is in London.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I've been to Highgate, but it's a very long time ago. Yes, that would be a splendid place to take the Holga.

[jackiejj.livejournal.com]

I mean the cemetery, in case Highgate is also a town.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

It's both.

Highgate cemetery is in the borough of Highgate.

My father, as it happens, went to Highgate School. It's some sort of minor public (that is to say, private) school.

[jackiejj.livejournal.com]

I think Holga and Highgate would be a superb match, Tony.

And I would love to see the results.

Broken columns and ivy galore.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Ah, but it's a long way away from here.

We have big Victorian cemeteries in the north of England, but nothing I know of that's nearly so grand.

[jackiejj.livejournal.com]

Well, IF you ever go, please take Holga with you!

[halfmoon-mollie.livejournal.com]

I went Holgaing myself today. No where near 70 though,right around 30. I took some photos of the winter harbour. I can't quite see the numbers on the window so I accidentally wound past the first three numbers- this roll will only have 8 photos on it, I guess.


Jackie - going to see Tony and Ailz would be great fun. YOu can, though, get a great Indian meal in...Pittsburg. Or here.

Or Toronto.

[jackiejj.livejournal.com]

Pittsburgh? My son and daughter-in-law live just outside Pittsburgh.

I'll give it a try there first.

So you went Holga-ing too?

Yes, I forget from time to time to forward the clunky thing.

And the flash battery fell out, so it was rattling around in the bottom of the plastic case!

I think I got about 8 shots, too...

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

The winter harbour sounds like a great venue for Mme Holga. Will you be posting the results?

[halfmoon-mollie.livejournal.com]

I have to 1st finish the roll and then get it developed. And then figure out the technicalities of posting here. But, I expect to do that. I can PROBABLY figure it out. If not, I'll bet Jackie can help me.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Yes, Jackie is a whizz at that sort of thing.

So is Ailz.

[jackiejj.livejournal.com]

Kate says you and Ailz should come to us, and we will serve you an authentic American Indian meal--wild turkey, pumpkin pie...

Come for Thanksgiving, and we will give you a meal from history!

Sweet potatoes, corn, cranberries.

Or forget eating and we will go instead into the Great Smoky Mountains.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

It's very tempting.

And I think we will. Yes, we will.

But first, Ailz, like you, will have to conquer her fear of flying.

[jackiejj.livejournal.com]

Ailz and I need to go get unconditioned or whatever it is.

Why not? You can see the South in all its glory.

We live near the Smokies and--well, a wonderful fresh water aquarium, and the Museum of Appalachia.

You could meet my mother and see the Norris Commons...