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Jul. 19th, 2011 03:18 amDurham and Newcastle were beautiful and wet. Jean and Chaz and Roger were wonderful and not at all wet. I'm back in York, tired, but again, very happy. No big breakthroughs workwise, unless you count realising that cathedrals and abbeys are complex living structures and contain complex living beings and that it's only right they bring me minor grief.
I no longer have the morningstar. It turns out that the shop was quite wrong and that I cannot bring one into Australia. Fortunately they realised their error and refunded me my money. They were very nice about it, too. I promptly spent the money on a couple of small presents. I will buy myself a special treat in France, perhaps.
I never did get those 4000 words written. There was too much other paperworl to do. When i finish tonight's batch of paperwork, maybe I'll be able to write something. I've mostly prepared my class for my first day back in Canberra, however, so I don't feel quite as far behind as maybe I should. Tonight and tomorrow night are paperwork and early to bed, for last night I didn't think to look at the time and we talked rather late. By Australian time, it wasn't late at all, of course, and that shall remain my excuse.
There is a building in Newcastle which ought to be the centrepiece of an anthology. Every floor is a bit magic and, at the same time, looks the same as every other floor. And the Lit and Phil is possibly the best working space/library I have ever seen. And their castle does indeed have a railway running through it. And there is much rain. And I have walked on Hadrian's Wall.
Durham Cathedral is still my favourite anywhere and Bede is still one of my heroes. I had to share the cloisters with choristers and with Harry Potter fans (I had thought those cloisters looked familiar in the film!) but, in recompense, I got to eat in the almshouse and see all sorts of wonderful other things. My friends are brilliant tourguides and good hosts and even nicer in person than online. (Note to self: read Anne Fine and obtain more John Verney books.)
Tomorrow is all about the Middle Ages and about fiction, as Brian Wainwright and I will be spending the day in museums and exploring York and talking about matters dear to both of us. I just realised earlier today that I have just about the best research project imaginable. This stuff is all work! Life is so tough...
I no longer have the morningstar. It turns out that the shop was quite wrong and that I cannot bring one into Australia. Fortunately they realised their error and refunded me my money. They were very nice about it, too. I promptly spent the money on a couple of small presents. I will buy myself a special treat in France, perhaps.
I never did get those 4000 words written. There was too much other paperworl to do. When i finish tonight's batch of paperwork, maybe I'll be able to write something. I've mostly prepared my class for my first day back in Canberra, however, so I don't feel quite as far behind as maybe I should. Tonight and tomorrow night are paperwork and early to bed, for last night I didn't think to look at the time and we talked rather late. By Australian time, it wasn't late at all, of course, and that shall remain my excuse.
There is a building in Newcastle which ought to be the centrepiece of an anthology. Every floor is a bit magic and, at the same time, looks the same as every other floor. And the Lit and Phil is possibly the best working space/library I have ever seen. And their castle does indeed have a railway running through it. And there is much rain. And I have walked on Hadrian's Wall.
Durham Cathedral is still my favourite anywhere and Bede is still one of my heroes. I had to share the cloisters with choristers and with Harry Potter fans (I had thought those cloisters looked familiar in the film!) but, in recompense, I got to eat in the almshouse and see all sorts of wonderful other things. My friends are brilliant tourguides and good hosts and even nicer in person than online. (Note to self: read Anne Fine and obtain more John Verney books.)
Tomorrow is all about the Middle Ages and about fiction, as Brian Wainwright and I will be spending the day in museums and exploring York and talking about matters dear to both of us. I just realised earlier today that I have just about the best research project imaginable. This stuff is all work! Life is so tough...