The weather has changed. It's raining lightly which doesn't seem to bother the latest round of new graduates who are determined to enjoy themselves no matter what. They stand chatting on street corners oblivious to the drizzle. I'd have to congratulate the university gardeners who have kept the place looking spick and span all through graduation week. The flower beds continue to emit cheery brightness and have only suffered minimal high jinks damage. After today the town will gird up for the graduation ball on Saturday and then go into hibernation for a month or two. The actor Alan Cumming was awarded an honorary degree yesterday. The bubbly ( overly bubbly ?) American lady academic who introduced him as a 'frolicking pan-sexual sex symbol' raised a few eyebrows amongst the more staid Presbyterian professors :https://youtu.be/VqvCZj549p8?t=4248
The students of course were not bothered by her enthusiasm or 'sauciness' although the chaplain ( on the far right ) maintained an inscrutable look.
This weekends graduation ball is a good enough reason for us to head somewhere quieter. The fact the farmer has put out a bird scarer in the field behind 'The last wee house before Denmark' also informs our decision to travel for a few days. It booms out every five or so minutes to scare away the legions of rooks that have descended on the wheat field.
In the evening we go to a restaurant with the very Northern name 'The Whippet Inn'. Again the staff are friendly and efficient and to our surprise, for a place with such an unprepossessing name, the food is better than good. Angus is delighted to find a 2015 Pomerol at a price he can't believe. It must have been forgotten and has languished on the wine list for years. To one side of us a young 2nd Lieutenant from the Parachute Brigade is taking his girlfriend out for dinner. He has a 'commanding' parade ground voice that enables everyone around to hear their conversation. He's done 90 jumps so far this year with no problems. On his 91st he's broken his ankle. This may have career impacting consequences. He is expecting to be smothered in sympathy but his pretty companion seems inclined to the view that if you throw yourself out of a plane for a living you should expect the occasional broken bone. The wounded warrior should perhaps read this :https://andrewchen.substack.com/p/lies-per-second-meetings-per-decision
Hotel dog ignores us. She seems to know that we are not the bearer of Jaffa Cakes and are therefore of no interest to her whatsoever. Despite the fact that it's late ( and getting to a temperature the English find 'fresh' ) the bar staff are happy to bring out a second glass of champagne. It's good to know that comfortable hotels still exist.
This was interesting :https://www.noahpinion.blog/p/we-cant-afford-to-keep-cutting-taxes
July 4th reading. Feather beds :https://birdhistory.substack.com/p/everyone-had-a-feather-bed-da4
Surprisingly interesting insights into an ethylene cracker :https://edconway.substack.com/p/a-dying-industry-dies-a-bit-more
Research into hotdogs :https://beyondtheabstract.substack.com/p/the-most-popular-study-ive-ever-published
3 comments:
I've loved Alan Cummings since I first saw him as the diabolical bad guy in Spy Kids, which was apparently a very long time ago. York was a more recent adventure. We visited for a few days in 2018, on our way down from Edinburgh to London. It's a beautiful city - I remember touring York prison and then recovering with lunch at a cafe up on top of the wall. That was the same trip we visited St. Andrews, and my trip itinerary includes the following note: "August 1 – 3: Stay at the Albany Hotel, St. Andrews (Angus recommends restaurant Tail End on Market Street)" It was indeed good!
Shame on you - not having Jaffa Cakes about your person! I'm surprised the dog let you in. It does indeed sound a most relaxing and comfortable hotel to recover from seeing the sights.
Hari OM
You weren't impressed with Charterhouse Street? Those well-maintained walls and cobbles? All of York (centre at least) is a top example of keeping the old to shame the new. Sounds like GCH holds to that too. Mind you, coping with the tourist crowds can now be (wait for it...) a bit of a Shambles.... [no, Yamini, behave...]
I too am a fan of Alan Cumming - right from when he turned up in Take The High Road as a very naughty boy... He does do rather good naughty. YAM xx
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