The last few weeks have been a time of contrasts, particularly in terms of accommodation. From the Travel Lodge in Liverpool, where we were all packed into one hot, airless room with the air-con on the blink and a bathroom door that wouldn’t shut (more of an issue than you might think); to our first ever house-sitting experience in York, in a luxuriously-appointed and spacious 4-bedroom house, down a quiet street only a few minutes from the centre of the city, looking after 2 adorable pets.
Which isn’t to say we didn’t love Liverpool itself. Sure, you might pass someone taking a dump next to the footpath in broad daylight (as we did), but it has a buzz, humour and vibrancy that sets it apart from anywhere else in England. It also has three amazing Cathedrals that are contrasts in themselves, from the Anglican behemoth on St Jame’s Mount; to the stunning modernist architecture of the Catholic Metropolitan; to Anfield, a cathedral dedicated to greatest religion of them all: football.
But after four nights there a more restful time was needed, and York proved a perfect change of pace. Staying in the house-sit, I quickly felt like I was comfortably inhabiting someone else’s different (and frankly, better) life. Days would begin with a delivery on the doorstep of bottled milk, orange juice, eggs and croissants, followed by an early morning walk around the leafy streets of York and along the river Ouse with Boris the Bernese Mountain dog, and the not-unwanted attention of several female admirers (of Boris, not me). Then the remainder of the day was spent on work and school work, or relaxing in the shade in the courtyard garden with a book and a wine. By the second week I was already having anticipatory nostalgia and entertaining thoughts of making York our permanent home or, at the very least, getting a dog.
So great to see you all having so much fun!! Don’t know why you spoiled it with a trip to that red place 🤭🤭. Happy birthday Anna!! 🎂🎂🎉🎉Hope Tobble and Buffle are going ok!! Stay safe guys, lots more fun on the cards!! Xx