13 October 2023

 The rain began in the night, drumming on the windows and running in rivulets across the glass ceiling of the kitchen. A day to curl up and read, to make tea, to enjoy bakery bread slathered in butter and black currant preserves. 

A day also to pray for the Middle East, for the beleaguered nation of Israel, for God’s justice and mercy to prevail, and for protection against the call to jihad on this Friday the 13th. The terrorists sure know how to pick their dates.

The rain eased up mid-morning, so we put on our walking shoes and ventured out to walk along the River Ouse. We struck upon the New Path (which actually dates back to Victorian times) and enjoyed the massive trees and fresh, damp air.





At the end of the path we crossed the Millenium Bridge and entered Roundtree Park, built for the people of York to commemorate all those who lost their lives in the Great War. A peaceful, spacious park with lots of lawn, flowers, and water (and a delightful reading cafe where you can sit with a book for hours if you like).






We returned home via the city walls, lunched on bread and cheese, and had a little “toes-up.” Ruth opted to stay inside and read for the afternoon (something she rarely allows herself to do), while I ventured out for fresh celery for the soup. My wanderings took me to an arts and crafts festival (where I bought a pottery mug), through the Shambles, and on to St. Andrewgate and Goodramgate streets, which figure in the middle-grade novel I’m working on. It was good to wander there, take in the sights and smells and shops, to get a feel for where my main character, Freya, will be walking daily—just a couple of blocks from the Minster.

I finally made it home with the celery, and we chopped and stirred and within the hour had produced a fragrant and hearty chicken vegetable soup that will last us nicely through the next couple of days. 

Before dinner I walked back to the Minster for evensong, which was good exercise not only for the body but for the spirit. 


The view from my ornately carved pew. This was a 
clandestine photo because I wasn’t supposed to take it.

The marvelous organ at the Minster—this photo is for Heidi.

Then home to dinner with Ruth, reading in the sitting room, and early to bed.




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