Alas, these last couple of weeks have been too busy to allow for the daily walk along the railway paths. Fortunately, the walk in to the University is pleasant, though a little bit long. From my front door to the office door, it takes about 40 minutes. Having only one car (though we've been offered another) means that I either pay £1.80 for the bus (which is ridiculous, by the way), or put on some comfortable shoes and get moving. Since the traffic yesterday was so heavy that I eventually caught up to the bus, I figured it wasn't worth the money, anyway. What I have found is that I don't mind a long commute to work, provided it's on foot!
Thomas goes to school about 8:15 and Iain goes along--always getting to his 'school' later than the 9.00 drop-off time. If we leave promptly (whichever of us is taking them), Thomas makes it to school on time. Lewis is courageous enough to drive up to Palace Green, the center of the University-Castle-Cathedral complex, and park there--we are fortunate enough to have a permit, and he has been lucky enough to find spaces!
About 8:30, the bus arrives to take Anna to school. I like the bus driver and the woman who helps the children on and of the bus. (I think they are brother and sister, which I find fascinating.) Sounds like a well-oiled machine, perhaps...but it isn't. The mad rush might make good reality TV some days, though, I suppose, if you like to see people slightly out of their organizational and motivational depth. (That is, trying to get the children interested in getting ready for school is beyond us: I turn off 'Maggie and the Ferocious Beast', which is a pretty entertaining show, and promise to turn it back on once everyone's ready. It's not popular, but it works.)
Once Anna is away, however, peace reigns again, and I am iPod-equipped and on my way. I enjoyed it so much going, I decided to walk home as well. I am addicted to the views and the solitude, the nobody-tugging-at-me and, of course, my own choice of music. (Just between us, I am losing my affection for the Wiggles and the Shaun the Sheep theme tune.) Durham is just hilly enough to make the walk good exercise and to allow for some pretty decent vista points.
Not surprisingly, I find myself suddenly resistant to the idea of a second car.
2 comments:
Well, I am certainly inspired to go for a nice walk.
this is a wonderful time of year for walking in Atlanta--I miss the red maple leaves, which aren't so prevalent here!
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