Discovering Halifax

 Halifax is a fascinating beast – and my relationship with it seems to expand every time I actually spend more than a fleeting couple of hours here. Which is less often than you'd think, given I live hear (but more often than you might expect if you know me).

My route between home and train station (often via a supermarket) was already of interest. Discovering how many different shops there were, serving pretty much all I would ever really need from shops. Working out when I could get to the library. Assessing when I wanted to trek across town for food or when I just wanted to pop into the central shop. But it's all a bit towny. Not much greenery or open space.

I discovered the Halifax Playhouse – I've already had a bit of a play on the stage and am looking forward to getting more of a feel for the team of volunteers who keep it open and running over the next few weeks and months.

And I started discovering the open spaces – the People's Park is up the road from me, the old hall on the corner of my road which has just sold to a training company, and the fascinating shift from back to backs to large stone buildings with enclosed gardens and mature trees. Halifax seems to be an amazing patchwork of really quite different parts which somehow meld into a whole.

But in the main there's a cared for and clean feel to Halifax. Even though there are a number of empty buildings in the city centre, they are clean and generally in a good state of repair. Yes, there are exceptions but that's what they are – exceptions. Compared to, say, Morecambe, Halifax feels somehow like it's having an odd spell of not being “fully occupied” rather than having been abandoned and left to rot. My little flat with its central location was a real find – but if I'd gone slightly further from the centre I could have found myself one of those gorgeous houses (OK, maybe not the detached ones, but perhaps a terrace) with a lovely big garden and this great sense of space.

That's what it is. A sense of space. Whereas Hebden is beautiful its location in a very narrow part of the valley makes it feel enclosed, somehow trapped. And this from someone who's lived in London. But Halifax has the sense of the hills but is ON the hill. So rather than being trapped in the valley bottom there's this sense of space, and relief, and roominess. Perhaps not in the absolute town centre but it doesn't take many minutes to walk to somewhere I can find that feeling. And with a little bit more grass and a little bit less concrete I suspect it could even be introduced to the areas just outside the centre very easily.

Leaving my flat this morning I was reflecting on the comparison of the sublime simplicity of Halifax (simple flat, simple furniture, simple kitchen, sewing machine, done) and the slightly ridiculous nature of Morecambe (rooms and rooms and rooms and rooms with stuff and stuff and stuff and stuff). And realising that I do have a desire for space and space and space and I thought Morecambe would offer that. And it does – in a way. But that the long term dream of the rooms AND the space are just that – longer term. Not in a defeatist way. But in a being happy where I am and really enjoying building the picture of that fabulous place of space for the future. Having a reason to be doing what I'm doing – as laying the foundations for that future. Recognising all the experiences that have led to now – good and bad. Valuing the now. Valuing the dreaming.

And particularly – enjoying the space and the sun.

Quietly Eventful

A strange thing happened when I awoke on Friday morning. I may even have happened on Thursday evening. In fact, I think it did. I realised I was facing 4 days without plans. In Halifax. Where I don't know people. And I don't yet really know the town. A rather interesting situation to find myself in.

But as it turns out, a rather marvellous one.

This loooooooong bank holiday weekend that's turned up straight after Easter was always a little unexpected – firstly because it was unexpected. And secondly because it rushed up on me without me noticing. Or rather time was passing and I wasn't noticing. Either way – all of a sudden it was here and, well, so was I. The temptation to dash off to various locations around the UK was high – Morecambe, where I knew there were fun and games afoot and I could hang out with my new Lancastrian buddies; London, where SciFi London (the film festival I've volunteered at for the past few years, which is ironic given I don't like SciFi) is well underway and will continue so for the rest of the weekend; or Oxfordshire where I could bounce on my trampoline, see my folks and see the village Maypole dancing on Monday. Having said farewell to an Easter-time tradition just a week ago (for the past chunk of years I've gone to Nottingham for a get together of Joinees – www.join-me.co.uk for more info – this year I was on the beach in Morecambe) the question was: comfy tradition or unknown newness. And, as you can tell, the latter won out.

(On an entirely separate note: homemade popcorn with icing sugar, rather than castor. Sticks to the popcorn rather than just falling off. Win.)

Now, in truth I did have one plan for this weekend – take delivery of a second hand fridge that was going begging and in so doing spend some time with a friend from Manchester. However, that plan was suitably vague (“Some time Sunday or Monday...”) and had been fixed some time previously and until yesterday evening remained “without confirmation”. But now that's been lined up all is even better.

After a morning of pottering (and being caught by the census man who decided it was sensible for me to have to fill out the census for the third time – which I just think is excessive. Especially given on the night in question I was actually in a hotel in Scotland. Anyway) the valley beckoned and I headed off on an expedition of my local area. Each morning and evening I find myself at Halifax train station – one side of the valley has my home and the rest of Halifax on it. The other side was an unknown but had lots of lovely trees and pretty looking stone cottages. And that was the target of my explorations. Got to the top of the hill, found myself a little wall to sit on while I had a chat to my brother then decided to head back to town via a little footpath which I'd found. I didn't actually know where it would go but was working on the basis it was fairly likely I'd end up at the bottom of the valley and therefore able to work out a vague route home.

Stomping along I smelt a distinct wood-smokey smell and discovered some still-warm embers from a little bonfire someone had had. The problem with these still-warm embers was that they were merrily spreading outwards, charring and burning the very dry “forest stuff” (no idea what you call it, but the dry tiny twigs and stuff you find in woods where there isn't enough light for greenery to grow). My attempts to put out said spreading was completely ineffectual so I had my second 999 call in almost as many weeks (which, given I've never had to call 999 before, is pretty bizarre) as I couldn't find a number for the local fire station that was getting answered. Next up was the “where are you?” conversation with the operator – absolutely brilliant given I didn't have the foggiest. But by hook and by crook we worked it out and a fire engine duly turned up and I directed them to the offending burny things. Citizen duty hat back in my pocket, the rest of the day was relaxed and saw me finish The End of Oil by Paul Roberts. Thought provoking book which I can highly recommend.

But the fun really started on Saturday. Up and to the sauna. Brill. Back to do some bits and pieces before heading down to a local arts centre, the Square Chapel, for a drumming circle. I like drumming. I didn't really know this until I went along but there's something rather brilliant about it. And after an hour or so of drumming rhythms, getting mixed up and then getting back into it, I somehow found myself walking into the Piece Hall with two people who'd been at the circle (not to mention having helped a lady down the stairs with her pushchair – a lady who I'd also given my card to as they'd been a mention of Massage and she seemed quite keen) and chatting away, only to find out that they were both veggie, one was vegan (father / son combo – the son was the vegan) and were looking for somewhere for lunch. Well, any self-respecting Tigger (yes, that would be me) could only tell them about Dandelion & Burdock in Sowerby Bridge. Son loved the idea, father thought it seemed like a good plan – and promptly invited me to join them!

Dandelion & Burdock has never yet failed to please and yesterday's visit was no exception – except it was EVEN BETTER! Because there were three of us, we just all shared a bit of what everyone else was having which was brilliant for the main course (one hot dish, plenty of salady stuff and some amazing large pasta shells stuffed with cream cheesey stuff – impossible to describe but AWESOME) but when it came to dessert meant – we got to order one of everything! The sun was shining, the company was great – and then son said he'd pay for it all! Happy Tigger. The rest of Saturday was a blur of belly-sated goodness.

And today started with sortingsey-outey-stuff, a spinning (studio cycling) class (not entirely convinced either way, but an experience!) and wandering up to Shibden Hall & Park. Which is GLORIOUS. And will definitely be on my list for future visitors. Good weekend. And there's still another day to go (which heralds Massage, a fridge and lemon cake. Mmmmm)

New kitchen, new cooking!

So, it would seem getting a new kitchen and new kitchen implements results in a complete new way of cooking! New Hafilax flat with it's unloved-to-start-with-but-now-seem-to-be-doing-OK hobs plus lots of kitcheny stuff from my mate Chris is now bringing forth lentiley delights with creamed coconut (the can said coconut milk, the stuff inside is a paste. But boy, do I like it) from The Wok Of Joy. Basically, I now get to cook the “staple” in a normal pan then fling it in The Wok Of Joy for some flavouring. Today started with accidentally putting in cinnamon when I thought I was putting in tumeric, and then I ended up throwing in some ginger too. Tee hee!

I ALSO may have netted myself a new tenant – fourth through the door but definitely my favourite so far. All four through the door have been working at the local banking HQ, all on three month contracts and all pleasant enough although the first one who said he definitely wanted the room was not an option for me. It's hard to say why but there are just some people who I don't want to have living in my house or seeing me trug around first thing in the morning / last thing at night. Looks like I may have to give in to the internet revolution tho' as the guy moving in is an IT consultant (where've I met those before?) and could really do with broadband for work. Ah well, there are worse things that could happen. And because they're worse I won't dwell on them. [Update: no word from said prospective tenant who was going to confirm either way today...I may have spoken too soon! We shall see...]

Oh, how full of food from The Wok Of Joy I am. Possibly slightly too full, but that's OK too. Tomorrow I get sofa-age and bed-age arriving and if all goes according to plan tenant-age too. But right now I've an appointment with Ms Adie and her autobiography (which is awfully good).

Good Old Fashioned Body Connection

...or “How to stop a Tigger in her tracks in a really good way”. I've just been to the sauna. It was ace. I lay down. I got hot. I drank water. I went for a swim. I drank some more water. I got hot again. I had a lovely shower (hallelujah! I love my flat but I'll love it more when the central heating and hot water works). I drank some more water. And I walked home EVER so slo-o-o-o-owly. Not like a Tigger walks normally, at all!

There's a real sense of healthyness about my move to Halifax. I can see myself getting membership at the pool and building in sauna time regularly. I walk up and down hills (not big hills, and not far, but further than I was walking). I have more “thinking space” which isn't in front of a computer and is “in transit” (my favour type of thinking type). I'm in bed super early and I'm absolutely OK with it. I'm going at my speed, in my way, with my things. And it's ace.

It has to be said, tho', that, having not brought flip flops with me to the pool, tromping from the sauna suite to the pool in my black boots and carrying my towel was a little surreal. I was a little surprised by the number of people who seemed to be watching as I had my swim and then headed back to the sauna suite and it was only when I had my shower that I realised both how red my skin had got and also how many bruises I'm sporting at the moment! Having bruised easily since childhood and with a high pain threshold it really doesn't bother me but I'll always remember the cries I got in the changing room at secondary school when I had a bruise the size of a side plate on my hip which I simply hadn't noticed...until the squeals from my friends.

But yes, Halifax: ace. Sauna: ace. Sleepy-tiredy-body-connection: ace.

CLEARLY the world revolves around me...

It has become apparent in the past two days that my mental state is so phenomenally powerful that it actually affects the weather. Crazy, but true! Yesterday, the day of The Big Move (which wasn't particularly big, but felt somewhat momentous) was beautifully sunny and warm. Today, the day of The Big Fuzzy Brain it felt like the whole of the Calder Valley spent the day in a fuzzy cloud (I think it felt like that because it actually was in the midst of a fuzzy cloud) and I found myself going soooooooo much slower than is usual. I wonder what tomorrow holds!

My new flat in Halifax is ace. Super super ace. Even the fact that the heating and hot water don't work yet, that I don't have a sofa and the corridor floor slopes, that the hob is supremely slow and doesn't seem to understand that the highest setting should be Pretty Darned Hot – even all those things, and I still love this flat. And I even love it to myself. I feel like I should get a lodger, and the second bedroom is being left available to turn into a lodger room but perhaps I'll have a guest bedroom. Who knows. Either way, it really needs a bed to be a bedroom... ;)

But the big thing right now is curling up in bed with a hot water bottle, a good book and having a well deserved sleep. I slept through last night but woke quite early and I think didn't sleep as well as I could have. Tonight, however, will be night number two and for that it will be night number one for marvellous sleeping. I've decided, see...

Domestic Day

Today was entirely unplanned. Anything could have happened. And of the things that were supposed to happen, two did and one didn't. Not a great statistic but, equally, not awful. And what it ended up being was a day of utter domesticity. I got up, did some washing, decluttered my kitchen (don't get me wrong - there's still plenty of stuff in it I've just cleared some of the surfaces of stuff that had been lurking for far too long) and made crafty things - including a cutlery tidy for the back of a cupboard door.

This is actually quite an achievement - my kitchen doesn't have any drawers and so since I moved in all my cutlery has been in a cutlery tray on one of the surfaces. Not ideal by any stretch of the imagination and I hadn't worked out what to do with it - until today. Why I hadn't thought of this before I have no idea - sometimes ideas just take time to ruminate before the lightbulb eureka moment of - ah ha! THIS is what needs to happen. And when those moments do happen, it's a good day.

Not much enjoyment of the sea - it's been overcast all day and pretty cool to boot. I did walk along the prom a bit this afternoon and then again when I'd been out to collect Marlen & Larissa (two couch surfers who are staying with me tonight) from the train station but I do long for the beautiful sunshine and long light evenings. They will come in time. But overall a successful day - post has been sent, stuff has been done and the evening remains full of possibilities (mainly including food and conversation with Marlen and Larissa, methinks).

Travelling

Am I travelling? Or allowing myself to be transported?

This was the thought that struck me as I was travelling through the South Yorkshire countryside, the sun was setting and creating some gorgeous colours, and I realised I had inadvertantly passed the Yorkshire Sculpture Park (which I have yet to make it to - but I look forward to the day when I do!)

So, back to the philosophical question. I travel a lot. And when I'm physically involved in the act (be it walking, cycling, or perhaps even driving a car, as I do on occasion) I feel like I'm travelling. But today on the bus I very much felt like a passive actor, permitting the process of travelling to happen to me. Allowing someone else to take control of my safety and guide the bus through the countryside. Maybe it struck me today because I'm normally on a train and feel a further step disconnected from the driver. Maybe it's because I was dozing and happened to feast upon this idea. Who knows. But it was an interesting reflection.

As was my art gallery experience on Saturday morning (I also ended up in the Tate Modern on Sunday afternoon, but that was somewhat incidental). I was on a bit of an extended trip around various South London furniture shops (resulting in me probably purchasing something from ebay...of course) and had all day to do it so when I realised I was approaching the South London Art Gallery I decided to stop and say hello. Having cycled past it many times previously and not done so, nor remembered to go back at a more opportune moment. Unfortunately for me it was mainly dedicated to a video installation (not my favourite type of art) but they also had an exhibit which was auditory - after climbing a flight of stairs (the whole exhibition was pretty dark) it got even darker, wound round a corner and I ended up in a round space, with cushioned benches in the middle. I stopped and listened for a while and really rather enjoyed it. Not what I was expecting, but an experience all the same.

Many thoughts and many possibilities reside in my being at the moment. And right now I must go and read some paperwork. Oh, the joys.