Trains and Rain

Stonehaven railway station on a cold winter morning seems to be an integral part of my life this last year. 2008-09 was travelling to and from Glasgow and now the destination is Leeds. At 7.00 a.m the destination is not important. Standing waiting for a train is unpleasant in this weather!
There were no delays and the journey went well. I arrived in Leeds on time and walked up t the hotel. This is my first stay in the Best Western Merrion hotel and I have to say it is much better than the Discovery Inn. The room is small and the bath is not designed for anyone over 5 foot tall but there is no added fungus on the wall, the radiator works and there is a remote control for the tv.
I arrived at the University just after 2.00 to find it is winter graduation week. Seeing all those proud parents and robe-wearing graduands is always a delight.
I feel like a well known visitor now as all the staff in the archive recognised and welcomed me back. I got myself organised and ordered up the files I wanted to look at. I had identified 11 files in teh catalogue I wanted to see this week so ordered the first four. Richard, teh archivist, brought out one box and said that it was one of 19 boxes in file number 123. But that was OK as all the other files I wanted only contained 1 box. Oh whoopie! Instead of the 11 boxes I thought I would be looking through I now have to try to get through 29! Anyone want to take bets on the likelihood of complete success this week? Let me put it this way: I managed to photograph only 1 of said 19 boxes today...
As much as I love my dead Russian guys, I do worry that they are responsible for the deforestation of the planet. So much paperwork generated by a cause that historians have overlooked as a failure in the past. The beauty of this project is that they not only talked the talk, but also walked the walk. I am every day amazed at their achievements in their practical work to ease the plight of the post-revolutionary Russian refugees in Constantinople and, later, in Western Europe.
I left the archive around 6.30 and it was poring with rain. I remember grabbing my umbrella this morning with my backpack but it somehow didn't manage to leave the house with me. I was therefore very, very wet by the time I returned to the hotel. The duty manager looked at me then looked at the receptionist and said, 'I think we may need some towels down here.' I thought he was being a bit snippy so I retorted, 'I will try not to drip too much on you're carpet. If you could arrange some milder weather for tommorrow it would be appreciated.'
After a quick shower I headed down for dinner of Moules marinieres and linguine with meatballs. Very nice.
And now, in the words of a very old children's programme...Andy and Teddy say time for bed!
...