Table for one, please.

Travelling alone, or just because you want to, there are times when you go into a restaurant and ask for a table for one. No big deal. Well, actually it can still be a big deal if you are a woman as I regularly (re)discover.
Since the age of about 18 I have been doing this and back then it was even harder. The first time I did it, I had just finished a long shift as a waitress in a pizza place and I really fancied taking a load off and having a curry. When I entered the restaurant (one of my favourites and it is still one I frequent after all these years)and asked for a table for one I think I must have developed two heads or at, the very least, an offensive odour. Heads turned, disapproving looks, whispered concerns.
Was I waiting for a companion to join me?
No, I'll have the menu please.
What was there about a woman choosing to dine alone that was so shocking? I'm not sure, but I definitely learned that it was 'not the done thing' that evening. Perhaps they felt sorry for me - 'Poor thing, no one to eat with.' Perhaps I was an aberration - 'Poor thing, no man to take her out on a date'. Perhaps they feared I couldn't/wouldn't pay - 'do women earn enough to pay for their own meals?' I don't know if it was one, or any combination of the above but the experience shook my confidence and it was a long time before I chose to dine alone again.
The next time I dined alone I remembered that first occasion and, feeling it was going to be an ordeal, I took book with me. I could read while waiting for my meal and that way I wouldn't have to look at the conspicuous disapproval from waiting staff and other customers. I would be too blissfully absorbed in my book to worry about what was going on around me. Well, yes and no. I still felt conspicuous and I could still feel the eyes watching me and I certainly heard the older woman at a nearby table saying to her (male) companion. 'Oh dear, she must have been stood up and is trying to put a brave face on it.'
On a side note, these comments can, unfortunately, be accompanied by a request that you 'must join them'. Always a difficult one, that! But one I learned, politely, to decline!
I have persevered with dining alone. It wasn't a pleasant experience in the early days but I learned to leave my book behind and enjoy the occasion. I like people watching, I like good food and I like my own company. In recent years I have frequently dined alone while away on research trips, at conferences etc and I have learned to roll with the comments or ignore them. Thankfully, attitudes are changing and it is no longer such a taboo. However, every now and then, I am reminded that it is still not an act that is totally accepted.
I was in Edinburgh at the weekend and before going to the birthday party I was there to attend, I went for an Italian meal on my own.
A table for one, please.
I recognised the look. The quick look round. Was there a table in a dark corner where they could safely serve me without causing an outrage? I smiled and pointed to a table by the window. I'll have that one, please.
Panicked waiters make sure you are served quickly. I didn't have a book to hide behind. I never do now. The food was good and as I glanced around the other diners I noticed another single woman in the dark corner. Neither of us felt the need to offer to share our company but we smiled at each other. I think we both understood the table for one problem.

The Good, The Bad and the Ugly

Our two day stop in Egypt was everything and more that we had hoped for. The Valley of the Kings, Luxor, Cairo, Pyramids etc. Our guide, Manal was extremely knowledgeable and helpful and I certainly don't envy her job! You see, the problem with travelling in a group is the group! These are not people I would choose to spend any time with and quite frankly wanted to slap several of them!
Here is a 'for instance'. As we were on a tight schedule, every time we left the coach we were given a time to be back on board so we could depart for the next place. On no occasion did this go to plan. There was always someone (usually the same culprits)who felt the rules didn't apply to them and they were in no way responsible for holding up 40 other travellers. The worst case of this was in Luxor where, after visiting the absolutely fantastic Temple at Karnak, we checked into our overnight hotel. We were given an hour to relax/freshen up and were told to be on the bus no later than 6.30 so we could go to the Temple at Luxor for a sunset tour of the ruins. Between 6.30 and 6.45 we were waiting for 6 people. Two others were eventually left behind at 6.50.
After the tour we returned to find the couple complaining in the foyer that we had gone without them. My tolerance levels completely went AWOL when one of the other late travellers came in and said.'It's OK. You didn't miss much. Sean, ever ready to avoid the Diplomatic Incident promptly dragged me away as I was about to let rip!
Had we left on time we could have returned with enough time to change for dinner. As it was we had to go in feeling grubby and sweaty. Of course, those responsible for the delay were all freshened up and enjoying the facilities. Arghhh!
There are many fantastic things about the cruise and destinations but ultimately I won't be recommending cruising to anyone simply because of the self-importance and selfishness of many, if not most of the guests on board. The conspicuous consumption, greed and the lack of respect for local customs have completely angered me to the point of wanting to go home.
On the positive side, we have visited the most extraordinary places and seen some fantastic sites. And that I would thoroughly recommend!

Turkey and sailing activities

I had never been to Turkey so didn't know what to expect. It was, however, fantastic. We had booked a full day tour and our guide was Oz. He was very chatty and informative and too us around ancient cities, temples and amphitheatres before heading back to Kusadasi where the boat docked.
Ephesus was amazing, especially the huge internal facade of the library of Celsius. The recreated arrival of Antony and Cleopatra in the city was a slightly strange interlude but nevertheless enjoyable! The temple at Didyma was equally awe inspiring and must have been quite a site in its day.
After the tour we were taken to a carpet shop in Kusadasi for a demonstration of the Turkish technique of carpet weaving. The array of different designs was stunning (as were the prices). I was able to get a small one and Sean managed to knock a few dollars of the price as well. As we were paying the sales assistant found out we were Scottish and said one of the guys in the shop was married to a Scot. He was duly found and brought to us! When we said we were from Aberdeen he actually said 'Fit Like!' His wife was from Cumbernauld!
And now to Egypt. As this is a day at sea there are many activities arranged for the guests. We decided to go to the lecture entitled 'Enduring Egypt' which turned out to be 'Enduring a garbled presentation of amateur Egyptian history'. Later we went to a seminar on geo-politics and demography and how wonderful it is that we are all making so much money...Sean felt it best that I be dragged out before there was an 'incident'.
Now to the Ice Skating Show...the days are just packed...

New Shoes.

I guess we all purchase new items when we book our holidays but this trip has really brought home to me how much footwear companies benefit from the tourist industry.
As we were docking the other day and all the tour goups were gathering to head off the boat I glanced down and was greeted by a sea of sparkly white new trainers.
I have since had a bit of a foot fetish and have noticed that all the trainers worn on board are also sparkly white so unless they are having them cleaned every day (and this is certainly possible with the attentive stateroom attendants - ours is called Dwen from Tobago) most people have bought at least two new pairs for this holiday.
Toe post sandals have also peaked in sales recently according to my (very unscientific) survey. And I will forever have mental picture of thousands of people panic buying trainers in the summer months.

Sailing, Athens and Rhodes.

After Naples we had a day at sea before Athens. There were lots of activities such as the Sexy Legs competition by the pool which makes this a kind of floating Butlins holiday camp in my opinion. It was, needless to say, avoided by the Laings. The prize in the bingo was tempting to say the least - an upgrade to the Royal Suite - but at 32 dollars a ticket I figured some other sucker could win it.
Sea Days are also the formal evenings in the dining room. As the luggage was still being held hostage by Alitalia, Royal Caribbean had provided free tux hire for Sean. It was smart, of course, but wasn't the kilt! The food on board is really good and the escargots, duck and cheesecake didn't disappoint.
Athens, when we arrived was hot. A humid 33 degrees. We had been too late to book a tour so we did it ourselves and I'm really glad we did. Of course the Acropolis was heaving with humanity but we didn't have to stand around in a group listening to a tour guide and were able to stop when we wanted, eat when we wanted and generally please ourselves what we did. It was a fantastic day and I was able to add another Hard Rock Pilsner glass to my growing collection. I also bought myself a leather handbag.
We got a taxi back to the ship and the driver asked where we were from. When we said Scotland he said his son had been at Strathclyde University and they were over recently for his graduation! We were instantly his new best friends!
Back on board we were able to do the happy dance of the prodigal luggage! Sean can now change his clothes! As I mentioned earlier, missing luggage is a fairly common part of our travels but this time has really taken the proverbial biscuit!
Sean had booked the Portofino restaurant, one of the two speciality restaurants on board. As we sailed out of Piraeus we were seated beside the window and watched the sun go down over the Greek Islands as we dined. The food was fantastic and Ratko, our waiter from Serbia was very attentive and ready for a joke.
Today was a late start and we were able to sit on the balcony of our stateroom as we docked in Rhodes. We hadn't booked a tour as we thought we would just take it easy around the old town of Rhodes and do our own thing. It was very hot again but we weren't in a hurry and were able to sit in the shade when it got too hot to wander around.
Back on board it was cocktail time and on that note I will sign off. Sailing for Turkey as I type for a busy tour entitled 'Best of Antiquity'. Watch this space...

Day 2 - Pompeii

Our first stop was Naples. We had a quick breakfast before heading out for our booked tour which included a motor launch trip from Salerno to Amalfi, lunch, visit to a cameo factory and the ruins at Pompeii.
It was a beautiful day and the boat trip was amazing. The Amalfi coast was stunning and the town was very picturesque. We even had a short time to explore on our own in Amalfi so we visited the cathedral to St Andrew (didn't pay to see his relics though!), did a bit of tourist shopping and people-watched from a cafe on the town square.
We then took the tour bus to Pompeii where lunch was served. We were only one tour coach among several which all arrived at the same time. It must be a daily occurrence at the hotel because they were certainly well practiced in serving several hundred people all at once. I have to say the food was pretty decent too. There was even entertainment as a local trio played and sang local Neapolitan songs for us as we dined!
I really enjoyed the demonstration at the cameo factory. It takes about 4 days to make each cameo (brooch, earrings etc) and as each is hand carved they are all unique. I have never really been a fan of cameos before but some of them were stunning. There were traditional and modern designs but as prices were around 500 euros fro a brooch I gave it a miss!
Of course, the highlight of the day was the visit to the ruins at Pompeii. It was everything and more than I had expected. I hadn't realised just how big the site is. On a tour like this it was only possible to see a few highlights but we both decided we would definitely be back to this part of the world again someday and we will spend more time in Pompeii then.
I was a hot and exhausting day but we had promised ourselves cocktails back on the boat. I went for a shower while Sean tried to find out if his suitcase had arrived on board yet. Yerghh! Cold shower! Not impressed. Garghhh! No luggage! Seriously not impressed. Guest relations did provide free laundry for Sean, a shaving kit and tuxedo hire for the formal evening. Hopefully they will have made some progress on locating the luggage before we get to Athens and Sean will be reunited with his clothes!

Travel Gremlins

As a last minute treat at the end of summer, we decided to book a cruise around the Eastern Mediterranean. But all is not smooth sailing...
We seem to have a built in gremlin to the travel process. It is the gremlin of the missing luggage and it has struck again. On many previous holidays the gremlin has located and secreted our luggage but today decided that I would get mine but Sean’s would disappear into an airport luggage black hole. Both cases seem to have made it from Manchester to Paris Charles de Gaulle (a veritable hell hole of lost luggage for us) but only my case managed onto the connecting Alitalia flight to Rome. Rome may actually be my new favourite airport to hate.
On arrival in Rome we managed to find the lovely cruise woman but not the complete set of expected luggage. This, of course, means a long wait to speak to someone at the airline who is, naturally, completely uninterested that you have been separated from your baggage. They would, in very bored tones, like to know what your luggage looks like and wonder if you had a short connection time at C de G which would explain why your luggage couldn’t get on the plane with you. One piece did but the other piece didn’t. This requires an Italian shrug of the shoulders as if to say ‘go figure’.
The helpful computer was able to tell us that the lost baggage was on the next flight but would not arrive in time to get to the ship that we were sailing on at 5.00pm. It would have to catch up with us at Naples tomorrow.
Watch this space. I will let you know if this actually happens. However, as the first formal night is in two days and Sean’s kilt is in the lost luggage, he is threatening to wear nothing at all if said luggage doesn’t arrive. I urge all relevant authorities to do their very best to get the suitcase here on time or I take no responsibility for the consequences.....

A Busy Weekend.

It was short but very sweet. We had a great weekend in York which has included Art Galleries, historic sites,fine dining, constant sunshine and a fantastic birthday party.
Our hotel was comfortable and convenient for the centre of York but overpriced and a bit shabby in the public areas as it had recently been taken over by new owners and they were getting some work done. They could have done with having more staff on at breakfast, and air con at night would have made for more comfortable nights.
Our meal on the first night, at the Vecchia Scuola was good and was accompanied by an enthusiastic piano player. After exhausting his repertoire of classics he lead the diners in a chorus of the Hokey Cokey!
Although it was hot during the night the cold shower that greeted us in the morning was not welcome. When we complained at reception we were told the water heater had somehow 'switched itself off'!
Our first stop after breakfast (Full English heart attack on a plate)was the Minster. It is certainly impressive and I was particularly taken with the exhibition of the stonemasons' work replacing damaged gargoyles. The examples of stained glass were also interesting, especially the piece that had some 18th century graffiti on it, stating it was etched by a a 15 year old plumber and glazier with his name and date.
Many years ago I played the lead in a school production of a play entitled 'The Rag Woman of the Shambles' so it was fiting I walk down the real Shambles while in York! It was rather crowded and no evidence on view of a real rag woman!
Our next stop was the Castle museum. Many of the displays represent rooms as they would have been at certain periods in history. The 1950s room was reminiscent of many rooms I had seen growing up and I was delighted to see a trio of 'flying ducks' on the wall. I remember having them at home on the wall of the stairs. I had unfortunately broken one so we only had two! There was also a collection of toys through the ages which brought back a few memories. They had a Sindy doll in the clothes that my one had. She had more hair than mine as I decided to cut her hair one day in the mistaken belief it would grow back. I was quite disappointed in Sindy after that!
We went to a seafood restaurant for lunch before getting the train to Leeds for Lindsay's football themed party. I had acquired a Scotland shirt from 1982 World Cup and Sean had an Aberdeen scarf. Everyone else at the event were, surprisingly (!), wearing England strips! It was a great afternoon and so much fun catching up with James, Matt, Carlie, Lindsay, Mark, Chloe, Amy and Andrew.
On the way back to the hotel we stopped in a little late night cafe serving delicious bread and butter pudding and divine meringue cheesecake! Mmmmmmm! Well, it beats getting kebabs when you have had too much to drink!
We checked out this morning and went to the City Art Gallery which had an exhibition about China (the country not plates). From there we went to a little private gallery where the Rolf Harris collection was currently on show as it tours the country.
We then headed for the Jorvik centre for the Viking experience. I wasn't sure what to expect but it was OK. Smaller than I thought it would be but it is the sort of exhibit I would have enjoyed taking children too.
A bistro luch was followed by some last minute shopping. We had discovered a hat shop (my idea of heaven!) so we went in there. Sean was looking for a new hat and I was like a child in a sweet shop! So much choice! SO many styles! Sean got an Australian fold up hat and I had narrowed it down to a 'cute' (Sean's word) cloche, a battered cowboy, a pork pie and a 1920s style golfers cap. I was allowed only one and went for the 'cute'. Happiness is hat-shaped!
To finish off the weekend England lost 4-1 to Germany in the World Cup. No comment on that one!
So that was our weekend. It has been great to have some time together again. I think we still like each other.

A weekend away.

It seems like a long time since I finished archive ferreting in Leeds. It is great to be back home and settled into my old life again but I miss the good times and great friends I made while I was there.
This weekend is both a long needed break for Sean and I together but is also a chance to catch up with the Leeds gang and introduce Sean to them. Tomorrow we will go through to Leeds for Lindsay's birthday party but tonight we are in York. It is a beautiful evening and the city is so wonderful.
We arrived late so dropped off our bags and went out for some food. Several places were fully booked so we eventually ended up in an Italian restaurant overlooking the Minster. In its former life it was York School for Girls and the interior has been maintained as it was in the past. There are several seperate rooms and as we were in a small room at the front of the building we figured it was probably the secretary's office. My seat was next to the door that probably lead into the Headmistresses office!
The hotel is in the centre of the city and seems to be having some work done. The communal areas are quite shabby but he room is fine. There is a four poster bed an a lovely, modern bathroom. The decore however is purple and lime! An acquired taste methinks!

Why I love what I do.

There are many days of dull tedium being an archive ferret. I have spent many hours opening files, reading boring correspondence, annual accounts, minutes of meetings, reports etc and then standing for equally tedious hours photographing it. But every now and then a little nugget comes along and makes it all so worth while. A couple of weeks ago it was the hand drawn maps and watercolours. Today it was telegrams. Of course telegrams do not have the same immediate beauty as art and I have looked through many telegrams saying nothing more exciting than 'Arriving Thursday' or 'Send money'. Today, however, they told their own little story in tiny little sentences.
It wasn't that it was a previously untold story. It is in fact well known. In March 1921 Russian soldiers,sailors and civilians in the Baltic fortress at Kronstadt near St Petersburg, rebelled against the Bolshevik government. It was brutally suppressed by the Red Army with many of the protesters killed, jailed or fleeing across the ice to Finland (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kronstadt_rebellion)
The rebellion only lasted a couple of intense weeks and that story was told by the telegrams in the Zemgor files I read today. In beautifully succinct sentences they revealed, 'Kronstadt is liberated from the Bolsheviks', 'The situation in Kronstadt is difficult' 'We must have success', 'Bombardment continues', 'Children need food' and finally 'Kronstadt has fallen. In Bolshevik hands. Thousands of refugees in Finland.'
Between 'Kronstadt is liberated' and 'Kronstadt has fallen' I was caught up in their struggle and could feel the tears well up as I read the last telegram. The lucky ones who escaped to Finland were met by my Dead Russian Guys who, despite their undoubted feelings of devastation at the lost chance to overthrow the hated Bolsheviks and the opportunity to return to their own country once more, provided shelter, food and a future for the defeated rebels.
Damn! I love what I do! And I love my Dead Russian Guys!

Idiot Magnet

I am an Idiot Magnet. I don’t know why, but I am. Maybe it is an illness. Maybe it is a lifestyle choice or maybe it’s genetic. I’m pretty sure Westboro Baptist Church has a sign saying ‘God Hates Idiot Magnets’ but that’s just the way it is. I’m not sure if it works on a timer or if it simply sucks in Idiots whenever they are in the vicinity but it was certainly switched on today. All I ask is your understanding.
Let me tell you all about it.
After another 10-hour shift with the Dead Russian Guys I left the archive to find it was pouring with rain ...and I had left my umbrella at home. Never mind, I had miPod on shuffle so set off for the bus stop. Everything was going well until I heard a howl behind me. It was a real werewolf kinda howl and I must admit it did make me jump! There was also some indistinguishable shouting so I carried on without looking back (don’t want to encourage them by looking). I should have known the Magnet was working then but I live in hope that it misses the occasional Idiot, especially on a rainy night in Leeds (like Brook Benton’s Rainy Night in Georgia but not so nice).
The shouting continued in an indistinguishable manner until said Idiot walked past me. Magnet on full strength, the Idiot decided I was to be the target of his howling tirade. It was at this point that the rant began to become understandable. Would I, he wanted to know, stand by my husband if he accidentally killed another man by punching him in the face? Well, would I? Would I? Without waiting for my answer, I was told that I would indeed stand by him because he was my husband and therefore it would be wrong of me to ‘Dob him into the police’.
Phew, I thought. I’m glad I’ve got that sorted. Now if only a green man would come on I could cross the street and hopefully get the Magnet to deactivate by putting some distance between me and the Idiot. No, that wasn’t going to happen. (I wonder if the Magnet has something to do with keeping lights from changing to green?).
Having gone through his repertoire of moral education the Idiot started all over again at the beginning. Well? Would I? Would? (Did I say this was at the top of his voice?) While he was walking a few paces ahead of me and shouting over his shoulder at me other people in the street were staring at HIM but then he decided I possibly wasn’t hearing his questions clearly enough so fell into step beside me and began yelling in my right ear. Now everyone in the street was looking at ME. As if he was MY fault!
By the time he had gone through this monologue 3 or 4 times the lights eventually changed and I made my getaway across the street.
I just want to leave you with this thought, dear friends. If I accidentally killed a total stranger in the street by punching him in the face, would you stand by me? Well? Would you? Would you?

Rage!

I have been surprised at how well things have been going in the archive and with my room renting. I have been getting through the work at a reasonable pace and the room has worked out great. Matt and James are great landlords and we are getting on well.
The weekend was lovely. Lots of relaxing, good company and great weather.
The 'Case of the Vomiting Passenger' on the Monday morning bus was unexpected entertainment (the young man opposite me was either - a)not very well, at all or b) not quite recovered from some heavy Sunday night drinking.)and the discovery of some wonderful hand drawn maps and paintings in the archive was a delightful bonus. Otherwise it has been an uneventful week.
I suppose I should have known that it was going too well, or that there had to be a down side to my excess feeling of contentedness. But sometimes it just blindsides you and trips you up when you least expect it. Today my nemesis, the mobile phone, did just that.
Now, those of you who know and love (?) me know me for the gentle, mild mannered person that I normally am (!) but the mobile phone (or rather the inconsiderate mobile phone user)drives me into a frenzied psychopathic rage. The first mobile moment happened late this afternoon in the reading room of the archive - a place of quiet reading pleasure and discovery. Ring! RING! It's OK, I thought, take a deep breath and it will be switched off...she just forgot to switch it off on the way in (Despite the signs asking for all phones to be switched off and the polite idea that it might be courteous to do so!)OH NO! She actually answered it and said...Wait for it...'I'm in the library'!!!!!! (Excessive use of exclamation marks are justified at this point!!)I was so flabbergasted I probably looked at her with my mouth hanging open like a fish! Did she then hang up? If only! By the time I had made several incoherent spluttering noises she did get the idea that I may have been a tad unamused and said 'I'll call you back in a minute!' I should add that she was not a 19 year old student but was at least as old as me if not older!
I finished my last file for the day and I knew there was a good chance I would miss my bus. I have to walk about a mile to the bus stop and I rushed along but to no avail. Unfortunately if I miss the 6.50 p.m. I have to wait until 7.35 for the next one. I settled down to wait and discovered that miPod had decided it wasn't going to work. Occasionally it decides not to do anything and I usually have to let the battery die before it will work again. This was going to be one of these occasions. Oh Well, I thought, I will people-watch instead. Along comes another passenger for the bus, realises she has also missed the bus and decides to phone her friend. Who would have thought such a small woman would have such a loud voice?! Apparently her husband likes to have a bath every night and doesn't think that other people might also want to use the bathroom, her hoover isn't working, her children are difficult, work is a pain, her Mother-in-law...well, we won't go there!...I heard, it all. In fact most of the city centre probably heard it. When we got on the bus 30 minutes later she was still talking/shouting. Just when I thought I was finally going to get some peace another woman got on and I heard all about how she gets up at 6.00a.m to take her partner to work so she can have the car but she is getting too tired doing this so they are thinking about moving house but right now she is going home to tidy her bedroom...I DON'T WANT TO KNOW!!!
Then, when I got back 'home' Matt met me at the door and asked if I wanted some beef and ale stew with dumplings for my dinner. Suddenly I wasn't a grumpy old woman anymore.....

Of Poultry and Pints.

I have had a great week, both in and out of the archives. At first I seemed to be going through the files really slowly but by Friday I had actually managed to get through everything I had hoped for the week and as the archivist wasn't going to be in on Saturday I was able to take the day off! It was really good to have stay in bed on Saturday morning!
James finished his job at the school on Thursday so I brought home some champagne to celebrate his new job which he will start on Tuesday. I had also just heard that Sean starts a new job on Monday so it was a double celebration (even though Sean wasn't here, obviously!) We had a really good evening chatting and getting to know more about each other. Good times!
Matt has had to work all weekend. There is a major Brass Band competition on in the theatre. It sounds hilarious but he wasn't looking forward to it! I had thought I would go into the city centre for a wander around but it was a horrible wet day so decided to stay at home instead. James and I got bored by mid afternoon so we decided to go up to the local pub for a couple of drinks before tea. On the way up we were spotted by some chickens. One of the bolder ones thought it would be worth its while to follow us. I'm not sure why as I had no chicken food with me but it was persistent.
Today (Sunday) James and I went into the centre for lunch and a wander around. It was a beautiful day down by the canal and we had a nice lunch in a pub. Pubs are tending to feature quite prominently in my stay in Leeds!
Back to the archives for another week and then home for the weekend! Yay!

Small Thoughts on the Naming of Streets.

On my way to the bus each morning I walk along Gainsborough Place. It is an ordinary street of terraced houses in the residential area in which I am staying. There are really no outstanding features about it...other than its name. I have no idea why it was given that name. Perhaps it is named after the famous English painter or even a celebrated local person. It really doesn't matter. What interested me about the name was its length. If you call a street 'Gainsborough Place' and put the name on signs to be placed on the houses at each end of the street wouldn't it be better if the signs didnt meet in the middle of the row of terraced houses? Just a thought.

The Dance of the Archive Ferret. (Photography Waltz)

I am settling into my routine now. After ordering up a batch of files I begin by going through a box to check what is in it. Depending on the contents I will then Itemise them, noting date and type of document (letter, report, minutes of meetings, accounts etc.) I can do all this in the reading room which is a great place to work. Then comes the difficult part.
Usually I have to move out of the reading room to the group study area next door to take photographs of the documents. The two rooms are separated by a glass wall so it doesn’t really feel like a different room but it means my moving around does not disturb other archive users. I also get to eavesdrop on groups of undergrads or members of the public doing group projects. This week alone I have shared the group space with students looking at the history of the student newspaper (I think they were looking for something to do with Jack Straw – Did he go to Leeds Uni?), two members of the public looking at books relating to graveyard plots, family historians, someone from the British library researching Yorkshire dialects and an art historian looking at some fantastic pictures of Hungarian folk dances!
Once I have arranged myself with the documents, a document rest, my camera etc., the dance of the archive ferret begins. First is a small step to the right to pick up the first document, then a small step to the left to place the document on the rest. A dip to the right to pick up the camera, straighten up to take the shot, then replace the camera on the right of the table. Pick up the document and take a small step to the left where I put said document down. Then a large step to the right to pick up the next document and we begin all over again. Easy.
Well, up until today this dance has lasted a maximum of two hours...today it was FOUR AND A HALF HOURS! My back, right shoulder and right knee are decidedly unimpressed with my workout and are growling in dissatisfaction! Oh well! Only 9 more weeks to go!!

I Blame the Swiss!

Was there some kind of paper crisis in Switzerland in 1921?
Today I started on the League of Nations documents...or rather the reports by the Zemgor representative in Geneva. At first they were typed on good quality paper but as time went on the quality deteriorated and by the time I got to the end of the file they were on terrible transparent paper which had a blue tinge and the ink was also blue. It was so difficult to get decent photographs! Even trying to read them was difficult. Urghh!
Although progress has been slow this week I have managed to get through the files and tomorrow will move onto the next series. The worst part has been photographing the documents. It is such a repetitive set of motions that my back and shoulder have really been complaining today. Each set of documents have taken 2 hours to photograph and by the time I finished tonight I was in agony. I thought I would have to sleep on the floor tonight to straighten my back out! However a quick curry and a beer has helped enormously!

Leeds leads!

It has been a great start to my new temporary life in Leeds. Yesterday was my first full day in the archive but even before I got there things were looking good. I caught the bus just after 8.00 a.m. and it was standing room only but I wasn't too bothered as it is only a 10-15 minute drive to the centre. I was standing beside a spotty, hoodie wearing young man - the kind the Daily Mail gets all worked up about. Anyway, he tapped me on the elbow and tried to give me his seat. I thanked him but said I was ok. He was quite insistant! I have never had said spotty, hoodie types offer me a seat in Aberdeen, so Leeds 1-Aberdeen 0!
When I got off the bus I did manage to slip on the one small piece of ice on the Headrow but I succeeded in returning to a vertical position without too much difficulty and no damage done.
I am still working through the financial documents that I started in January and it is proving very time consuming. Yesterday I only managed to get through 2 files and today was even slower. Still, I hope to finish them tomorrow or Friday at the latest and move on to something more exciting. I think The League of Nations papers might be fun!
The excitement yesterday was a fire alarm just as I wanted to leave the library to go for lunch. I don't know where the supposed fire was but they closed the library doors and wouldn't let us leave! In fact they asked us to move back as we were blocking the fire doors!!!! Some people found an alternative exit but the staff didn't seem bothered that many of us were still there and there was no attempt to clear the library!
There was to be a strike tomorrow to protest staff cuts. I told Richard (archivist) that I wouldn't cross the picket line but it turns out that they called it off this afternoon. There are two more planned for next week so I will have to wait and see if they go ahead. I have plenty of translations to work through if I can't go in but it will eat into my time here.
I just missed a bus this evening and had to wait 40 minutes for the next one. Now that I know when they leave I can be more prepared to leave the archive on time.

One more inhabitant in Leeds

Well, I've done it! I have upped sticks and moved to Leeds to finish my research. After three months of travelling down for a week in the archives I decided I didn't want to spend the next 10months doing that so I have rented a room for the next 3 months and will hopefully get it all done in that time and be able to move back home once and for all!
When I was here in January I answered an ad on Gumtree for renting a room in a house. I had contemplated sharing with some undergrads near the University but when I thought about it seriously, I really wasn't sure I could share with 5-6 other students with only one bathroom! I therefore went for a room further out of the centre of the city.
The house is owned by James and Matt in New Farnley. It is a bus ride from the centre and I will be able to walk up to Uni from there. I arrived on the train last night after a delay in Edinburgh (the police were called to remove a passenger!) and another in York (waiting for a crew change). James and Matt picked me up and took me to the house then cooked me dinner while I settled in. We spent the evening chatting and getting to know each other. I think we will get on just fine.
Today I had a slow start. I went to the local Co-op to stock up on some food before heading into town to figure out the busses and go to Argos for a pillow and duvet. I didn't want to pack them from home as I would have had to take another suitcase and I was already laden down!
There had been a lot of snow yesterday but it was a nice day today and it is starting to thaw. People are very friendly and many said hello or even stopped to speak. I missed the first bus because an old guy had stopped to say how icy the pavements were.
Tomorrow I will head in to the archives and start work properly. I am here for three weeks in the first instance so that should give me time to figure out a work schedule which will get me through the work before the beginning of May.

The January Archive Ferret

January, and once again it is time for a trip to the archive.
Last week was spent invigilating exams in order to pay for this trip. Now I am once again in Leeds, ferreting around in the Dead Russian Guys' Archive.
As I began photographing today Richard pointed out I may actually be duplicating my efforts and indeed it seems I am. The Dead Russian Guys had one set of archives ready to send to Prague and one to keep for themselves in Paris (more extensive). I have photographed the ones due to be sent to Prague and am half way through the French ones but they may actually be the same files. I am left with the decision of whether to continue as I planned (and possibly duplicate my photos) or rely on the ones due for the Prague archive. The dilemma lies in whether the one archive is more complete than the other. It will probably take a couple of days to photograph the rest of these documents but I could possibly get more benefit from moving on through the archive. At the moment I am moving on but am holding onto the duplicate files incase I have some time this week to devote to them. Complicated!Richard is very helpful and allows me to call up loads of files at a time giving me the tme to decide such complicated questions!.
I am staying in the Merrion Best Western again and it is quite comfortable. The room is small but looks like it has been recently decorated and the resaturant is reasonably priced. The food is actually very good and the service is pleasant (though slow at times)