I’ve been sweating a lot lately.
I took the train from Edinburgh down to York during a heatwave. Because of fires farther south, our train was stuck for hours. Strangely, it wasn’t that bad. This may have been because I had an entire table in first class to myself for most of the journey. It could also be because of the American couple next to me who kept me entertained for the last few hours before I disembarked. Either way, I’ve had much more irritating train delays than this and it’s not like anyone could call up nature’s manager and talk them into cooling the tracks down, right?
Anyway, I’d been hoping to make it to York since pretty early on in my travels. My sister went to graduate school there and had taken me on a lovely day trip there the last time I was in the UK and I had become quite smitten.
I had a few days between house sits and as fate would have it York was about halfway between them so I took this as a sign and booked a little break.
I stumbled upon this tiny cobblestone street that led to the minster and it filled me with happiness.
This break coincided with record temperatures and train strike days, but I was so happy to be back in York I wasn’t bothered. And, as both my English and American family members pointed out, I’m used to hot and humid summer temperatures being from the southeast of the US.
I also know about hiding from the sun during the hottest hours of the day.
Honestly, I let myself wander dreamily around the city, which is so easy in York. Tiny, ancient streets. Cobblestones and tilted buildings. Roman walls and a gothic cathedral. Did I mention 2 rivers?
Roman floor mosaic in the Yorkshire Museum
The temperatures may have been in the 30s Celsius (approx. 90s Fahrenheit) and I may have been very sweaty and smelly, but I had time to wander and lose myself a bit.
Ordinarily, I’m a pretty in-control person. I don’t lose myself often. Now, I wander a lot, but I am nearly always in control. I know it’s not coolest way to be. I know. But visiting a city I’ve been to before and having some time to myself without anyone or any pets to think about made me a bit more relaxed.
I could breathe easier.
A lovely moment on the River Ouse at the Dame Judi Dench Walk
And after I took a breath (and a few midday naps to avoid the heat), I very happily set back out on my way to my next adventure.
Follow along if you like and remember — Even tiny adventures matter.