L2L Day 53 Carlisle

The centre of Carlisle seems to be thriving, but I didn't have to wander far to find boarded up shop fronts. The story of town-centres across the country.

After an early breakfast, I was out sketching and my ear was distracted by the sound of a Goldfinch. I don't know why, but they never seem to stand still long enough for me to get a good picture. Here was another shy one in the lime trees.

In the background, I overheard some chat going around the tables nearby as to why there were so many police around. It seemed there was going to be a march or protest - the ladies enjoying pots of tea  on the next door table said they always liked the Pride marches because they were always so colourful...but by the size of of police presence, this march looked as though they were expecting trouble.

I had a chat with a group of police in front of the hotel. I looked in to the van and asked what they were drinking.  We had a humourous chat about the different effects of their can of choice - Monster Energy Ultra Zero and a straight coffee from Costas. Amongst the six in the van, opinions were divided!!

They told me there were going to be two marches and the police were there to make sure that everything went off smoothly.

By 10 the Anti Racism protesters had gathered and established themselves in the large square outside the Tourist Information Office. There were lots of speakers on earnest subjects. They did drawl on a bit but their intentions were good though I'm not sure whether many sitting in the sun outside Costa Coffee actually listened to every word.

Then the Tommy Robinson, Union Jack wavers arrived with a large amplification system and loud hailers. Many of them looked quite respectable people but when it came to them singing God save the King I thought they weren't playing fair.

Either the anti-racism team need to reclaim the 'popular' songs or find a more uplifting message. The police seemed to do a decent job and I didn't see a fracas other than a war of decibels. There were probably more of the Tommy Robinson bunch but I reckon it was a close call.

I did stand with the anti-racism group for a while who were receiving a bit of a sanctimonious Workers Rights sermon at the time while across the square the rowdies were blaring out something more audible.

Just to add to the cacophany and another surreal angle, a group of young acapella singers had set up infront of the War Memorial and were sounding altogether more palatable.

I decided to go for a cup of tea and found a perfect Tea shop with seemingly hundreds of different blends of teas and coffees.

I enjoyed a pot of Lady Grey Blue with some Bara Brith. Heaven!

By now the rival camps had disbanded and I managed to make the Cathedral just in time for 3 o clock Choral Evensong. The choir of about 20 was very good and the 4000 organ pipes over the door were magnificent.

I had tried finding a Podiatrist earlier and left a message on their phone. During the Evensong service, my phone buzzed as a text came in.  Michelle offered me an appiintment at 4. Straight out of Evensong I arrived at the Market Hall just in time.

I was Michelle's last patient of the day. We had a good chat while she dressed my foot and on hearing that I was walking for charity refused point blank to take any payment. There are some really lovely people around and I'm having the good fortune of meeting lots of them.

Tony arrived on the 17:15 from Hapsburg via  Zurich and Newton le Willows and we celebrated his safe arrival with a pint of Belhaven Best. It was great to see Tony again.

What better way to start the week?