It’s been yet another busy week but this
time it wasn’t about work. My sister came to stay which is a rare treat as
Sister is even more anxious than I am about travelling. This was our first proper
visit together since our Mum died. Mum was greatly missed but it also meant
that we had time to do some shopping and touristy things that we’ve not really
done together since she left Leicester about 30 years ago.
Our Tourist Schedule:
Curve Theatre to see Barnum
Sister was surprised by the vast, bulging
building that is our Curve theatre. She reminisced
about the days of The Haymarket Theatre. Sadly that theatre now stands empty. What a waste of a resource! Barnum
was a bit slow in the first half, or maybe our expectations were too high, but we enjoyed our evening
together and Sister went home with photographs to help her remember. (Like that
children’s TV programme character, Mr Benn!)
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| Richard III |
Leicester’s Medieval Area
Sister was amazed by all the preparations
for Richard III’s reburial. Where there was once ordinary side street paving and
a non-descript front to the Cathedral, the workmen are now creating tiled
walkways between the Richard III Visitors’ Centre and the Cathedral and a
landscaped garden complete with modern sculpture and statue of Richard III. The biggest change even
shocked me. We went into the Cathedral for a quiet sit down only to find that
the workmen have boarded off the Cathedral side chapels and the Choir while
they excavate Richard’s final resting place. Sister went home with more photographs
to help her remember.
Leicester’s High Cross Shopping Centre
Sister lives in a very small town on the South coast. It has only a few shops for ‘essentials only’. High Cross, therefore, provided a
confusion as well as profusion of shops. Consequently, Sister went home with
less money than she had when she arrived!
Singing and Chatting
We caterwauled our way through The Last
Night of the Proms and it reminded me of when we were little. We used to make
our Grandma and Great Aunts sit through ‘concerts’ every time we visited. They
were very patient. And we chatted for hours about life and stuff. It’s good
having a sister.
Down Side to the Visit
Many weeks ago, in order to make Sister’s
journey a little easier, we said we would pick her up from Birmingham’s New
Street Station. That wouldn't have been a problem if it hadn’t been for The
Letter that we received only days before her arrival. The Letter was from the
DVLA telling Mr A that they would not be renewing his driving licence due to
eyesight issues. Before you ask, yes I can drive, but have you ever tried
driving into Central Birmingham when you haven’t a clue where you’re going? It
wasn’t a good experience… but I did it and, what’s more, I’m proud of myself!
