Time and Change

 

Well I never! Several years ago I changed the background and layout of this blog and in so doing and for no obvious reason lost the ability to reply to specific comments. Ever since, I've been obliged instead simply to make my own comment in response. Today and as a consequence of circumstances of which I profess no knowledge, my right to comment has suddenly returned. I know that as we get older, we are supposed to become more set in our ways and dislike change, but this is one alteration I certainly approve of and long may it last.

Whilst referring to change, a main topic of discussion at the gym this morning was inevitably the weather. There was a general concurrence that this week we appear to be edging noticeably towards autumn. Now that's a change I honestly don't like too much, especially when we waited so long for summer sunshine to make an appearance this year.

Of course August is rushing by, the nights are definitely getting darker sooner and before we know it, the clocks will be going back. Darn, another change that I never like and no matter how many times I experience it, struggle in the aftermath.

Speaking of time, however, a day spent in York last week with a friend suggested that I might be wandering around with an aura indicating that I have oodles of it to spare. Both in possession of National Arts Pass cards, we decided to use them to visit two properties that neither of us were familiar with and that despite our innumerable visits to the city. On this occasion we therefore took in the Merchant Adventurers' Hall a rather grand timber framed building originating in the 14th Century before jumping a few hundred years to sample the splendours of Fairfax House, a town home from the Georgian era.

At Fairfax House volunteer guides inhabit the corners of the rooms and most visitors look as if they are trying to slope by without being pounced on. The neon signs on our heads, however, must have started flashing to spell out, "Speak to Us. Retired and in no hurry."

So it was that we were given complete chapter and verse on every nook and cranny of the whole house with our own private escorts throughout. It was absolutely fascinating, especially as between its use as a private dwelling and its doors opening as an historic attraction, it was converted to a cinema, ballroom and even strip club!

Mind it's no wonder August feels as if it is passing quickly, that extended foray into history forfeited an extra hour of time and we headed back in our separate directions on later trains than those which we had planned. Still, that's exactly what retirement is about. Time is precious but not so much that you can't fritter it on unexpected diversions when you want to or indeed at every opportunity (did I mention that we had a two hour break for lunch as well?).