Sunday 9th October 2022
The beauty about this travelling adventure of mine is that every place seems fantastic. Today on the no-longer-striking-trains, I watched the Autumn landscape around one of the busiest cities in the world, in amazement. Graffiti on bridges complementing the red leaves, hedges blocking out train noise and holding hues of the hot summer, all reminding me of how great a city can be.
My initial plan to go to my hostel booking changed as I didn't feel ready for a bunk bed, so I managed to get a Travelodge booking while sitting on my train. The things I'm learning on my travels - Sundays are usually cheap hotel nights in big cities. I paid an extra fee to check in early to drop my bags and sort myself out. The sun was shining and it was a lovely walk from the station even with my extra hand luggage bag. I do prefer having my hands free though and after tripping over the wheels of my case, a few times while holding my Google maps, I realised I need to leave the small case behind somewhere.
I took myself on a walk, initially I planned a stop at the Mail Museum which wasn't free so decided to put away the map and just walk. What a delightful surprise. I didn't know that my hotel is in or near the area of 'little Italy' until I smelled the very strong parmesan cheese coming from an Italian restaurant. Next thing I hear 'Buongiorno' outside a church. An Italian Catholic church that I had to enter - which had me grinning widely at the irony of leaving Italy a few short days ago. The incense was full blast as I sneaked in the back to take some photos.
I had some traditional Sunday roast lunch at a pub and watched the locals come and go in a small square. There is a trendy pedestrian food area with pavement cafés and everyone seemed to be enjoying a leisurely Sunday. I found a small park and decided to go inside when I heard some rustling. Squirrel! It came bouncing out of the ivy towards me and I almost thought it was going to run up my leg. Unfortunately I didn't have any squirrel food but it seemed to forgive me and I sat on a bench in the sun to watch it and its friends forage for food.
I came back to my hotel and had a Sunday snooze which was very welcome and reflecting back on my day, I'm just filled with gratitude (again).
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