Alex's Historical Fiction

Flood chaos

Today's local Press reports on yesterday's heavy downpour. I know all about it, as I was out in it. Though showers, and perhaps thunder, had been forecast, it was lovely and sunny. So I went without my umbrella (well forgot, it actually), and even left my hoody with the dp whom I met for lunch. On the way back, as I walked over Lendal Bridge, it began to rain, then it poured. Then it hailed - yes hailed. I was caught in the open, along with many other unprepared people. I tried sheltering under the narrow arch through the walls. It wasn't too good, especially as several other drowned rats had beat me to it. When the hail abated a little I dashed for the bus shelter opposite the War Memorial Park. More hailstones, and I was there for 20 minutes or so.

Finally the rain stopped and I made for the Marble Arch tunnel, which leads to the Railway Musuem, and the Cinder Path to get back home. Bad mistake. The Marble Arch was flooded at both ends. But I waded through. The water an icky grey. I did my bit for York tourism and advised a couple of tourists to get out via the newish station back entrance. 'Phew,' I thought as I started to trot down the Cinder Path. The sun was starting to come back out, and things didn't seem so bad. Then I rounded the corner and found that the path was flooded. I waded through that too. The thing is, I had just bought a brand new pair of sandals and had changed into them straightaway as my feet were hot in my 'interview' shoes. They are the only decent shoes I've got that are OK for my bad foot; I was going to try sandals on, so didn't want to offend with my smelly trainers. The new sandals rubbed the skin off my heels, and I only hope I haven't caught anything from soupy water I trotted through. When I got home I stripped off quickly, throwing the clothes straight into the machine, then I showered, washing the bloody heels carefully.

I'm now trying to to dry the sandals out, but am very glad I wasn't wearing my decent 'interview' shoes which may well have been ruined by the water foray. I will need them on Tuesday. Yes, I have an interview for an actual job. It's at a rare book place, and looks very interesting. A couple of days back, I only saw the advert in the shop window, as I happened to be visiting someone in an area of the city I don't often go to now. So fingers crossed :-)

posted by Alex Bordessa @ Saturday, May 13, 2006