And Battleaxe thought last week was bad? But there have been some better moments

And Battleaxe thought last week was bad? Well, hold my beer. Tuesday 5 November was one of the worst days for the world in my lifetime. You know only too well what it was – the US Election. Battleaxe banged on about it on social media, so will not say much here. We have to get used to the new world order and live with it – no point moaning about it. Then, the weather has been very depressing. Day ofter day of grey dark bleakness. No sun at all, except for a very brief interval on Monday, when we went to Alexandra Park. Good things? My back is better and no Covid jab side effects. We have started Pilates again. Had Mallydams on Tuesday – always calming. Here’s a picture of one of the current patients, a lovely badger. Then, a pleasant Stanza poetry meeting on Thursday, and a good day out in London with the two Sues from Birmingham on Friday.

Trump? Oh purleeze. I have not watched or listened to the News since Monday, nor read the news bits of any paper.  Don’t know how long I can keep this up. Am now hacked off with with reading constant analysis/recriminations bullshit about what the Democrats could have done to win. Oh forget it you boring lot. Simply, there were enough Americans who are angry, ill-educated, ill-informed – and – above all – sexist, to choose an evil, egotistic, criminal semi-senile male buffoon over a highly intelligent and suitably experienced woman. I have had enough of America. I hope they all suffer. Trouble is, they’ll drag us down with them. And as for that Keir Starmer – you can phrase dignified congratulations for winning without indulging in syncophantic ‘we stand shoulder to shoulder’ drivel. Phew, that’s enough of that. I changed my FB profile picture to this, on a temporary basis.

So, enough of that. On Monday we hoped there would be still some autumn leaves in Alexandra Park, but they had mostly dropped off, or just shrivelled to a dull grey – many trees have not been bothered to put on a show this year. But surprise – the sun came out for a few brief minutes. We could even have coffee outside. Here are a couple of photos, including this lovely heron. Looks like a young one.

Mallydams? Badger care is quite specialised as they are very savage, so all I did was stand by while Mrs Badger was moved from one cubicle to another. By and large people try not to touch them – they are herded along using boards. I photographed this cute seal – we have 4 in again, so hopefully will not miss the next release. Apparently, although this baby looks so appealing, he is very grumpy… Overall, the number of patients at Mallydams is dropping as the year progresses.

Then, yesterday, London. Met the Sues for lunch at Rails Restaurant at the Great Northern Hotel, Kings Cross. It was very quiet and civilised,  the food was good, and the service was excellent. Battleaxe would totally recommend to anyone who wants a reasonably priced, civilised London eating destination away from the racket and the rat-race. Ideal for women of a certain age who lunch.

Our next experience was not quite so good. We went to the Medieval Women: In their Own Words exhibition at the nearby British Library.

It has been strikingly well-reviewed – here is one from the Guardian – and is obviously very popular. BUT… my criticisms are the same as for so many other such exhibitions. Firstly, crowds. Even though we had timed entry, there were far, far too many people huddled together trying to pore over small, intricate manuscripts. It was hard to get near enough to get a proper look. The exhibits, mostly books and manuscripts, were too close together, and too poorly lit/far away for older eyes. Many of the images were tiny – painted in margins, or like the one above, in a single illuminated letter in a manuscript. Could have done with magnifying… There was some interesting stuff, but I got bored of trying to peer at things, gave up, and repaired to the British Library bookshop, which was, as ever, fabulous.

Then after that, we had the familar British Library catering fantigue. When my sister was alive we used to often meet there, and as years progressed, she would get increasingly grumpy about the cafes and restaurants. This occasion was just the same. The downstairs caff was freezing cold and offered basic beverages in paper cups in grim surroundings. The (generally very shirty) staff directed us upstairs. We inspected another possibility, full of students, and with no seats, and eventually found the main restaurant, where a staff member told us brusquely that they were just closing and no longer serving…. Grrr. Tempers were getting frayed, so I did exactly the same as I have done before with my sister etc – herded us all into the lovely old St Pancras Renaissance Hotel, where we sank into comfy armchairs, in a warm and beautiful room, and were served with proper tea in china cups and little biscuits…. All in all it was a good outing, and of course lovely to meet old friends.