Once Lesley went off to work, I headed up to the sixth floor where I had an appointment with the microfiche. I was leafing through copies of The Evening Chronicle circa October 1969 for a piece I'm about to do a little work on.
An hour or so later I packed up but not before taking advantage of the commanding views which the library now offers.
And down into the most depressing public space known to man. I have now re-christened this place Ennui Square.
I managed to drag myself away from the view (lest I throw myself into its maw) and made my way to the Lit & Phil via the Bigg Market...
Here's the same view (almost) circa 1966...
Down Pudding Chare, I paused to take a snap of the revamped Printers Pie so that blog chum, Tim Sokell, could feast his eyes upon the glory that is Fleet Street...
Then across Westgate Road to the Lit & Phil...
Inside I was on a mission. A few years ago Debra urged me to read The Road by Cormac McCarthy. I never did. However, after reading an entry about the book by blog chum Steven, I thought I'd bump this book to the top of my reading list.
Then to find a quiet spot to catch up on some work related reading, some more poetry (Tom Pickard, Basil Bunting), a book on Wallsend and The Road.
Another wonderful few hours in this spendid building. Leaving it a few hours later I felt replenished and ready to get back to the grindstone.
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2 comments:
hey sid, cripes what a view in that courtyard - it's like a jumper's paradise . . . . anyhow, as an antidote to "the road" i've read kerouac's "dharma bums"... you know the story; be blissfully naive, talk heaps about buddhism, drink lots, have tons of blissfully naive girls come and spend quality time with you, drink lots . . . kind of writing. but what's really strange is i have this odd compulsion to go and read "the road" again. books die a natual death when i've read them. they reawaken after a few years but this one has a powerful attraction. ask deb. have a peaceful day sid. steven
Must get into that Lit & Phil myself one day soon Sid. The two pics in close proximity of 'Fleet Street' and the L&P are a damning indictment of modern-ising architecture and what I like to call 'tarting up' buildings to make them more attractive. I suppose we must just be thankful that 'Fleet Street' isn't situated around that new library square, or an even more depressing aspect would be in view!
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