1 Prologue
Transcript
Judy
What I saw, felt and heard in York Gardens 30th April 2025.
For the second day running I went looking for the bench I felt moved by in the photos. Once again I did not find it. I spent an hour and a half in the gardens trying to relax.
I saw magpies calling to each other and answering. Cyclists whistling as they ride by, traversing down paths leading them everywhere and nowhere at their leisurely paces. An outdoor social drinking group around a bench listening to music. Laughing and talking loudly while they have a drink or a few.
I heard and saw a few helicopters and planes above taking important people and tourists to destinations unknown. Dog walkers fussed over family pets as they enjoyed alone time together.
People oiled up and sunbathed, enjoying the sun while it lasts. Wasps or bee’s buzzing past me as I ignored them. Other people anxious and flapping their arms to shoo the flying insects away.
Mothers and children on mobiles, unaware, they are close to each other but it seems they are somehow miles apart as their connection is lost.
My asthma/hay fever is causing itchy eyes and making me sneeze loudly! I am leaving the gardens for my own wellbeing. Walking along green grass waiting to be cut with wild flowers growing all around.
I had read my book in the gardens but did not relax or meditate as I wanted to.
I said my goodbye knowing that in a short time schools and nurseries would be let out and the bench won’t be lonely as it will be used as a pirate ship for walking the plank or become a climbing frame for youngsters to climb and jump off.
A meeting point for mothers on their way home to quickly chat or a place for a picnic to replace the tea they would have had indoors.
A place to change into roller skates or have a quiet break from riding their scooters or a place for someone like me to sit and people watch as the time goes by. The choices are endless.
York Gardens is the beginning of a multitude of benches that have their own stories. It is the start of a walk around an area well known by some but it can hold many adventures unknown. These benches are places people go to be seen or turn invisible. They are linked by their location and sometimes by the people.