Saturday, October 14, 2006

Diversion

Last Saturday was beautiful. Autumn sunlight. Summer temperatures. Climate change no doubt, but it was hard to resist basking in the warmth. I was househunting.

I may have been successful. It's probably tempting fate to say any more at this stage - there's a long way to go yet, particularly at the more critical selling end where a few minor, or not so minor, problems have arisen.

And there was a bonus. All the walking between properties turned out to be a good way of getting to know the city better. Periodically during the day I would come across something quirky or interesting or picturesque ....

For example there was this telling piece of social history.

Click on the photo if you can't make out the wording.

I'm particularly struck by the name of the philanthropic organisation.

18 Comments:

Blogger Pauline said...

Aiding the industrious sounds like a great idea, especially with a steam bath! Are all the baths gone now? Good luck househunting - and when you find and are living in the perfect place, reward yourself with a bath :)

1:29 pm  
Blogger Mary said...

Thanks Pauline. The building where the original baths were is now a Masonic Hall though apparently the swimming pool is still intact under the floor. And I will indeed reward myself. ;-)

8:32 pm  
Blogger Sky said...

ohhh, the historical sign you posted reminds me of our venture in san francisco when we saw the area where the old sutro bath ruins lay at the edge of the pacific ocean. they are near a popular restaurant, the cliff house, where we dined one evening.

check this out for information about the Sutro Baths.

glad you are having good weather while you househunt. i will be quite interested in seeing the results of your house search when you secure just the right place.

it is exciting, isn't it? an entirely new chapter is beginning, one filled with surprises on every front. :)

12:58 am  
Blogger herhimnbryn said...

Oh, the Victorians were soooo sanctimonious weren't they. So, if by their standards you weren't industrious, did you wash in a puddle?:)

I miss these info plaques. They remind you off all sorts of wonderful things!

Am keeping all 'crossable' parts of me crossed for you and your house hunting.

12:59 am  
Blogger Stray said...

Love the society name! I wonder what they did with the non-industrious? And how one defines industry in such circumstances?

6:18 pm  
Blogger Mary said...

Sky: I really enjoyed that link. A bit of virtual tourism - I've never been to SF and I really want to go. They did know how to do things in a big way in the 19th century ....

HHB: Weren't they just sanctimonious? Generous, but you had to measure up. And I can understand you missing the info plaques. I look out for them all the time.

Stray: My questions too. Who decides? I think once I am settled there I need to do some research ...

6:30 pm  
Blogger LJ said...

"Hereford Society for aiding the industrious" !!?
That's fabulous.

9:51 pm  
Blogger leslee said...

Good luck with the new place. Hope that the doors are opening to you.

11:22 pm  
Blogger Jean said...

How lovely that you got to spend some time in your new home town in this glorious weather and light we've been having.

Crossing everything for you for the househunt. I firmly believe that the right place is waiting for you and if something falls through that will be why. Not a huge believer always in destiny ruling, but with finding a home... I still, walk past the flat I tried to buy 18 years ago and was very disappointed to lose, and think: would I have liked to live there? no, no I don't think so!

Uncertainty, not knowing, always takes a lot of energy, though. Thinking of you and sending lots of love and best wishes for all of it.

12:07 pm  
Blogger Brenda Clews said...

So many changes, which is exciting, if a little nerve-wracking at times! Do hope both ends of the housing, selling and buying, go well - I trust that where you settle will be exactly the right place and more beautiful than you can imagine. xo

2:00 pm  
Blogger MB said...

And here I am, celebrating last night's rain!

I hope you find the right place in the right time, which I also hope is soon! ;-) Good luck, good luck, good luck!

"aiding the industrious"... perhaps you'll do a follow-up piece some day after you research it!

7:14 pm  
Blogger Mary said...

LJ:... that's what I thought too. :-)

Leslee: thanks, so do I!

Jean: Thanks for the perspective and reassurance. Detachment and serenity are in short supply at the moment.

Brenda: I love the last part of your last sentence!

MB: Thank you! ... it may be a little while though before I can do the research. Next year, at least.

9:46 pm  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

fascinating sign! and hope you find a marvelous dwelling.

4:16 am  
Blogger Jess D'Zerts said...

Loved this, Mary, it brought a smile. I do wish more places would do this, post a tiny bit of their history that people could easily take in.

6:10 pm  
Blogger Mary said...

Becca: Thank you ..!

Jessie: I agree and this is where these plaques are so good. We have lots in London but it is good to see that they exist in the provinces as well ....

9:38 pm  
Blogger Susan said...

My Aunt used to live in Herefordshire, Wales. It was a beautiful village. But this is a different place that you speak of, I think. I love your photos.

1:22 am  
Blogger Mary said...

oopseedaisie: Hi. Herefordshire is in England but right on the border with Wales ... so she may well have lived very close to the border?

6:57 pm  
Blogger Zhoen said...

Progressivism in action. Clean up the Unwashed, as long as they come to work.

11:25 pm  

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