PROMOTING ‘IMAGINED THINGS’ AN INDEPENDENT BOOK SHOP IN HARROGATE
and awaiting the start of Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writering Festival.
On Wednesday 18th July the phone woke us up at 3am and we were on the road before quarter past four, arriving at Alicante Airport to board a Ryanair flight to Leeds/ Bradford. It was an easy couple of hours as I dozed on this Irish Sky Bus. It was good to see the English countryside again and after we had bumped down on the runway it felt as though we were going to hop over the arrivals lounge and into the fields behind. The overhead luggage thought so to as it slid as far as it could.
An almost new Peugeot 3008 allowed us to have an easy journey into Harrogate Town and for the incredible sum of £11 we could park smack up against the Winter Gardens. It's other name is J.D. Wetherspoon and with their beer and food it is convenient and right next to the hotel.
We enjoyed our breakfasts as usual and, of course, there is free WiFi. An essential item and a necessary one. I had their traditional English with two added pieces of Black Pudding at only £4.15 and two mugs of coffee.
Then we are searching for treasure in the second hand bookshops before we check in at 3pm.
It was not going to be that quick. The Oxfam Shop emphasizes the richness of this flower bedecked town. The window display showcased first editions of past authors of crime at £22 per copy. This is place to take the time and browse, but for that a return visit will be necessary. Michelle bought five books and I found lurking on a shelf Simon Toyne’s ‘The Tower’ which is part of the ‘Sanctus’ series that I will read eventually. Next up, was to collect ordered books, from The Post Office and then back to the car to unload. And then to retrace my steps and in doing so I realized that any level bit of this town was not where I was walking.
Okay, another pit stop to fuel the appetite of a bookaholic was at The Works to collect more pre-ordered books. Here Harrogate Station loomed ahead and there to whet the appetite was The Harrogate Tap. This is a drinking man’s emporium in the best of tastes. A pint of Black Sheep from The Masham Brewery was my first thoroughly enjoyable pint since last October. Replenished, and we had one more appointment, with Georgia, the owner of Imagined Books, in Westminster Arcade. She is an independent and we like that. This is especially so because at the festival W.H. Smith and John Grisham have decreed, initially at least, that for his book signings one has to register, pay a pound for the privilege, and only bring a book purchased at their shop at The Old Swan. What the outcome will be will depend on how many people have emailed a protest. However, for me, I don't intend to buy a book there. I will always support the independent sellers.
It was still too early to check in, but since we had a pile of books we went in to The Travel Lodge, in The Ginnel, and found and encountered Erica on reception. What a star she is. We booked in having spent ten minutes or so talking about her tastes in crime - only in book form though! It is good to talk to other bookaholics especially as they don't cost me any money!
Now for the moment we took advantage of Mr J.D. Wetherspoon’s free WiFi, and of course, my second pint of the day. It was Best Bitter produced by Isaac Poad (@£2.79) of York from a brewer I had never heard of before. Then it was collect the books from the car so that they will be on display and placed in the correct order for when the festival starts.
A shower and a relax before we walked out again for Romeo and Juliet in the cinema which was beamed from by RSC in Stratford upon Avon.
Harrogate has much to offer and The Everyman Cinema does it in style. We sat in Screen Five in the luxury of settees, side tables and the benefit of both a feeling of space and with plenty of leg room. I could write pages in this modern performance. It was long, but so thoughtful in the presentation and the tone. It was excellent.
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