Minnie and Me in Lyme

The reading room's mince pie party; Pretty Padmini and 2 cool grannies.

St. Margaret's tenor's belting out Sinatra's My Way after choir practise.

All Saint's stained window.

The city centre.

Lake near Minnie's place.

Us reliving our picture-taking-crazy-days.

My growing frustration at the futility of working caused more than rattled spirits and eye-bags. It was timely then, that the last blow I received was quickly remedied by a weekend break. I left med school for the bus stop that took me to the train station where I gratefully left Nottingham.

The train ride wasn’t relaxing, but I was looking forward for something better - to meet Padmini after nearly 3 months in Newcastle-Under-Lyme, as Luke puts it “the wrong Newcastle”. UK has 2 Newcastles as it turns out.

Minnie met me at the train station in Stoke-On-Trent. We sat in the vicar’s ancient car that chose that precise day to be cranky. Barry, the vicar talked to the car the entire journey to Madeley, a village just outside the city centre. Padmini stayed in a house that was formerly the sorting room of the old post office. She has been working in Madeley as a Richfield volunteer teaching kids and actively participating in church activities.

When we got to her house, we sipped on a lame imitation of the teh halia – Ginger Lemon Tea and ran through my journey and planned the next 1.5 days without any success. We then dined on Chicken Tikka and Cous Cous before choir practice in St. Margaret’s church.

It felt like being in a story. The church was at least 500 years old, the cemetery in front of it glistened eerily with the yellow street lamps and had tablets of people long gone more than 100 years ago. Inside however had the warmth I never felt in med school. I joined in the practice. Singing in an unnatural high pitch voice for more than 2 hours can leave you breathless and knackered.

We got home and decided to watch the 6-hour long tele production of Pride and Prejudice Britain is crazy over, featuring its darling Colin firth. We managed 3 hours, stuffing ourselves with digestive biscuits and raisins – a passion we both shared since our KDU days. Of course, we ended that Friday by recapping the past year, exchanging news about much missed mates.

Scones were the highlight for breakfast. Geared now for a day of walking and window shopping, we left knowing we had only 1 day to make the most of. Took the bus that passed through Keele University. It’s very much like Nottingham University, except newer. The city itself was accommodating, with the weekend crowd and open market. We entered shops looking for a green cardigan Minnie had been pining over for sometime now. Had my first McFlurry since coming here while exchanging news about our barren love life.

Visiting town won’t be complete without entering Poundland, Boots, Sainsbury and other popular student shops. Mended our aching legs by watching The Exorcism of Emily Rose. Good movie, watch it, it’s not about possessions and 360° head turns, it’s about faith.

When we got home, we managed only 2 out of the 3 remaining hours of Pride and Prejudice with Minnie having dozed half way through. It was an early night for us, rightly so, the next day was all business.

Attended 2 services – at St. Margaret’s and All Saints’. One of which was an extra special one. Perfect timing I would say, I came to during Madeley during its Christangle celebration. It’s an early Christmas celebration for the kiddies. Intended to be a fund raising activity throughout England for children, its more festivities than business to everyone. Everyone took home a christangle – a red sashed orange stuck with a candle flanked by candy threaded on tooth picks.

Orange – world
Red tape – blood of Christ
Candle – Light
Tooth pick-ed candy – fruits of the world

We then went to the reading room for mince pies and Mulled Wine, a warm concoction of red wine boiled with cinnamon, ginger and other spices – Heavenly! Mingled with Minnie’s peers – the elderly. Such nice people they were, a lot more accepting and welcoming, all this providing me relief from the nonchalant student community I’m accustomed to.

After lunch at the vicar house, we rushed with goodbyes and thank you-s. I got on the train with Emma, the vicar daughter, who’s on her way to Cambridge.

One great, relaxing weekend. 2 more weeks till the winter hols. 6 months till I see Minnie again, this time in M’sia. Miss you already girl.


Current music: Guy Sebastian’s What a wonderful world