Durham.
So... this week I made a trip to Durham to renew my British Passport which I thought was due to run out in May this year but I was told it actually ran out last August. I have no idea, in that case, why they let me in the country. It was a 'Brexit thing' apparently. Perhaps that explains everything.
Anyway, I have my new passport and was able to spend ages in the magnificent Cathedral in Durham and even climb the 325 steps up to the tower. I could see why I had to sign a health and safety document and disclaimer before going up. It felt like more than 325 steps and getting to the top certainly took your breath away.
The fellow who was climbing it in front of me could hardly bear to look at the view. It turned out he had vertigo! I asked him why he would pay 7 pounds to go up if he knew he had vertigo and he said he liked to push himself. I was tempted to push him too! He couldn't wait to get down again once he was up but had to cling to the wall until a group of others coming up behind us had reached the top.
Another ascender was a breathless young Asian student who was coming up as I was going back down. She had waited years to climb the tower. According to her it seems University students in the city must not climb the tower until they graduate or they face failing their exams. She had just graduated and was so excited to finally get to the top.
