Writing, fatshion, me: Gig in York

As I said in my previous post, Lee's band was touring at the end of November. These were the last gigs he will be playing for a while, as they have decided to go on hiatus and Lee has started something else. They did three in a row - Sheffield on the Friday night so Lee stayed at home, and then they went to Sunderland on Saturday and York on Sunday. I decided to go to York to see them as I wasn't sure if I would get chance again, although they've decided they will play some more dates in 2026 but won't really practice or write new music. My mum and stepdad decided to come and see them too. I asked Jac if she wanted to get lunch first and she did, so I set off a bit early to York.

I couldn't park where I wanted so ended up in an NCP. I wouldn't mention this usually but it becomes relevant later. I then walked the wrong way out of the car park but eventually I made it to Brancusi and met Jac outside. She and Sam and I ate there in 2024 and enjoyed it, so we had decided to go again. We got a table and eventually got served - it was a bit slow. I had autumn eggs which were spicy and delicious, I would definitely get them again. Then I had some kind of cherry chocolate thing.

We walked back to my car past a crystal shop and went in, I bought a couple of presents and some hagstones. I love hagstones (stones with holes in) and I thought Emma would like one. She is the drummer in the band Omega Tribe that Lee was touring with, so I was about to see her. I said bye to Jac and headed back to the car and got into the car at just after 2pm. I drove out of the space and towards the ramp - I was on the first floor - and then I got stuck. There was a queue to get out of the car park and it just .........didn't move. I moved one car's space in like forty minutes. By this time I was getting a bit worried because Lee's band were going to be on soon. I called him and they could put it back a bit but not much. My mum was already in York and could have come to get me, but the problem was that I was just stuck on the ramp. I couldn't even repark the car and leave the car park! People were wandering about everywhere trying to work out the problem. I could SEE the exit and there were seven cars in front of me, but NO ONE WAS MOVING. Lee was trying to ring NCP for me but there was no answer. A man told me that someone couldn't get out of the barrier which like, fine, but by this point it had been over an hour. Eventually two women just pulled the barrier up and stood there and held it so people could leave. I do not know what the problem was but it was incredibly annoying!

I finally got to the Fulford Arms well over an hour after I had wanted to be there, but the band before Lee's were just finishing up so it was okay. I made Lee get me a drink and I spoke to Emma, who did indeed appreciate her hagstone, and sat with my mum and stepdad for Lee's band. They sounded good, I enjoyed them. My mum left not long after This Is Not A Drill finished, but I stayed with Lee of course. I sat behind the merch table for Omega Tribe, which was helpful of me and also meant I had a seat. The Fulford Arms has video screens too so I could see the band on there.

Lee and I didn't stick around that long after Omega Tribe had finished but I was glad I got to see them! We went home where we had already put the Christmas tree up even though it wasn't yet December, because we knew we wouldn't have much chance to do it. We bought a new one which is seven feet tall and SO wide across the base. We have room in the new house for it! It looked gorgeous and made the living room so cosy.