I've been suffering with massive and chronic fatigue for years now but it flared up wildly last autumn and I was really unwell. I saw a fabulous GP who took me really seriously and referred me to rheumatology. We both suspected I have fibromyalgia, but I have some high infection markers that are consistently high (since August 2020 at least) so the GP wanted to check that I didn't have anything more sinister than fibro going on, like rheumatoid arthritis or similar. I eventually got an appointment on the 3rd of March so I went off to the hospital before work to check. (I work in an office on Tuesdays). The doctor I saw was really helpful and thorough but agreed that it is most probably fibromyalgia so she discharged me back to the GP.
The GP had given me some painkillers for night time back in January I think. They mostly work and help me to stay asleep so that's really helpful. So for now that, plus graded exercise and rest, is the only treatment available to me. I just have to pace myself, and take things slowly. I am really used to doing that anyway, so that helps. But it is useful and helpful and a relief to actually have a diagnosis and not just be fobbed off as lazy, overreacting, or similar. Lee is relieved too.
So that was Tuesday. On Thursday I drove myself to York and parked at Rawcliffe Bar Park and Ride. I'd never been there before but it was really good and I would park there again. The bus into town took barely any time at all! I got off at the theatre and walked up High Petergate towards the Minster. I considered going in the Minster and probably would have had enough time, but I wasn't sure. I took a photo of Precentor's Court because I watch the TV show Patience and that's where she lives. I sat for a while outside the Minster because the sun was lovely. I bought some fudge and some chocolate then came back to the Minster as I wasn't sure where Leanne was.
We caught up with each other and went into Ask for lunch. She had suggested it because it is in the old Assembly Rooms which are absolutely gorgeous inside. I had a cherry blossom mocktail, bruschetta, and lentil ragu pasta, all of which were really nice! We chatted for a long time but finally left. We walked round to Card Factory and then I was thinking what else we could do, so suggested going to the shrine of St Margaret Clitherow on the Shambles. I've been before and so had Leanne, but not for a long time. We walked through and then arrived at York Ghost Merchants, of course.
Leanne collects the ghosts and has around thirty, including a bunch of rare ones. I only have a few, but I do love them. The queue can be humongous but it wasn't on this day, so we thought we might both like a new ghost and joined the queue. We were only third, so had to wait around fifteen minutes before we got in the shop.
I considered a few ghosts but eventually went for a small one that is red with black and white markings. I love it! Leanne bought a big one and we left the shop and headed just a few shops away to the shrine, only to find it closed! It was locked up and everything! We were upset! Not to worry, really, as we had bought the ghosts instead. Leanne and I then said goodbye and she headed off to the train station. I walked through to King's Square and basked in the sunshine there a bit too. There was a busker playing and he was really good, so it was nice to listen to. I gave him some money.
I went through to Parliament Street. I had arranged to meet Jacqui for coffee and cake at around 4pm, and it was 3pm by this point. There's a shop on Parliament St called This Shop Is So Gay so after I had rested for a bit I went in. It's really fun, it has lots of fun and funny things for all your queer friends. I bought myself some badges which are cute. I was considering going to Betty's for a cup of coffee when Jac messaged me and said she was done with work so would come and meet me. I asked if she minded going to Betty's and she said no, so that was good because I really fancied it. It's such a York institution!
There was a tiny queue there so I joined it but I was very soon sitting at a table, and no sooner had I ordered a drink than Jacqui arrived. We both ordered the small patisserie plate which was lush, just enough for me, and then I had a coffee too. We sat there talking until it was nearly 5.30 when Betty's shuts. We walked round to the bus together and I got back on the park and ride bus. I left the car park about 6pm and got home about 7pm!
In all it was a lovely day and I walked absolutely miles, a really long way! It was so nice to see Leanne and Jac and play tourist in York a little bit. I put my new little ghostie on the shelf above my desk, of course.
Outside the city walls, I took this photo
Amd this picture of this very old building on High Petergate
Looking up at the Minster
And down at this little model of the Minster and surrounding area just in front of it
This is the street where Patience lives in the eponymous TV show, which I really like
Another view of the Minster from near St Michael le Belfry which is one of my favourite churches in York although it's all covered in scaffolding at the moment
Inside Ask, I had bruschetta to start with
Then took this photo of the beautiful rooms
And this one
Lentil ragu
I took this photo outside Margaret's shrine but I was disappointed we couldn't go in!
The queer shop on Parliament St - do visit it if you're in the area, and Portal Bookshop which is near the Shambles, which is a queer bookshop
My new badges and my new little ghostie!
Tiny patisserie plate in Betty's
And finally, my new ghost among its friends on my shelf
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