Posted: 31/05/21

Sunset 3 May 2021 - Julie Corbett

Standing towards the east I was pleased how far I could see.  The furthest buildings were the three flats on Valiant Drive, Bilton Grange Estate.  Those linked me to my Grandfather who was a trawlerman.  The flats are named for the three trawlers that were lost in 1968.  As tonight is very windy and the rain is quite heavy my thoughts did stray to Hull’s maritime history and to my family connections.  Romantically, there was a gull that flew, tussled by the gusts of wind in eye shot quite often.  The weather as it was, meant not many people on the streets but a few were huddled on a corner and I saw a flash of yellow of a security guard’s coat.  I hope anyone homeless or not feeling safe enough to go home finds a shelter.  I would like to write a letter right now to say to whoever plans street furniture – make it comfortable!  I realised as I looked to the Humber that I could see one green navigation buoy and two smallish boats.  I also felt sadness at not seeing Clarence Mill.  I recall going over the Drypool Bridge sat on the top deck of the bus trying to count all the windows – my Aunt Edie and Mam lighting up cigs and saying, “Hope the bus does not stop on the bridge” – some superstition about being still on water.  No doubt related to trawling. 

 

Then I stood at the west side – a colder side tonight.  The rain looked like proper rain on the window.  At the east window it had the quality of blossom – somehow flattened and white as it blew across.  It was proper rain in rivulets down the pane of glass.  The wind found its way up the ventilation grill.  I miss people and sharing everyday and extraordinary experiences in these Covid times.  The buildings are more regular this side.  It occurs to me that this Vigil pod is probably aligned completely with the North wall of the medieval city.  The lights are more twinkly here.  There is more green roofs as well.  You can see both towers of the Humber Bridge and the Fishgate building.  Again I think of people ‘outside’: refugees, people with no heating (my feet are cold).  The sunset doesn’t disappoint.  Even with a grey sky the sun is for a time a bright ball of light and then the uplight is a wilful pink, a ‘da Vinci’ sky as I call it.  Solitude and reflection.  This is a privilege.  I feel safe looking at my home town.  Blessed.  I wish that for all really.  Thank-you.