Calling Hertford

I telephoned Hertford today, not the town of my birth but near enough. I grew up outside Hertford, but spent far more time in Hertford than is really necessary in any one lifetime. I'm struggling to think of any attractions...I guess you could say my current home, Yamagata, is a step up in the world then.

So I telephoned the society for old boys and girls of my old school, seeking some information, some bits and bobs I might be able to show the kids at school here. This morning a teacher who spent two years in an Uzbekistan school and returned in April gave a talk about it, with videos and photos and everything. What can I say, I was inspired.

'You're calling from Japan now?'

'Yes'

'You're at home?'

'Yes'

You're not in Japan, you're at home, in Hertingfordbury?'

'No, I'm calling from Japan.'

I reached the school holiday staff. I'm a long way from home but I've made my very own home here. So it's kinds like I left home and came full circle, in an odd way.

'Let me see, we have two e-mail addresses here...g-i-t-guy@hotmail.com'

All I could think was, 'Say it, go on say it. You can't bring yourself to say it! Say it!'

I can't say I've missed Hertford, nor Hertfordians.