(no subject)

[vyvyanx]

Something exciting seemed to be going on in the centre of Leicester today, as I walked back to the train station after giving my last OU tutorial for this year. The streets around the station, and every part of the station itself, were absolutely awash with police in neon yellow tunics. Perhaps 50-100 of them. They looked very, um, alert, but there was no sign of what they were actually looking for. Groups of uneasy-looking black people were wandering amongst them; also, I saw a bunch of about 20 cross-looking male youths being apparently escorted out of the train station as I arrived, but I've no idea if these had anything to do with the police presence. The platform itself was oddly almost deserted when I got there (apart from policemen). I couldn't help wondering if there'd been a bomb scare. But none of the police seemed interested in moving the public out of the area, so probably that wasn't it. Oh yes, another odd thing, which might be connected: the pavement near the station appeared to be covered with manure! I had visions of a previous cavalry charge of mounted police down the main street. But why?? It's all very mysterious.

In other news, the tutorial went really well, and two of my lovely students gave me a book chair as a present. (This is a small wooden device for propping up a book to read on, it seems.) I've never had a present from a student before; I was quite touched (although I've no idea where I'm going to put it in our already very crowded flat!)