Friday (Day 29) The easterly breeze is much less evident leaving the day very pleasantly warm. While I did very little during the day, I did go out for a two mile walk as the sun disappeared behind the quarry faces and distant hills (Axe Edge). I expected it be quiet, but there cars passing frequently as my route, that evening, was confined generally to the main road. I could hear laughter and conversation emanating from people’s gardens I walked past. I get the feeling it was barbecue night! I returned to the Lane where I found myself star gazing with a neighbour, even ‘though it was not completely dark yet. I aim to walk for at least twenty minutes each day.
Saturday (Day 30) Again, wonderful weather, and this time, I set out with the intention of enjoying a walk a neighbour on the next road down had suggested some time ago. I would still include the walk to the end of Trenchard Drive and another cul- de- sac as well as the route put to me by this other neighbour. According to the App on my phone, I had walked 4.5 miles by the time I was back home. It was a strange route, taking in part of the former railway which once connected the still existing Buxton to Hindlow branch with the complex of quarry infrastructure and the long since dispensed with freight only line to Whaley Bridge. All was fine until I came across a gate proclaiming “Private, no public access,” or words to that effect. Had I disobeyed the order, the track bed would have become difficult and it would not have been possible to access where I was trying to get to. I turned around and rejoined where I had walked to on a previous occasion. Nevertheless, I enjoyed a thoroughly good exploration of my not so immediate surroundings.
Sunday, 26th April, 2020 (Day 31 since arriving home from South America). Another bright day, although the weather forecast is now less optimistic. It’s past 11.00hrs and looking through some old ocean liner menus and other interesting stuff, while getting up, has distracted me from my intended 11 am worship. Rather like being away from routine for a number of weeks, those seven days seem to lose their structure, and one day is more or less the same as the next. Last night, I ate far too late, although I made sure the meal was not overly heavy.
Today turned out to be less bright and somewhat cooler than of late. I did achieve a small walk, around thirty minutes, at around teatime. On YouTube, I discovered a Roman Catholic Mass from St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York. I found it hard to concentrate, and although the service attracted nothing but glowing comments, including some evangelical remarks, I did find the worship a little bit too “over my head.” It rained a little late in the afternoon.
Sunday has, this minute, morphed in Monday, my great grandfather’s presentation clock having just struck midnight. My father gave me the black slate clock perhaps thirty years ago. Nobody seemed to want it and was in much need of gentle restoration. Although belonging to me, it held pride of place at my parent’s home in Knutsford until they both had departed this life. Until then, having been mended and beautifully restored, it worked beautifully, chiming on the hour and half hour. When, eventually, I took this heirloom to Buxton and installed it in it’s new pride of place in my sitting room, it refused to start. Eventually, a clock repairer from Sheffield dismantled it, put it back together again, and my great grandfather’s clock has kept pretty good time ever since.
This week, I plan to focus on the huge task of (further) decluttering and tidying up. I would like to think that I should have completed “clearing up” and have my lounge and bedrooms refurbished before I “leave the country” in August next year.
It’s now the early hours of Day 32. I think that this is the beginning of the 6th week of lockdown; it’s my fifth since coming back from abroad. I am beginning to miss a few things I would, until recently, take for granted, e.g., I am now hankering after wandering across London, and riding the Underground.
It’s goodnight from me, and thanks for reading. David. 00.21 hrs 27th April 2020.
David's Cruise 