Days 115 (Sunday 19th July) and 116.

Haircut THIS THURSDAY, 10 am

CAN’T WAIT!

Actually, I am beginning to like my unkempt grey hair that has not seen scissors since early February. The hairdresser on board Cunard’s Queen Victoria must have done a decent job, as my hair has “grown long gracefully”.

Sunday morning started earlier than I would have liked. Outside, it was bright and sunny, and I was kidded momentarily into thinking that it was around 9.30. In fact, it was something past 5am. I could, I thought, do what people I know do, start their day there and then, and get a load done before the real start of the day. I’m not sure if I got back to sleep for a while. I was never an “early bird” no matter how hard I tried especially when I couldn’t swap from early shifts at work. Fortunately at that time, there were colleagues who had an equal dislike of late shifts which I always enjoyed. The vintage digital clock-radio on my bedroom desk proclaimed that 07.00hrs had passed and there was less than an hour to go until Morning Worship at 8.10 on Radio 4. I liked the service the previous week. For some reason this Sunday, it didn’t hold my attention the same way. What did stand out was the children’s choir’s rendition of (I think) a 14th century hymn. These young people were very highly trained, and their embryonic voices were “to perfection”. After an exploration of the parable of the man who built his house on stone etc., the leader of the service gave an account of his life, initially in the Anglican Church, later defecting to the Roman Catholic Church. I know more two or three who have made this switch. For whatever reason, my mind went back to all those splendid elaborate churches in South America and Mexico which I had visited during my numerous travels, somewhat incongruous in or close to poor areas. If and when I ever have a better theological grasp, I may well do the same; or join the Baptists!

Buxton Festival organised a live concert outside the Opera House on Sunday afternoon. Really, I should have gone along. I think that it was well supported. However, I am still self isolating, which I doubt is doing me a lot of good right now. Like going up in aeroplanes (these days referred to as airplanes), I don’t like going into town at the moment. And the thought of trying and failing to “social distance” at a concert deterred me from leaving the house. By the way, I have long since got over my short-lived fear of flying, probably brought on by being “hooked” on “Air-crash Investigation!”

I went to bed late last night in the hope of not waking up at “silly o’clock”.

I was still awake early this morning, having dreamed of being at the opening night of the Buxton Festival in an absolutely packed Buxton Opera House. The audience was then asked to pick up their seats and sit two metres from each other. Everywhere I chose to sit was blocking somebody’s view, and in any case, the call of nature was becoming increasingly troublesome. I woke up!

The day was bright, but not very warm. Much to my annoyance, I needed to put on the heating, but only for around an hour. The housekeepers were due at 1.45pm so I decided to revisit the Royal Oak where a good lunch is guaranteed. They made a superb job of cleaning the place.

I had learned that Comet Neowise might be visible in the night sky. There have been spectacular photographs on the internet. The sky seems clear tonight so I shall travel out of town to where there is no light pollution in the hopes of seeing this heavenly occurrence.