The sky, yesterday wasn’t quite battleship grey, and I missed any blue sky that was up there. And, where had those sultry temperatures disappeared to? Was what went before another “flash-in-the-pan” heatwave? I do hope there’s a few more like that before summer’s inevitable defeat!
For a second time, cousin Peter paid me a visit on his way back home, this time, from the Lake District. With him was his son Benjamin and although not the best of days weather-wise, it was possible to sit out on the patio, all three of us in shorts! I brought out a tray of tea and Digestive Biscuits – my generosity knows no bounds! It was a pity that my shopping, which included strawberries and cream were delivered after their visit. Nevertheless, we nattered in the back garden from just before 10 am until twenty-five minutes past one. They were not desirous of lunch; by the time I bade them farewell, I felt hungry. A dish I had prepared previously was ready for reheating, fresh spaghetti ready for cooking. Yet another impressive effort on my part!
This morning, before my daily shower, there came a knock on my front door. I made myself fairly presentable and went down to answer it. A stranger in all-over yellow hi-vis garb asked if I could move my red car, parked adjacent to the concrete lamp-standard in front of my house. This is to be replaced presumably by something much more efficient. Another bit of history bites the dust. I’m unsure whether I disapprove or not. The replacements I have seen elsewhere are ok. As a small boy, I was always fascinated by the lampposts around where I started to grow up. They were green cast iron structures with ornate lamp holders, the light being amplified by small sections of mirror, fixed in the “lampshade”. And the light itself, appeared to emanate from merely any household bulb, but probably with a different fitting to discourage pilfering. (This was the case on trains!) Walking home along Marsland Road, from Brooklands Station with Mummie and Daddie, after a Halle Concert in Manchester, all the lampposts would go out, giving a real sense of lateness. I think this would happen shortly after 10 o’clock. The onset of climate change could certainly be retarded considerably if such measures could be re-introduced world wide. New York and Shanghai do look most spectacular at night time, along with other major cities across the globe. But, surely, there is infinite room for careful cutting back.
The weekend is almost here; and as ever, the weeks seem to pass like days, the months like weeks etc etc. The car illustrated goes for its M.O.T. on Monday. It has served me well since acquiring in April 2016, and I hope it continues to do so.
Thanks for reading, David 10.35 14th August 2020.
David's Cruise 