Lockdown 2 was announced on Saturday night to commence tomorrow, Thursday, Day 222. Yesterday, I went with Roger for lunch at the Bull i’ Thorn some three miles from home on the A515 road to Ashbourne and beyond. It was far too cold, at times wet, and windy to entertain going for a walk afterwards. The Bull i’ Thorn dates back to the 15th century and for most, if not, all of its life (as far as I know) it has been a hostelry of one kind or another. During my now more than forty-five years living near Buxton, I have dined there on numerous occasions and been the D.J. there for several functions, where dances were held frequently. My friend Freda tells me she went to dances at the Bull I’ Thorn often, in her younger days. It is that ballroom which has become the setting for a very nice tea-room and cafe. The very old part of the building remains off limits to the public since the pub and restaurant closed some months ago. So, this would be our last meal out for at least twenty-eight days.
On Monday, I did little of note, except for contacting somebody to see about numerous windows at my house where condensation has ingressed between the two panes of glass – known as “bursting”. Also, damp seems to getting through to the dining area walls which I had plastered and painted thirteen years ago. It seems the carport roof needs serious attention, to seal the area below from leakage during increasingly stormy weather. Replacing the burst double glazing is no problem, but the carport structure is another matter.
I was rather pleased. I came across, a box of badged crockery, tons of the stuff. Seemingly, the Mothers’ Union in Buxton was once a large and thriving national group, affiliated to a global organisation. I certainly remember my mother being a keen member when I was growing up. The Mothers’ Union still exists but the Buxton group have recently disbanded. I offered what I considered to be a reasonable donation, which was accepted, to put the whole lot into my collection, and unlike other crockery I have saved, actually use some of it. Thus, another slice of local social history survives for a few more years at least (hopefully!)
I became interested in “badged” china ware and pottery after coming across (by accident) a jug and bowl set from The Peak Hydropathic, a hotel which closed in the early 1920s eventually housing the Buxton Museum in one part, The Law Courts and the British Legion Club in the rest of the building. From what I gather, it was never really successful as an hotel, and was sold by auction in 1915. I have a number of copies of the auction catalogue, in various states of condition, detailing every part of the hotel. Thus, coming across what was left of the Buxton Mothers’ Union crockery and badged teaspoons was, for me, something of a find.
For the first time, the battery on my silver Peugeot 508 became drained, and needed charging up overnight. This used to be a regular problem with my little red hard-top convertible. The “big” car goes for servicing tomorrow. Will I eventually need a new battery? We’ll see. And today, I replaced the microwave I wrecked a few months ago forgetting to empty the contents of a tin of soup into a non metal bowl before heating up for lunch. That was a spectacular and ultimately expensive “mess-up”.
I am told that the planet Mars is closer in its orbit, to the Earth than it has been for around thirty years. The “red planet” was prominent tonight in the sky above the roof tops where I live. The learning curve continues and life becomes even more fascinating.
I do hope the U.S. elections come to close, soon. I try not to get worked up about politics in this country, let alone those of somewhere else.
Thanks for reading, David 21.30hrs 4/11/20.
Sent 5th November, a day late.
David's Cruise 