For whatever reason last night, I found it hard to concentrate for any appreciable length of time. The cloak of fatigue had descended prematurely, and, if I had “used my loaf”, I would have gone to bed equally prematurely.
Rather than wash up, I shoved all the used cutlery and crockery into the dish washer which will now be loaded ready to go in a day or so. But, at around 10.15 last night, although tired out, I didn’t feel like “getting my head down” quite yet. The news channels wittered on about Covid and Brexit (it’s hard to tell the difference), and the rest of what was on offer was of little or no interest. But now, with my fancy Sky package, I can access anything I want to watch or listen to, from Mahler to the Patti Smith Group, or, watch a train journey over the Cromford and High Peak line. I have yet to “type in” Manchester Corporation buses, my very first interest as an infant!
So, last night, I adjusted the ear pod headphones, and typed in one of the first tracks I played as a D.J. in the late 1970s, “Because the Night” by the Patti Smith Group. I found five different renditions including the studio version which was once part of my record collection. Mixed in there was a performance by the still lovely Joan Baez, singing the Dire Straits anthem “Brothers in Arms”. This hour of musical indulgence straggled midnight as, without disturbing the neighbours, I was “blown away” not only by the music, but, with the ingenious technology to make all this possible.
The mellow tones of last night’s “play-list” seemed to lull me into a good sleep, and for a second time, this morning, I awoke disgustingly late. I needed to go into Buxton primarily to send a parcel across the north Atlantic, and buy further Christmas bits, as well as binders in which to insert my collection listings. There were plenty of people in town, obviously busy preparing for Christmas. I am never ready for this time of year, but I am trying to make an effort.
This afternoon, I arrived home and heated up some tomato soup (not the tinned variety), lightly buttered two pieces of wholemeal bread, and settled in front of the TV where I had found a stunning performance of Mahler’s Resurrection Symphony. It is rather like bi-polar disorder set to music. I have loved this work ever since my elder sister introduced me to it while I was still at Primary School. And the performance with the Lucerne Festival Orchestra (which I never heard of), conducted by Claudio Abbado lifts this already overwhelming work to a new level. Thus, I am leaving the remaining four movements to later tonight.
Although cool, around 3 degrees Celsius, there is little or no wind, and it is pleasant outside. Annoyingly, the cafes have to remain closed, and thus I have to prepare my own meals, which means staying at home. With luck, tomorrow will also be nice. Our local pub does excellent take-away Sunday lunches. I shall avail myself of one of these. I am booked to attend Eucharist at Christ Church Burbage tomorrow morning. If I over sleep a third day, I may well not make it. One week after Advent Sunday, because all churches were closed due to the pandemic, St. John’s are celebrating Advent tomorrow evening. Behind the scenes, the Parish are working “flat-out” to make the best of an unprecedented situation this Christmas.
Time to prepare a late lunch, and hopefully start on the Christmas cards!
Thanks for reading, David, Saturday 5th December 2020, 15.38hrs.
David's Cruise 