” I hate to put it to you” announced Dave Cousins at a Strawbs concert in the Buxton Opera House not so many years ago, “There are just 30 shopping days to Christmas!” (30 is a rough guess, I think that concert was in November).
And this year, despite all the “warnings” Christmas Day this year is in just two weeks. I have had tons of time to prepare, but this year, just like any other, I remain ill-prepared.
The week started much as any other in November, cold grey and damp and more or less stayed that way, with bits of mist swirling around intermittently throughout the week until Thursday. I was far from interested in going walking at the end of the week, if cold winds were going to blow, and the dampness continue.
I did get to write and send a number of Christmas cards. And today, Friday 11th December, blue skies made their first appearance this week. The previous Sunday had also been mild. Today, I did feel like walking even if somewhat out of shape. Roger joined me for a return trip to the Goyt Valley where we retraced our earlier steps of the summer to the Whaley Bridge end of Burbage Tunnel closed to railway traffic as far back as c1893. It was slightly chilly but far from unpleasant, as the pictures I enclose show.
Before going to bed tonight, I shall watch a further episode of “The Stranger” on Netflix. This version was filmed in and around Manchester and Stockport; the local setting not detracting from a good story set originally, in New Jersey. Best watched at 1am! I have just read some of the reviews which tell me the final episode (8) is disappointing….great! I shall enjoy the final two episodes tomorrow.
Many thanks for reading,
Season’s Greetings, David 22.55, 11/12/20.
David's Cruise 