Also, Days 3, 4, 5, and 6 of LENT
Monday 22nd February 2021, 08.23 hrs.
The weekend which seemed to approach ever so quickly last week, has itself, “become history”. And so beginneth a new week, grey and uninspiring outside, but at least, it’s not cold. I remember little of Friday; it was just an ordinary day, and on Saturday, apart from making further progress cataloging my ocean liner memorabilia, I spent much of the day enjoying YouTube footage. In the evening, I settled down to watch the disaster movie San Andreas, the plot of which is fairly obvious, the biggest earthquake ever to hit California. Like many films of this genre, it centred around a family in the middle of domestic (and tragic) upheaval, brought together, predictably by the unexpected onset of shaking streets and collapsing high-rises. A tsunami (unexpected) was the icing on this cake of utter catastrophe. Despite the spectacular imagery of San Andreas, I slept peacefully as if I had merely listened to a Beethoven sonata!
On Sunday, I awoke fresh from a good night’s sleep. Lunch over the road was scheduled for 1.30 that afternoon. Despite the usual excesses of Sunday lunch, Roger and I had little difficulty walking along the old railway which overlooks where I live, and further up from where amazing panoramic views can be marvelled at. Again, one can see much evidence of the extensive industry that prevailed in the 19th and part of the 20th centuries. A network of walking and cycling routes had, around two years ago, been opened as a government initiative to encourage fitness among the population. This represented a huge investment, but was opened with no apparent ceremony.
The heavy rain forecast for the afternoon did not materialise although the lead-coloured clouds like gatherings of industrial smoke gave more than a hint of a potential downpour.
I had watched much of the morning’s Eucharist from Lichfield Cathedral at the actual time it was taking place. This was the widely used Common Worship “version” introduced in 2000. I would find, later in the day, again from Lichfield Cathedral, the traditional Holy Communion from childhood days. Of course, it is that which I prefer!
There’s a full week ahead. This afternoon, our much revered prime minister will be announcing his “road map” out of Lockdown Three. I expect more caution and less optimism than at our exit from the first lockdown in July last year. And, I fear I won’t be able to get a haircut anytime soon!
Many thanks for reading,
David, 09.17, Monday 22nd February 2021.
David's Cruise 