Wednesday 10th March, 09.21hrs
I awoke on Sunday at around 8.20 to find bright sunlight and blue skies “defeating” the black-out blind I had installed in those far-off days of (very occasionally) working night shifts. It is still effective during the long summer days when it is light at 4am! I was not sure how enthusiastic I was for going on a post-lunch walk, however. While not particularly cold, it did feel cool, even ‘though there was not much of a breeze.
I caught the last twenty minutes of Sunday Worship on Radio 4 and was rather impressed by the maturity of the youthful people who contributed to the programme who were inspiring to listen to.
I enjoyed a fine Vietnamese (and very healthy) lunch prepared over the road. And yes, although the sun had shied away behind recently gathered cloud cover, we set off for a similar “adventure” to the previous week, only this time, starting at the industrial estate and making our way home in the opposite direction, following a slightly longer route than the week before. While this route is by no means “pretty”, for the historian, there is much to discover in terms of relics from the early days of industrial development. It was a pity that the sun was not out to enhance the numerous panoramic views along this walk.
Memories of that glorious South America voyage, which this time last year I was still very much enjoying, were rekindled when the oil painting of that voyage’s individual logo, which I had bought at an on-board charity auction at the time, was returned to me, framed and glazed with “museum” glass so that it can be displayed with minimal risk of light damage. This was signed on board by the Captain, and remains visible on the reverse side, protected by perspex.
Locally, I was rather pleased to add a number of railway tickets to my collection from the former Buxton to Ashbourne railway line, now converted to an off – road cycle and walking route, much of the way being known as the Tissington trail. I have had a fascination with this line, which closed to regular passenger traffic in 1954, since moving to Buxton. Just about all of the former railway from Whaley Bridge to Cromford as well as Ashbourne is accessible by foot, cycle or horseback. Artefacts from these two railways are always of interest and perhaps, cherished in numerous collections.
On Monday, the glazier called to finish off the work in the carport, i.e. new door and windows. This small area has been much improved.
That’s about it for now. Many thanks for reading, David, 10.27hrs 10/3/21.
David's Cruise 