Writing on Thursday 20th May.
I am taking a second much needed break (this week) from charity walking, only because the weather is lousy, and I’m waiting for the Sky Broadband man to call to hopefully, once and for all, fix my internet so that I can have the speed guaranteed in my Sky Fibre deal. He is due anytime between 1 and 6 pm. The internet does work far better than previously, but not to the level guaranteed for which I am paying.
While preparing lunch yesterday, I Yesterday, I received a ‘phone call inviting me to join a small party of people for a “Crescent Experience”….immediately. Actually, this was at about 12.20, and the tour was scheduled for 1 pm. I rearranged lunch; Roger was joining me, prior to another walk, again in the Chelmorton area.
What should have taken around forty minutes was, in fact, just less than an hour and forty minutes, still not really enough time to absorb all there was to see and do at the now reopened (for a second time) hotel.
Friday 21st May, 14.07hrs, at the Tradesman’s Entrance.
Back to Wednesday.
I arrived home from this fascinating visit to The Crescent at around 3 o’clock, too late to “squeeze in” the planned walk, after what had become an ultra late lunch. Instead, I set off in the evening on one of my established routes, completing my walking commitment for that day.
Yesterday, the promised lousy weather materialised as if mandated by a nemesis! I took an unscheduled day off, half promising to myself that should the weather be equally horrible on Friday (today), I might just go out nevertheless. The weather was, and after sibling encouragement, I did. The cool southerly breeze (which I think originated in the north, but had no time to warm up) was behind me for most of the way into Town. Then, wonder of wonders…small but increasing evidence of blue sky and actual sunshine. No taxi home then!
Having a letter to deliver, and a cheque to pay in provided further suitable reason to risk a drenching, which, so far, hasn’t happened! The Tradesman’s Entrance is closing now. 14.49hrs.
18.21 hrs, back at home. Perhaps, I “wrote too soon!” The abundance of blue sky before a light(ish) lunch at the Tradesman’s Entrance was nowhere to be seen when I left the building; indeed, the heavens had opened up again! Of course, I was now committed to walking back in all this. I would return home via the Opera House where I would purchase a ticket for a Buxton Festival event at the Assembly Rooms in The Crescent. Social distancing still applies, and “single” seats are few and (as they should be) far between. At least, now, I will get to see the inside of this magnificent room, where I aspire to hold my 75th birthday celebrations! Posters near by reminded me of the annual Antiques Fair for which I had been issued with a complimentary ticket. I conducted a modest (or, should I say minuscule) amount of business with a couple of dealers. I came away with two antique prints of Buxton churches, annoyingly both colourized, but nevertheless of historical interest. Also, a large(ish) slab of polished Blue John, a favourite stone of mine which I have liked since boyhood. Both dealers very kindly supported my sponsored “walk” on which I am still ahead of schedule. I did hope that the rain would have eased up by the time I was walking home again. No such luck; the drenchings which I had dodged all of last week caught up with me as by the time I had exited the Pavilion Gardens, I was as wet as I going to be.
So far, I have achieved at least 237,000 steps leaving 63,000 to complete in the remaining ten days of May.
I did arrive home needing to put on some fresh clothes, but nonetheless with a feeling of satisfaction of having made it back, comfortably, if not dry. But I have no intention of venturing out again tonight!
Many thanks for reading, David, 19.08 hrs in the comfort of my own bedroom.
David's Cruise 