This afternoon (Wednesday) sees me “chilling out” on a park bench in Buxton’s Pavilion Gardens shortly after 5. 10, as even just past midsummer’s day, there remains a feeling that the day is drawing to a close. It’s not cool enough to require long-sleeved attire; actually, the weather is nigh-on perfect.
The Old Hall Hotel, later in the evening.
I was reminded, earlier today, that next year sees the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, and now realise that if my travels come to fruition in 2022, I will be out of the Country when this historic and unlikely-to-be-repeated event takes place in June. (I suppose it’s just possible in the next thousand years or so, that a monarch could reign for over seventy years!) At first, I was rather annoyed with myself for arranging to be out of the Country at this very special time. Then, I remembered exactly where I shall be if travel restrictions to North America are lifted….on board Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth! I was on board R.M.S Queen Mary 2 at the time of the Diamond Jubilee in 2012. On that occasion, Cunard had put together what they announced was the greatest party in the Country. It would be hard to beat a gathering of the entire Cunard Fleet of albeit just three passenger ships. There are no such plans for 2022, and I wonder if Cunard have yet cottoned on to what will very likely be the “event of the century”. I say that because I remember the Silver Jubilee as if it were perhaps five years ago! I was 28 in 1977, and will be 73 next year, perish the thought!
Isn’t it wonderful being able to do as I please with no commitments or obligations. I just didn’t feel like preparing food for tonight’s supper, and chose to go into Buxton. My first choice Lone Star was fully booked. One can usually get in at the Old Hall, and its main restaurant is particularly attractive with its fresh linen table cloths, fine cutlery and sparkling glassware.
When Buxton International Festival (unfortunately marketed as BIF) gets underway, it will be difficult to enjoy a quiet meal. Tonight, I was one of just three in the main dining room. Nevertheless, the droaning of an elderly Welshman holding forth to two equally elderly women at the other end of the restaurant was more irritating than a near-by road drill. It was tonight, trying to write this blog, that I realised that I couldn’t do exactly as I pleased!
I remain a huge fan of the Crescent Hotel, to which the Old Hall is now attached as a business as well as architecturally. It is such a great pity that the pandemic prevented what might have been one of the grandest of re-openings. As previously written back in October, I did stay at The Crescent on its opening night and there was that “maiden voyage” sense of occasion at the time.
Earlier, I wrote not long after 5pm, while relaxing in the Pavilion Gardens, that it seemed as if the day was drawing to a close. Then, I received a welcome text inviting me to join a neighbour for tea in the garden. The sun became masked by cloud cover and the temperature dropped like my shares! Time to don a thick shirt for the evening. But tonight, when photographing the Old Hall, it felt beautifully mild. Right now, it really does feel as if the day is ending, and the night falling at the behest of the Almighty.
Again, I can’t do as I please; I don’t feel like going home yet, but really, I must.
While in the Gardens this afternoon, I came across the little railway which takes (mainly) children on a circular route within the 23 acres of landscaped grounds. This brought to mind a postcard which I acquired on eBay yesterday, depicting Sparrow Lee Station on the then brand new Leek and Manifold Light Railway. The Railway opened in 1904; the card was postmarked January 1905, and the handwritten message extolled the magnificence of the scenery through which the train passed. The line closed in 1934, and was converted to a walking route in 1937. Artefacts from this narrow gauge line are like hens’ teeth. Therefore to have two “official” postcards both written less than two years after the opening, I deem as “fortunate”.
Now, I really must drive home!
Thanks for reading, David, 22.53hrs Old Hall Hotel, Buxton
David's Cruise 