FRIDAY 27th August.
The dithering is over…half way through January, I board RMS Queen Mary 2 for her 28 night voyage to the Eastern Caribbean, calling at Madeira on the way out and Tenerife on the way back. Apart from Barbados which I am looking forward to revisiting, the rest of the ports of call are places I have not visited previously. There will be few opportunities for basking in the sun for the first three and final three days of the voyage, the other twenty or so days will be sheer bliss! My booked cabin, on Deck 12, has no windows; the few remaining ocean-view and balcony cabins having been sold during the few days I dithered wondering whether to go, or not!
This is merely the “overture” to the “biggie” in May when I visit Japan and South Korea for the first time before sailing on to Alaska and Vancouver, exploring North America by train and sailing home from New York. I am enjoying looking forward to these adventures but in the back of my mind, I am well aware of the continuing pandemic. I won’t be surprised if my travel ambitions have to rearranged yet again, nor will by overly annoyed – I don’t think.
Yesterday, I was introduced to yet another, but thankfully, easier walk in the nearby moorlands. From one of the highest points on the A537 road from Buxton to Macclesfield, being quite a clear day, it was possible to make out the Malvern Hills in Worcestershire, faintly on the very distant horizon. On the clearest of days, it is also possible to pick out the mountains of the Lake District. That wasn’t possible yesterday. I parked on the car park of the Cat and Fiddle, now a whisky distillery which purports to be the highest in the land. This place used to merely be a pub which I never felt overly comfortable in. I’m not keen on pubs anyway! However, after a short period of closure, it has morphed into a distillery which visitors can be shown around, as well as an eatery specialising in pies, mash and peas. The whole place is extremely nice, and I felt very comfortable there enjoying a “post-walk” cup of tea. Opposite, a bridleway connects this road with that of the Congleton road, I think around 1.5 miles distant. This provides an easy opportunity to get into the countryside rather than just seeing it from the car. I had allowed the battery on this device to almost deplete, thus keeping photography to a minimum. Here, however, are a few views I enjoyed yesterday.
SATURDAY 29th August
While I enjoyed my day yesterday, today is much brighter and warmer. Nevertheless, I didn’t leave the house until after 3.30 this afternoon. So far, my good intentions to go for another walk remain just that, good intentions. I am on my way, however, but, awaiting a light lunch at a nearby cafe and bookstore, where I am at risk of taking root yet again. The lunch came, and yes, it was light. For whatever reason, service felt incredibly slow; there are numerous signs around the place requesting patience. I obliged, the lady at the cash till was rushed off her feet, while elderly customers dithered and fumbled, as the queue grew! This is impressive! The tea is presented just like Mother used to; proper leaf tea with strainer, and a jug of hot water.
Buxton and the surrounding area is vastly different from when I moved away from leafy Cheshire to Harpur Hill in August 1975. Restaurants were aplenty in that part of the world, many well represented in The Good Food Guide which Father would refer to frequently! Numerous dinners out may well have laid the foundations of my diabetes, decades later, although I think Cunard had a big hand in this also! Unlike forty-six years ago, Buxton now has a wide choice of places to eat. Where I am now once was an old fashioned garage where the attendant would serve the amount of fuel you requested. The premises were re-purposed to a “must-visit” bookstore at which simple coffee/tea facilities were added, and now, a wonderful tea room with wide choice of hot and cold fare is offered. This is less than a mile from where I live, and even closer, is The Parks Inn, described frequently in previous blogs. Britain’s said-to-be highest whisky distillery offers luxurious sitting areas and good food. This really is a good place to live – er – in the summertime at least.
I needed to return home fairly urgently. However, I did go on a walk over a route I am familiar and comfortable with. It’s just over two miles, which is better than nothing! I revisted the portion of the former Cromford and High Peak Railway which overlooks much of Harpur Hill.
I have to be extremely careful (and disciplined) these days, no longer being able to indulge in éclairs, Mars Bars, cakes, ice cream, biscuits, malt loaf, Black Forest gateaux or gateaux of any kind. Life somehow, does remain a pleasure. I gave up on alcohol decades ago, but I do miss a decent hot chocolate. Britvic fruit juices are out of the question. I have developed taste for, and can enjoy tap water provided I am in the U.K., North America or any similarly developed country.
SUNDAY 29th August
Today, I attended Church as usual, joining Tom for a coffee afterwards and then Roger for lunch. I had walked down, very aware that I needed to take the opportunity for some gentle exercise. After lunch, Roger took me on a guided tour of more of the area around Chelmorton. Although a rather easy walk this time, nevertheless there were several stiles. I struggle with these much more than when I was younger.
Tomorrow is Bank Holiday Monday. A fine warm day had been forecast, but now I learn that just like today, the skies are going to be overcast with temperatures like late autumn. Never mind! I doubt it will snow!
Many thanks for reading,
David, 00.30hrs Aug.30th.
David's Cruise 