2/01/22
Welcome to my first blog of the New Year.
There is much to look forward to, and perhaps a few bullets to dodge along the way; nothing changes!
Looking ahead, I am expecting to reacquaint myself with R.M.S. Queen Mary 2 a week on Friday. Just last week, I received “important instructions” from Cunard which if printed, might span several hundred pages of “small-print.” There seem to be more hoops than usual to be granted entry to the ship. Comprehensive travel insurance is compulsory (quite right too), and plenteous evidence with official provenance of whatever vaccinations are required at the time. There is plethora of other stuff to read through in Cunard’s e-mail, there’s more here than in the Old Testament….perhaps I exaggerate a little. However, it remains with anticipation, excitement and pleasure that I look forward to a re-enactment (partially) of life before the pandemic, driving to Southampton on Thursday with my neighbour who will return my car to Buxton, a convivial dinner, a glorious sleep at a hotel I have become fond of, and, a magnificent “diet-unfriendly” breakfast. One of the hoops I will need to jump through is an official Lateral Flow Test, which these days are not as unpleasant as they once were. There is also documentation which needs to be completed before I disembark on 11th February. It seems that this, too, can be taken care of before departure from home. Despite all this, I am greatly reassured by the comprehensive strategies Cunard have implemented to keep their ships fully sanitised, and the enormous effort to make sure its passengers (sorry, guests) have a superb time. But, it does feel strange being so far away when, in the last almost two years since the pandemic was established, the furthest I have travelled is Lancaster! In days of yore, I would regard a transatlantic crossing as a “commute.” And it is that “commute” which will bring the curtain down on my planned travels for 2022, in mid July. No, I’m not away for seven months; I am home from mid February to when I go away again on 2nd May.
Yesterday, a second person from Church invited me to join a small group for lunch. Being New Year’s Day, although having had only one very small glass of Baileys to see in 2022 the night before, I felt suitably groggy, and on getting up, slumped in front of the TV, half asleep, as YouTube videos failed to keep my attention. At around 1.15, I was roused by a vibrating in my trouser pocket. “Ye gods! Somebody is calling me on New Year’s Day.” “It’s Rosemary here” came the unfamiliar tones of the caller. “Where are you?” “Harpur Hill” I replied, still confused. “You’re supposed to be at Phillip’s for…..”then I remembered the lunch I had been invited to. I kept any expletives to myself and assured Rosemary that I was on my way. Fortunately, Philip the host, was unaware I had not showed up and the four of us enjoyed a splendid Seasonal lunch. What was remarkable is that the host who will soon be 91, remains sprightly and prepared a traditional lunch “from scratch.” I felt privileged to be there, and after the other two guests had departed, I enjoyed a fascinating “one – to – one” with the retired clergyman whom I have known since joining the congregation of St.John’s in the early 1990s. At one time, I was not overly keen on Christmas. But now, being retired, and no longer having commitments and obligations, I rather like the explosion of Christmas lights in people’s houses, and all the other things which brighten up the dullness of a winter in northern Europe. I even made more of an effort myself, and will be quite sad to take down the tree, cards and crib on 6th January.
There was no service at St. John’s today, there never is on the first Sunday of the New Year. Usually, the ancient St. Anne’s comes to life on this day. For some reason, it was decided that the New Year service would be at the lovely Christ Church Kingsterndale, around 5 miles from Buxton Town Centre. Initially, I intended having “the day off from Church,” the service being at the ungodly hour of 9.30. But, I was up and about, despite still going to bed late last night.
Few people attended, which was a pity. The Curate, and Reader, Sheila conducted a service I was very pleased to have attended. A small organ is situated at the back of this tiny church. Either the organist was superb, or the hymns were a very convincing recording. Not having eyes in the back of my head, it was hard to tell.
Although situated in open country, I doubt if Kingsterndale is much further from where I live than St. John’s in the town centre.
A lamb shank roast at The Royal Oak this afternoon leaves the rest of my day content and rejuvenated.
So beginneth another year, during which I wish all is well with everyone.
David, 2nd January 2022, 15.53hrs Hurdlow, the Derbyshire Dales (I think!)
David's Cruise 