Author: davidscruise

Wishing everybody all the best for Christmas and the New Year!

David, 10.04 hrs, Saturday December 25th 2021

Monday 13th December 2021

I’m stating the obvious again;  December is well on the way to bringing the curtain down on what feels like a short year.  Despite being fully vaccinated against the vagaries of the pandemic, I remain nervous about catching covid-19 whatever the variant. As I think I have remarked not so long ago, as winter storms are christened with names, usually in alphabetical order, variants of covid-19 are given names, seemingly from the Greek alphabet. “Omicron” followed “Delta”, and I would have to Google other official names for covid variants.  None of it makes obvious sense, just like the vague restrictions we are compelled to obey.

Yesterday, I woke (as in awakened, not political correctness….) just in time for BBC R4’s Sunday Worship, which I tune into if in any form of consciousness at 8.10 on a Sunday morning.  Ye Gods! Christmas carols sung to weird jazz arrangements.  Not “my bag” I’m afraid.  However, the day did improve. I attended Sung Eucharist at St. John’s, as usual.  The choir had been given a day off, owing to unexpected lack of enough choristers. And because of the latest covid restrictions, coffee/tea was not offered after the service which ended earlier than usual. 

In the afternoon, I was on duty as the “sound-man” at the rehearsal of Buxton Musical Society’s annual Christmas concert.   The actual event at 7 o’clock that evening was nothing short of splendid.  Today, I made a start on decorating the house for Christmas, partially inspired by this joyous event.

Thursday 16th December 22.31hrs

The week seems to have flown by. I have acquired new Christmas decorations for this year. However, I have a long way to go before to achieve anything tastefully spectacular. My neighbour Roger has built a magnificent crib which can be clearly seen from the Lane in front of my house. Any complimentary comments are passed on; I can only take credit for the concept and acquiring the nativity figures.

There are just four weeks until I embark on an Eastern Caribbean cruise. Many of my recent travel arrangements were cancelled in 2020 and 2021; so far, I have not heard anything about January’s voyage being called off. My booked cabin is on Deck 12 (QM2) leaving just Deck 2 to complete “the set.” Since 2004, I have enjoyed voyages in accommodation on Decks 3,4,5,6,8,9,10,11, and 13….in the seventeen, nearly eighteen years since QM2’s maiden voyage. I still regard Queen Mary 2 as a new build.

Friday 17th December 13 05hrs The Tradesman’s Entrance.

After going to bed later than planned last night, I overslept this morning, waking up just after nine o’clock. No news from Cunard seems to reassure me that next month’s sunshine cruise is still running, even if the Carnival share price might indicate otherwise!

My attempts to brighten up the house for Christmas have only been partially successful. The last Christmas tree available from B & Q is indeed a success, as are the battery lit baubles which hang therefrom. You can’t go wrong with tinsel, but, I have had mixed results from other Christmas lighting which comes in nice boxes, all tangled up and with incomprehensible instructions in numerous languages and questionable English. I have 12 months to get my head around these for December 2022!

And, what are the prospects for the New Year? It’s hard to tell. Omicron is set to be included (I imagine) in the latest edition of the Oxford English Dictionary. Hopefully, I will resume regular walking in an attempt to impress my diabetic nurse…i.e. the nice NHS lady who checks my diabetic condition – not my nurse who is diabetic- far from it!

Many of my seasonal cards are in the post or hand-delivered. I hope to have the rest dealt with in time. Even retired with (supposedly) oodles of time on my hands, I still can feel the pressure of this time of year. But, far better that than, a winter period of “solitaryness.” I don’t dread Christmas like I did at one time; the tacky music and seasonal commercials on the TV and radio irritate me less these days. Whatever happens (provided it’s not life-threatening) I am going to enjoy Christmas and the New Year – throughout 2022!

HAPPY CHRISTMAS folks! David 13.50 hrs The Tradesman’s Entrance.

That’s gone quick, and once again, the run-up to Christmas has descended just as “unexpectedly” as in previous years.  However, my cards are on my desk ready for writing at the start of next week.  And right now, I am savouring the lingering taste of a “Korai curry” which came highly recommended at my favourite Indian eatery which I like to frequent around every ten days.

Some weeks ago, I had volunteered to “man” a Christmas stall today, believing it would take place in a church hall or similar indoor venue.  Only a week ago would I discover that this would be a part of the main (windswept and rained out) Buxton Market.  And thankfully, the organisers chose to call it a day when I turned up with Tom to run the stall for 90 minutes.  That wind was merciless as coverings blew away in defeat.  A light lunch then became the order of the day.  Tom continued his weekly stewarding commitment at St. Anne’s; I went home, achieving next to nothing, except watching Netflix for an hour or three, and some extraordinarily rare railway footage on YouTube.  How can I say I’m not a fan of modern technology.  It’s astonishing what is available; if I wish to hear a Beethoven concerto, or look at images of anywhere, anything from any time, it is usually available on YouTube (but not always!) And I would never have written 684 “essays” or blogs which, if they don’t become irrevocably buried, should make interesting reading decades from now.  Maybe they won’t; the writings of, e.g., soldiers in WW1 are of infinitely superior quality, and of much more intricate detail than any of my efforts.

It was my neighbour over the road who, back in late 2017 encouraged me to write a blog charting a World Voyage on board R.M.S Queen Mary 2 in January 2018. Initially, I wasn’t keen on the idea; but was intending to keep a conventional diary of this trip of a lifetime. The beauty of a blog, however, is that it can be followed by anybody who wishes to, as and when published. Also, I could include photographs. Writing blogs from home is quite straightforward. But, my first writings were from on board ship, which is not so straightforward as internet connection and reliability is reminiscent of the vagaries of short wave radio, on which, as a small boy, I would be fascinated by the fading in and out of foreign broadcasts I could pick up on an old Bush wireless. The melody of the Russian national anthem remains etched in my memory to this day. I digress! I would use my new skills as a blogger just for travels to far away places and other notable events. Arriving back to the first lock-down of the current pandemic struck me as a “notable event.” The only trouble is, almost 21 months later, the “event” is far from over. Will it ever be? It seems that every effort to return to normality is thwarted by the advent of a new variant. And like winter storms, these variants get christened with weird names. Omicron! Nobody seems to know the correct pronunciation. And I haven’t yet managed to create a pun on Omicron. There’s one in there somewhere!

So endeth what I understand is my 684th blog. The daily “stats” tell me that even when I don’t write, there is a small number of visitors and views, which I find encouraging. My voyage to the Caribbean in January is still running. It will make for more interesting writing, and I shall be thankful to be venturing to warmer climes in the not too distant future.

Many thanks for reading; I shall write at least once before December 25th. In the unlikely event of this not happening, Happy Christmas to you all. Best wishes, David. 5/12/21 00.27hrs.

In the Bleak (not so quite) Midwinter, Frosty wind made moan; Buxton stood as hard as iron, Harpur like a stone. Snow had fallen snow on snow, snow not gone away, in the Bleak November, just Yesterday, and Today. Poetry and parody are not my strong points! The News and the newspapers had warned of storms from the North, in fact, a storm severe enough to be christened Arwen. Are! When will this go away?! For once, the impending gloom predicted in the media was perhaps underestimated the disruption more typical of mid January than of late November. Yesterday, a biting north wind blew incessantly along the Lane; I stayed in, fortunately with ample supplies to get me through the next few days at least. I enjoyed my day at home, either watching Netflix or YouTube videos, or catching up with other bits and pieces. I still went to bed late.

Today, I was determined to dig the car out in good time for Church. I had put on several layers to keep warm, and ventured outside. “I’m getting a taxi to Buxton” I decided with next to no hesitation, as I had a job to stand up on the uneven slippery surface outside. It was my turn to read in Church today and was there in plenty of time. My revised plan was, after the service, to have lunch in Buxton, and stay there until the Advent Service at 6 pm. I felt that going home after lunch, I wouldn’t want to come out again. Roger and Tom joined me, with Roger choosing to walk home after a leisurely hot meal and several coffees. Tom and I adjourned to St. John’s where I would wait patiently, but enjoying the rehearsal for tonight’s candle-lit service. I would also, while waiting, write this blog, and also trawl eBay for railway/ocean liner related items. I hadn’t even settled down in a pew when it was announced that owing to the weather, the Advent Service was now cancelled. So, here I am at home, once again, all nice and warm and comfortable while the smart meter takes off like an out-of-control UFO!

I don’t always dislike the cold. Back in January 2014, I flew to New York to collect a display model (approved by Cunard) of R.M.S. Queen Mary 2 housed on a brass wood-mounted plinth in a kind of perspex case.

I had admired this perfectly detailed replica when visiting one of my cruising colleagues at his residence in Lower Manhattan the previous June. “You can buy it off me if you like,” I was told. A deal was struck, and in January 2014, I would fly out to New York, and stay overnight at the Seafarers and International accommodation a couple of blocks away from his apartment. As the plane touched down at Kennedy Airport, I could see outside that a blizzard was blowing, and I would learn that the airport closed to further traffic immediately after we had landed. A nice warm taxi whisked me to East 15th Street and 3rd Avenue along empty highways, save for one or two gritters battling to keep the roads clear. It had been a long day, and at around 22.15 hrs Eastern Time, or 03.15 hrs GMT, despite two excellent and filling meals courtesy of Kuwait Airways, by now, I was feeling quite hungry, yet again. The taxi dropped me off at my accommodation, where I dumped my luggage. I doubt I have been in such cold weather, an Arctic vortex had descended from the North, but even so, I decided to walk (I think) two blocks to my favourite diner, Jo Junior’s on E16th and 3rd Ave. The wide streets were deserted, no sign of humanity anywhere, and, in the distance, a dim sign that just might indicate that Jo Junior’s was open for business. I persevered against the howling, freezing and suffocating wind, my ears feeling like porcelain. I staggered into an empty Jo Junior’s where the staff were gathered around a T.V. watching some sporting event or other. They looked at me as if I had dropped from another planet! I had….England! I was offered onion soup with door-step slices of wholemeal bread. The cold must have caused me to still want something more to eat. Massive ham and cheese sandwiches and a steaming decaf coffee did the trick. I told those there that I would be in for breakfast, paid my bill, and braved the cold deserted wide streets just once more. My description of this experience is inadequate, but I would have not “missed it for the world!” To see a normally vibrant part of a major city, empty of humanity at (by now) 11 o’clock on an early January Sunday night, just struck me as quite extraordinary. Back at the hotel, the howling wind and the distant wail of emergency vehicles lulled me into one of the best sleeps I had enjoyed for a very long time.

The morning was bitterly cold, but the wind had dropped and the sky, was now blue and almost cloudless. I went with my luggage to the apartment I had visited in June. The model was all nicely packed, but, of course, that hearty breakfast at Jo Junior’s was beckoning. My friend who had sold me the model, and his partner, had decided to come with me, on the “real QM2” to Southampton and then return the same day on the Queen Elizabeth.

Therefore, when it freezes in Buxton, I am reminded of that glorious time, in the “Bleak Mid Winter,” (of 2014) when I visited New York for the day, and “Snow had fallen, Snow on snow, Snow on snow!”

Many thanks for reading, David, 19.40hrs Advent Sunday.

It is almost a week since I heard the Faure Requiem for the first time in a very moving performance at St. John’s Church last Saturday night.  This was by way of an act of Remembrance, performed by the Buxton Bach Choir, with each section (or movement) separated by reflective poetry, some written during the First World War, some only recently, all read with unsurpassable confidence and tear-jerking authority.  This event was very well attended, and I was, as is usual these days, in charge of the sound mixing desk, and for the first time, the recently installed lighting system. 

This was all the more poignant; I learned that somebody I knew fairly well during my teenage years, and possibly a little later too, had passed away. Not a couple of weeks ago, but some years since. 

Today, Thursday, one of my work colleagues who keeps in touch rang me, mainly to “catch up” but also to let me know of a sailing to Vancouver which ties in perfectly with my forthcoming Alaska cruise and Amtrak railtour, described numerous times in recent blogs.  This would add 30 days to my current planned journey and negate the need to go up in an aeroplane.  Strangely, I was quite looking forward to flying to Vancouver, but, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to go there by ship instead, and get to travel westbound through the Panama Canal. Bookings opened this morning and there was just one balcony cabin available, similar to the one reserved from Vancouver.  I snapped it up, and quite unintentionally, I am now going to the Caribbean twice in 2022, with no duplication!  I am less pessimistic about the pandemic which has still not gone away. If these travel arrangements are postponed yet again, at least I will have enjoyed planning and looking forward to them.

I went into Buxton last night for curry. It was as good as ever. Outside were colourful reminders of the advent of Advent…and Christmas to follow. LED illuminated Christmas trees decorate every shop and business in Higher Buxton. And for the first time, I hope to have an illuminated crib adorning either my front garden or the ledge above my front door.

Many thanks for reading. David, 2028hrs 18th November 2021.

I always make the mistake of watching The News at 10pm. It was not so long ago that I was “inpulsed” into fuelling my cars ahead of possible diesel and petrol shortages. Last night, a late news item was the unusual event of the aurora borealis being highly visible in many parts of the U.K. The night was cold and reasonably clear; the first frost (that I am aware of) had formed, and the temperature in my car indicated -1 degree Celsius. What was to stop me witnessing this rare phenomenon? I put on some warm clothes, got into the car, and waited while the windows defrosted. Just before 11pm, I was on my way to a remote spot from where one can see across to Merseyside. Perfect for one of nature’s light shows. I expected to be disappointed. I was! Yet today, there are illustrated reports of the Northern Lights being visible from near where I live. I remain unconvinced by the illustrations. I may try again tonight!

That does not mean to say that the whole day was a disappointment. Far from it. Roger, over the road, had prepared his version of a Mexican stew, and invited me to enjoy his culinary expertise. We both helped ourselves to “seconds.” Outside, it felt bitterly cold, but I wanted to catch the remnants of the autumn colours. I have a new “favourite” walk. Perhaps a little over two miles, once again, it is along another section of the Cromford and High Peak Railway, a stretch along the banks of Errwood Reservoir. While very popular with dog-walkers, and people out for a stroll, one does feel “a million miles from anywhere” with its pocket of almost unsurpassable scenery. Actually, the are numerous such “pockets” in the Peak District, as well as its well known abundance of wider areas of stunning natural beauty.

Another weekend beckons. Tonight is Bonfire Night. But the pandemic seems to have put a dampener on this strange but popular celebration. I do like a good fireworks show, however.

Thanks for reading,

David, 12.23hrs 5th November 2021.

Thursday 28/10/21

Since the Buxton International Festival (BIF) Big Weekend a couple of weeks ago, apart from life’s pleasant routine, I have found little to write about that might be of interest. 

Yesterday, my travel agent called to confirm the “final touches” to my most extraordinary journey next year around the entire northern hemisphere.  I have described the itinerary in previous blogs, and yesterday, the “last piece of the jigsaw fell nicely into place, a night in Washington D.C. (having travelled by rail from the State of Washington), followed by a First Class trip on Amtrak’s high speed Acela train to New York.  I was delighted.  All was in place, and reservations secured, not only on the trains, but at hotels, either of historic note, or right next to the station. 

This morning, treating myself to a coffee at the Tradesman’s Entrance cafe in Buxton, I settled down to read my e-mails.  An important message from Cunard announced the cancellation of my voyage from Tokyo.  It was as if an intricate house of cards collapsed in an undignified heap! 

Actually, all is not lost. I could “salvage” the part of the journey which has not been cancelled, and still have a spectacular trip. We’ll see. 

Saturday 30/10/21

I don’t think it is surprising that, yesterday, I was on the ‘phone with my travel agent.  I suspect that my call was anticipated sooner rather than later!   All suggestions were attractive,  each taking in the existing travel arrangements from Vancouver to New York, and one taking in part of the previous voyage which now starts from Vancouver rather than Tokyo, 10 nights rather than 37.  Thus I have made up my mind!  (Probably) fly to Vancouver with arrangements by Cunard, at least three nights in Vancouver, again part of the Cunard package, and then, 10 nights revisiting Alaska on board Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth (at the height of Summer). I would then pick up the original Amtrak tour around (rather than straight across) the United States to New York. The one huge advantage of this revised itinerary is that I no longer dread the overnight eastbound flight to Tokyo, and the resulting jetlag.  I can (hopefully) visit Japan another time.

I needed to visit the opticians today in Bakewell, around 11 miles from where I live.  Thankfully, my eyes are in better shape than when I visited in June.  The “moratorium” on sugar seems to have paid off.  Now to ease up on all those other delights I have allowed to creep back into the diet. Winter is no time to adjust to salads!

I am enjoying the autumn colours which are now, probably at their most spectacular. Even if this is the harbinger of hard frosts, heavy snows and icy winds, I can look beyond that to the evaporation of winter when, hopefully, my snowdrops which “took industrial action” last year will grace my garden with their presence. Maybe the unexpected advent of pampas grass had something to do with the snowdrops’ failure to manifest themselves.

I am now back at home, having treated myself to a delicious but sensibly sized lunch at a cozy eatery on Bakewell’s main street. Chicken and leek pie with mash, garden peas and gravy kept me sustained until well after 9 pm. A bowl of porridge sufficed after then.

Time for some sleep; all of a sudden, midnight approaches. Many thanks for reading, David , 23.42hrs 30th October 2021. On Monday, it’s November!

Saturday 16th October

One thing I can say with a degree of qualification, life is not dull!.  Although bleary-eyed from the insomnia of the previous night, I was still able to enjoy autumnal Buxton in its role as holiday destination. The beauty is that unlike an unfamiliar place, I know my way around with confidence, but, this time,  through the eyes of a contented holiday maker! 

Sunday 17th October

I had just one “chauffeuring” assignment yesterday whose talk on the history and possible future of fascism was both fascinating and somewhat thought provoking.  There was little time between arriving back at my hotel, and, changing into formal evening wear for THE OPERA DINNER, in the magnificently restored Assembly Rooms, surely a major jewel in Buxton’s  Crown.  Originally, as mentioned previously, scheduled to be the first private event here, this celebration was well worth the wait until this weekend.  And apart from the occasional mask, there was no evidence of a pandemic. 

I don’t think that I have attended an occasion quite like this.  Dressing up in black tie attire, is something that I am well used to, even if fixing the black tie was more challenging than I remember, and necessitating the assistance of a passing guest!  I missed the drinks reception altogether, but that was more of a blessing considering that alcohol is no longer a pleasure, and soft drinks are sugar-laden.  Fizzy water is my one size fits all tipple these days!  My table companions, I assume, were glad of my wine allocation! 

I am not quite sure what my starter consisted of. It was, however, free of the increasing number of foods to which I am developing an intolerance, and gave the taste buds some pleasant exercise. Not sure of the nutritional value however.  Our plates were cleared efficiently by our waiters.  The entertainment began, two opera singers at the top of their game performing four or five well known arias or songs from the shows.  This heralded the main course, which although parsimonious in portion size, was delicious and actually, more filling than I expected it would be. 

More magnificent musical entertainment which was received, justifiably, with well oiled enthusiasm!   By this time, we had all purchased raffle tickets, one of this evening’s raison d’etre events.  It was a good prize, three diamonds with the opportunity to have them fashioned into an item of the winner’s choice. The draw would take place after dessert, and, despite my “generous?” investment, I (nor anybody at my table) would win!

Monday 18th October

Coffee followed dessert, then the prize draw, very generously provided by a well established local jeweller.  Then, the charity auction.  There were wonderful prizes, again courtesy of well known people/organisations.  I considered two prizes, a top of the range night at The Crescent,  and a personal tour of Chatsworth, for two with the Duke of Devonshire as tour guide.  My cautious instincts kicked in and actually resisted the temptation to bid!  It’s amazing, the effect of fizzy water!

Tuesday 19th October

All of a sudden, this star studded gala Opera Dinner was drawing to a close. I forgot to mention that TV personality Charles Hanson of Bargain Hunt fame was the auctioneer whose eye contact I avoided at all costs!  And I try not to watch Bargain Hunt!  

I made my way to my lovely fourth floor room, for once, not being the last to leave the party.  It was a superb evening, well worth the struggle with the bow tie!    Would the whirring of the air extraction fan in the bathroom as well as the half-hourly chimes of the Town Hall clock sabotage a by now much needed sleep?  No chance!  I almost did sleep for England!

Breakfast in the beautifully laid out dining room with linen tablecloths, serviettes, fine white china with elegant cutlery and glassware would be a final treat of the weekend.  Service was courteous, efficient and extremely pleasant. 

Soon, I was back at St. John’s Church for Sung Eucharist. I took my place at the mixing desk, which for some reason, was lifeless.  Yep, it had been unplugged!

I returned to The Crescent firstly to pick up the luggage I had left there, and to have coffee with a church colleague with whom I enjoy a social warm beverage after most services.  Then, I would join my neighbour over the road for a lunch which he had prepared specially, unknown to me. (I should check my messages more often)

In the evening, it was back to St. John’s for the first post-lockdown Buxton Musical Society concert of choral and orchestral works by Haydn and Mozart.  Excellent it was, too.  And apart from a few masks here and there, one felt as if the pandemic was confined to history.  Except that, on Monday afternoon, a message on my NHS App. informed me that sometime during Saturday, I had become close enough to a covid carrier as to be required to answer an online questionnaire. Thankfully, I was told that I don’t need to self isolate, but advised to get a PCR test, although this was not compulsory.   I did a thorough Lateral Flow Test at home in the evening which I was relieved to find, proved negative.  Nevertheless, my evening felt disrupted.  I am, indeed staying home all week as a precaution, but will venture out on Saturday for my booster jab.

It is now Tuesday afternoon. YouTube is providing a wonderful compilation of classical music and creative videos. All very impressive.

As you can see, I started writing on Saturday and only finished writing today, Tuesday.

Many thanks for reading, David 00.26hrs Wednesday 20th October.

You couldn’t make it up!  I was ready to sleep for England late last night as I slumped into the most comfortable bed in the world.  Actually, beds on Cunard ships are also pretty darned good! During the day, I had volunteered to meet guest speakers at Macclesfield Station, a voluntary task I thoroughly enjoy. This necessitated three trips to Macclesfield and after a lousy sleep at home the night before, I was convinced this evening, I would go out like a light. I didn’t! As I sunk into that most comfortable of beds, I had become aware of a distant but penertrating whirring sound which did a good job sabotaging my much needed slumber. Would this stop? Would I be able to ignore it? No chance! Then, the Town Hall clock chimed 1 o’clock, then 2am, 3am, and, I think, 4am. With credit to the night porter on reception, he did offer me several alternative rooms, but all had the same or even worse noise issues. I chose to stay put and eventually, the Town Hall clock was rousing me at 7am! The night porter assured me of being transferred again tonight, a considerable upgrade. Only curiosity would tempt me to accept this generous offer. My room on the fourth floor is a destination in its own right. I have viewed from its high up windows, Buxton at yet another new perspective. I still have nothing but good things to write about The Crescent which as most of us know, had laid “out of use” since (I think) the early 1990s. When I stayed here last year, only residents were able to use the hotel. Today, breakfast and afternoon tea is available to the general public, and I’m assured more facilities will be available to non-residents as staffing levels permit.

I shall write about today’s stay later on in the weekend.

Breakfast was a treat, and the service to perfection.

Have a good day…David. 10.49 now replete with an amplitude of sufficiency.