Author: davidscruise

It is very rare that I start the day without having had a bath, or shower, and also, not having shaved. I did manage to wash both feet in the basin. Anybody who read my blog yesterday will have ascertained the reason for this out of character neglect of personal hygene; I was wearing a portable heart monitor which in no circumstances should become wet. I was required to log everything I carried out on a card provided, including going to the loo. Needless to say, my night time entries made for amusing reading!

After I had worn this contraption for 24 hours, I could disconnect it from the terminals stuck to my body, and put it and the log of my activities in the plastic bag provided, and return it to the hospital. Before today’s scheduled walk, there was just enough time to have a shave.

Roger had discovered a particularly scenic walk within two or three miles of home, Kidtor Dale near King Sterndale. I had a choice of the fairly level easy walk, or a more spectacular route at the bottom of a gorge which I was nervous of committing myself to. The less arduous route more or less followed the wooded and cliff faced gulley. I would hope to attempt the harder route in the near future. We would walk towards Deepdale before retracing our steps as far as the road on which the wonderfully ancient Christ Church King Sterndale is situated. We had left the car in the pretty village of Cowdale.

We could not have asked for better weather. There was no wind, and the promised cold breeze hadn’t yet come to pass. A blue sky was decorated with interesting and pleasing cloud formations. This loveliest of round-trips was around three miles in length, and once again, there was a huge sense of space and infinity.

Before driving home, we drove to Parsley Hay merely to keep the battery charged. We then adjourned to my house where I put together a fairly decent lunch of breaded cod and fresh vegetables. I think that’s my “5-a- day” taken care of!

Yet another lovely day with the cares of these present disturbing times, a long way off – for the time-being.

Many thanks for reading and best wishes, David, 20.34hrs 27th November 2020.

I arrived home from my rather dramatic wanderings at around 5.30 last night, and settled in front of the T.V., feeling as if I “deserved” an evening of idleness.  I did prepare from scratch, a spaghetti bolognese dish which should cover a further two main meals.  Among other things, I watched a couple of episodes of “House of Cards” on Netflix, but thankfully, the desire to “binge-watch” has subsided considerably. And “House of Cards” is hardly “riveting”!

I arrived safely at my pre-warmed house shortly after midnight and made the mistake of watching part of a dreadful BBC quiz show, The Wall.  It’s actually quite a good format but spoilt by a presenter with a gangland cockney accent, atrocious English and over-the-top contestants.  For whatever reason, I felt compelled to watch to the end…an hour’s sleep I will never get back!

At around 11.15, I figured that I ought to give the red Peugeot a run, merely to keep the battery charged.  Wow! The thirteen mile drive was one of the spookiest I had ever embarked on. The simple round-trip took me to an almost deserted Buxton, with premature Christmas lights doing nothing to retard the progress of climate change.  A small group of youths were wandering along St. John’s Road, and one or two were on the Market Place, some walking their dogs.  I continued to “London Road Lights” where one can choose one of five directions to take.  I chose to turn left along a dark and deserted Dale Road, towards the A6 (south). Turning right on to the usually busy A6, I headed into a darkness reminiscent of those creepy drives from Nottingham after D.J-ing at the George Hotel there, most Sunday nights in the 1980s.  I dreaded another car coming up behind me, realising the emptiness and blackness I had driven into.  Thankfully, the countryside opened up as the turning for Chelmorton on the right came ever closer. Between Buxton and home, I only saw one other vehicle that I recall, but I was glad to be back in front of the telly for a final hour.

This morning, I have an appointment to have a heart monitor machine wired up to my body.  This presumably is a check-up following a dizzy spell in August which landed me in Stepping Hill Hospital. I’m sure that I have been alright since, apart from the very occasional momentary wobble, usually when out walking!

I attended the appointment at the Cottage Hospital and was issued with, and had “installed” a device, wired to terminals stuck to my body, the size of a small mobile phone and hung around my neck. This I have to wear for 24 hours and is due to be returned to the hospital at lunchtime tomorrow.

The house keeping team arrived on time this afternoon for the routine fortnightly clean around the house. Also, the shopping had arrived.  I left the girls to “do their stuff” while I cleared from under their feet. I drove to Parsley Hay for a second time this week, but with no intention of waiting until darkness fell before driving home. Actually, I am writing this in the car park there as once again, darkness falls.  This afternoon, I walked in the opposite direction towards Hurdlow. But, I felt sapped of energy and only walked for about an hour.  Here are a few pictures taken today.

There’s little more to say; lovely countryside is all around.

All the best, as Christmas seems to have come even earlier this year with many houses already displaying festive lights.

David 16.53hrs 26th November

If you are reading this blog as an e-mail, this is the “first attempt”. A “corrected” version is available via Google on http://www.davidscruise.wordpress.com. Thank you.

On Monday (Day 243) I was dismayed to find that the battery on my red Peugeot hard-top convertible was drained; the car wouldn’t start. I proceeded to open the bonnet lid, the lever had become disconnected, or, so I thought. “Whoops! That’s going to be expensive”. I retreated from the biting wind of a clear morning, back to the warmth of my house, and chose not to give it any more thought.

A lens in my varifocal spectacles had dropped out some time last week. Before lunch on Monday, I drove to Bakewell to get them fixed. Bakewell, like Buxton the week before felt not as lively as on previous visits, and, just a little bit ghostly. But, my opticians were open, and the repair carried out within minutes.

On Tuesday, I stayed at home. During the previous night, I was pondering how I could solve the problem of my red Peugeot. The battery was flat, and the lever to open the “hood” to access said battery for recharging was broken. Therefore, the car was a “dead duck” and would probably need to be loaded on to a recovery vehicle. That morning, I tried again with the lever. Suddenly, a “clunk” sound confirmed that the bonnet lid could be raised and the flat battery accessed. The battery was charged over night, giving me the opportunity to have the lever fixed.

Today, Wednesday, Roger came over for coffee. I had continued with the endless job of sorting out ephemera for eventual cataloging. I later called on my next-door neighbour who was working on a car. We had not “caught up” for quite some time. He enquired if I had kept up with the walking. I confessed that yes, I was still going for walks, but not as much now that it had become colder. But, today wasn’t as cold, nor was it windy. Thus, on impulse, I drove to Parsley Hay, intending only to walk for around half an hour, along the High Peak Trail. I had over- slept magnificently this morning and felt rejuvenated. I walked along the old railway line to beyond Friden Brick Works, which I don’t think I have seen since the 1980s. I have walked as far as Newhaven Tunnel on numerous occasions more recently, usually from Hurdlow. To begin with, there were a small number of walkers and cyclists, but not so many as to spoil the tranquillity of a late autumn afternoon. Friden is approximately two and a half miles from Parsley Hay. Thus, I walked at least five miles there and back. The sun was very low in the sky, and was soon out of sight as it set on the distant horizon. Then, it started to become dark as distant clouds turned to salmon and grey, and nobody was around. Will I ever see this part of the world as darkness falls, ever again? Lights from passing traffic on distant roads did assure me that civilisation wasn’t too far off. But really, I was alone…. certainly it was not the time for one of my dizzy spells! The walk back to the car seemed endless. Therefore, I was rather surprised to realise that it was only just after 5 o’clock when I was back at Parsley Hay, and almost dark. It did feel much later in the evening. But, it was a beautiful walk with an abundance of bird life which had “taken over”. One bird, motionless in the sky, looked as if it had pinprick lights shining from its wings. This was the reflection from a golden setting sun. Leafless trees reflected those same beams of sunlight off their branches. I had made the most of a fine afternoon.

Thanks for reading. David 23.16hrs 25/11/20.

I am aware that I have little of relevant interest to write about these days as the season of Christmas continues to be rammed down our lock-downed throats. I am thankful that avoiding crowds and still having most of my shopping done on my behalf, spares me from that annual irritation of being subject to endless Slade and other festive “lift muzak”. 

The current “threat” is the distinct possibility that the UK is almost certain to have left the EU “without a deal”. There are rumblings of future tax increases and measures to deal with the billions of pounds which made themselves available during the pandemic, which, of course, will have to be recouped. I was rather looking forward to an annual increase in pension income.

However, there’s one bit of good news which we are led to believe will negate my pessimistic outlook on the future. No end of firms are coming up with a vaccine which may reverse my gloomy predictions.

I made a rare visit into Town on Thursday, to pay a couple of checks in at the Post Office at Higher Buxton. I had waited (unintentionally) until dusk to drive in, somewhere around 3.30pm. The queue at the Post Office was minimal and correctly distanced; I felt perfectly safe. I then decided to take a look at the town centre, and once again, although there were people around, Spring Gardens looked more like a deserted film set with fading light and minimal signs of life. One or two places were open, and it is possible to acquire a take-away coffee at Cafe Nero’s. Maybe something to eat as well.

Of, course, while in town, I just had to take a look at The Crescent. They had contacted me to say they would not be open during lockdown and thus, my booking there was cancelled. Nevertheless, the floodlights continued to illuminate the magnificently restored structure. Will I have my 75th birthday at the Assembly Rooms there? It has been suggested!

Friday turned out to be cool, windy and very wet. Neither Roger or I relished the prospect of wading through north Derbyshire wilderness on such a lousy day. Instead, he invited me to join him for a late lunch. This gave me time to continue sorting out shipping memorabilia for cataloging.

On Sunday, Radio 4’s Sunday Worship came live from Holy Trinity Platt Fields in Manchester. Uncomfortable memories of wall-to-wall born-again Christians were re-kindled. Nevertheless, the musicians and singers were exemplary, the readings and talk very well delivered. Perhaps, just maybe, I am slightly envious of such people with their unshakable faith, theological knowledge and understanding. Actually, I must go back there and see if it is as ghastly as I remember it. I was quite surprised when I attended a lively church in Vancouver, last year, got talking to somebody there, and ended up having lunch with him at the Hotel Vancouver, formerly a Canadian Pacific establishment. I was going to go back there next year but the pandemic caused such continued ambitious travel plans to be curtailed. I am hoping to try again in 2023. My blogs will be much more interesting from that and other far flung parts of the world, than my regular observations of lockdown here at home.

I finished watching Series 4 of The Crown, this weekend, thoroughly enjoying the fine acting and production. However, I am not sure I would use the film as source of authentic research. I suspect that if Queen Victoria was alive today, she would “not be amused!”

Many thanks for reading, David 22.30hrs Sunday 22nd November 2020.

I had failed miserably to be able to join, on Zoom, the nationwide Tear Fund Quiz, which Roger had organised for Buxton. This was despite his assisting me reviving my long since dormant laptop computer which although perhaps five years old (if not more) still retains its “fresh out-of-the-box” feel. So far, it is not possible to access recent e-mails. And, my blogs are coming up unillustrated. All that was Saturday evening, Day 234.

On Sunday, I awoke at 08.08hrs. Was this providential? I was just in time to tune into Morning Worship on Radio 4 and was only “just awake”, but do recall that it was a thought provoking edition, and probably worth listening to again on my BBC “catch-up” app.

I remember little of the rest of Sunday except that I was somewhat “heavy-eyed” from going to bed late the previous night and not sleeping particularly well.

From Monday, things did improve, particularly after a much better rest. I recreated the spaghetti bolognese of the previous Friday, but was uncomfortable with end result, wondering if the mince meat had been in my freezer too long. It didn’t quite taste right. Having partaken of a full portion, I spent the rest evening awaiting the severe abdominal pains which I had experienced decades ago after a take-away lasagne! I went to bed, and awoke the following morning after, thankfully, an undisturbed night. By now it was Tuesday (yesterday). The skies were grey and the ever-present wind howled, leaving me pondering the wisdom of installing a wind turbine, if a practical domestic version does indeed exist.

Netflix had released series 4 of “The Crown”, the first three series of which I thoroughly enjoyed. But, I have made the mistake of reading numerous rather critical reviews, one of which suggests convincingly that little of it is accurate, and that much of the history that it covers has been re-written. I don’t recall such opinion of the first three series. But I still can’t get over being able to command my remote control, even instructing it to turn the set off!

It might have been miserable outside, but the howling wind was, at least, mild and walking to post a letter wasn’t unpleasant. I took a photograph of St. James’s Harpur Hill on the way to the post-box. (above)

More political turbulence is imminent as the transition for leaving the E.E.C. (which I thought we had already left) races (as time does) ever nearer. I am becoming fed-up with all these occasions of suspense the U.K. population are enduring right now. We have had all this since 2016. Actually, before then…remember the Millennium Bug? My hair wasn’t totally grey then and was in grey-ter abundance!

Many thanks for reading, and best wishes from David, 10.58rs 18th November.

I have corrected a couple of embarrassing errors in my blog. For a more correct version, go to my latest entry at http://www.davidscruise.wordpress.com

I suppose that it has been an eventful few days. Not so much for me, perhaps, as retirement in lockdown remains a cocktail of walks, decluttering and cataloging.  But, generally away from my sleepy home.  I will leave commenting on U.S. politics to other people if they so desire! 

Here in the U.K. we were commemorating Armistice, the day, and the hour the guns of WW1 fell silent, and those who never came home.  To mark Remembrance Sunday, it was suggested as a mark of respect, that we should stand outside our front doors at 11am for the Two Minutes’ Silence. Many on our road, including me, did just that; it was all very poignant and meaningful.

The following day, Monday, the mild weather continued, although somewhat misty, and I made a point of walking around the village for just under three miles. It was interesting to see how the new houses were turning out. While I have an inbuilt dislike of change, these new homes appear to be attractive and well thought out. Thankfully, the eyesore left by the abandonment and demolition of the former High Peak College is, at long last, being developed into what appears to be what may become, an attractive estate. If I was younger, I might have been tempted to put my name down for one of these new properties. But right now, I am loathe to leave my home of (would you believe) forty-five years.

The next day, Tuesday, I had promised to assist Roger with his annual task of cleaning the gutters at the United Reform Church in Higher Buxton.  I took the opportunity of walking there. No, I haven’t suddenly become a cleaner of church guttering, but I did hold the ladders! Some forlorn looking rose-hip bushes in the church grounds seemed to make a good subject for photography. By way of reward, Roger prepared a superb chicken lunch which had been cooking slowly since the morning.

On Wednesday, the weather had deteriorated. Thus, I stayed at home and progressed quite well with cataloging a pile of ocean liner menus collected over the last fifteen years or so via eBay which has been the major source of my more recent collection.

On Thursday, although by now, much cooler, I did venture out on a series of short walks, each about twenty minutes in duration. These included a brief visit to the High Peak Trail at Hurdlow. But the breeze was too strong and cool for this to be any kind of pleasure and I returned to the comfort of a freshly cleaned home; I had let the professional housekeepers take care of their fortnightly tasks without getting under their feet! 

The typical almost continually brutal climate of North Derbyshire has taken its toll (over the years) on my house, and I have only just become aware of a significant damp problem which needs immediate attention. I am now “on the radar” of a local roofing company whom I have known for a long time and hopefully, this unwelcome discovery can be resolved in the not too distant future.

Yesterday, Friday, I awoke to a bright, breezy, and still fairly cool day.  I had slept well and a walk was scheduled. Rather than wait till an ever shortening afternoon, my neighbour and I drove for a second time to Macclesfield Forest which Roger feels resembles British Columbia.  It’s rather good to know that in these confining days of lockdown, such gorgeous scenery is on the doorstep and may take up to fifteen years to explore fully at the present rate we venture out. We did have a decent summer and even now, although obviously cooler, it remains possible to go out quite frequently.

On returning home, I subjected Roger to my version of spaghetti bolognese. It seemed to work out ok.

And, today, Saturday 14th November, I awoke late, after a bit of a disturbed night, ready to set off walking again.  However, the wind blew, and continues to howl as lashings of ice cold horizontal rain does nothing for the “damp problem”.  T.V. and idleness was the order of the day. This morning, I watched snippets of live performances on YouTube, which I can now enjoy on my T.V. instead of on the mobile phone. I now have technology available to me which includes being able to “talk” to my remote control and instruct it to either tune in to a chosen channel or find (if available) any subject I choose.  So, if the weather is lousy, I have “tons” to keep me occupied at home.  I am having less luck with my laptop computer, which I have decided to start up again, after two years of using only my phone for e-mails and the like. 

The less said about UK politics, the better. However, I was somewhat amused to read that Barnard Castle has become an unlikely tourist attraction with visitors to the town taking “selfies” outside Specsavers!  Monsieur Johnson is now bereft of his revered Senior Advisor. “He’ll be Cummings round the Mountain when he Comes”…ugh!

And, on that note, thanks for reading, David.  14/11/20. 21.56hrs.

Sunday 8th November 2020, 18.04hrs

I didn’t mean to wait five days before penning my next blog.  The beginning of the week was cold, windy and pretty damp.  On Tuesday, the entire world was “left hanging”  as the U.S. presidential election was not the decisive victory either side wanted. On Saturday, we were “put out of our global misery” as the Democrats won the votes of a majority of U.S. Citizens. All I dare say is that the next c.8 weeks will be “interesting”.

The Sky Fibre broadband which I had ordered the previous week was activated on Tuesday and although I don’t yet have the promised c.50 meg, at least 34 meg is much more respectable than the 1 or 2 meg I had been struggling with until this week.  YouTube and Netflix play without “buffering” although for some reason, music is frequently interrupted by a split-second gap, but not often enough to spoil what you are listening to.

By Friday, the weather had become extremely pleasant and agreeably mild.  My sleep patterns were somewhat “out of sync” and that is my excuse for getting little done this week.  Therefore on Saturday, I resolved to make use of the continuing fine weather. Very late in the morning, Roger and I drove out towards Brandside from where we would walk through an attractive wooded area for a short distance before coming across the Mines Research complex through which public footpaths traverse. There is much to see, but of course, my interest lay in the track beds of the former Cromford and High Peak Railway.  When in use, even by today’s standards, the embankments were evidence of huge civil engineering of the early 19th century. One can imagine the enormous number of workers and a vibrant and noisy industry which at the time, would seem “to go on for ever”.  What I never knew until Saturday, was that heards of deer roam the surrounding countryside. 

We came home mid-afternoon. It was still nice and the street fireworks display would go ahead as planned.  I made lunch for two, poached salmon, vegetables and new potatoes.  And in the evening, I went over the road to watch the fireworks, arranged by people at the end of our road.  I was impressed by the amount of pyrotechnics, some of which were spectacular.  It was a happy day, being rounded off by the result of the U.S. election being announced finally.

Today, Sunday, it remained mild, but the morning mist out-stayed its welcome and as far as I know, is still loitering on the lane, and further afield. Today is Remembrance Sunday, this being marked by neighbours standing in silence outside their front doors at 11am.  The chimes of Big Ben, presumably from a TV could be heard in the distance as well as the Last Post.  I walked a short distance to one end of the estate but felt little inspired to venture further.

Lockdown started on Thursday. The Crescent contacted me to say that the the hotel would be closing during the 28 days of lockdown, and that my two day break there in November would thus be cancelled. My booked haircut was “fitted in” on Tuesday, instead of next week. This lockdown is far less restrictive than that of March.  Nevertheless,  it is a bitter blow for many businesses struggling to keep going.  With luck, the current restrictions will cause spread of the virus to decrease. While I do remain generally in good spirits, these certainly are surreal times. As another neighbour remarked today,  he keeps expecting to wake up from this strange dream.  There are lots of things I am missing. Strangely, it’s not cruising right now. (I’m sure it will be next year!)  No, I am missing going to Manchester and London as well as live concerts.  I am missing merely, just what it was like last year. 

But, there are compensations. I am sure that I would not have seen anything like the amount of surrounding countryside had life followed the more familiar patterns not disrupted by this year’s pandemic, although I have been going on walks of one kind or another since emerging from Wythenshawe Hospital in May 2017.

Next week is fairly routine. Mild but wetter weather is forecast. I finished cataloging one of numerous archive files tonight. I think there are over a hundred each containing up to seventy or more items.

Thanks for reading, David midnight 8-9/11/20.