David's Cruise

Saturday 23rd 12.08hrs

I have not left the house for two weeks, save for going into the front garden yesterday to get my red car’s almost new battery connected for recharging! I had called the A.A. out on Wednesday, when it was throwing it down with rain, as Storm Chtistoph raged and parts of England (once again) became flooded. The swirling precipitation had found the remaining holes in my carport/conservatory/”museum” leaving more substantial puddles on the tiled floor than at any other time previously.  Most annoying!

It was my turn, also yesterday, to prepare lunch for my neighbour in whose “support bubble” I belong.  Preparing a simple spaghetti bolognese made a welcome change from decluttering, cataloging, and reorganising of my “things”.  This latter activity does prompt distant memories and remind me that even so very long ago, I did have quite an interesting life.  Before becoming a teenager, my parents would take me to the Halle Concerts at the Free Trade Hall in Manchester.  While that venue has been replaced by the excellent Bridgewater Hall, the facade still remains, hopefully with the Halle logo etched into the huge windows and glass doors at the front.  It’s hard to accept that I am now the same age as Sir John Barbirolli (Principal Conductor) was when he died in July 1970.  As a small boy, I sought his autograph on numerous occasions, and have just come across some of these, along with one of Sir William Walton.  I doubt they are particularly valuable, but the memories they evoke are priceless.  As a thirteen year-old, and having developed a taste for more challenging (and flamboyant) classical music, I was intrigued when a woman was guest conductor for two nights at the Halle…none other than the eminent French musician, and composer, Nadia Boulanger. Merely the mention of her name reminds me of the time, just before my fourteenth birthday, of, when requesting that she sign my programme, being invited into her dressing room for the most interesting and encouraging chat, recommending I should should read Hindemith, “Elementary Training for Musicians”. This I must do at some stage!

I enjoyed attending classical concerts right through to my early twenties. Perhaps one of the most historic performances I was present at was one conducted by Leopold Stokowski at the Royal Albert Hall in 1973, just prior to my joining British Rail at Buxton. Yep, I did wait at the stage door in the slim hopes of being able to request his autograph. But, being in his nineties at the time, he emerged, eventually, surrounded by security and was whisked away in what appeared to be a dark blue Volvo 144 or 164. I don’t seem to have the programme; maybe it will turn up as the decluttering progresses.

When I started writing this blog, the sky was light grey and it seemed that it would snow all day.

But now, the sun shines brightly and there’s plenty of blue sky….but it’s still cold out there!

That concludes my writings for the time being; let’s make lunch!

Thanks for reading,

David, 13.11hrs 23/1/21.

My resolution to write more frequently didn’t come to much – did it! For those of you stumbling across this blog for the first time, the “Day Numbers” refer to the period of time since arriving home from a very long holiday on March 27th last year, four days into the first lockdown, “Day 1” being 27th March. Whether 20th January 2021 is, actually, Day 301 will be confirmed, or otherwise if March 26th doesn’t turn out to be “Day 365!”

The original purpose of writing a blog was to document a voyage to Australia and back in 2018, a “trip of a lifetime”. When I booked this in August 2016, my feeling was that this would be a “one-off ” which might mark my retirement. I could then, at my leisure, write about the whole experience from the notes and entries made at the time, along with photographs either taken on my “device” or cameras, the newest of which I purchased when we docked at Santa Cruz, Tenerife. It’s hard to believe all that was three years ago.

Since then, I returned to Australia, first, flying to San Francisco, spending a week riding trains in California, and staying on board the original Queen Mary at Long Beach, then joining M.S. (or is it M.V.) Queen Victoria for part of her 2019 World Voyage as far as Sydney, cramming in as much rail travel as nineteen days would allow. I would then fly to Singapore (from Perth), then after three nights, to Dubai, where after a further three nights on board QE2, I would pick up R.M.S. Queen Mary 2 for the final three weeks of her World Voyage. All that travel was “hard work” but enormous fun! I would spend much of the summer of 2019 returning to New York on QM2, and then travelling by Amtrak and Via Rail to Vancouver staying overnight in Schenectady, Toronto, Jasper and Kamloops. Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth would then take me up to Skagway in Alaska before bringing me back 49 days later to Southampton. In 2020, I travelled to South America, the last such adventure before the dreaded Covid 19 pandemic. I never imagined, even just a handful of years ago, that I would set foot on six continents in just over two years. I have little inclination to visit Antarctica, however!

And that’s what “lockdown 3” has prompted me to do; not only look back on a glorious pandemic free era, but, write (again) about it also.

Back to 2021. Reading the Google news pages on my phone, I note, with irritation, the Daily Telegraph is trumpeting Joe Biden’s Inauguration celebrations as “embarrassing”, because of the line-up of celebrities booked for this historic occasion. I do wish the media, for once, could headline on their front pages, all the “good things, most of which are far more newsworthy than “speculative/exaggerated negativity” which permeates everything one watches and reads…except possibly Radio 3! But, much has been made of the Covid vaccine, and the breakneck speed that it is being delivered. That is a positive piece of welcome news.

I wish Amtrak Joe all the very best of luck and fortune during his Presidency, and I look forward to a glorious renaissance of the U.S. railway system!

At home, “Storm Christoph” continues its onslaught. My carport, despite various repairs” continues to leak in the rain, and winter feels endless. But, that’s a good thing. Time goes by far too quickly and I am cheered by the thought of a long hot summer to come.

Many thanks for reading, David 11.06hrs GMT, Inauguration Day.

I ought really to write a little more frequently so as not to forget events worth noting.

It has been a strange time as Lockdown Three becomes yet another limiting routine. Apart from a quick trip to the Tradesman’s Entrance on Buxton Market place for their take-away Sunday lunch, I have not left the house, as strongly advised by our “lords and masters”; I have not even cadged a coffee over the road! When I have opened the front door, I have found it cold and uninviting outside. My misgivings about a relaxation of Covid restrictions over Christmas seems to have been well founded as the daily death statistics exceed those of Spring 2020, and which the newscasters on T.V. warn with appropriate grimace, are set to become even worse.

I will refrain from any unqualified comment on my part about the historic shenanigans on the other side of The Pond, except to mention that the President’s term of office is probably not coming to the conclusion he might have hoped. The storming of the White House, last week, seemed to catch everyone by surprise including security, ‘though as I understand it, “intelligence” did “know something” might be afoot.

Back home, the backlog of decluttering the house continues while the opportunities created by Lockdown Three prevails. I continue to unearth long forgotten snippets of family history, which I do find fascinating. Hopefully, sometime in the future, I will have created some kind of an archive to pass on.

Today, a wet miserable snow has returned and from inside, it all looks quite pleasant. I made a rare visit into the roof area to retrieve four sketches of 19th Century Cunard ships which the person from whom I bought them stated they had been retrieved from the original Queen Elizabeth after it had been withdrawn from service in 1968. I doubt whether anybody who may remember them on board is still alive, except possibly Miss Ryan, who enjoyed a glittering career in the ocean liner travel business. I have enjoyed her company once or twice on Cunard voyages when she was guest lecturer.

Many thanks for reading,

David, 19.00hrs GMT Thursday 14/1/21.

Exactly one year from today, assuming some kind of a return to normality, I shall be doing exactly as I did this very day in 2020, i.e., travelling by car to Southampton on the eve of a ‘world’ voyage, which next year, eventually reaches Australia. Right now, it’s hard to be confident this voyage will take place as advertised. Nevertheless, I do have a favourite cabin on Deck 3 reserved on board QM2. With luck, my blogs can be a little more fascinating from 10th January 2022, which is the centenary year of the first ever round-the-world cruise, although in 1922, that voyage set off from New York in November rather than January. This is an event I am looking forward with much enjoyment. Between now and then, I shall rarely leave Buxton, and when warmer, there will be much pleasure exploring more of Derbyshire’s countryside.

Thanks for reading, David, 22.44hrs 9/1/21.

The beginning of the New Year was set to be a “bit of a breather” follow the mental hype of Christmas, which actually, this time, was certainly not unpleasant. I received a goodly number of Christmas cards, and messages of good wishes, all of which served to alleviate any random regret of being on my own. There was a general feeling of thank heaven we have seen the last of 2020; 2021 couldn’t be any worse!” I remain sceptical! And, hasn’t 2021 started brilliantly! The long overdue lockdown is nonetheless unwelcome and I have become ever-more reluctant to leave the house. I am so thankful for those who carry out my regular shopping and laundry chores; but right now, I have to do my own housework (aw, diddums!)

My oversized T.V. keeps me up to date with the outside world, as well as entertained to an extent I would have never thought possible even ten years ago. YouTube and Netflix has an infinite menu, and I have to guard against spending much of my waking hours in front of the thing. But, as my readers will have ascertained, I do spend some time typing out these blogs. 2020 does have one thing in common with 1975; these are the only two years I have documented each day. It’s a pity; if I had taken notes in the same way e.g. since leaving school, there would have much more detail to look back on, and possibly, write about now.

In that outside world, the Covid situation is as bad, if not worse than right at the beginning of the pandemic, and for the last two days, U.K. deaths from the Coronavirus have been in four figures. The news seems to report with a kind of artificial solemnity (which I am sick and tired of) the difficulty in delivering the much welcomed vaccines. And our government has set the seemingly impossible task of having almost 14 million vaccinated with the first dose by the middle of February. Assuming the U.K. population is 66.5 million, theoretically, we should all be dealt with by August, by which time, the virus could be on it’s way out anyway. (I may well be “very wrong” about this). I would, however, had been happier and more reassured if the second inoculation was not rescheduled to twelve weeks following the first dose, instead of after up to three weeks, as announced originally.

Further afield, in the U.S.A, the country seems in turmoil with (like the U.K.) increasing Covid casualties and political upheaval. I was taken aback as I watched in disbelief as the Capitol got stormed.

Today, the News announced the highest number of deaths from Covid-19 since the start of the pandemic. Two young women were fined for driving to “beauty spot” for a regular walk. This is now in contravention of very recent legislation. That means no more trips to Parsley Hay for my favourite walk along the High Peak Trail. And apparently, I could be questioned over walking into town. To be frank, the last time I felt this kind of unease was during the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962.

Nevertheless, I do welcome more or less being confined to home, and the opportunity to continue “stock-taking” my humble archive.

It promises to be warmer next week. With luck, I can stroll around the estate without violating any newly established rules.

Many thanks for reading. David, 23.54hrs 8/1/21.

This should be a short entry. I am writing to record that we, in England, are facing a third lockdown, almost as severe as the first lockdown in March. I think this commences on Wednesday, at least until mid February. Also worth noting was the first “Oxford AstraZeneca vaccination was administered today on an 81 year old patient with kidney problems. Seemingly, I can expect my vaccination by the middle of February, but it will take up to a further three weeks for the inoculation to be beneficial.

It will still be possible to buy take-away meals, and I look forward to some home cooking on a Sunday. Actually, I do cook at least one main meal each day using fresh ingredients. But it’s always much nicer when somebody else has prepared the meal.

From what I gather, churches will be allowed to continue to stay open. However, we are forbidden to leave the house, other than to buy provisions, pick up medication, go for Covid testing, or attend medical appointments. Attending Church is not mentioned except on an ITV news bulletin.

I feel as if I have coped reasonably well since March. But then, the weather was agreeable and there was much surrounding countryside to explore. Now it’s cold and the inclination to leave the house is minimal. However, as I have said before, there is plenty to be getting on with here. While despondent occasionally right now, I do remain optimistic and eagerly await the warmth spring and summer has to offer.

Many thanks for reading, David 00.17hrs, 5/1/20.

The snow fell again yesterday prompting me to have a try at video recording what seemed like a spectacular fall of the “white stuff”.

I tried to start both vehicles in readiness for driving to Church this morning. The recently charged silver car fired up without hesitation; the red car coughed, spluttered and died. At some stage, that vehicle will need to be taken care of.

Yesterday, I made a start on clearing the main bedroom of its floor-laden “junk” accumulated over forty-five years of living here. The problem is, deciding which once- important paperwork I no longer need, and which would be of no interest to anybody else. It’s a spacious room with magnificent views across to Axe Edge, which needs to be cleared once and for all. One wouldn’t think it, but, I have reduced the clutter by a tiny fraction. My other big task is cataloging the items I have accumulated since childhood, an ambitious task, nonetheless fascinating- to me anyway.

This morning, I was in plenty of time for Church, the first service I would attend in the New Year. I am becoming used to not singing, and keeping a face mask on throughout the service while my glasses (which, for once, I remembered) steam up and my nose runs like a stream. The churchwarden thrussed a thermometer towards my forehead confirming that I was in the rudest of health. I chose a seat where an Order of Service was placed, indicating where one should sit. I wasn’t sorry that I attended; I am rather thankful that in these weird times, the Church can provide a semblance of normality, except that no singing, social distancing, and face masks go some way to negating said sense of normality.

At home, I can at times, feel quite fearful, especially as now, the media is forever emphasising the heightened contagiousness of various new strains. As I have said before, I always assumed Covid-19 was as contagious as it was possible to be. The media seem short on detail. However, like most of the Country, all of Derbyshire is in the new Tier 4, which, apart from Church remaining open, is more or less like another lockdown. Already, I am anxious as to when my next haircut will be.

While in Buxton, I took a couple of photographs looking towards the Crescent and the Old Hall Hotel, now covered with scaffolding, but with a nice new gold sign replacing the weather-beaten incomplete sign that not long ago, gave the hotel a run-down appearance.

This afternoon, I enjoyed lunch with my neighbour over the road, and an afternoon of “putting the world to rights”, firstly over coffee, and later, tea and biscuits. I enjoy afternoons like this!

Tonight, its back to a mixture of Netflix, ordinary T.V., and/or continuing the decluttering. I was given almost half of a Christmas cake after Church. I rather think I shall be “led into temptation”.

All the best for now, David, 19.08hrs, 3/1/21.

Actually, there is little more to write; I spent the day quietly, alternating between relaxing after a very late night on New Year’s Eve, and carrying out occasional household chores, after having got up, not unexpectedly, rather late!

I did watch part of the New Year’s Day annual concert of music mainly by members of the the Strauss family, live from the Musikverein Large Hall in Vienna. I imagine that tickets for this event are highly sought after and eye-wateringly expensive; therefore the New Year’s Day concert is firmly on my bucket list! This year, because of the pandemic, it was different; just like all the other events which are usually open to the public. Last night’s London fireworks display was beyond magnificent, but displayed to empty streets and parks. Alicia Keys played to an empty arena, nevertheless delivering a smooth and polished performance as if playing to thousands. And this morning in Vienna, the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, under their almost eighty year old conductor, Riccardo Muti, performed with razor sharp perfection to an empty hall. Given the continuing the pandemic, I am astonished that so much tradition has continued and can only be hugely impressed by the virtuosic efforts on the part of so many to maintain a semblance of normality.

I remain cautiously optimistic about the weeks and months to come, especially when much of the population has been vaccinated. We were all led to believe that the necessary two vaccinations were to be three weeks apart. Now, it is being suggested that to speed up the process, the second inoculation be up to three months later.

Once again, midnight has passed. Time to “hit the hay”.

Thanks for reading, David, 00.16hrs January 2nd 2021.

It is twelve minutes into 2021. The general consensus is that 2020 was the worst year of our lives, and that 2021 can only get better. I walked out onto the Lane as Midnight heralded what will soon be the start of of my 73rd year. Ye Gods!

It was cold outside, and rather hazardous underfoot. I slithered to the field at the end of our street and heard the explosions of distant celebratory fireworks, and saw flashes and far-off displays, much of which was hidden beyond the brow of hill of the field.

Back inside, I watched the end of the London fireworks and light show which I was led to believe wasn’t happening this year. I was very impressed. Alicia Keys then continued her superb New Year’s Eve concert, this year “sans audience”, and then Jools Holland on BBC 2.

I looked back to the blog I wrote this time last year. Then, I had never heard of coronavirus and was looking forward to cruising to South America in ten days’ time. I don’t mind not going away this time. But nobody’s setting sail in January. My mega trip this year should have been from August to October, but that, too, is cancelled. However, this time next year, my New Year blog for January 1st 2022 will, hopefully, again, include anticipation of a QM2 voyage to Australia, revisiting numerous far-away places I got to see back in 2018, as well as a first visit to the Holy Land, Bali and other places. And with luck, this year’s cancelled round-the-world itinerary can take place in 2023.

It is now 52 minutes into 2021, and will turn the T.V. off and head to bed, even if I do feel wide awake.

Thanks for reading and all the best for the New Year.

David, January 1st, 00.57hrs.

Well folks, here we are in Tier 4, along with most of the rest of England. Even the Isle of Wight has joined us in the high echelons of covid-19 restrictions. However, this could just be “the storm before the lull”. A second vaccine has been approved. However, I expect it will be a long storm, if only because of the logistics of vaccinating an entire population.

Our revered prime minister has, at long last, come to a trade deal with Europe much to the dissatisfaction of numerous “disappointed” politicians and others. My complaint was the (and I’m sure it was) contrived leaving us all in suspense to almost the last minute, more than likely in an effort to avoid further debate. So, from today, we are “on our own”, and we shall just have to wait and see how things turn out. But I am relieved that this particular “cliff-hanger” has been resolved.

Yesterday was a “much-of-a-muchness” kind of day, with unfulfilled good intentions. I had planned to carry on with cataloging my collection, but never quite got around to it. No more snow fell, but outside, it remained icy, and falling over could have far reaching consequences, even if I am “well padded”.

As you can see from the photographs, this morning, the last day of 2020, is bright, sunny, and even “inviting” outside.

With all good wishes, and, again, thanks for reading,

David, 09.40hrs 31/12/20.