The weekend at Buxton turned out less muddy than I anticipated, though there are those who found it extreme. In view of the forecast we were fortunate: our walk on the Sunday was dry and mainly sunny, and the promised wind was not as severe as we had been led to believe.

Led by Dave, we walked round Fernilee reservoir, the outward leg being a bit of a challenge in view of the fallen trees and minor diversions. The home leg was much easier, along a former railway track and so flat, though still very wet in places.

In between the outward and the inward leg came lunch, of course. At Julia’s behest this was essential, and so we climbed up out of the valley into Fernilee village and The Shady Oak, which was surprisingly empty for a Sunday. Dot and I weren’t very hungry, so we shared cheese sandwiches, washed down by cider.

Back at the hotel, Dave and Julia hastened into town (they have more stamina than us, perhaps because their natural pace is slower). Dot and I followed after a short rest – bit of a mistake as far as I was concerned, because although we had a cup of tea looking out over the gardens and then ran into D & J on the way back, it left me feeling really exhausted and not too well.  Usual head problem, but not as severe as it might have been.

The previous day, with abundant rain promised, we took the train to Manchester. Dot and Julia spent most of the day in M & S and Selfridges, while Dave and I went to the Museum of Science and Industry, which was fascinating but cold. We saw only part of it and both wanted to return some time. The wind and rain held off till we emerged from MOSI, when we were lashed by it on the way to the free bus (great system in Manchester city centre) (the free bus, not the rain).

Back at Buxton the wind and rain were even worse, and we had to battle against it up the hill to the hotel. Surprisingly, though, no snow over the entire weekend. Hotel was good as usual, other than low water pressure (being fixed). Food was very good.

The journey up there went reasonably well, though there were some hold-ups, and the second half was in pouring rain. Coming back was easier. We called at Andrew’s in Coventry, but he was out, and as I had cold symptoms and the house had a diarrhoea and sickness warning, we didn’t linger – just dropped off his jacket, which we’d had dry-cleaned. We used the Bedford route back to Norwich, which is longer but easy.

Yesterday Dot dropped me at the church hall to meet the man replacing our electricity meter. He had phoned to say he would be early, but was in fact half an hour late because he’d received an emergency call. Anyway, he replaced the meter as I watched (he was a pleasant guy) and I then walked home. Felt pretty groggy when I got there and was quite relieved when it turned out that most people were not coming to Tuesday Group; so we cancelled it and had a relaxing evening watching television.

Missed our new Monday slot at the cinema this week (too tired after journey), but may go this afternoon, if Dot finishes her paperwork in time. We had a lie-in this morning, and I feel a bit better.