Last Friday was still fairly mild but windy. One or two heavy showers. Dot had lunch at Gem with Paul Dunning, her former boss at Diocesan House, who seems really nice. Was worried that she wouldn’t be well enough, but she seems much better. Nothing for me from the surgery all day. Forgot to ring them in afternoon because I was distracted by Dot coming back and luring me upstairs – to watch TV. Went outside at 5.30 and stood in our drive out of the wind for drinks. Present – Des, Chris, John, Jonathan, Matt, Ciara. Rained about 6.30, which cut it short. Des got me fish and chips, and Dot had some of my chips. We watched Mothering Sunday, an excellent 2021 film.
Saturday was the first day that really felt like spring, especially in the cemetery at North Walsham, where we put flowers on Dot’s parents’ and sister’s graves. We got the flowers – and one or two other things – from Sainsbury’s, where they were having trouble with their computer system and we could only pay in cash. Fortunately, we had enough. Naomi had been supposed to come round at 11 for some chess practice, but she was feeling unwell.
After North Walsham we went to Irstead staithe, which was lovely and quiet, and then called at Neatishead shop, where we bought spelt bread and cheese : we ate it when we got home – delicious. While Dot listened to City beating Stoke 3-0 away I drove up to the Rosary and put flowers on the three graves. Also managed to watch two more rugby matches- Ireland just beating Scotland and Italy beating Wales in Cardiff. Later England just lost to France, which makes up for some of their earlier luck. Later spoke to Oliver and arranged to meet him for supper on Monday. So I booked a room at Baginton, after almost getting the date wrong. Oliver went to Silverstone today and drove a rally car – a late birthday present, apparently.
Sunday was an odd day. Not cold, but for some reason I felt very tired, and so did Dot. Picked up Ray (Judy and Carrie were away). Music rehearsal was quite difficult; so I sat most of it out. Then one of the songs went wrong, which almost never happens. Anna got timing awry, which confused everyone. I did the sermon, which a couple of people seemed to like, but it felt awkward. Nikki brought Indie, which was nice: she’s very sweet. In the afternoon Dot took the car to be cleaned, and we did quite a lot of packing. David FaceTimed in the evening, and we had another long chat: he is about to get a new electric car delivered. Hope it works out well.
Monday was pleasant – dry and not too cold. Had our hair cut by Linda and then finished packing. I had a bath, we had lunch, and we left about 1.40pm after being interrupted by scaffolders, who were inquiring about putting a ladder in our garden to complete work on next-door’s chimney in a couple of weeks. They also took scaffolding down in front of house. Dot drove to Cambridge Services, where she had a coffee and I took over. Rest of journey mostly straightforward. Oliver arrived in Coventry, finished packing up his stuff for Easter and came over to Baginton, where we were staying, for a meal, which turned out to be delicious – and we also had a good talk, before he drove back to Aylesbury.
Tuesday was wet at first in Coventry, but the rain stopped just as we left, after a nice breakfast and a bath. Dot drove most of the way, but we changed over quite a bit north of Ashbourne, just in time for me to fall foul of a mobile speed camera. Arrived at Buxton around 2pm, shortly after the Evetts, and were able to book in early, courtesy of the lovely Jenny. Then all four of us walked down to the pavilion, where we had lunch (shared egg mayo roll) and then walked round the park and the town. I bought a new Peter May book cheap and some pen refills. Then had tea again in chocolate shop before Dave and I trudged back to the hotel, followed some time later by the two ladies. Pretty tired and not all that hungry at supper time. Steak nowhere near as good as yesterday. Chatted with waiter, who we knew. Dot had cramp in her legs but managed to make it up to bed.
Wednesday was damp but not too cold. After a very pleasant breakfast we made for the station, suitably attired, and bought tickets for Manchester Media City. Ticket office man very helpful. Train takes an hour to get to Manchester Piccadilly, where we transferred to the excellent metro, and in a further half an hour reached Media City at Salford, where BBC and ITV have big buildings. Our goal however was The Lowry, where we used the toilets, much to Julia’s relief, and had lunch. Staff very helpful. Then on to the Lowry galleries, where we saw an excellent 20-minute film about him, followed by a good short talk from one of the young assistants.
Looked round the galleries, which were very good, and then went to the shop, where we bought some cards and some tea – the latter because it was in some Lowry-illustrated tins. Then returned to Buxton by same route. Train very busy, and we sat near a tiresome woman who was on the phone just about all the way to Whaley Bridge, speaking loudly about her business dealings. Walked back to hotel. Heard from David that his new electric car had been delivered after an earlier scare about a minor battery fault. Evening meal was again too large but quite pleasant.
Thursday started wet and continued that way till the afternoon, when it turned dry, but colder with a brisk wind. Dave drove us to Quarry Bank mill at Styal in Cheshire, where we had been before, but we lost our way quite differently. Got there eventually, had tea/coffee in main café and then looked round the mill-owner’s house before walking up to the garden café, where we had lunch. Then to the workers’ cottages, where we were given a tour by a guide who was slightly left of centre but very interesting. The Engels-Marx connection was quite striking. Getting quite cold as we visited the garden shop again, and then took the road home. Or one of them.