Just back from Buxton. Last Friday (the last day of February) saw signs of spring, with quite a bit of sunshine. I drove to the garage to get a new battery for the car key. Discovered offer on new cars which I had received might include a petrol version. On to Cromer, where I called on my cousin Barbara, who had an unexpected visitor called David, who she met on the beach and has apparently known for a while. Had quite a long talk with them both – he seemed a very nice guy but has recently had a back operation which makes it difficult for him to move. He cycled over because it was easier than walking.
After he left had a further conversation with Barbara about her various Christian experiences. I think she has a healing gift. She also played a hymn on her keyboard. Uplifting visit altogether. Drove home – heavy traffic with beet harvest lorries and many road works and closures. At home had late lunch and wrote to Christine Potter, my cousin Eddie’s widow. Then out for street meet with Matt and Angela, Mark (just home) and new neighbours Joe and Sam with their daughter Chloë. All good. Made chilli con carne and we watched Passport to Pimlico, which was weird, and Death in Paradise of course. May have drunk a bit too much.
Saturday – Dry, calm; slightly chilly. Got bus to Red Lion Street, then walked to Jarrolds, where we bought chocolates and walked to Kim’s, where we had lunch. Celery soup and extensive nibbles: really nice. Great deal of chat, mainly from us. Kavana has handed in her thesis on gut bacteria. Stayed till late afternoon, then walked home, getting message from Des on the way. As a result he got us a reduced fish and chips order: I eventually just had some chips with a couple of fried eggs. Got rid of a few e-mails and tried to renew my parking permit, but couldn’t get website to work. Frustrating. Dot wrote her prayers, and we watched the start of a new Welsh thriller, which was very promising. City went 1-0 up in the 93rd minute against Blackburn, but still managed to draw 1-1. Also frustrating.
Sunday – Dry, fairly sunny. Cold start – ice on car windows – but a bit warmer later. Drove to church, had to keep overcoat on. Just over 20 in congregation. Played in band and Dot did prayers. Ray’s leg quite bad. Phil led, and Anna did lectio. Apparently Howard still quite ill. Watched football, then did preparation for holiday – stuff out of loft, packing etc. Before that David FaceTimed – Chrissy’s birthday. She thanked us for presents. Oliver still there – flying back tonight. Watched final episode of Call the Midwife. For some reason felt extremely tired. Earlier Dot took car up to be cleaned – £20.
Monday – Dry; sunny most of the way to Buxton, but greyer when we got there. Frantic packing and preparing for journey: got away at 10.30 but didn’t realise until we got to Buxton that Dot had left her computer and associated items at home. Borrowed charger plug from hotel. Stopped at Cambridge services and Donington. Dot drove most of way. Arrived 3.30. Evetts in town, and by the time we’d unpacked they were on their way back. We met them on the hill. Had bath before supper and forgot to look again at letter I’d received from Louisa re Phyllis estate. Drinks downstairs, then really nice meal: rib-eye followed by pear tatin, plus a few drinks and a good talk – surprisingly similar views on recent events, at least in this country. Oliver is safely home.
Tuesday – Bright and dry, but chilly. Woke up pretty early and had cooked breakfast as usual – as usual in hotels, that is. Saw Ellie, waitress of yore, afterwards. Dave drove us to Lyme Park, and we had tea, then walked round the gardens. Lovely sunshine. Had lunch in the Ale café at the house, then walked up to the tower – at least Dot and I did. Dave and Julia couldn’t make it all the way. Great view – Dot saw plane landing at Manchester airport. Drove to hotel by slightly different route: amazingly the front car park was full; so for the first time ever, Dave had to park at the back. After a while had a sleep, then a short bath, then drink and supper – this time lamb. Main course very good. Followed by a couple of drinks. American in bar making loud phone calls that everyone could hear.
Wednesday – Dry and bright. Very cold on Snake Pass but warmer later. Dave drove us to Glossop and on up the Snake Pass, which at its summit crosses the Pennine Way. Lots of roadworks throughout day. Risk that Snake Pass may be closed to vehicles soon, which would be a great pity. We stopped at the top. Bitter wind. Man asked us if we knew where the wreckage of the B2 was. Couldn’t help him. Even Dave didn’t know.
Continued downwards and took detour skirting Ladybower Reservoir, where Dot and I and probably David hired bikes in the distant past. Toyed with parking and walking but Julia wasn’t keen; so continued to Hathersage and David Mellor’s kitchenware shop and museum. Bought a few things for Phil’s birthday, then had lunch – carrot and coriander soup in my case. Had to wear Dot’s dark glasses because of sun blazing in. Drove into Hathersage and did shortish walk, then drove home painfully slowly via Castleton. Hampered by camper van and wedge of selfish cyclists. Arrived back at hotel around 4pm and got space because several people were leaving. Had bath but probably should have slept. Bar and restaurant quite crowded. Couldn’t eat all of main course – steak – but did manage pear tatin. Went up to bed fairly early.
Thursday – Another bright and dry day, not too cold, although Julia’s phone predicted rain. Dot and I walked down into town after they left, had a cup of tea and bought some chocolates, among other things. Drove down to Ashbourne together with several lorries, and before we reached Ashbourne (20 miles) were held up four times by road works lights. On the A50 called in at the second worst Services I’ve encountered, just outside Derby (Derby and Burton). Directions appalling and Services consisted of little more than Shell station and Waitrose, plus toilets. Much of it appeared to be falling apart, though the Waitrose store itself was OK.
Had a sandwich and somehow miscalculated the time so that we arrived at Heather and Simon’s in Leicester half an hour late. Had a great time there. Lovely to see them. Simon was able to walk down garden. Sam and his girlfriend Grace have moved out, which is good. He is working in cybersecurity. Back on road, I drove to Cambridge Services: very long hold-up on A14 before that. Then Dot drove, taking care not to run out of petrol till we got to Morrisons in Norwich with about 20 miles left in tank. Home around 7.45pm. Took stuff out of car, had pies we bought at Waitrose and watched Amandaland and Bergerac. By that time totally exhausted; so went to bed.