Today’s picture’s remarkably mundane, but for me it’s a milestone during these troubled times, because today was the first time I’ve set foot on a train since the 20th March. Admittedly, it wasn’t to go far, I’d walked into Halifax to do something that I do once in a blue moon nowadays, pay a cheque into a bank. Mind you, I don’t exactly go into Halifax that often either. Covid has turned me into a bit of a recluse and the only reason I’d normally head to Halifax would be to catch a train – which is what I did. After  a marathon day staring at computer screens on Sunday I was yearning for a break and a semblance of normality so I decided to get a train to Mytholmroyd, grab a few pictures then walk back along the Rochdale canal.

I caught the 14.17 from Halifax which was bound for Manchester. To say it was quiet was an understatement. I shared the carriage with just 4 other people. Two of them (both teenage girls) had decided not to wear masks. The cynic in me wondered if this was because masks would ‘ruin’ their make-up. Apart from them, all the other passengers I encountered complied.

I stayed in Mytholmroyd for an hour – just long enough to grab a few pictures, admire the massive flood defenses the Environment Agency are still building then strolled back along the canal. After a mile I stopped to take a break and watch the world go by, which was when I noticed the ominous clouds heading my way. When the first rain fell I wasn’t too bothered, it was only when the claps of thunder started I thought ‘oh, bugger’…Fortunately, I’d come prepared and brought an umbrella which kept the top half of me dry if not the bottom. The rain absolutely hammered down and made the walk back home soggy to say the least. But, do you know what? I really enjoyed it. It was so good to be out and about again. I’ll add a set of pictures tomorrow. In the meantime, here’s the picture I was going to post before I started rambling. The first train I’ve been on in 148 days…

The pictures will be back to more exciting/interesting ones soon – promise…

 

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