Apologies for absence these past couple of days but it’s been a busy time due to the fact that on Thursday my father-in-law had his 90th birthday. So, on Thursday the Platt family had a gathering to celebrate. Thankfully, John had bounced back from having had the lurgi just the week before, showing that he’s incredibly resilient from someone of an age where many people expect you to be a gibbering wreck that spends all their time sat in front of the TV. That’s never been John’s route. He’s probably more active and fitter than many men 20 years younger – as you’ll see later…

The full Platt family (and me, as an honorary member) went out for a meal at the Manor House in Lindley, on the edge of Huddersfield and I have to say, the food didn’t disappoint. Dawn had taken me there several years ago for my birthday so we knew what to expect, whilst the rest of the family had never visited. The food, service and ambience were all top notch. As both Dawn and I enjoy cooking we sometimes find eating out a disappointment as we know we can cook just as well, if not better. But the Manor House is in a different league.

Friday saw me working from home as the weather’s been bloody awful and it’s not been any better today as we’ve caught the end of storm Darragh. High winds had already caused chaos in the area, bringing down a huge tree in our local woods on Thursday night, but today I had to venture over to Huddersfield for the annual Honley male voice choir Xmas concert. Dawn had driven over earlier in the day so I elected to get the train. I thought I’d be clever and go from Sowerby Bridge to Dewsbury, then catch a Trans-Pennine Express service into Huddersfield in order to get a view of progress on the Trans-Pennine Route Upgrade (TRU). I didn’t need to be at the concert until 15:00 and left in plenty of time, so what could possibly go wrong? Bloody trees down on the line, that’s what…

My 10 minute connection at Dewsbury turned into a 55 minute fester. The only small mercy was the opportunity to have a swift pint in the West Riding refreshment room on the station. Thankfully, I made it to the Lawrence Batley theatre in Huddersfield with just a couple of minutes to spare before the concert started and took my seat with Dawn and her mum. Remember I said my FiL isn’t one for vegetating in front of the TV? Not at all, instead – he was singing in the choir he’s been a member of for 38 years! So, today’s picture is of the concert. John is on the bottom row, second from the left.

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