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I was going to have a lie-in this morning, but forgot to reset my watch, so when I woke up and saw the time, then twigged that the clocks had gone forward I realised I’d already had one – which left me feeling rather cheated!
I left Dawn asleep and crawled out of bed, made some coffee, then retreated to my office to finish scanning and editing the batch of slides that I’d begun yesterday whilst catching up on the days news from around the world. You can find them on my Zenfolio website in this gallery. Scanning and editing is a time-consuming, tedious process, but at least it only has to be done this once thank God. I think I’d lose the will to live if I thought I had to do it again! I hope visitors (and picture Editors, hint, hint), will think the whole project’s been worthwhile. It’s certainly brought back a lot of memories for me. I’m actually surprised at how many I can remember the circumstances around taking them – even after 30 years!
Once the pair of us were up we planned our day. The weather’s nowhere near as nice as the past few days. The temperature’s dropped much colder and the skies greyer. Even so, it didn’t stop us getting our daily exercise, which we combined with a trip to the supermarket. To make the walk worthwhile we dropped down into Sowerby Bridge to visit the Tesco’s there. There was another motive, it’s the only one which sells their own-brand alcohol-free prosecco, which we both enjoy.
When we sallied forth the first thing we noticed was how few people had done the same. I’m sure the weather had more to do with it than anything as it was a Sunday, when you’d expect more people to be at home – but does that matter anymore? Most of the people who’re still occupied probably count it as part of the normal working week. There were a few hardy dog-walkers about but not as many young people for a change.
Sowerby Bridge still had a fair few cars whizzing through, but as the only shops open were Lidl, B&M bargains and Tesco there wasn’t much reason to visit. Even Tesco’s was quiet. The ‘social distancing’ barriers outside were empty of shoppers, so we strolled straight in. Panic-buying has subsided, helped by the fact the shops have limited the amount folk can buy so the shelves were pretty well stocked. There was no shortage of fresh fruit and vegetables, the only really empty shelves were the old panic-buyers favourites – toilet roll and pasta (as if they shouldn’t have enough by now). Oh, the other one was instructive, all the crap lagers in cases had vanished. All the decent booze was fine!
We even managed to pick up something that had been as rare as rocking-horse shit up to now – hand sanitizer gel result!
In theory, we should be able to shop online, but there’s one biiig problem. Everyone else is trying to do that too. Here’s the Boots website earlier today.
Strolling home we were caught in a couple of desultory hailstorms where the hail was so tiny it easily became victim to any passing breeze. Even so it was an indication of how the weather’s changed once more. The nights may be getting light, but the mercury isn’t rising.
Back in splendid Isolation we divided our time between me dealing with household chores and setting up more slides for scanning whilst Dawn dominated the kitchen. First up was a big pan of home-made broccoli, cauliflower and sweet-potato soup. Next on the menu was a vegetarian Shepherds pie, followed by crispy Kale, then stir-fried greens with garlic and chilli and soy sauce (so we’re certainly getting our five a day). Finally there was stir-fried peppers and mushrooms that can be kept in the fridge and used in vegetable omelets. We’re now set up with some gorgeous food to eat during the coming week which takes the pressure off the pair of us as we don’t have to get bogged down in prepping meals and can concentrate on work whilst still eating healthily. My mother-in-law says I’m lucky to have such a wonderful wife! Well, they do say that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach! Dawn’s certainly been brilliant through these challenging times when others struggle. My MiL’s right…
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10:01.
The atmosphere aboard’s happy but damp!
Now we’re in the first of our pubs. Nowadays it’s called ‘The Dispensary’. I remember it by it’s old name, ‘The Grapes’.
14:00.Next pub. The Little Grapes.
Here’s the crew.