Long time silent on this blog – not because I’ve nothing particular to say, but because there are too many subjects to rant about, I’m spoilt for choice. Therefore, indecision reigns and time marches on to year end.
I’ve also been busy going hither and thither seeing friends and being rather more social than earlier in the year. Trips included Sheffield, Nottingham and Bradford. Sadly, no photographs worth showing of snow except one I took on my iphone going over Snake Pass in Derbyshire last month. At the time, I assumed that this first flurry was an aberration and we’d have the normal cold wet winter. Nah - that was a harbinger of miserable weather to further depress this bah humbugger more than usual.
I feared the snow would prevent my seasonal stay in Cheshire, but I managed to get through to the motorway (M74, M6) and reach Sig Other’s on Xmas Eve.
Now on Hogmanay the temperature is once again falling, relying on the inadequate local public transport tonight is pointless, and I might as well drive. I don’t require drinking vast amounts of alcohol to bring in the New Year, so that should be fine. We have tickets for a ‘do’ locally and it will be interesting to see in the New Year in England for only the fourth time in my life. Nevertheless, I’ll probably miss the proper celebration going on in Edinburgh.
Last Winterval, Sig Other was in Edinburgh and I was responsible (mostly) for the food and cooking. This year it is his turn and I am luxuriating in his choice of dishes. We celebrated the Christians' festival with a largely vegan selection based around a delicious mushroom, chestnut and brandy terrine with red wine gravy and tons of veggies. Another highlight was his Caribbean rice and peas with fried plantain. I’d never eaten plantain before, but will want to again, it is so yummy. As I write, he is making veggie moussaka to keep us going until next year.
Taking it easy for a few days has given me time to reflect on a year that seems to have passed me by. Three major bouts of flu and assorted other health issues kept me from doing all I had planned to. I’m not alone in this experience, as many people have had similar repetitive viruses irrespective of age or previous health status. However, tomorrow, the calendar changes and new opportunities may turn up. Ever hopeful!
Highlights have been the unforgettable cruise into the Arctic back in March, and the weekend in Madrid in October. Time spent with friends and family are always good and with determination, I hope to do more of this in 2010.
I’m almost stunned with surprise that the first decade of the twenty-first century is ending. That sorta snuck up on me. At times I suspect my consciousness got stuck in the 1970’s, so to leave behind the noughties and move into the teens (err, what are we to call the next decade?) is daunting. No amount of intoning “yer as auld as ye feel,” is convincing me that this headlong gallop towards the end date on my driving licence is controllable. Maybe I need just to go with it and accept whatever is in store for me next?
If anyone has the answer please let me know – but shouting 42 won’t cut it!
Happy New Year!