SOLD!

CleanSteve says it's been sold for ages. "It" is the pub formerly known as the Market Tavern, but until a decade or so ago it was the Pelican, or Peli, once a thriving pub with a back bar for music, theatre and poetry. This was one of my stomping grounds. A friend who grew up in Stroud tells me it was once 'The Union', "because we didn't have taverns back then".

Now, as it adjoins the Farmers' Market and a little parade of shops, with Iceland within spitting distance, it has been bought by the Iceland people, who want to develop the whole area into a supermarket and relocate the farmers' market on the roofspace, and then to lease it to a major player in the shopping game. I support the idea of an in-town supermarket, as I won't always be working next door to Tesco's, but as for reolocating a successful street market to the roof.....

Town was busy today, everyone clearly desperate to get out and about after a couple of days, but both markets were closed. I got what I needed, and intended to join CleanSteve for a quick walk, but our plans went pear shaped and we ended up back at home, CleanSteve having stumbled upon some poorly maintained steps on Waitrose's lands. Emails have been written...

It was, nonetheless, wonderful to get out in the fresh air and sunshine. By late afternoon the rain had come in, and turned to snow for a moment. Now it's sofa time again, and Whisky Galore on the box, with the promise of Montalbano later.

PS We have breached the G-F Christmas cake. It turned out like an iced Clootie dumpling! Maybe it's because I added a grated apple to it. CleanSteve likes it, but I am disappointed.