Chilly but cheerful

I took the bus over to Cheltenham to meet D today. Conditions were bright, but bitterly cold. Frost sparkled on the trees and fields.

D appeared hunched and could hardly walk. He said he'd been out dancing at a 'function' the night before. Clearly this jaf taken its toll. We took in a coffee shop, a chocolate shop, a Turkish restaurant, and then headed off to the theatre, where we watched a stage adaptation of Flora Thomson's Lark Rise to Candleford. The story of a young girl growing up in rural Oxfordshire was played out in scenes involving acting and song. Hammerpuzzle.is the theatre company: they had a cast of just four and were endlessly inventive. I love their productions, and hadn't seen one since 2019, so this was a treat. D said he'd enjoyed it too.

Afterwards I ran around the shops, then caught the bus home. Raced to catch a second bus home from Stroud, and was surprised to see two mounted police officers outside the MP's office. (I later found out that Forest Green Rovers had been playing a Gloucester side at Nailsworth, and that there had been some trouble).

Once home, I had a quick wash and brush up, then got a lift to Nailsworth for our staff do at The Big Hotel. This was a strange affair: a tv set had been requested for the England game, but my table couldn't see it. Lots of shouts and groans and cheers....Conversation was a bit laboured on our side. No one seemed to like the food all that much. England lost the game, and exited the world cup. No one from our party wanted to dance, though there was a live singer and a dance floor. We left about 10.15. To be fair, I didn't mind because I'd had a grand day out already, but I don't think the same hotel will be chosen next year. Still, it beats a disco in the school hall, and I have an enormous amount to be grateful for.