12th February
I have just returned from a few days in the north after visiting an elderly relative who is in hospital. As Spencer couldn’t accompany, me owing to his Job of National Importance, I relied on public transport to reach the wilds of Wigan. My reserved seat on Cross Country Trains from Basingstoke worked well as far as Wolverhampton where I was required to change on to a Virgin train for the rest of the journey. Unfortunately, the overhead display system wasn’t working (does it ever?) and so it was impossible to tell which was carriage C, let alone which was seat 44A. Anyway, I managed to arrive at Wigan station relatively unscathed and to my surprise, right opposite the station, was Wigan Tourist office. I popped in there to get my bearings and a map and then made my way to the hospital in time for visiting.
You might be amused to learn that I was staying in the old people’s home that my elderly relative normally lives in whilst I was there. Spencer quipped that I should be doing some research for the future as it wouldn’t be long before we would need to be looking for a care home ourselves. Breakfast with the residents was certainly a lot of fun and as I remarked to Spencer on my return, he would fit in quite well there already.
14th February
Valentine’s day, and a huge bunch of flowers from Spencer. It is nice to feel that you have been missed whilst away up north. There were a number of empty baked bean cans in the recycling bin.
18th February
Some insider knowledge readers! The classes for next year’s Village show have been agreed! There have been major changes to the baking section, so don’t be practising your chocolate brownies in anticipation of entering or you will be disappointed. It appears that every class I have won in the last couple of years has been substituted for another one. Perhaps someone is trying to tell me something? Some good news though- the Victoria Sandwich is making a welcome return, and the “Men and Boys only” class has a bit of a challenge this year too!
Some people will also be pleased to learn that the children’s classes will be reverting to the format of previous years.
As details become known I will reveal all in this column and in the Basinga magazine.