To Liverpool again - a foggy journey

Off to Liverpool today.  Thom was off school today and had agreed to do someone else's paper round to earn some extra cash - good lad! Sara made me a breakfast roll of bacon and fried egg and I spent most of the morning getting ready for the few days away "up north".  I dealt with last minute paperwork and packed - taking two suitcases with me - one packed with clothes and the other my "mobile office".  As I am leading and preaching at West Dean next Sunday I took quite a few theological books to help me put together the service and write my sermon - on the theme of Malachi. I eventually left the house at 12.30 p.m. and took the normal route via Swindon, Gloucester, Birmingham, Wolverhampton along the motorway.  At Stafford I started to hit really heavy traffic and it was stop-start all the way to Stoke where I turned off and took the A500 through the city centre.  Attempting to rejoin the M6 at Junction 16, I encountered thick choking fog - I say choking because there was the most awful smell of sulphur in the air which permeated my car's air-conditioning system and sucked it in producing a really horrible acrid taste in my mouth.  The fog was very widespread and the car radio traffic announcements from as far afield as Sheffield and Lancashire indicated its extent.  It was impossible to get on to the M6 and so I took the single carriageway road towards Nantwich and with the aid of my car's SatNav negotiated my way along some fairly minor roads to Runcorn and into Liverpool over the Mersey Bridge.  In fact, this significantly reduced the mileage to Liverpool but did mean I arrived here about an hour later than scheduled.  I found out later, on the radio that I in fact saved time as well because the M6 was pretty well jammed the whole way to Lymm and beyond and the M56 to Runcorn was blocked by an accident and it was taking 84 minutes (how precise is that?) from the M6 to the Runcorn turn-off.  On arrival at Liverpool the fog had cleared and I arrived at my friend Malcolm's at about 6.10 p.m. - the journey had taken about five and a half hours which, considering the problems, wasn't too bad.  Tonight we walked along the park road to Steve's where we bought and shared one of their excellent Singapore Chow Meins and spend a pleasant evening sitting and chatting over a few drinks (we decided not to go to the pub) and discussing world events.  To bed at 2 a.m.!

Another point for the Saints

I woke up this morning feeling considerably better than on the previous two mornings.  Jeff was here early and continued to erect the picket fence which is looking really good and definitely enhancing our property.  Although feeling better I still feel a bit grotty - this is a really heavy cold and one which is going to take quite a few days to go away.  I attended Mid-Week Eucharist at Whaddon this morning, taken by Andrew, and then on to Whiteparish for a meeting of the Full ministry Team at Jane's which lasted until about 12.30 p.m.  Then into Salisbury city centre to buy a new waterproof hat to replace the one that I had lost at Warwick Services on Sunday. I looked at some cheap ones in the Army Surplus Store in Winchester Street but I felt that I really looked a bit of a "prat" in them and then also looked in several other shops finally deciding to spend a bit extra money on a South African weatherproof hat as worn by a number of my contemporaries including Ashley and James.  Stylish and very practical.  This evening Saints were playing Norwich City at St. Mary's.  Sara decided to cook us a tea of lasagne which meant we arrived in Southampton much later than normal.  The traffic in the city was terrible and there were no parking paces anywhere - 30,000 people were converging on Southampton to watch Premier League football - such a difference to the experience when we were in League One with gates frequently below 18,000.  After having cruised around the streets of Southampton - including the Ocean Village - we eventually drove back up to The Avenue and parked at one of Trethowan's garages.  We had about 15 minutes until kick off and power walked in the freezing cold to the ground.  In fact when we took our seats the game had only been going for one minute and so I reckoned that we had walked the best part of a mile in 13 minutes!  Saints scored first but Norwich equalised before half time.  no goals in the second half ensured that the two teams shared the points.  With Aston Villa's win yesterday, Southampton remain in the bottom three but three points above Reading and seven points above QPR.  Saints are only one point from safety and another couple of wins could see them up the table.  Early days and nothing lost yet. After the match, the traffic was again horrendous so Thom and I, chilled to the bone, walked around via St. Mary's Church to the St. Mary's Street Chippie for a couple of portions of hot chips - really welcome. A more gentle stroll back to Brighton Street and an easy journey home - arriving back in Winterslow at 11.20 p.m.  I watched an interesting interview with two British Muslim girls on TV tonight about their "reversion" to Islam and learnt the word "Inshallah" or Insha'Allah meaning "If God wills it" which punctuates their conversations, as a Muslim should never talk about future plans or ideas unless they say this because Allah has pre-ordained what will be.  Fascinating stuff and I think when it comes to my turn to undertake independent study on course, I will choose a study of Islam.  

Another day at home

I woke up feeling quite dreadful again today - aching and with a sore throat and headache.  As yesterday, I stayed in bed for a while but did read and work.  Geoff came to start work on our picket fence and by the end of the day had managed to complete three sections and a side gate. The weather matched my health - miserable, cloudy and wet.  In fact, apart from posting a couple of letters in the box across the road and occasionally going out to see the progress on the fence, I didn't leave the house all day - preferring the warmth indoors.  Both cats seemed to share my reluctance to go our - although Leo did venture off for a short period in the afternoon. I had a one-hour telephone conference with clients at lunchtime after which I phoned Mum to find out that she was waiting to go up to the hospital.  She is suffering from double vision again. It was later established that the dosage of drugs - principally steroids, needs increasing. This afternoon, Sara went into Salisbury to pick up Mary and to do a bit of shopping.  I worked on my worship essay and completed it.  Unfortunately it exceeds the word limit and Sara has kindly reviewed it with a view to reducing the number of words.  I shall work on it again tomorrow and get it off to my tutor. Tonight I watched the Aston Villa v. Reading game which was important for Southampton.  Aston Villa won 1-0 by a narrow margin which has pushed the Saints back into the bottom three.  They can restore themselves tomorrow night in their game against Norwich - in fact, with Sunderland drawing 0-0 with QPR this evening, they can significantly improve upon their position. Awin is a "must" tomorrow night.  Thom and I shall be there.

Under the Weather

Woke up this morning feeling really unwell - headache, aching joints and sore throat.  Decided to stay in bed for a couple of hours although it is difficult for me just to lie and do nothing.  Ginny the Cat came and joined me.  She is a "Past Mistress" at being able to do nothing and laid down and promptly went to sleep.  The weather outside is hardly conducive to getting up today.  A large packet of papers for a couple of new clients had arrived over the weekend and I set to to read these in the comfort and warmth of the bed.  It took me an hour and a half to read them. After this I had a quick telephone conversion with one of the clients and we have arranged for a fuller telephone conference tomorrow lunchtime.  Sara went into Salisbury today on a few errands including a visit to see her niece and family. I felt a little better and made a wood fire and did some work in the warm lounge.  Tonight some issues arose with Thom and his attitude towards his school work - the result of which was that he forfeited the opportunity to watch some American sport and TV.  He was not a "happy bunny".  I had hoped to finish my essay of the peace today but will try and do that tomorrow.  Have four essays to complete before Christmas.  It would be good to get this one out of the way this week.  I also have a staff meeting on Wednesday so I must knuckle down.  wish I didn't feel so awful.  Tonight my feelings of illness returned with a vengeance although I put off going to bed until late in the hope that I would get a good night's sleep if tired.

Liverpool to Southampton (for a great win)

I didn't sleep very well last night.  Whenever I did drift off Sara woke me up to tell me I had been snoring.  I was, therefore, the first person up this morning and made tea.  I had the beginnings of a really awful sore throat.  We left Liverpool at about 8.30 am and arrived in Southampton at 1 p.m. parking in IKEA where Thom and I left Sara and Mary and walked to St. Mary's Stadium to watch the Southampton v. Newcastle United game.  I had left my waterproof Burberry hat at Warwick Services and so stopped off at the Saints Store in West Quay to keep my head warm.  We also stopped off at the St. Mary's Street chippie for a couple of portions of chips before walking on to the Stadium.  30,400 attended this afternoon's game which Southampton won comfortably 2-0.  This means that tonight they are out of the bottom three.  Wonderful football.  Now looking forward to Wednesday's match against Norwich at St. Mary's and Saint's away game at Liverpool next Saturday - yes, another trip up to Liverpool.  Feeling really poorly tonight - a combination of late nights, lack of sleep, driving up to Liverpool and then back down to Southampton not to mention walking in the pouring rain.  Went to bed at 7 p.m. this evening hoping to feel better in the morning. 

Michael McIntyre in Liverpool

Up early this morning and packing to go away for 36 hours.  Thom did his paper round first thing and Sara cooked us breakfast.  We finally left for Liverpool at around 10.15 a.m. arriving at Malcolm's flat at Aigburth in Sefton Park at about 3.30 p.m.  having stopped off a Sandbach Services and having to take a slight detour through Stoke-on-Trent to avoid congestion on the M6.  We also had a detour at Runcorn as the roads leading to the Mersey Bridge are being repaired at the moment. We visited Steve's Chippie (now just Steve's) for an assortment of different fayre.  Sara was intrigued by the wealth of variety and the relatively low cost compared to similar establishments in the south.   I think Liverpool never ceases to surprise her with its friendly and eccentric character. We were even given a free one and a half litre bottle of coke to wash it all down.  Sara and I shared an excellently portioned Singapore chow mein - my favourite from Steve's.  It was interesting to see that "sausage dinners" are still on the menu - now £3.20 compared to the 15p cost when I was a student and frequented Steve's.  This establishment has been going since 1956!  Amazing to think it existed when I first visited Liverpool in 1957.  Tonight we all attended Michael McIntyre's Showtime at the Echo Arena by the Pier Head.  What a great evening of entertainment with many observations on life which could have come from observing my own family here in Wiltshire.  I particularly liked the Dishwasher story (buy his DVD if you want to know more). It was pouring with rain as we left the Arena and Malcolm picked us up in his car.  I got soaking wet waiting for him to arrive and felt a bit under the weather tonight.  I didn't join Sara and the kids for bed until around 1 a.m. - Malcolm and I chewing the cud as we tend to do over a glass of whisky (the rent which I always bring).  

Emmaus Scripture Supper Evening

Another miserable day to day as far as the weather was concerned. I had lots of plans for today but in the end I drove into Salisbury's Waitrose store to pay a telephone bill and to fill the car with diesel for our trip to Liverpool tomorrow.  I called in briefly at the Lord Nelson at lunchtime to see Sara but the usual Friday lunchtime crowd were not in.  Surprisingly, I am still top of the Football Competition table with 149 points - but only 2 points clear of second place. I am grateful to Tranmere and Port Vale for having kept me top all season (so far!).  This evening there were seven of us for the Emmaus Scripture Supper and had a really nice selection of food brought - pitta bread and humus (which I bought in Waitrose), shepherd's pie from Val and Bill, a wonderful pavlova from Cynthia, salad from dawn,  and cheese and biscuits provided by us. Chris N brought some wine.  The main topic of conversation/study was scripture connected with the arguments for and against women bishops and we looked particularly at Paul's letter second to Timothy.  We had a really enjoyable evening but were late to bed as we had quite a bit of washing up to do which we didn't want to leave until the morning.