Wednesday 6th March 2024

As I sat having breakfast, I looked out across the car park to the Solent beyond, expecting it to be foggy.

But it was clear.

At least here,

So, after eating I went down and walked across to the prom again to take shots, taking care to steer well wide of the drain cover.

It really was too nice to be working, I thought.

Maybe I would go out later?

I walked to the car and drove to the factory where the second day was to take place.

This route I know with my eyes closed, but just for safety's sake, I drove with my eyes open, just in case.

And the traffic was every bit as bad as I remembered, now that it was no long half term. We inched down the main road into Newport at 8ph, little faster than a pack horse two centuries ago.

But that's progress.

Or not.

I reached the factory, reverse parked, and went in engaging my auditors brain as I crossed the threshold.

I finished at four.

I had wanted to be done earlier, so I could go somewhere other than the hotel, but it was now too late to do it, and then there was the traffic.

I got back to the hotel, got a soft drink from the bar, and surfed online for an hour before deciding to walk into Cowes.

I had not done 200 yards when my my knee suggested this wasn't the best idea, with going home tomorrow and all that, so, sadly, I turned round and went back to the hotel, stopping to book a table in the restaurant for half six as I entered.

Sigh.

I went down at half six, ordered the actual soufflé, it was breaded goat's cheese I had the other day, that was followed by Cumberland ring sausage on a bed of mash, both swimming in onion gravy.

With vegetables.

Yummy indeed.

All that was left was to pay the bill, so I could make a quick getaway in the morning. That done I went to the room to follow the Norwich game.

Double sigh.

Went to bed at nine as I was to be up at half four.