Sunday 21st February 2016

Saturday

Another weekend rolls round and the weather forecast is somewhat less than perfect. But only a little rain is expected, but dark clouds and strong winds, it was not a day for spending much time outside snapping picturesque churches or orchid rosettes. But the two ongoing project could be updated, then listen to some football, a little cooking, listen to some music. And pass the day before some Nordic Noir to round the evening off.

As ever, first off was the trip to the supermarket. And Tesco won out as it is easy with the hand scanner, to whizz round, get stuff and just pay. No queuing at tills, no repacking. And even better for former Olympic cyclists living on the far side of the globe, no Norwich game this week as we lost in the cup weeks and weeks ago.

Tesco was very empty, and I got most of the stuff on the list, including some beer and cider, and was back outside loading the car in half an hour, heading home to beat the traffic, unpack and have croissants and more coffee for breakfast before deciding on what to do next.

What was next was going into town to buy the aubergines I forgot from Tesco and to take shots of the site where Burlington House used to stand. I go round taking my shots, now even harder as roads have now been blocked up, crossed now by tall green wooden fences, and those roads will soon be replaced by more car parking spaces. The old Lord Nelson pub can only be reached now down a narrow alley from Market Square, doing nothing to help their business. But it might improve when all the work is done I suppose.

Having completed all chores, we drive up to Aycliffe to look at the work on the sea wall. The latest news is that it must be replaced, and work continues before the demolition then rebuilding can start. In fact it still looks like it will be just a short time before tracks will be relaid, but I am hearing maybe the end of the year before it reopens. We shall see.

Up the narrow path leading up Shakespeare Cliff, leaning on the ancient metal fence to get my shots. Its a long way down there, if it were to give way. But it holds.

We drive back home, back along Townwall Street and up Jubilee Way; traffic for the port is so light its almost not there, so we get back home just in time for the start of the Huey show, time for coffee, some rolls for lunch, then settle down for the football.

Only its a dull day, just a handful of games, the midday game is goalless, the main kick0offs only produces a couple of goals, and I lose interest, switching the radio off at quarter to five once the results are known.

Chorizo hash for dinner, the rest of a bottle of red wine, Sarah Millican on the radio, the day passes into evening outside.

The Nordic Noir is very Noir indeed, more death, mystery and layers of confusion. Just as it should be. I think they all did it? Or has that been done before?