Step by step by step.

Travelling back to the UK this week has been rather like going through progressive boxes, rather like a deep sea diver going through decompression chambers on his way to the surface.

On Tuesday, we went out to lunch in Vigo, taking a friend to Casa Pepe where we took our visiting ches players just a couple of weeks ago. It turned out to be a little like a reunion with old friends as the owners greeted us cheerfully, gave us un chupito at the end of our very tasty and very reasonably priced meal and even presenting me with a red carnation as we left.

The weather had improved during the day and strolling home after lunch I spotted a distinctly Great Britain shaped cloud in the now blue sky. Definitely a portent of some kind as we were due to fly to London the next day.

Wednesday saw us walking to the bus station in bright sunshine. Earlier in the morning it had been crisp and chilly but by the time we set off it was warming up nicely. After the recent few weeks of grey skies, drizzle, high winds and occasional storms the weather had obviously decided to get back on its best behaviour to see us on our way.

By midday we were in Portugal and set off to fly to London. The beautiful clear day gave me a new and different view of the Islas Cíes as we flew over the rías.

We were met at Gatwick by our son’s fiancée and her parents who whisked us off to Surrey for coffee and cakes and then into London to stay overnight with our number one offspring.

London on Thursday morning was quite cold but relatively bright. We knew for certain we were back in England –and how! – when we bought coffee at Euston Station. A “small” latte was at least twice the size of any café con leche grande I’ve been served in Spain. No wonder some people are concerned about their caffeine intake if they regularly drink several “regular” or even “large” coffees a day!!

Manchester was noticeably colder and greyer when we got off the train at Piccadilly and caught the bus to Oldham. Later in the afternoon the Christmas lights came on there, much to my continued surprise at how early Christmas starts. Now, the concello de Vigo has recently stated that the lights will not be switched in the streets until December 5th, doing their bit to save some of the world’s resources at least.

No qualms in Oldham though. In fact, quite the opposite, rather proud of it. You might expect the lights to spell out “Merry Christmas” or “Goodwill toward men” or some such seasonal message. Not so, however: these lights just say “Oldham Lights”. No comment!!