I am guilty of neglecting my trusty bicycle. It was at some point during the pandemic lockdown that I started to use my bicycle, equipped with the rather ancient panniers that Phil used to use when he cycled to work, to go to the open air market in Uppermill on Wednesday mornings. Prior to that I used to jog to the market and catch a bus back. Cycling meant avoiding breathing the possible germ-filled air on public transport. And I carried on cycling for years, apart from days when the rain fell torrentially or it snowed and froze, turning all the bridle paths into ice rinks.
Looking back, I think I was remarkably lucky with the weather, most Wednesdays being fine enough to cycle. This winter though has defeated me. Since some time in December Wednesdays have been wet or icy or windy or foggy - or any combination of those elements - and I have chickened out, put on my warmest raincoat, and walked up the hill to Dobcross and down the other side to Uppermill.
With a supreme effort of will, I have got myself out of the house, over the hill, round the market stalls and the Italian greengrocery in time to catch the 10 o’clock bus home. Well, almost always! Sometimes the schedule has been set back by 15 to 20 minutes and I have had to wait for the 10.30 bus to come along.
As the days start earlier and finish later now I shall have to work on getting back on my bike. We shall see!
The open air market was looking sadly depleted again this morning. The fishman was back; last week I was told his van had broken down but he was open for business, albeit from a different van. His regular van is adorned with slogans like “Tomorrow’s tea is still in the sea” but this was a plain white van.
The fruit and veg man was there as usual, as was the man who sells slippers and socks and, incongruously, second hand books. Lately he’s also taken to selling bric-a-brac, crockery and ancient small electrical good like cassette player/ recorders, culled from people’s junk-filled garages.
Jenny Biscuit - yes, the lady who runs the cheese and biscuit stall is really called Jenny, but not Biscuit - was still absent. The Slipper cum car boot sale man is concerned she might not return this year. I am concerned that I have been unable to replenish my supply of gluten-free oat crunch biscuits (useful when my gluten-intolerant brother-in-law comes round) and treacle biscuits - my daughter’s favourite.
It’s a rather sad situation! There has been a small open-air market on the square for at least 70 years, judging by photos people post on social media, and probably for longer than that. It would be a shame to see it disappear.
Yesterday I commented on Mr Trump and plastic straws. Here’s a link to an article about how hard it is live without plastic. Even food shopping becomes difficult as so much stuff is plastic-wrapped. Plastic is another of those things that we find extremely useful but which is possibly killing the planet. And not all the plastic is recyclable or even reusable. Another genie we won’t be able to get back in the bottle!
Skimming the newspapers online this morning I spotted a headline for a fashion article: 12 affordable jewellery brands, worn and rated for style and quality. You have to take such articles with a large pinch of salt. I decided to see what they consider affordable. Answer: a gold bangle for £150; a jade and silver-plated necklace for £115; and lots of similar items. Affordable? Not really the sort of stuff you might buy on impulse. My jewellery does not come into that range at all but at least nobody is going to mug me to steal it.
It wasn’t really a “fashion” article as such but part of a series they call “The Filter”, suggesting the best things to buy in certain categories. A recent one was all about equipment needed for making good coffee - the right kind of grinder for your beans and so on. Not on e dod ot mention the trusty Italian-style coffee maker who h we use all the time. So it goes!
Life goes on. Stay safe and well, everyone!
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