Ginnel

Ginnel is not a word I was familiar with until I moved north, but basically means a narrow passage between two buildings.

I am going to use it to describe today’s blip, which was about as interesting as things got as I’ve had another busy day. This is a little ginnel just off the market square down which are a number of lovely quirky independent stores and even a small coffee shop. If the garland is lit of an evening, I bet it looks lovely down here.

Off the back of a busy morning, I headed out for a wander to get a few more bits for Christmas as it occurred to me with The Eldest being with me on Christmas Day, she will need some stocking fillers. I think I’m basically done on the shopping front – even to the point that most things are wrapped – with just a couple of bottles of wine to buy.

It was a curious wander round town on a grey oppressive day against a backdrop of a rather depressing news cycle, everything felt rather subdued. We already know that Christmas party bookings are down, but I wonder if at what should be a really busy time, footfall will decrease even further as we enter that crucial 10-days from Christmas period and people will be keen to ensure they’re not picking a touch of the ol’ Omicron and having to self-isolate?

I’ve been fairly relaxed about going out and trying to carry on as normal, but this close to Christmas a kind offer of a few drinks in Lancaster at the weekend is now giving me pause for thought.

I’m caught in the ginnel between a rock and a hard place.