Guess where?

Woke at 6.30. Too early. Cuddled up with Indie and went back to sleep. CleanSteve offered me tea. When he brought it, I realised it was 7.40 am. My taxi was due in 40 minutes! Got dressed, had some breakfast. Steve made coffee, I drank it, then the taxi driver knocked on the door. Fortunately I always pack almost everything the night before.

Got to coach; friend D joined me at the next pick up. We stopped at (Blah) motorway services once, then Chesterfield for lunch. Admired the market, and the old pub, and the crooked spire, and had lunch in a greasy spoon. D CA hardly walk any distance now. It's a question of finding almost the nearest place. Walked around a bit more, went into a charity shop, bought a jar, walked back to the coach.

Stopped at another Blah place. Drove up and up the motorway, until we suddenly pulled in at the car park for this enormous sculpture, Anthony Gormley's Angel of the North! D did not get off. I did, it was blustery, exhilarating, and statue is huge! There are little mementoes hanging in the bushes nearby, folk shrines to dear-departed loved ones. Touching. So glad we stopped there.

Arrived at hotel. It is well appointed, as GG would say. Dinner was good. Our dining table companions are entertaining and well-travelled. Retired early, and have been attempting to catch up with blips ever since.