Ventnor view

A little bit of a rush for the 9:45am train from St John’s Road. I wolfed down the yogurt, mango and berries. Need to remember to eat more slowly. The train ran a few minutes late. Only one other passenger on the platform who looked like a member of staff. Carriage had a handful of other passengers who all got off at Smallbrook Junction (we guessed there was some Santa-themed event). Quiet all the way to the end of the line at Shanklin. 

At Shanklin waited for onward bus connection to Ventnor. It’s the bus that left Ryde around the same time we did. We could have saved the £5 train ticket and just paid for the bus (the £2 single fare offer is still going) but we enjoy the train. 

The Winter Gardens was holding a Christmas fair. We thought it would be interesting to see. Started with a tea and toast. Unfortunately, at the Christmas Fair the stall-holders outnumbered the customers. Lots of homemade things. Lovely to see but nothing I needed to buy. Almost, but didn’t, bought something just to spend with them. Lovely that people are trying to hold these community events. I wish we’d seen at least one thing.

Walked down to the sea. The path is closed so had to walk the road. Slightly unnerving. Blustery seas. Then a climb up a different cliff path back to Ventnor town. PY not enjoying the lack of railings at one point. Plenty of space and no risk but it unnerves.  

With no real agenda we decided to head to Newport via bus. Ended up in Waterstones and bought a couple of Christmas presents. Also, the Alan Rickman diaries. I love reading other peoples diaries. Might take some inspiration but it’ll make nice train reading. Quite a hefty book so I wonder how long it will take.  I started it before I went to bed. It opens in 1993 and an entry from late December really brings home how much has changed: “The central heating completely f*****. Yellow  Pages brings rescue”.

At B&M, PY bought food and I bought a hand-gel dispenser and was dissuaded from buying more storage baskets. 

Decided to have lunch at The Bargeman’s Restaurant near the Quay. PY a baked potato. Me, a chorizo and mushroom “light bite” which came in a rich tomato sauce and with a slice of garlic baguette. Afterwards, bought a Christmas jumper from Next. I really feel I need to be “in the spirit” at the work party next week. Am not quite in the Xmas-jumper mood yet. 

Took the bus back to Ryde and got off at the top of the hill to go to the Co-Op. I couldn’t decided what I wanted for dinner and so we left. I fore-warned PY that I might not be able to decide and may end up wanting nothing, which indeed came to pass. He was not best pleased and had to go out to the Co-op again for something. Saw Amazon deliver a parcel to Raynes Park and dump the box on the doorstep when there was no answer. I assume that will have been stolen before we get back. I ended up dozing on the sofa, trying to watch some Strictly and, eventually, watching the Doctor Who episode on catch-up.

Lots of people will have something to say about this episode. I thought Neil Patrick-Harris, as the Toymaker, was excellent. It will take time to see the repercussions of the regeneration twist but it made it easier to greet the new doctor.  Tennant and Tate have great chemistry: such a shame it was only three specials for the reunion.