Under the bridge

I woke up with worsening sciatica (a consequence of all the recent sitting around on non-orthopaedic chairs, but one that has dogged me on and off for more than half my life). I decided that the answer for today was to go for a walk. 

Set off in the sunshine with my all-terrain boots on, not knowing where I was going. Decided to phone V and ask her to meet me at a cafe out of the other side of town, by the canal and the district council offices. I forgot that it takes her ages to get ready, because she is often talking to her family long distance...I got there before she did, and sat outside watching people with their dogs, which came in various designer shades and flavours. There was a 'normal' border collie I liked, but it was on the growly side and upset other owners. 

Eventually V turned up but she couldn't park, and drive off again. I found her in the end. We had drinks (the hot chocolate did not give me a headache afterwards) and then went to one of the cheap German supermarkets, where I bought some prosecco for New Year. That's as far as my NY plans have come along....

V took me home, and I did my jigsaw in the daylight, and listened to podcasts, until it was time for Steve and I to go out to the Stroud panto at the Sub Rooms, where I once again met up with V. The panto was Robin Hood, and involved many local school kids, some from local dance schools. Thoroughly enjoyable, and it was great to see so many little kids in the audience having fun. It was also V's first pantomime, so I had to fill her in on what to expect. We all left happy, and S and I came home for supper and more music, this time in the vocals of Maria Callas, thanks to a BBC documentary about the opera singer.

The bridge with the mural is near Dudbridge I think, on the outskirts of Stroud.