Aspiration

Sunny with clear blue skies this morning but there is still time for it to change by midday as usual. It actually snowed in places yesterday. Our trip to Yorkshire was in pouring rain. Add the spray from lorries and driving was not pleasant for Lynne, who dislikes it at the best of times. We set off early to avoid the York races traffic, but there was none. As a consequence we arrived early and stopped to grab tea and coffee in a pub near the crematorium. To say the pub was stuck in the 1950's would be an understatement, although the tea and coffee came with complimentary custard cream biscuits. Lynne was particularly excited by the ladies loo's which featured chain-pull cisterns. The gents was similar but also featured an ancient hot-air hand drier with no hot air,or indeed, any air at all. Also to get to the ladies it was necessary to pass the gents toilet which sported no door or courtesy panel, which for me was quite disconcerting. On the A1 motorway near Leeds we passed one of those giant advertisements stuck on the side of a large lorry trailer, mysteriously parked in an adjacent field. On it was the giant message "Prepare to meet God, your maker"  although I hadn't expected it to happen so quickly. Within seconds we were cruising past an old codger in (you've guessed it) a BMW. As we passed he decided to change lanes. As it was a two lane section our options were somewhat restricted. Somehow Lynne managed to brake heavily and lean on the hooter at the same time. The deaf old git and his BMW disappeared into the distance totally oblivious to the chaos they had left behind. We could not see if his car had the optional extra of indicators as we were alongside at the time. The service was inspirational,as Norman, aged 88, was remembered as the model soldier, employee (Lever brothers -now Unilever) and father, universally loved and admired. Something for all to aspire to but few will achieve.  We then travelled to see our son in Manchester in the hope of offloading the stack of his belongings stored in our loft. The M 62 is stunning , passing through the Yorkshire moors. Apparently it is the highest motorway in England. Manchester is a sort of upmarket Birmingham, but then so is Mumbai. For dinner we were taken to the Trafford centre. Think of the biggest shopping mall you have ever seen and treble it. Mind-blowing, it even has a Victoria's Secret which always overcomes my aversion to shopping. Thousands of free parking spaces. Some architects and councils show genius. Healthwise no fits and still no response from my new consultant. He needs to liven up if he wants paying.