Monday 23rd December 2024

Woke around 0800. Got up and descended to the kitchen to make tea. Joined by Jim and Katherine. Made do with a bit of peanut butter on toast for breakfast. Katherine and Ro said farewell and drove off for a bridesmaid dress fitting in town. Rob joined us at the table, before we packed the car...said our farewells and drove off for the journey northward. Took the M62 to Leeds and picked up the M1, then the A19 to Yarm, where we managed to park up and walk down the High Street for lunch at Borelli's. 

Got to Sam McClaren's workshop in Stockton at 1430, as arranged. He greeted us at the door, and ushered us into the inner sanctum, where my hand-crafted P-16 was waiting for me. He's done a magnificent job...a spruce top, Indian rosewood back and sides, a neck of Cuban mahogany, and an ebony fretboard with mother-of-pearl inlay. I nearly burst into tears! Had a little play...sounds great. The electronics include a built-in tuner! Had a chat with Sam, before sticking the guitar on the back seat, and heading for Darras Hall. Aki drove, as I wasn't feeling too good...can't work out if I've done my back in, or there's some kind of abdominal inflammation. Feels very odd. The weather took a turn for the worse, and it started raining, and got very gloomy. Quite a lot of spray kicked up by the traffic on the A1(M), but Aki guided us into Darras Hall without mishap...as we turned into Whinfell Road, we found ourselves following dad, who had come back from Western Way Garage, having dropped Kath off there to pick up her motor. She'd had to fork out £300 for repairs to get her back on the road again. Unpacked the car, saying a brief hello to mother, as we ran back and forth in the drizzle. Made up our bed, then descended for a cuppa tea. Kath cooked macaroni cheese for dinner, followed by pancake with raspberries and ice cream. Mum and dad appear to be in good health. We sat in the lounge and fell asleep in front of the telly...I escaped briefly to strum my new acquisition in the study...it is a thing of great beauty. Watched The Ten…dad had turned up the volume to 11…it was deafening! Showered before bed…