Sunday 1st March 2026

Woke around 0800. Descended for porridge. Started packing. Drove Aki to the Metro station at Callerton Parkway to begin her journey back to London. Said our farewells at the station...I then drove to Kingston Park to do a shop at M&S, and fill the car up with petrol. Grabbed a Costa coffee. Drove back to High View to start cooking the Sunday lunch...roast chicken, roast potatoes, and a cauliflower cheese, followed by tiramisu. Dad didn't eat much, though he managed to demolish the tiramisu without a problem. Packed my stuff into the car boot and said my goodbyes. Decided to follow the satnav, which recommended heading west...I assumed to Carlisle, but it insisted on taking me over the Pennines via the A686, through Alston. Stopped briefly to take in the view from Hartside, 1,903 feet above sea level, though the view was somewhat dominated by a blanket of grey cloud. The weather got increasingly grim the further west I ventured...and there was a lot of spray on the M6 southbound. Traffic got very busy after the Manchester junction, presumably with Man United fans coming away from the game at Old Trafford. Got to Bakewell Street around 1845. Unpacked the car, and said hello to Lyndsey, who was busy baking Parkin. I heated up my M&S spaghetti meatballs, and retreated to my cold and damp room. FaceTimed Aki who had gotten home in one piece. She's hosting Kath tomorrow, ahead of their trip to Hammersmith to see David Byrne.