Jan 1st 2019

Careful consideration was given to getting on the bike and riding up the old railway this morning.  However my body, lacking a full sleep period, decided otherwise therefore just after 9:30 I wandered out seeking fresh air and sunshine hoping not to be greeted by too many cheerful types wishing "Happy New Year" to one and all.  These English are funny folks, on Sunday many wished me a 'Happy new year' whereupon I informed them it was not 'New Year' until midnight on hogmany, this they failed to comprehend.  Today, the 1st of January 2019, as I crossed the park I passed many a person not one of whom looked capable of wishing anything but the Black Death upon those who crossed their path.  One man almost but not quite nodded in my direction and I gave no greeting to any, one cannot be too careful I might have woken some of them up! 

As ten of the clock approached some shops were opening, 'Argos,' 'The Works,' and one or two others were on the point of opening while 'Iceland' and W. H. Smiths were already serving customers desperate for urgent supplies, there has been no shops open since er, last year.
Miserable people sauntered around in the chill, little sign of revels anywhere though I suspect the pubs will be full again by lunchtime.  Surprisingly few windows broken, indeed none that I saw from last night, the extra police patrols on duty must have had an effect.  Not that these patrols mattered to me as I sat in my bed from early on seeking interesting things to do on the laptop.  This it turned out was as interesting as what was on TV, nothing could be found and all other things were boring me, so I read one of my Christmas books, re WW1 would you believe?, as outside fireworks exploded to add background to my reading.  I think they shot their bolt as by midnight few fireworks lasted long, they appeared to have used them all up earlier. 

 
Now I sit here and cogitate after my lunch, followed by 'Black Bun,' while I attempt to get life back into this bulk.  I fear I have failed and now will have to go against my dearest wish and return to my bed and sleep off the weariness caused by eating.  I may be some time... 

Indeed I was but the cloud covered sky of earlier has been replaced by a dark night instead.  This forced me to eat once again (Why does meat have no flavour? What does 'slaughtered in UK mean? Is the beef foreign?) and now full of whatever that was I search for football to finish the night.  All I can get is a National League game (England's 5th division) to entertain me while I doze away the beginning of a new year.  
How has it gone for you so far?
No disasters yet as far as I know, I have failed to upset anyone, though I could have tried that this morning, and silence all around can be heard.  I say that and vehicles appear from nowhere!  A quiet day but surely tomorrow will be back to normal?  Many schools return on the 3rd so teachers can return tomorrow and discover how many are missing, shops will be back to their usual hours, traffic will be lighter but the world returns to face the new year with a miserable expression and fear of Brexit everywhere.  The announcement that the Dept of Transport has given millions to a firm to provide ferries, a firm that has no and has never operated ferries, comes as no surprise as the firm is owned by a man who is a major Tory donor, corruption is rife in this government.

OK folks the break is over, get down to the gym!