Diary 17th And 18th December 2016

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Saturday 17th December 2016 The final weekend before Christmas was a very busy one for me beginning with work, which involved a whole day sorting letters into pigeon holes. In the evening I was invited to an annual pre-Xmas house party run by science fiction fa friends in Stockport, Manchester so straight after work I bought some beer for the party and caught a train to Manchester. So as not to arrive at the party too early I had a beer in a pub, The Waldorf, on route and then went to a delightful party where there was lots to eat and drink, including absinthe and mulled wine. We stayed up to 3 AM and my friends kindly let me stay for the night. Sunday 18th December 2016 I got up at about 10 AM, and as other guests arose, our hostess provided croissants and other snack foods for breakfast for everyone. A friend who had been unable to get to the party due to attending another event, arrived to give her husband a lift home, and as their journey passed close to my next destination, they were kind enough to give me a lift. I visited my Mum at my former home in Manchester, my last chance to see her before Christmas. I took her a present and a card as well as a card and present for a friend of hers which she will pass on for me. She kindly gave me a big bag of lots of presents for me which meant I had lots to now carry home. I headed to the city centre by Metrolink Tram and caught a very crowded train home. At the station in Manchester a very rude woman barged past me in the line and when I was getting on the train itself she pushed past me again. I told her she was very rude. She told me she had to get on because her son was already on board and all alone. She pointed to a boy aged about 12, and given that he was on a train, in the carriage, hardly likely to get abducted in her absence. I told her I thought she was very ignorant. From behind me a man yelled at me not to call his wife ignorant. I just glared at him and he looked away. The rest of my journey home to Preston was uneventful. I am not opening my presents from my Mum until Christmas Day itself. I opened her card though and a second card she gave me was addressed to me from her cat. (who virtually ignored me during my visit). Thanks to my lovely friends for the party and lift home, and of course, my Mum too. Arthur Chappell