Steel City

was cold but bright yesterday. Travelled up there laden down with pressies and cake for the strident student's 20th birthday. Despite being received by someone who was obviously still nursing a fairly major hangover she was delighted with her gifts. Whilst she gathered herself together I had a look around the house which despite some efforts by the landlord is still completely diabolical. Can't come to terms with the fact there are damp stains & mould spores on the walls, although it has to be said her bedroom is OK. You'd think these days student accommodation might be a bit more habitable.

We pottered into the City centre (a friendly, buzzing environment), mooched around the Xmas market, shops, stopping for lunch at a fab little place she's discovered. The place is so different to 20-odd years ago when I was offered a management position there by Top Shop and couldn't face living somewhere so grim, but I guess that was in the days when the steel works were going to the wall and the mines shutting down - a la 'Full Monty' & 'Brassed off'. Very different story now, huge regeneration and nice eclectic mix of shops, restaurants and people...feels quite cosmopolitan. After out little sojourn we got back to the house she made me some dinner, which I think is possibly a first! :o)

Although she's in touch every day I miss her when she's away. Looking forward to her coming home for Xmas though with Waitrose and catching up with her friends I doubt I'll see that much of her. She's sorted her transfer out and is back on the 20th, assigned the role of 'Turkey Bitch' - i.e. dealing with customer orders and running to & from the chiller all day. She's been given some very fetching long johns and a thermal vest specifically for that purpose! :o/ Food retail is such a glamorous business & I can't think of anything more enjoyable than dealing with hosewives on the brink of a breakdown due to the run up to the festive celebrations :o( Not a job for the faint-hearted!