Today it hit me … tomorrow is December. Which means the beginning of the end for 2007. I only just now got used to writing 2007 and it’s almost time to start writing 2008. Thank goodness we don’t use cheques that often anymore …

This time of the year can be pretty grim. The only think I like about the short days is driving down the high street in the dark, but all the shops have their lights on brightly, and most shop windows are beautifully decorated. People mill about on the street in spite of it looking like ‘night time’, it is still very much ‘shopping hours’. You just wish someone would be selling roasted chestnust and gluwein on the street … which I am sure they do in some places … like at the Manchester Markets, but not in Altrincham or Hale.

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Talking of the Manchester Markets – they have been fantastic this year, I think. I have been twice. Once with Tim and my mum-in-law (my father-in-law chose to have a nap instead) and a second time with Lisa. The problem the first time, was that we were going out that night. So we could sample the ambiance, the smells, the Christmas spirit – including the Christmas-carol-singing-moose – but we couldn’t actually sample the goods. I promised that I would come back with an appetite … and I did. Lisa and I went back the next week and ate ourselves to a standstill!

I suspect the markets wouldn’t have been busy today – it’s been raining cats and dogs. I have been taking the tram into town lately as I now work in the centre of Manchester. But what that does mean is a good walk to and from the station. Today I came home drenched! And I had a brolly! My trousers were soaked from the knees down. I am just grateful it was on the way back from work, and not on my way to work that I got that wet. At least I could get out of my wet gear and into something dry as soon as I got home. But if it was on the way to work, that would have been a different story entirely.

So, tell me more about the Tram, I hear you ask. The tram runs from Altrincham to Bury, via Piccadilly Station (where I work). It takes on average about 35 minutes into Piccadilly. It takes me about 15 – 20 minutes to walk to the station … depending on the shoes I am wearing. The higher the heels, the longer it takes.

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But I see it as part of my exercise regime. No, in fact – I see it as my exercise regime. At the moment it is the only exercise I get. I still have the option to drive into work (which is still quicker door-to-door), but then I have to rejoin the gym. This way I get my exercise and my commute in one. Granted, it means I only walk about 30 – 40 minutes a day, but that is better than sitting my backside all day!

It costs me £82 (R1,166) for 4 weeks’ travel. Prices go up in the new year. Not yet sure how much that will be, but I think it will go up to about £85 (R1,209) or £90 (R1,280). If I drove into work, it would cost me more than that in petrol, currently about £1.03 (R15)/litre, but then I have to add a further £6 (R85)/day for parking. Not cheap!
Anyhow, it is Friday night, and for once we have nothing planned for the weekend other than a few chores, going out for breakfast tomorrow, going out for lunch on Sunday, visiting my friend Sarah who I haven’t seen for ages, and just sorting out my Christmas presents etc. On that note, I am going to go and relax.