Not shielding? Day 139

It’s the first of August. On this day henceforward, we do not, apparently, have to be shielded any more. Call me a cynic, but……..the risks are probably just as great now as they were in May, but now that the bulge of cases no longer threatens to overwhelm the NHS, we can go ahead and get infected if we like. It don’t matter no more. It’s up to us to assess the risk on a daily basis – which we will do, if we can get reliable local information…….

OK, rant over. Next!

We have had a very leisurely, lazy day today. Although we woke up at a reasonable time, we both stayed in bed, just luxuriating in the fact that we could. We had ourselves a nice cuppa, and whiled away our morning, snoozing, chatting, playing e-games on the phone and reading. A lovely way to relax and remind ourselves of our every blessing.

I did hop out of bed a couple of times – firstly, to thank Malcolm for doing another bit of shopping for us, despite his on-going shingles situation, which is improving and not infectious or so painful now. I don’t think anything stops that man, mind you. And secondly, to take delivery of a parcel of dried fruit and nuts that John had ordered. Disappointingly, it wasn’t the case of wine that he’d ordered a few weeks ago which has never arrived. The company now tell us that their intensive investigation has revealed that the parcel is………. officially lost. Refund on its way – thank you.

We have done nothing that has demanded great energy levels today. In fact, John has spent most of it inspecting the back of his eyelids and rehearsing for the sound effects department on radio, for the part of a chainsaw. I am sure his audition will go well – he’s had years of practice. (This is meant to be a joke, by the way…..)

I, on the other hand, simply drifted about the kitchen, clearing first this bit of mess that I’d left from yesterday, then that bit over there that John had left; and then stacking the dishwasher, washing up, washing and drying clothes and folding them up afterwards. Nothing of any note, but pleasantly soothing and bringing a gentle rhythm to the day.

I paused in my duties and reached into my handbag for my phone when I heard a message ‘ping’ into my inbox, and put my hand on my Mum’s watch. Ah….. she’d asked me to get a new battery for it. Long story, in which Paul thought he might run the errand but couldn’t due to possible COVID infection, and then didn’t, due to feeling unwell with what has turned out to be a cold. I know! I’ll go myself, I thought.

So I jumped into the car and made the journey into Kenilworth, popped on my mask and strode confidently into the jewellers to do the deed. “It’ll be about ten minutes. Do you want to go and do some more shopping and come back?” said the very nice lady behind the perspex shield on the counter. “Oh. Erm……. oh, I’ll just wait…erm, in the doorway area and….. erm, look at your jewellery display,” I stuttered. Of course, it is such a long time since I went into a shop, that I’d forgotten how to communicate. I certainly wasn’t going anywhere to be doing any shopping.

Anyway, all was well. I lurked in the doorway and feasted my eyes on the beautiful, sparkly jewellery, until they called me back in to say it was ready. Swiped my card and off I went on my way. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy.

Once home, I had planned to do a bit of a clear-out of what we lovingly used to call Andrew’s sitting room, but we now laughingly call the tip. Anything that I don’t quite know what to do with, including all of Andrew’s kit and caboodle that needs a storage facility, is pushed into what was the front bedroom. It really is a tip. However, before I made the trip upstairs, I thought I’d just have a cup of tea first. Then watch a programme. Then, I’ll go up…. oh, look it’s meal time already. I’ll go and cook the tea. Never did get upstairs to do the clearing. Ah well, there’s always tomorrow.

And that’s what we did all evening – just watched TV – well, and dozed a bit and had sultry conversation. Nice. Girding our loins for more shed-building/baby/child-minding……

And so, for the record, 77 COVID-19 related deaths in all settings today and one in a hospital setting yesterday. 771 people confirmed as infected today too.

What to say, in the continuing grind of the virus still lurking? It’s still: Take care, everyone, and God bless.