Shielding and Bubbling – Day 146

After our excitement at ordering another take away yesterday, which we thoroughly enjoyed at the time, we both found ourselves sitting up in bed last night, trying to settle tummies that reminded us we weren’t used to this sort of food any longer!! And, after forty-five minutes of restlessness and being disturbed by each other sighing or sitting up or something along those lines, I decided to decamp to our former bedroom to give us both a chance for a decent night’s sleep. Which, for me, did the trick and I was up with the lark this morning.

It was fabulous to be up early and at ‘em! And it gave me an opportunity to have a bit of a tidy-up before welcoming the Sutton Sleaths who were staying overnight…. I was just a bit excited.

Malcolm rang the doorbell not long after nine o’clock with the shopping and was stunned to find that I was actually up. That’s a first for a long time. Normally, I’m doing a puzzle or playing an e-game in bed when he arrives and I have to hastily throw clothes on and leg it downstairs.

Anyway, the family duly arrived – unexpectedly, as it turned out, as I wasn’t sure what time they’d be arriving and had just texted to ask what the plans were when they turned up. Caught me unawares as I was just washing and drying the sheets for their bed…….

Caught the cats unawares, too, and they scarpered as soon as they saw Chester, who couldn’t wait to give chase. Which he did, a bit later on when, having scouted the garden to check the cats were safe, I let him out. He found Rio straightaway, snoozing in the undergrowth. The chase was just like a cartoon caricature. Wish I could draw – I’d have posted the picture. Made me laugh anyway.

William was thrilled to be at our house and settled himself in straightaway. And that was it then for the day. We were up and running, full speed ahead.

Of course, the toys were still out from the ‘Freddie-visit’ yesterday, so William had to tackle the same jigsaw and play with the same ‘complicated-to-put-together’ marble run, as well. In the end, it took three of us to put the marble run together. I couldn’t sort it out today; John couldn’t see to sort it out; so Michael had to do the business. Good job.

And what a great day it’s been again. Each and every time I see any one of the family, singly or in a group, how blessed I feel – despite the limitations we currently have. We were companionable, easing our way through the day, helping each other and appreciating each other. Fabulous.

Young Thomas behaved himself impeccably all day, sleeping like a good ‘un and making smiley faces at us at the most amusing moments. As if he knows what’s going on already. William was a busy bee all day playing first with this, then that and then helping prepare food. We had fun.

Michael, on the other hand, was shut in the dining room working all day, only emerging for food or drink and then diving back into his studies again. Danielle kept pace with whatever the children were up to and John kept pace with the rest of us. Although he’s still got ‘Puffing Billy’ as company. Eeeh, dear…. he’s a bit fed up of it.

Mind you, John does acknowledge that he’s perhaps overdone it a bit in the last couple of weeks. That’s always the trouble – learning to pace himself. Ah, well, we’ll be working on another patch up job, I expect.

I am hoping our bellies are going behave this evening, though. We had such a delicious barbecue and sat out in the sunshine to enjoy it, that it would be a shame if the enjoyment were spoiled for a second night running.

Our day was also interspersed with a pictorial running commentary of the Kenilworth Sleaths’ trip Devon for their holiday. Pics of their holiday homes for the next two weeks made us feel very envious, and then pics of Freddie, who always plays the joker, in various situations – clearly enjoying chocolate cake from the ‘welcome basket’ and playing the fool with a peg on his nose a bit later on. Daft boy. But I love him.

I was privileged this evening to bath William and put him to bed. It was so very hot that he was struggling to get to sleep, so I lay down alongside him. Hah! Hah! You thought I’d dropped off as well, didn’t you? Well, I didn’t, but could have done. But by the time I’d come down afterwards and faffed about a bit, there wasn’t much evening left. But… I had seen what happened in the cricket, so I was a very happy bunny.

I haven’t watched the news particularly, but am aware that there have been 55 deaths related to COVID-19 today, and 758 people confirmed as infected. The NHS is reporting that there were no deaths yesterday, however. It’s the first time we’ve seen a zero – although that may change by the time the figures are updated tomorrow. Fingers crossed it stays at nought.

And fingers crossed that the weather continues fine too. It brightens everyone’s spirits when the sun shines – although maybe 31 degrees is a bit too much for some people I know, so maybe a little cooler please? God bless everyone and peace be with you.