Month: August 2020

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.

After a heavy day’s work yesterday, I wondered whether John would be up for the fight today, carrying on where he left off, helping to build Michael’s ‘man-shed’. But yes, he certainly was. Keen as mustard. So, we were up and getting ready in reasonable time, gathering our bits and pieces to take over to Sutton Coldfield, to ease the day through.

Once we’d arrived there, we went our separate ways – John down to the ‘man-shed’ alongside Michael, to supervise proceedings there, and me to the house to support Danielle in whatever way she wanted. I was pleased to see that she was looking a lot better today, and she had more energy, so things are looking up.

It was such a hot day today that, instead of playing outside, William’s instinct was to remain indoors at the height of the heat. Sensible boy. He also commented that the sun was too bright today. Well, it was very bright and I was delighted with the decision to retreat to the coolness of the lounge as it felt too hot, even for me, outside. Fortunately, the location of the ‘man-shed’ is among the shelter of trees at the bottom of the garden, so the menfolk were shaded a bit in their labours.

I asked Danielle if there was anything particular she needed doing, and one job was to change the sheets on the bed. William and I went up to do the work and spent a very happy hour up in the bedroom, playing among the pillows and the duvet. He spent a great deal of time bouncing on the bed, and I was exhausted just watching him. Then there were a lot of ‘tickle monsters’ playing in the bed at the same time, as well as ‘ghosts’, which stood up, shrouded in a sheet and generally wriggled around, giggling. Then there were roaring lions, and pirates, and not to forget ‘Blaze’ and his Monster Machines, charging about. We had a fabulous time. The bed did get made eventually, but not before our imaginations had spun all kinds of tales. Great fun, before thirst got the better of both us and we had to come down for a drink.

After a bite to eat at lunchtime, William went for his nap on the promise that his paddling pool would be up and ready for him when he got up. Michael duly pumped the pool up, and we then realised it needed a good clean. So that was my job early afternoon. Boy, was it hot out there in the blazing sunshine. I couldn’t wait to get the pool cleaned and filled with water myself, so that I could dip my toes in it too!!

After his nap, William got up and raced out to the paddling pool, all togged up and ready to go. The only thing was, the water was still cold and he didn’t fancy it. Nope. Oh, and the sun was still too bright. The swimming kit came off, and he trotted back into the sanctuary of the cool, dark lounge. Me? I had a paddle. The cold water was bliss.

The menfolk kept their heads down and worked and worked on the shed today, all day. John says he didn’t do much, but sat in the chair mostly, watching the younger generation do the physical work. Between them they interpreted the instructions and, when things didn’t quite go right, John offered suggestions as what to do next. A great working relationship by all accounts.

We hadn’t expected rain today, so it was a surprise when the wind changed direction and blew a posse of dark clouds in our direction. The change in wind direction didn’t do much to reduce the heat however, so it came as no surprise when there were rumblings of thunder in the background, and great big plops of rain drops started to fall. It wasn’t much and it didn’t last long, but it did cause consternation in the shed-building department. The roof wasn’t fully finished. It’s still not fully finished, but they did manage to drag a tarpaulin over it to keep the thick of any rain out when it falls tomorrow.

It got very late for a nearly-three-year old’s tea, but we were determined to have a barbecue, so we sat down to eat about seven o’clock. Lovely food and lovely company – and some quiet time, as Thomas stayed asleep through the proceedings, only waking up as we finished eating.

I had the pleasure of bathing both William and Thomas this evening, as John and Michael were still putting the finishing touches to their day’s work. And then I had the added delight of reading William his bedtime story, before we headed home. All in all, another lovely day.

In other news, of course, the virus is the hot topic, with Eid having been cancelled because of the rise in recent infections. Despite this, shielding for the vulnerable is now suspended. The government denies mixed messages, but I am not sure I am clear on what they are really recommending as the best thing to do. However, the government advice is just that and they tell us that ‘it’s your personal choice whether to follow it.’ John’ll be down that motorist’s shop before you can say ‘Jack Robinson’!!!

120 COVID-19 related deaths today in all settings and one yesterday, in a hospital setting. 880 people confirmed as infected with the virus today though.

Take care everyone, the fat lady hasn’t sung yet. And God bless you all.