The Daily Echo: Day 190

We say, “God, I’m tired. Not sure why……” and scratch our heads as to what is making us weary. Of course, in our sane moments we know exactly why we’re tired. John has had a couple of disturbed nights and, during the day, has been demanding that his body work very hard when he’s been shifting stones. Me? I just go to bed late!

Today was one of those days. Both feeling tired, but ploughing on, and then collapsing in a heap at the end of the day.

I was up relatively early to go to Mum’s. A medical appointment at 10.30 meant getting to her flat at 9.30, to be sure she was up. Which she wasn’t. She smiled lazily as I opened her bedroom door. “Hello, dear,” she said, “How lovely to see you.” Regrettably I had to shatter the illusion that I was there just for a casual visit. I knew she wouldn’t remember she had to be up early. She was a trooper though, as she gamely threw off her bedclothes and swung her legs over the side of the bed.

Fortunately for me, the carer arrived just then and she took over the washing and dressing routine. There was no time for breakfast, but I did make Mum a cup of tea. She made laugh though. I made the tea with lots of milk so that it would be cool enough to drink before we set off. She never drinks her tea hot, always leaving it to go cold, so it was a surprise when she said, “Well, this is a bit cold,” Both I and the carer burst out laughing – oh, the irony!!

The visit to the surgery was quite successful, but Mum was a bit distressed by having to wear a mask, and made a bit of a fuss. “I can’t breathe,” she cried. Ah. Well, she could, but was panic-stricken by the warmth of her breath behind the mask, and her imagination went into overdrive. We were seeing the nurse for a blood test and check up for diabetes. The nurse took pity on her however, and said halfway through the consultation, that she could take the mask off. Mum was all smiles then.

I was finally away from Mum’s at mid-day. I had offered her breakfast when we got back and while she was eating it I popped to see the warden. By the time I got back the hot lunch had arrived. Oh dear, that confused her. She didn’t know if she was coming or going, bless her.

John didn’t stop for lunch until he’d finished sorting out the stones. I ate lunch and afterwards, did a spot of ironing. Then, excitement of excitements, it was time to go over to Sutton to meet the Sleaths in the park. No longer allowed to meet in our homes and gardens, we were lucky that the weather was so beautiful today. We sat on the grass and played with the bubble kit I’d bought William (and one for Freddie). William ran and ran and chased the bubbles for ages. Had great fun.

Thomas grinned and gurgled when he was awake and slept soundly in between times. It was such bliss to spend a relaxing hour or so there.

At Michael’s we looked through the front window at the new toys William had had for his birthday, pressing our noses up against the window pane like kids at a sweetie shop. Well, it was just like that, as William offered us ‘ice-cream’ from his new ice cream cart!

Then it was time to go home and have a chat to Andrew before we had our tea. After which, a little doze on the sofa was the order of the day before it was time for bed. “Wake up! Wake up! It’s bedtime!!”

We kept well away from others in the park and wore our masks and did lots of hand sanitising again. Hoping it’s enough to prevent infection. Today’s cases nationally are still high – 4,368 – with 11 deaths in the community and 3 in hospitals yesterday. Locally, the app suggests it’s still between nought and two cases here.

Ready for lockdown number two anyone??