Month: October 2020

I am still counting….. it’s Day 229 since we went into Lockdown Number One. If the headlines in tomorrow’s papers are to be believed, it won’t be long before we are in Lockdown Number Two. Apparently, the rate of infection will soon turn into hospital cases and overload the NHS. Andrew reports that Midsummer House, the restaurant he works in, has closed for a week as a couple of his colleagues have tested positive for COVID. He’s self-isolating in Cambridge where historically COVID cases have been fairly light. We’re keeping our fingers crossed that he’s clear.

So, we were just gently passing the evening watching TV when the phone rang. I thought it was a mistake. A phone call on WhatsApp to all the members of the Sleath Tribe. No. No mistake. Michael phoned us all for a chat. How nice is that? So that’s what you do when Lockdown Looms…. Zoom!! Great fun and grateful for family.

The Zoom chat was the icing on the cake of a day that wasn’t too bad. We had planned to meet up with Paul, Harriet and Freddie this morning at Hatton Country World, but in the end, for one cause or another, we didn’t join them until later on this afternoon. Instead of an early outing, we both tackled jobs on our very long lists of ‘things to do’.

I started undercoating the bookshelves, but stopped at ten o’clock for a shower anticipating our trip out. When the trip didn’t transpire just then, I thought I’d re-hang the front door curtain that I’d taken down and washed. Horror of horrors though…. I realised that the door had never been painted since we installed it about three years ago. It had its primer on and John had put filler into gaps once it had been glazed but, nothing more. I decided to rectify the omission and started rubbing the door down to slap on a coat of paint. Oh… but I do hate prep!!

Meanwhile, John was up and flailing lots of waterproof material about. He had decided, at last, to make the cover for the patio table. “Where’s the sewing machine?” he asked. I had put it away. It had sat for weeks on the dining room table waiting for John to start this particular job, but with illness and weeks away and other distractions the job was put on one side. John hauled machine out. Next task: thread the bobbin. Ahh….. if only we could see. Between us, we got the machine working and John started sewing. I am not sure how far he has got and whether it’s actually finished, but the cover is on the table. Pat on the back, I reckon.

After our exertions (although I confess the front door still needs painting but the prep is done) we sat and had a cup of tea and a bite to eat before setting off to meet the Kenilworth Sleaths. And, do you know what? When we got there and met them in the café, we all sat down to a cream tea. Oh, yes. Nothing nicer than a cream tea and the company of family.

Freddie was a little monkey though – adorable, but a tinker. He was clearly over-excited, having been pumpkin-picking, haunted house visiting and hurling himself down the helter-skelter. And, of course, seeing us – I mean, who wouldn’t be excited at seeing us, eh? Anyway, he just couldn’t sit still at the table. He guzzled his way through a huge cup of hot chocolate and a couple of iced cakes, promptly said he was full and then started to fiddle with anything within range. Bless him. Thank goodness for mobile phones and children’s programmes streaming on them. That kept him entertained until it was time to leave. I think, for once, Paul and Harriet were probably pleased when it was time for bedtime…..

Take extra care everyone, and get ready for another ‘sesh’ at home to avoid adding to the statistics, which are: 24,405 people confirmed as infected with COVID-19 today; 274 people dead in the community; 113 people dead in hospitals.

And, here’s an oxymoron: Happy Halloween!!

God bless.

So Plan B worked. I toddled off to Sainsbury’s on the A45 to see if they had hazelnut milk – and they did. Snapped up 4 cartons of the stuff. That’ll keep the ol’ man going for another few days…..

I arrived at Sainsbury’s via a circuitous route. Semi-keen to get on with painting our new-to-us bookshelves, I decided I really needed to have some white spirit for brush cleaning, so I took myself off to Homebase this afternoon first. Got what I wanted and came out of the car park to head towards Sainsbury’s. Only I turned left, didn’t I, instead of turning right? I was only a few yards onto the southbound carriageway of the A45 when I remembered I should have been going the other way, but by then it was too late. I was committed to making the ‘long’ journey. I know, I thought, I’ll do a U-turn at the lights. Ha! No such luck. No U-turns allowed. I did finally get to the shop but not before I’d added a mile or two extra to the milometer.

While I was out, John thought he’d get his screwdriver out and put a screw in the wall in the downstairs loo for me to hang this mirror that I’ve inherited. So thoughtful. However, now that I’ve hung the mirror, I hate it….. might have to put the pictures back. Eeh….. one step forward, another step back. Might just as well be doing the hokey-cokey, I think.

John also thought he’d have a go at putting up the new blind that had arrived recently for the computer room. However, once he’d taken the old blind down he was jiggered, so decided to sit down in the lounge again instead. When I got home, he wasn’t a very happy bunny. So very frustrated at not being able to do things as he used to. He curled up under the new blanket I’d bought him and was rather cosy in there. Hibernating, it seems.

I would say, however, that the day has been quite a successful one for John. Easy for me to say, but not so easy for him to see. He was up quite early and pottering about; then a man came to collect the trailer, having bought it last week, and push money into his hand (although this was probably a bitter-sweet moment, if I’m honest); then we saw dear, darling Paul who called in for a few minutes and didn’t immediately rush off. We had a great little chat with him in the porch, door wide open and us half-way down the hall. He is always a sight for sore eyes and certainly makes my heart leap to see him.

Later on, while John was cocooned in the the blanket and snuggled up on the sofa, I set to and prepped the bookcase ready for its undercoat. I do hate prep though. It seems to get you nowhere – well, at least, there’s very little to show for the effort you have to put in, is there? And, by the time I’d done the prep, it was getting dark so I thought better of painting it today. Maybe tomorrow?

After our evening meal, I left John to watch TV while I had a lovely evening with the College girls, having a good old natter. There were just four of us today, with Linda struggling to log on, Sue D tired, having been to a funeral, and Lizzie also tired after grandparenting duties. I am such a lucky woman with such fabulous friends – cheered me up no end. Plenty of advice on how to keep the anxiety at bay, too. I find it strange that I don’t seem to be able to remember the advice on a day-today basis, and am rather grateful for the reminders.

During our chat, our thoughts turned to Christmas and the planned Ragdale visit next February. Would we be able to see our families? How was Christmas going to work? Would we be able to go to Ragdale? How risky will it be by then? We decided we’d wait and see nearer the time, but there ain’t lot of time for things to improve, so we may yet be saddened by continued restrictions at these key times. Fingers crossed that there is a miraculous discovery in the medical world and all is righted by then……..

And that’s been our day – an every day story of village folk? You bet!

And today in COVID news? 23,065 people infected; 280 peopled have died in the community; 128 people have died in hospitals on 27 & 28 October.

Take care everyone. God bless.

We began the day early as John had to be at Heartlands for 9 a.m. for the planned infusion of immunoglobulin, so we set off not long after eight, and gloried in the gorgeous morning. Sun shining, the leaves a-glowing in carpets all along the verges and spread out under the trees like crinolines. It was lovely. Lovely for me, I suppose, as I didn’t have a ‘procedure’ to look forward to, but nonetheless, John thought the daylight shone nice and bright today.

We arrived at the back entrance to Heartlands where a big notice said: ‘CAR PARK FULL’, so we pulled up in front of the gate. The car park attendant nodded cheerfully at us and said we probably could have pulled in for a drop-off, but it wasn’t too far for John to walk, so he hopped out and made his way towards the clinic. I called through the car window to him as he walked away, “Phone me and let me know when you want picking up,” whereupon the car park attendant said, “I knock off at three and I’ll be ready for you to collect me then.” We all grinned at his jolly joke and then went our separate ways. Tee-hee.

I had a few errands to run this morning so I got on with them while John snoozed (apparently) through the infusion. I dropped some spare bits for the fish tank in to Michael and Danielle’s and then did a spot of shopping in Kenilworth. I was on a mission to find hazelnut milk for John. I’d already tried at the Co-op to no avail, and the online Tesco shop didn’t have it in our locality either. I tried Sainsbury’s and Waitrose in Kenilworth but drew a blank. Plan B, I think, tomorrow.

After I’d picked John up just after one o’clock we nipped into Solihull to buy a tin of paint. Next project: paint the new-to-us bookshelves that we’d got from the Kenilworth Sleaths. But did I start painting them today? Did I heck. I painted something else instead.

Keen to sort the porch out to decorate it with Halloween bits and pieces, I remembered that I’d only put one coat of paint on the windowsill earlier in the year. It was on the ‘to do’ list but I’d let it slip down. Not essential after all. However, after I’d cleaned up in the porch this afternoon it seemed an opportune moment to get the job finished – so that’s what I did. John, meanwhile, was resting in the lounge watching TV. He was tired after his visit to the hospital, and I don’t blame him.

Just before I started the blitz on the porch, I popped over to Mum’s to fit a bulb to her reading lamp. Well, that was hilarious. Deaf as a post, she was. “That’s a nice brooch,” she said, admiring the sparkly, jewelled flower on my coat. “Yes,” I responded, “it’s a poppy.” She looked puzzled for a minute, then said, “A copy? A copy of what?” No…. a poppy! “A copy?” I shook my head and shouted a bit louder – a POPPY! The penny dropped. Ohhhhhh…… a poppy. And, because it was all so silly we both giggled our heads off.

Naturally, once we’d stopped giggling, the next question was, did she need the batteries changing on her hearing aids. “Honestly, Mum, I am shouting as loud as I can, and you can’t hear me, can you?” Well, she said, “I can hear you a bit. But you’ll have to speak up.” More giggling and holding of tummies as we rocked to and fro with laughter. It doesn’t seem so funny now, but it was at the time.

Once we’d eaten this evening, the time had galloped away with us and it was quiz time. John was very tired, but game, and he joined in like a trooper. The quiz took a little longer than usual though, as there were lots of lovely questions that required lots of lovely debate. By 10.30, John was pooped. “Sorry, folks,” he said, “I’m going to bed.” No worries, only one more round to go…… Great quiz and great fun as usual.

Apparently, the infusion John had today is a three-weekly procedure. There is an option to self-administer at home weekly, but perhaps not yet. We were debating the pros and cons of this approach on our drive home from the hospital, and concluded that it would be the less risky option from the COVID point of view, so we’ll see.

The appointments that are coming through for John now are mostly telephone appointments as the hospital is really not keen to have him in there and, with 24,701 people infected and 310 dead in the last twenty-four hours, not counting the recent hospital deaths, we are grateful for their consideration. It ain’t gettin’ no better, is it folks…….

Take care everyone. God bless.

I was expecting it to pour with rain all day today but it didn’t. It rained for a bit of the day then cleared up. Just enough, so that when we had an unexpected visit from Harriet and Freddie this afternoon, we were able to play out in the garden.

It was such a lovely surprise. I was upstairs ordering Andrew’s birthday present on the computer (Happy birthday to you, Andrew!) and John was in the lounge. I hot-footed it downstairs when the doorbell trilled its little tune throughout the house and, as I got to the door, I thought it was just Harriet. However, Freddie was hiding behind the trailer and ‘peep-oed’ as I opened the door. How very, very lovely. “It was Freddie’s idea to call in,” said Harriet. “I want to play on the swing,” Freddie piped up. They’d been swimming and were on their way back. Lucky us that they took a detour.

Into the garden we all went. The sun was shining and it was so beautifully fresh out there. Freddie made a bee-line to the swing where he twizzled round and round and round. And that was it then – we were off and running. He played on the swing – “Look, Grandma! Look at me!” then down the slide, which I polished to make it go faster, whereupon he shot straight off the end to great whoops of delight.

He looked into the pond, fished out some of the duckweed from it, fed the fish and then played with the bubbles I blew from the bubble wand I had got out. Soon, of course, it was time for a packet (or two) of sweets before it was home time. A short and sweet visit, but it lifted our spirits nonetheless. Freddie is a darling and Harriet was good company. Together we mourned our free-and-easy days of kicking off our shoes and slouching on the sofa with a glass of wine and a good argument.

In other news, I finished painting the skirting board. It didn’t seem quite such a chore this time but then, I wasn’t crouched down for quite so long, not having to put the masking tape down today. I think it looks okay.

John spent time in the garage again, putting the other shelf up and having a bit of a tidy up. In between times, he’d come through for a bit of a rest and a shake of the head. “Why am I so tired?” he’d ask. I would shrug. I don’t have any more answers I’m afraid.

In my quest to smarten the house up a bit, I had great plans to re-arrange some of the pictures on the walls and put a mirror up in the downstairs loo. Regrettably, the wall is brick and not willing to accept a nail hammered into it. Ah, well, as you were in there then. But I did get the curtain down and wash it and had a go at cleaning the windows in that room. So not a total waste of time.

“How about fish and chips for tea, John?” I offered to walk up to the chip shop because, to be honest, I couldn’t be bothered to cook. We had stuff in the fridge just ready and waiting, but really, sometimes I’d just like a rest. Today was the day.

We watched a bit of telly this evening – Bake Off was on – and enjoyed that. At this stage of the competition though, it always breaks your heart to see someone sent home. Whoever it is, because you’ve seen that they can do good stuff, only today was the day they didn’t.

With 22,885 people having succumbed to the virus and a whopping 367 people having died from it in the last twenty-four hours, not counting those who’ve died in hospitals (107 on 25 & 26 October), it feels like we should be locking in again and fully shielding. However, there are hospital visits to make, there’s shopping to do and Mothers to take to the doctors so we’re not yet. It feels like it’s getting close though. How’s all that feeling for you, folks?

Take care everyone. God bless.

Monday. Start of another week. And what a beauty the day was. The sun was shining all day, the trees were wearing their most colourful clothes and the moon shone exceedingly brightly this evening – even sporting a rainbow hue through the clouds. (Photo courtesy of Michael)

So, what do you do on a glorious day like today? Work inside of course! A job from my snagging list to get the kitchen finished, I actually put a coat of paint on the skirting boards today!! I will put another coat on tomorrow (I hope) and then that job can be crossed off the list.

Of course, it wasn’t as simple as it sounds. The paint I used is quite old, so there was a lovely thick skin on the top of a third-full tin. It transpired that, underneath the skin the paint was actually OK, but it was a bit of a fiddle to get down to it. John helped me fish out the last bit that was still floating on the top, and then wished he hadn’t. This satinwood paint wasn’t water-based after all. And where on earth had we put the large container of white spirit we bought at B&Q recently? Couldn’t find it – but I did find the accoutrements to the fish tank which I hadn’t been able to unearth yesterday instead.

I settled down to paint….. oh! I had forgotten to put the masking tape down. But you know how masking tape has that horrible habit of ripping, just as you’re on a roll? (Sorry about the pun) Yep. That. Bloomin’ stuff. Anyway, once I got going, not too bad to start with, but then there was negotiating round the waste bin and the radiator and the pipes. And I am arthritic – knees, hips, wrists – so, after about fifteen minutes I remembered why I am trying to keep up with yoga. I am not as supple as I was. Creak……

John, in the meantime, was furkling about with the lights on the trailer as it transpires that they are not fully functioning. So, the ol’ man got up and at ’em this morning, and was out there by mid-morning having a good old rummage around to get the reluctant things working. He thinks he’s done it, but we’ll see…..

He’s still not feeling great and is a proper Puffing Billy, so every job he tackles takes a superhuman effort. I applaud his determination – you can’t keep a good ‘un down, can you?

We both sank into the sofa after our hard work and watched the mid-day news. The question of what to eat for lunch was too much for John, exhausted as he was, and he said he didn’t really care what we had. In the end, I did a middle class, posh lunch…. made up some guacamole and served it with paleo bread and crudités. That’s mashed up avocado, cashew nut bread and raw veg to you and me. But whatever you want to call it, it was delicious.

After lunch, I knew I had to get over to Mum’s this afternoon to take her for her flu jab. And it was a matter of planning…….. working back from the appointment at 3.45, what time did I need to get there to get her out of her chair and out of her flat? That was the question. I decided I needed to get there an hour beforehand at least. No matter how many times you tell her and write things down, it would still be surprise to her that I was taking her out.

“Mum, I’ve come to take you for your flu jab.” She nodded and smiled. “Yes, dear.” she replied, “Nice of you to come.” I put her washing away, tidied a few things, and then got her shoes, socks, and a cardigan ready. “What, we’re going this afternoon?” Ah….. she hadn’t clocked that it was today. All of a sudden, she had tummy ache. “Oh, dear, oh, dear,” she moaned. “Mum.” I said, very firmly, “We’re going.” And then teased her, “A bit of tummy ache won’t stop you having your flu jab, you know.” She laughed weakly and looked at me appealingly. I shook my head. “We’re going.”

The upshot was that we made it there and back in on piece, and she managed to wear her mask and have the jab without too much fuss. A bit of a struggle getting in and out of the car though, which we had a giggle about.

While I was out, John cleared and removed the shelves in the old office/gym/snug so that he could hang them in the garage for his beloved Lotus bits. He looked pretty done in when I went in, but he ploughed on and he started putting them up in the garage. I was going to nip up to the shops, so went in to tell him. He was having a bit of a fight with the shelf, the wall and his drill. “Do you want me to help, John?” No, he was alright. “Well, let me know when you’re doing the next one and I’ll come and hold it up. And just be careful on those steps!” I hoped I didn’t get back to find him in a heap on the floor. As it turned out it was OK, but he did go to bed for a while as I cooked our evening meal.

All in all, a very busy day for both of us but quite a satisfying one for a change. Even if we are feeling our age….

And COVID? How’s he doing then? Oooh, really rather well, spreading nicely, thank you, to 20,890 people today and killing off 102 in the last twenty-four hours. The hospitals report 67 deaths over the weekend.

Take care everyone. God bless.

A whole extra hour in bed. How lovely! Well, in theory. I am not at all sure what happened to me last night but I couldn’t sleep. Half past three when I finally nodded off. And then, instead of snoozing on, I was awake at seven o’clock and ready to get up. Goodness knows….

It being Sunday and all, I thought maybe I would get to church this morning, but I started on with jobs and the time ran away with me until it was too late. Maybe next week.

We had planned to go over to the Sutton Sleaths today so that we could take them a spare printer we have, but in the end, they came to us. It was all lovely, because the sun was shining and, although it was a bit chilly, we lit the chimenea to huddle round. I brought out the cushions for the garden chairs and offered blankets for anyone who wanted them. William was feeling the cold as he had not long woken from his nap and, although John was in his big winter coat, he was also feeling the cold. William and Michael did some running to keep warm. John wasn’t up to that though. “Would you like your birthday present early?” I asked him. “Depends what it is,” he said, cautiously. “I think I’ll just go and get it,” I declared and ran upstairs.

Mindful that we are likely to be sitting out in the garden for the foreseeable, and knowing that John does feel the cold a bit more than most these days, I had taken the plunge and ordered a heated over-blanket for him to snuggle into. I thought it might be useful indoors sometimes too. Well, he was delighted with it and I was delighted that he was delighted. I think it did the trick and kept him going for the whole duration of the visit.

The blanket was going to be a surprise for John’s birthday but, to be honest, much better to make use of it when it’s needed rather than wait, don’t you think? And I also had to confess to him that I had bought a second one – either for me to use on the coldest days or for others to use when they come to visit us at our ‘garden’ parties.

Michael and Danielle hadn’t had their lunch before they left home, so I rustled up a salad – perhaps not the best food for a cool day outside but, when I started making it for John and me, the Sutton Sleaths hadn’t yet arrived and we were going to eat it indoors. I have to say though, that it was a tasty lunch.

And what other treasures could we find today? “Do you still have the goldfish bowl, Mum?” Michael wondered. “Yes, I do.” Of course I do, never one to chuck anything out. “Ah, but do you know where it is?” John teased. “Yes, I do – it’s in the loft.” The upshot of the conversation was that Michael thought it would be a nice thing to have for William. He’d been planning on buying one when he suddenly remembered I used to have one. And so now it’s all set up just outside William’s room and ready to receive a goldfish. Definitely exciting!

After the Sutton Sleaths left, John sat and watched the Grand Prix, which I think he enjoyed. It’s galling though, isn’t it, when the drivers are interviewed and they only look like they are sixteen? I mean it’s the young ones who are coming up now – Pierre Gasly and Max Verstappen – and honestly, they hardly look like they are out of nappies.

We had a bit of a kerfuffle though this afternoon when it was time to SKYPE Carol and John. I was in the kitchen pot-washing when I realised that it was a quarter past four. I popped through to the lounge to see about setting up John’s laptop. John was on the main computer trying to put an order in for a Tesco delivery on Tuesday afternoon. So, I thought I’d not bother him as he was ‘in the middle of’ and I’d fire up the laptop and get it all set up myself. The laptop had other ideas. It was exceptionally slow. Nope. Not a lot happening. Took ages to fire up, then was just buffering with that little blue spinney thing on the screen. Then a message came up saying that it was refreshing (or something) the XBox, or Gamebox (or something) …….

Of course, when I told John all this, it was clear that I’d done something wrong. “I’ve never had a message like that before.” he growled. Oh. Right. I know, I’ll switch the thing off and then John can start it up again to make sure it’s done right. More growling. “I never switch my laptop off. I don’t why you’ve done that.” I did a bit of bleating…. the laptop was off when I picked it up, gov….. I just switched it on, honest.

Twenty minutes after the appointed time, we were in. Well done John. The four participants all had a glass of wine in hand and we settled down for a good old chinwag. It were luvverly. I really don’t know why we don’t do it more often. It wasn’t until our rumbling tummies could be heard over the conversation that we thought we’d better bring it all to a close. Once again, I was overwhelmed with the wonderful friendships we have. Thank the Lord.

And so to the stats today on what the virus is doing to us all. 19,790 people were confirmed as infected with COVID-19 today and 151 people died. The NHS figures hadn’t been updated today when I looked, so it was on 112 deaths on 22 & 23 October. Still a lot of infections and a lot of deaths.

And how was your Sunday? As good as mine I hope. My heart is full of family and friends. God bless.

The hour is late. It is a quarter past midnight and I have yet to write anything that captures the day. It doesn’t matter though, does it? Because tonight’s the night we magically conjure another hour up for our delectation tomorrow. Yippee!! An hour’s extra snooze.

I am not sure whether John thinks he has had a good day or not today. He hasn’t done a great deal, as far as I can tell, except play every second of the Wasps vs Exeter rugby match this evening. We had been hoping for Wasps to triumph, but the side had been weakened by the virus, so Exeter got revenge for their 2008 defeat and walked away with the win. Wasps put up a good fight, but it wasn’t to be.

John was up before me this morning. I was laying in bed reading my book when he brought me a lovely cup of tea, then he went back to bed. I finally winkled myself out of bed around eleven and, goodness knows what I was doing, but it took me a long time to get John some breakfast and his tablets. Once I’d done that, I faffed around some more and then set off for the shops and to visit Mum.

The Co-op wasn’t too busy and I managed to get most things I was after – except a couple of specialist things that John wanted. I took Mum’s shopping to her, where I spent a couple of hours before I went back home. But what has my life come to, folks? I spent a good half an hour de-staining Mum’s mugs whilst I was there. Oh, dear. This is not what I was meant for…..

Mum was in reasonable spirits, but everything seems to be such an effort for her and a bit confusing. She wasn’t sure if she’d worn certain clothes; insisted that I handle a pair of trousers very carefully as they’d been folded in a certain way; and just going to the loo was exhausting and she didn’t feel quite herself. I suggested she have a sip of water once she’d sat down, whereupon she made a great play of the fact that she couldn’t reach the glass. I ignored the little playlet and she sorted the problem out, but not before she’d pointed out to me how difficult it was to pick her glass up. Hmmm…….. I do dislike it very much when she cries wolf.

Anyway, I left her in good spirits, because she’d been useful. I asked her to sniff the mugs I’d washed in Persil to make sure they weren’t still soapy. She loved that. She thoroughly enjoyed stating which mugs were rejected, and conversely, triumphantly fan faring the mugs that were odourless.

Once the mug-washing was complete, I took myself home and I could see John had done some clearing up in the kitchen which looked lovely and tidy. I was pleased about that. He claimed to have just sat and watched TV all day, but it wasn’t quite true.

With rugby finished and our evening meal eaten, it was ‘Strictly’ time. I thought it was better this week with only a couple of mentions of ‘staying safe’ and ‘socially distanced’ stuff. The dancing was quite good too, but the presentation still seemed a bit forced. I expect it will relax as the series goes on. Fingers crossed anyway.

And that’s our lot today. No great shakes but not a bad day – unless you count the weather? It’s absolutely poured down pretty much all day….. ah, well, maybe tomorrow the weather will be better.

In the meantime, 23,012 people have been infected with the virus today with a total of 174 deaths in the community and 112 deaths in hospitals on 22 & 23 October. As I do more research into the situation, I understand that the death toll will increase as the time lag between infection, hospitalisation and death kicks in – and it will be mostly among the elderly again. Cause for thought; pause for thought.

So, with that in mind, take care everyone, and remember that the virus is lurking close by. Wash your hands, keep your distance etc etc etc. God bless.

It seemed to be a very grey morning when I woke up and, sure enough, when I looked out of the window it was, and it soon came on to drizzle with rain. The glory of autumn was overshadowed by threatening clouds on the horizon. I didn’t mind particularly, as we were not planning on doing anything outdoors today but I did wonder whether we’d feel miserable because of it.

In the end, I felt OK but John felt a bit low, not least because he is really fed up of being under the weather. Nevertheless, he got himself ready at a reasonable time for us to get going to Heartlands this morning where we were meeting up with his haematology consultants.

It turned out to be a speedy visit in which we saw two of the consultants, Dr Paneesha and Dr Kishore, both of whom know John very well, and they were delighted to see him. There was a bit of banter which always cheers us up, and they were relatively happy with John’s progress from the infection that had seen him hospitalised the other week. They were thrilled with the fact, too, that John has been set up for some treatment next week at the immunology clinic, to have some IV immunoglobulin. This is in an effort to protect him from repeated infections which, if it works, will be very welcome thank you very much.

I expressed my concern over John’s chest and his inability to breath and they nodded wisely but pointed out that actually, his lung function is probably not much more compromised than before. Admonishments to do the breathing exercises and to nebulise a saline solution every day, and they thought that those, along with immunoglobulin, would improve the situation. Just got to hunt out the breathing apparatus we bought a couple of years ago….. now, where did I put it for safekeeping?

After we’d got home, had a cuppa and a bit of lunch, it was time for me to get ready to go over to Paul’s to collect a very large set of pine bookshelves. When I called in to their house the other day I saw that they were chucking it out and it was lying prostrate on the skip. “Can I have it?” I asked Paul, and he said yes, no worries. But, how to get it to us? It is 2.4 metres tall…..

“Will it fit in your car, do you think, Paul?” I asked naively. Everyone fell about laughing. I looked up the cost of a ‘man with a van’. At the very least it would be fifty quid. Hmm….. still cheaper than asking a carpenter to make me some shelves, but still. I know! We have our very own trailer here still (until Sunday). Who do we know with a tow hitch?

So anyway, Malcolm arrived punctually at two-thirty this afternoon to hitch up the trailer, man-handle the shelves into it and transport it back from Kenilworth to us here in Balsall Common. If only I could hug him. Handed over a bottle of wine instead.

Harriet also gave me a pile of books that she was getting rid of, so I am now a very happy bunny. Trying to kick-start my reading habit again, but it is slow progress, I’m afraid. Still having trouble concentrating. Not sure how to get into the groove again. Tips anyone?

After the excitement of humping a heavy bookcase from A to B, I thought I’d have yet another cuppa and a sit down. John was busy watching one of these real-life whodunnit programmes when I got back, so I joined in. We both felt the need for mind-numbing stuff. And that was it then. Never got the paintbrush out again today. Maybe tomorrow?

After we’d eaten our evening meal, we settled down again to watch more TV. It is after all, a Friday night. We decided to start on the homework we had been set by our Centre Stage friends a while ago – to research Bond movies. There had been a spate of them shown on TV during lockdown and I had diligently recorded them. But recording them is not the same as watching them I found out, as our knowledge hadn’t improved at all just by having them sitting on the planner.

So, it was ‘Never Say Never Again’ – an ‘elderly’ Sean Connery cast as Bond when they made this film in 1983 – he was 53 then and it certainly wasn’t his finest hour. I made copious notes during the film, few of which I expect to remember for future quizzes. Ah, well.

I studiously avoided the news today, but I can report that there have been 20,530 people infected with the virus today. 86 people died in hospitals on 21 & 22 October and 224 people died in the community in the last twenty-four hours. There’s still people kicking off about whether or not they should be locked down in whatever Tier they are in, and the issue of feeding children over half-term, with their parents struggling to put food on the table as a result of lay-offs, is high octane news.

And, I don’t wish to worry you but, autumn promises to make way for winter in just eight short weeks, with Christmas in nine weeks, and we’ve got the torment of putting the clocks back this weekend……. who wants an extra hour of 2020, then? Hands up!

Take care everyone. God bless.

Well, I am dead impressed with myself and the hairdresser. I am also impressed with John who was up and about before I’d finished my bath this morning. That’s good news because, although he still feels tired and is constantly out of breath, he felt well enough to face the day at a reasonable hour today. Yay!

I was impressed with myself for not feeling too nervous about going to the hairdresser’s and I was impressed with the hairdresser because she took absolutely every precaution going to keep her, and me, safe. Mask, goggles, visor, hand gel, temperature check and distancing as far as she could, given the job she had to do. All good and I came out feeling like a ‘new me’. See me grin…….

After I’d been and had a haircut I went over to Paul’s for a cuppa. It was lovely to see him and have a chat. He was ‘working from home’ but he hadn’t done much working at that point, having been tied up with a bit of tidying up and then chatting to me. I didn’t stay very long – just long enough to down a welcome brew – and then left him to it so that he could get on.

I walked up into Kenilworth to go to Boots because, having had my hair cut, I thought it looked like it needed some more hair colour on it now, so braved going into the shop for box of ‘Nice ‘n Easy’. While I was in there, I saw a shelf full of photo albums, all reduced, so I bought the lot. I recently found a few bags of photographs that are still snuggling into their original wallets from twenty years ago, so plan to slot them into albums……. one day……

The open air market was on in the square today so I stopped and bought some fresh fish and vegetables for tea. I bought a fish I hadn’t heard of before called ‘Megrim’, which was very tasty. It’s a flat fish, a bit like plaice, and it has an alternative name of ‘Whiff’……. glad I didn’t know the alternative name before I bought it!

I tottered back to Paul’s where I’d parked the car, laden with bags. It’s all very well buying stuff in the square, but it feels like a long walk back up to the end of the High Street when you’ve got a heavy bag or two. I almost fell into the car.

John had spent the morning on self-care, warming his sore eyes with an eye mask, resting on the sofa and then having a tidy-up which tidied his mind too. Once I was back in through the front door he was out in the garage tinkering with wooden boarding on the walls. The idea being that the wooden boards will accommodate hanging things up. That’ll be a first. You know what we’re like….. we’ve spent our lives with a ‘floordrobe’ for clothes and tools…… Mind you, he’s done a good job and it’ll be good to have a place for everything.

I washed the shopping and put it away, prepped lunch and then, after we’d eaten, I was about to get my paintbrush out when I took an excited phone call from Philomena. Thrill of thrills, she has just been told that her new flat is ready. “Come and sign on the dotted line,” they said. I am over the moon at the news. It’s so exciting. She has been telling me about this particular accommodation for a year or two when she put her name down for it, and she’s been waiting patiently ever since. Not that we’re gloating, but it’s one in the eye for one of her friends who said, rather meanly, “You’ll never get one of those.” Well, she has, so there! Big hugs to Phil.

The paintbrush didn’t get picked up in the end. Instead, I wafted about the house trying to decide where to put the new painting that Paul and Harriet had bought us. In the end, I found a nice little spot in the lounge. The only trouble was, the floor lamp that was in the corner didn’t suit the new arrangement, so I spent a while faffing about with different lamps from different areas to get the effect I was after. The upshot of all that is – the painting is on the wall; an old floor lamp is in a new place; and I will be buying a new lamp for the now naked other corner of the room.

The photo I’ve taken of it isn’t great, but I am keen to share the lovely painting with everyone, cos I love it! Ta-da!

After we’d eaten our evening meal we both flopped onto the sofa and just stayed there, scrolling through the TV channels. After all, we’d both had a busy day one way another, don’t you know!!

Of course, we did watch the headlines of the news and are informed that 21,242 people were infected with the virus in the last twenty-four hours; 189 people died in the community in that time and 99 people died in hospitals on 20 & 21 October. No comment…….

Take care as best you can. God bless.

Well, I feel very lucky, and very blessed today. I was planning how to drop the car off for its MOT and, once delivered, to get home again this morning. Originally, when I booked the MOT, the weather was nice and I thought I might be up for the long walk home, but it was piddling down with rain today and, as it turned out, I really didn’t fancy a three mile walk after all. I checked the train times and no worries, I could get a train home. However, I was just sorting out bits and pieces before I set off, when the phone rang, and it was Peter. “Hi, we’re back from taking Dawn to the hairdresser’s so I can give you a lift back from the garage once you’ve dropped the car off, if you like.” Would I like? Oh, yes please!! How very kind. I felt like a film star, sat in the back of the car, as if chauffeur-driven – although wearing a mask was a bit of a come-down. Dear Peter did the return journey, too, so that I could pick the car up later on. How very blessed we are to have such wonderful friends.

A bit later on in the day, I was blessed again. I had run upstairs to do a spot of cleaning before I cooked the evening meal when the front doorbell went. I ran downstairs to hear John calling up that it was someone for me. That ‘someone’ was dear Margaret with a bouquet of flowers. How absolutely spot on. Just what I needed. Cheered me up no end. She is amazingly thoughtful and what a boost she offers with her conversation and actions.

Feeling blessed: number three. It wasn’t long before we were due to log onto Zoom for our quiz evening when my phone buzzed by the side of me. It was Michael doing the phoning, but it was William’s call. He was in the bath and just wanted to chat to Grandma/Grandpa while he was washed. Oh, my days. This is what fills my heart. A conversation with the grandkids because they want to phone us up. I had a really lovely time with him – he is such good company.

What greater treasures could a person ask for than the thoughtfulness and company of friends and relatives? It is everything, isn’t it? I thank the Lord for such treasures when we are in dark places.

In other news, John was busy today, making paleo bread and paleo scones. The bread, called ‘sandwich rolls’, is once again, a success. The scones taste quite good too, although aren’t quite to my liking, as they taste too much of coconut. I think they will do the trick for John though – might even be able to recreate a cream tea.

I decided I might have a go at getting a paintbrush out this afternoon and paint the skirting boards in the kitchen, which was one of the unfinished jobs from my decorating spree earlier in the year. For a while, we didn’t have any skirting boards, having taken them off to paint the walls. Then, once we’d put them back on, I could see they needed a bit of prep – and I had put off dealing with them. They were white, and they didn’t look too bad, so I left them. However, two or three people have asked me if the kitchen is ‘finished’ and, shamefacedly, I have to confess that it’s not.

I never did get the paintbrush out though. I knew all that prep was daunting and time-consuming…… anyhow, I’ve done the prep now (and thank you to John for putting the filler in) and so on to the painting…….. maybe tomorrow?

And blessing number four this evening, of course, was a fun evening quizzing with our Centre Stage friends. Honestly, we were giggling our heads off tonight. The questions weren’t as easy as usual and initially, we were concentrating hard to think of answers, but in the end, we got silly and starting offering daft ones. It was an absolute cracker of a quiz though and, despite the difficulty, we really enjoyed it. Same time, same place, next week, folks??

I think John has felt marginally better today, although he continues to be breathless and a bit tired. He hasn’t spent all day prone on the sofa, however, so I know he’s on the up. Fingers crossed it continues. Get those supplements down you, boy!!

I didn’t watch any news today, nor did I scroll through social media quite so much in an effort to cut down my ‘angst’ about the mess we are all in – whether it’s of our own doing or not. So it was a bit of a shock to read that there have been 26,688 cases of people being infected with the virus today, and nearly 200 deaths in the community and 58 in hospitals on 19 & 20 October.

I understand that there are more places being put into Tier 3, including Coventry as from this Friday. Just when you thought it was safe……

Hairdressers, tomorrow. Will I be a bundle of nerves, that’s the question? Hope not.

Take care everyone. God bless.