Month: November 2020

Eeeh, but it’s been a good day! Thank you to everyone who sent well-wishes and gifts, or phoned or zoomed in. Made me feel very special.

We planned a bit of a lie-in this morning and John was going to get me a cuppa in bed, but very early on I could hear the binmen outside and had a sudden thought, “Did we put the bins out?” Having gone to bed early, I wasn’t so sure we had. No, John said. We didn’t. I ran downstairs to see if I’d be in time, but the re-cycling lorry was already half-way down the street. Ah, well, we’ve got an appointment at the tip on Tuesday so, no worries. The ordinary bin hadn’t yet been collected though, so I left that one out at least.

Of course, that was it, really, I wasn’t tired any more. So I made the cuppa we’d promised ourselves and brought it back to bed, and read my book for a bit. Then the doorbell rang, so I hot-footed it downstairs again. How delightful – a bouquet of flowers…for me.

I decided I may as well stay up, so I popped some pain aux raisins in the oven for breakfast and pottered about a bit until the doorbell rang again. Another parcel. This time, it was the most unexpected of treats…. you’ll never guess! It was a box of Magnum ice creams. Crikey!! I knew it was ice cream before I opened it. It said so on the box. And it was addressed to John and me. So I ran back upstairs with it and woke John from his slumber to excitedly share it. How very, very exciting.

Now that John was awake he thought he ought to get up and show willing on the birthday front. So we sat down in the lounge and I opened cards and presents. Honestly, the ol’ man had worked hard to pull some great stuff together from the boys and friends and me Mum: alcohol x 2: Courvoisier brandy and a bottle of Monkey Shoulder whisky; a pair of pink dungarees; a dashcam; a box of chocolates; a Karcher window washer; a gorgeous make-up bag; some socks; a massive bar of chocolate and a cuddly toy….not really a cuddly toy, but you get the gist.

We decided that we’d just take the day as it came and not force ourselves to do anything very much, so it was a delight when Danielle said that William had made me a little present. The gift and a homemade card to Grandma duly arrived, with its maker, his mother and brother, whereupon we had a little ‘party in the porch’, which made my heart sing. The gift, a votive candle holder, hand-decorated by William is delightful. Twinkly blue and heavenly when lit up. Although I understand that sparkly stuff is now banned over in Sutton. It’s got everywhere!

Thought you might like to see a little sample of the gifts that arrived today…. good, eh?

After our little ‘party’ and fond farewells, we decided to have a bite to eat and watch a film. Yay!! My choice – whoopee-doop! So I went for ‘Bridesmaids’. A film that never fails to amuse me, with its now-famous scenes of the after-effects of food-poisoning and ‘how-you-deal-with-it-when-you’re-wearing-a-wedding-dress.’ One for the girls.

Had a brief chat to Freddie, who had phoned to wish me happy birthday but, once he got on the phone, he decided to be daft and pull funny faces and sing in a very high-pitched voice. All of which made me laugh. Later on, we zoomed in on the family and had a very pleasant evening together. They got their glasses of wine/prosecco and offered me a toast, which were luvverly. Very, very grateful for technology and the love of my family. They are all wonderful and I love them very much.

So I haven’t had a look at the news today particularly and haven’t caught up with the stats on the COVID front. On a personal note, I know that Lily is feeling a bit better and was craving a Subway this afternoon, so fingers crossed she’s fully on the mend. The rest of the family are still feeling well, so more finger-crossing that they don’t go down with it. Christiana’s test also came back negative, so we’re on a positive roll – I hope!

Not having looked at the COVID figures today, I have decided not to include them today. It is my birthday after all and I don’t want to spoil the wonderful bubble that John, the boys and my friends have created for me today. So, COVID, off you pop…. I’ll stalk your progress tomorrow.

And thank you again – as one of my dear, long-standing friend’s put it: ‘Friends (and I include my lovely family) are cheaper than therapy….and worth their weight in gold’. Yep. That.

Stay safe everyone and God bless.

So, poor Lily. Her test revealed that she has the COVID-19 virus, and she is feeling rather poorly. She is confined to her bedroom which, fortunately, was recently decorated and is lovely to be in. Normally, she wants people to stay out of her room. Now, of course, just when it’s not really appropriate, she’d like company. Such is life.

In the meantime, the family is self-isolating and stuck in the house. Freddie seems to be having a whale of a time and we have had some lovely photos and videos of his adventures in the last couple of days. They have made a massive robot out of cardboard boxes and we have a couple of videos of Freddie roaring towards the camera. Great fun. Long may it last. (Well, not the virus or the self-isolation, but the fun and games…)

Chez nous, our daily humdrum has continued. I got up early to join in with Jaime’s yoga session this morning, which was bliss. Especially as I did the class in the lounge and used John’s laptop for the Zoom session. The laptop had been put away, but was easily found as, for once, all of its component parts were in the drawer, and not strewn over all parts of the lounge. Also, the sun was streaming into the lounge this morning so that, when it was relaxation time, it was exceedingly toasty.

After the session, I decided to catch up on some TV while I had a late breakfast and cuppa. The trouble was, with that hour or so of relaxing on the sofa, I felt tired for the rest of the day and really didn’t want to be ploughing on with things. I did, however, do the ironing, so that I could call round to Mum’s to drop her washing and shopping off this afternoon.

John had an enforced late start to the day as I was flailing arms and legs around in the lounge. Once he was up, though, he decided he ought to tackle the accounts. It’s while since he’s done them and it’s taking a bit longer than he thought it would. Chuntering sounds trickled round the corner from the ‘library’ area where he has his desk, into the lounge, making me chuckle. He’s so funny talking to himself.

Before I went to Mum’s I checked on the text message I’d had from Tracey, her cleaner. Tracey had visited yesterday and told me she thought Mum was a bit muddled. I feared the worst – as I always do, of course. Anyway, Mum was delighted to see me when I got there but kept shaking her head, and finally said, “I can’t hear a word you’re saying.” A change of batteries in her hearing aids and there we were. No confusion at all. Forgetful, yes. But not confused.

When I told Tracey later, she laughed and told me that she’d offered to change Mum’s hearing aid batteries but Mum had refused, rejecting ‘those weird-looking things in peculiar packets’. She didn’t have the chance to refuse my offer, but she was a bit muddled when I asked her to pass me her hearing aids. She started hunting high and low for them. “Aren’t they in your ears, Mum?” I shouted. She looked puzzled. Like a magician magicking a coin from behind someone’s ear, I reached out and lifted each one from her lugholes. She had no idea that that’s where they were. Life’s exciting when you don’t know what’s coming next, isn’t it?

Over in Sutton, we gather that Thomas is none the worse for the accident yesterday and all is fine. That’s a relief. Thank the Lord.

Still being tired, I have suggested to John that I might have an early night. He thinks that’s a good idea – especially as I dropped asleep mid-way through MasterChef this evening – bit of a give away, that.

With regards to the rate of infection for COVID, the incidence for today is currently at 22,915; 501 people have died in the community and 230 in hospitals on 17 & 18 November.

The debate still rages on about how to deal with the pandemic and what to do about Christmas, but there is hope in the air, now that vaccines are on the horizon. The administration of any vaccine will be a logistical challenge but I am hopeful that this time next year we will have a more settled outlook. As someone said on Twitter today: “Better to have empty chairs this Christmas than empty chairs in Christmases to come. Let’s have family celebrations when we’re all full of vaccine.” What do you reckon? Good advice?

Stay safe everyone. God bless.

Wherever you look there is something happening. Whether it’s in the States or here in the UK, there is some drama unfolding every day. And here, today, there was a bit more drama on a family level.

Thomas, atop Michael’s lap, managed to bring a hot cup of tea down upon him this morning. Fortunately, his parents’ quick-thinking averted a serious injury, but not before the paramedics were called to check what damage had been done. It didn’t need a trip to hospital, but it did need lots of TLC and a few deep breaths. Horrible thing to happen.

Then, just as we are sort of thinking, OK, let’s meander through the day, there’s a message from the Kenilworth Sleaths that infers that COVID might be lurking in their home. Yet to be confirmed, of course, but Lily was unwell yesterday, and her friend, with whom she walks to school, has been tested positive for the virus. Oh. Ah. Hmm…. fingers crossed that if it is the dreaded lurgy, she doesn’t feel too unwell with it and gets well soon; and doesn’t pass it on to the rest of the household. Or us. Or anyone else.

Other than that, we have had a day of medical stuff really. We were up early to get to Heartlands for John to have an infusion of immunoglobulin. “I’ll go back home,” I said. “OK,” John replied, “but I don’t think I’ll be as long as the last time, so you might want to hang about?” No. I didn’t want to hang about. I took the drugs that John no longer needs to the pharmacy for disposal, then headed home.

At home, I popped up to the pharmacy to collect my own drugs then went home for a belated breakfast. I sat on the sofa with a cup of tea. Ah… the sofa is always soooo inviting. I stayed sitting on the sofa for a goodly while, surfing social media and playing an e-scrabble game. Then, looking at the time, I thought I ought to get a wriggle on as John would be phoning me any minute to go and collect him. I just about managed to finish tidying the lounge and vacuuming in there when he rang. “Ready?” Ummmm…. OK, on my way.

We were just on our way back when Paneesha rang. It was a scheduled telephone consultation but, of course, we were in the car. We stopped so that we could concentrate. Lots of stuff about checking on John’s chest – and would he take part in a trial to double check that he hadn’t had COVID unknowingly? Always one to support research, he naturally said yes, so that involved more telephone conversations later on in the day, and ‘when you come in next week to see so-and-so, can you call in to see us afterwards, please?’

Once we were home, John settled on the sofa, feeling tired from a poor night’s sleep last night, and the after-effects of the infusion. He was buoyed up by the postie arriving with more parcels however, and the errant brownies, that Christiana had baked, finally arrived. I think he’s eaten most of them already…..

I had promised myself that, before embarking on decorating the former-office-cum-snug-cum-gym, I would clear out the utility room so that I had a bit of a fresh start. That took me all afternoon, more or less. And then I started humping the things from the ‘room-to-be-decorated’ to new places, so that I can get at everything. All good.

And this evening, it was quiz night. Another great evening and another fabulous set of questions. It is just so lovely to be among a group of non-judgemental people who don’t care if you know the answer or not because someone else will, even if you don’t. At the interval, I popped to get a drink “What are you going to have?” John wondered. I thought I might get something alcoholic. Well, that was it then. We wellied the Grey Goose that John had been given for his birthday/. It was delicious. To be fair, John wellied it more than me…..

So, COVID. You are a bit too close to home. Christiana has had to have a test and is now self-isolating, having visited someone at home who has since been confirmed as infected. Lily is in bed poorly, having been in close contact with a friend who has been confirmed as positive. What to do, folks? On the prayer list – that’s all I can do just now.

Ironically, the figures of people infected is down again today at 19,609. Deaths are still high at 529 in the community, and 171 in hospitals over the last couple of days.

Keep your distance. Wear a mask. Wash your hands. Ventilate your work space or home space when others are in it….. I’m a broken record, I think. I wonder if anyone is listening?

Stay safe everyone. God bless.

Well, well, well. I have actually finished painting the ‘library’ area in the lounge. I have even tidied it up, strapped all the wires together to unravel the rats’ nest that was under the desk and hung the curtains back up.

There is still the wallpapering to do and the curtains to be steam cleaned, but I am not doing that yet, as I am moving on to another project.

You may recall a while ago that John really worked hard putting new laminate flooring in the former office. A room that we still don’t know what to call – it’s still the ‘former office-cum-snug-cum-gym’. No doubt we’ll get its name sorted one day. However, I digress. I have pinched a roll of very smart wallpaper from the Kenilworth Sleaths (more of their cast-offs, thank you very much) and plan to repaint the whole room and paper one wall – in time for Christmas. This is a contingency. Just in case Mum comes over at Christmas and can’t get herself up the stairs. We will put a bed in there and it is there that she will sleep. She will have access to the cross-trainer if she would like it too, as that will be housed there also – well, probably, if there’s enough room, that is.

However, I shan’t bore you with the day-to-day blows of how I get on in there unless there is something really exciting to report. I mean, I’ve done the decorating thing to death, haven’t I?

So, I have done decorating and tidying all day, but John, however, has been writing his ‘thank you’ letters – I think. Well, he’s been on the computer in the computer room all afternoon anyway, so I think that’s what he’s been doing. And his birthday celebrations have gone on. He’s had a couple more presents arrive today but, disappointingly, a couple of things still haven’t arrived. A lovely card that Carol made and was posted last Monday – there’s still no sign of that; nor is there a sniff of a lovely perishable that Christiana sent in the post on a ‘signed for’ delivery, last Thursday. If the perishable does arrive, however, at this rate there might be more than a sniff…..

John wondered where the day had gone to. Then he remembered. He’d stayed in bed until lunchtime, then spent the afternoon on the computer and whoosh! There it was gone. It’s amazing how quickly the day goes when you spend half of it in bed.

I had a little chat to Lily this afternoon via text messaging – it was her birthday yesterday and it sounds like she had a lovely time and had all the gifts a girl could want. Catherine did that lovely elder sisterly thing of hosting a quiz night for Lily and her friends. I thought was an amazing thing to do, given the situation we’re all in. However, the excitement of the day clearly took its toll and Lily has felt under the weather all day today, with swollen glands, which is a shame.

We also had a nice little chat to William this afternoon via video-messaging. He is very excited that it’s my birthday this week. He thoroughly enjoyed the excitement of John’s birthday, so he can’t wait for the next one! Oooh, grandchildren. I just want to squeeze them tight and never let them go.

But, having said yesterday that I thought I was getting the hang of this lockdown lark, I find myself a bit up and down today. The ‘up’ of course was getting my little bit of decorating done; the ‘down’ was triggered by a WhatsApp conversation with the College Crew, postponing our lovely, annual Ragdale Hall trip, from this coming February to February 2022. Oh…. that’s so not good. Fingers crossed that the virus will be under control by then and we’ll be able to enjoy our few days away together. It is just such a wonderful time together each year that it breaks my heart to have to say ‘let’s not risk it this time’. So much heartache over the last eight months that it’s crippling sometimes.

Anyway, I do my best to look on the bright side – no-one likes a moaner, do they? Although I am not sure there is much of a bright side to the volume of deaths due to COVID today: nearly 600 people (598), in the community and 204 in hospitals over the last two days; although the volume of people infected was slightly down at 20,051.

Stay safe everyone. Do lots and lots of hand-washing, mask wearing and ventilating indoor areas if you’re with work-colleagues or work men. God bless.

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So, we’re twelve days into Lockdown 2 and I think I might be getting the hang of it a bit. I have stopped hankering to go out and am resigned to a more gentle rhythm of life, I think. There was no dashing about today and no sleeping like yesterday – I just picked up where I left off on the painting situation and got on with it.

I was up reasonably early, awaiting a shopping delivery, which came pretty promptly, I have to say. And, for the first time ever, I actually managed to refuse a ‘swap’. Usually, I just grin inanely and say, yes that’s fine. But today, they were offering us almond milk instead of hazelnut milk and that’s no good as so often it goes to waste. We open it to use in an omelette or something and then it just moulders in the fridge. So, I said, “No, thank you,” and left it at that. Go, me!

I left John in bed to catch up on his sleep, but even he managed to get up mid-morning, rather than at lunchtime. He has had a very good day, in my opinion. He is still trying to sort out the contents of his man-shed, with one half of it full to the brim with wood for sawing up and burning on our winter fires. So he went off to the bottom of the garden and sawed away. Did an excellent job and didn’t seem to be too worn out by it all, which was a bonus.

Meanwhile, I was doing second coats of paint on the ceiling and skirting board in my ‘library’ and a first coat on the window wall. I planned to do a second coat this evening and get the whole thing finished, but I thought better of it and decided to pace myself. It’ll be done tomorrow.

I have yet to fill my father’s bookcase with books, however. I decided to wait a bit until the paint was really, really dry. In the meantime, it’s doing a beautiful job of housing all of John’s birthday cards, of which he had many. And about which he was very pleased.

I really can’t wait until that area is finished. We are still mulling over how we will furnish it. John has his desk there tucked into the corner which is quite nice, and we have a very large chest of drawers with all the games in – another cast-off from the Kenilworth Sleaths – but we’re undecided as to whether to keep it and paint it the same colour as the shelves or whether to discard it and move another set of shelves in. Oooh, decisions, decisions. At this rate, we’ll hardly recognise ourselves when the house is neat and tidy and the new sofa arrives, furnishing the lounge the way we want it! Mind you, we did get a letter saying, ‘Due to COVID, your furniture delivery may be delayed…..’ ah well, it’ll give me more painting time, won’t it?

This evening we sat among the decorating debris and watched the first programme in a series of four about Oscar Pistorious. Fascinating programme and looking forward to watching the rest. We also watched I’m a Celebrity and marvelled at the fortitude of a frightened man. That was also fascinating – a study of one man’s response to primordial fear.

Talking of fear – the virus has caught up with 21,363 people today and killed 213 people, plus 141 people in hospitals over the previous two days.

The figures are interesting and suggest that we may still need more ‘lockdown’ time – or tighter restrictions anyway – when this period ends. Christmas is going to be interesting isn’t it, folks?

Stay safe everyone. God bless.

Well, what a day yesterday, with all the celebrations for John’s birthday. So successful, that even the jeans that Paul and Harriet bought him, and we were convinced would be several sizes too small, fitted.

Today, however, was a day of two halves. I got up reasonably early but left John to snooze on after all the exertions of his birthday. He spent the morning asleep while I took it easy with a leisurely breakfast before I ‘went to church’ and enjoyed a virtual coffee morning with a few of the congregation. It was lovely to see several people that I have been missing.

Once that was done, I decided to sit down on the sofa and catch up on some TV. John, meanwhile, had got up and was in the kitchen, still on cloud nine from such a great day yesterday. As I wandered in, I declared boldly (because I felt guilty that I wasn’t doing any jobs), “I am going to have a day of rest today.” He said that was fine as far as he was concerned, so I put my guilt back in my pocket to save for another day.

Well, the sitting down on the sofa was fatal. John lit a nice fire to keep us cosy and…… I then never left sofa all afternoon. In fact, I watched a couple of programmes before promptly falling asleep. That gave John a bit of a giggle. So much so, that he shared the photo of me, snoring my head off, with the rest of the family. He, on the other hand, got busy and pottered about, having a bit of a tidy-up of the aftermath of present-opening and cream cake ingesting, as well as delving into some of his parcels.

So the day ran away with me. I blearily opened my eyes when John came into the lounge to ask me if I was enjoying watching ‘The Dam Busters’. D’you know? I didn’t even know it was on….. And then it was mealtime. Oh, no…. got to start cooking again…. actually, John offered to cook instead, which was rather a bonus. Steak, and lovely vegetables. How very nice. Followed by cake…. yummy.

In the evening, I decided not to break the habit of just lounging on the sofa and I did more cosying up in a blanket and goggling at the TV. I know it’s not everyone’s cup of tea – it certainly isn’t John’s – but I love this time of year, when it’s Bake Off, Strictly and I’m a Celebrity, all on TV together. All reality, but it their different ways, and escapism at the same time.

So there we are, nothing else to report.

Apart from, of course, the latest stats on the COVID front. The last seven-day trend for infection is still up but today there have been very slightly fewer people infected – just the 24,962. Gosh, that’s still a lot isn’t it? 168 deaths in the community and 98 in hospitals over the last couple of days.

Take care everyone. God bless.

Lots of people are celebrating in their own way during the difficult times of lockdown and we were no different today. John’s 70th birthday and what to do?

Normally, we’d have a party. A whacking, great big party, where the house is bursting at the seams with love and laughter, lots of luscious food and drink and memories in abundance. But, of course, we couldn’t do that. Instead, we had a steady day of treats culminating in a whacking, great big Zoom-in to create the memories and share in the love and laughter.

Not everybody is here because I took the photo before everyone had actually joined in – and some people are duplicated, as the pictures moved along when someone new entered the zoom. But a great BIG thank you to everyone for making the day special and coming along to sing happy birthday to John!! He was overwhelmed and loved it. I am so very grateful to everyone for making the effort. What a wondrous thing to do in lockdown. Our hearts are full.

The day started with a delivery of flowers and balloons and a lie-in. An arrangement of roses and carnations for love; gerbera for happiness (and a memory from our wedding); and lilies for a fresh start.

Once John was up, it was time for a delicious brunch and then a start on opening birthday cards, which contained so many good wishes. Then it was onto opening the various gifts that had arrived through the front door in the last week. Interspersed with the card and present-opening, there were also deliveries from friends, sons and grandsons, who ding-donged the front doorbell and sparkled with anticipatory glee as we opened the door. Grandsons in particular couldn’t wait to tell us why they there were here, making essential deliveries.

In between all of that, of course, there was the rugby and the Grand Prix qualifying to watch, a cream tea to eat, champagne to imbibe, candles to blow out and the birthday cake to cut. A home-made and simple birthday cake, but I did my best.

After our Zoom-in we met up on Zoom again with all the younger generation for a quiz night. That was fun and actually, everyone did incredibly well on the answers. Michael set up a round which tested our knowledge of the birthday boy and that gave us the best laughs of the evening. I mean, where was John when he saw a three-foot farmer?

We gave no thought today, for once, of the ongoing viral situation, the political shenanigans, or even the weather. We were cosy indoors, lit by candle-light and the warm glow from the open fire, and snug in the knowledge that friends and relatives love us. Here’s the Birthday Boy. He’s had a good day. Thank you all.

It’s a jolly good job that we’ve got lockdown, isn’t it? Otherwise all the jobs I am trying to get on with would never get done, would they? This pearl of wisdom was offered today, by Eileen, my guru from church and, I have to say, it stopped me in my tracks. It is so easy to just moan (which I do) and think lockdown is the worst thing ever, but there have been benefits for us. I have thoroughly enjoyed the garden this year, and walking out in it with my Mum, which I wouldn’t otherwise have done, but for the lockdown situation. And then I have set to on some long overdue decorating – again, which I may not have done, but which I am enjoying. So I am thankful.

So, we’re on Day 9 – and is it nineteen to go? Doesn’t seem so bad….we can get through it.

And, what have we done today? Well, we have beetled about busying ourselves with this and that, and generally had a good day. John got his big drill out to create a hole in the wall, which was needed to feed a wire through for the new drinks/wine cooler. It is now set up and cheerfully accommodating four bottles of white wine – and one bottle of champagne ready for John’s big birthday tomorrow. It has capacity for 34 bottles, but we haven’t quite run to that…..not yet anyway. All donations gratefully received.

I did a little bit more painting, but really, it’s a bit of a struggle. We have a desk, a chest of drawers, an organ, chairs, computers and so on, all in the way. Whichever bit of wall or ceiling or skirting board I am painting it requires a lot of furniture shifting. And ladder shifting. I mean, I know I love the large ladder but it’s so bloomin’ heavy! I shall have muscles on me muscles before long at this rate.

Not only have I painted, but I have tidied up, too. My desire has been to make it nice for John’s birthday. I know no-one is coming round because no-one can, but I thought he’d appreciate a bit of clean and tidy space for relaxing in for the day. When you’re in the middle of decorating, tidying up isn’t such an easy thing to do though, is it? The lounge is tidy but the utility room is still a mess….. ah, well, I tried.

John had a good afternoon watching the rugby, although I am not sure that it was a very good match from what I could gather. I think it was Ireland all the way which didn’t make for a great contest, and ended up with Ireland: ‘quite a few‘ and Wales: ‘not enough‘. Hope the matches tomorrow will be better.

We had our evening meal once it was all over and then, after we’d eaten, I shut myself away to decorate the cake I’ve made for John’s birthday. Now this is a big deal. As you know, I’m not into cakes particularly, and dislike baking them, so this act shows just how much I love the ol’ man to make such an effort. He made me laugh though. I was tentatively preparing the marzipan and icing to go on the cake when he came into the kitchen. The cake is no secret, so it didn’t matter, but he could see I was wrestling with it, so he said, “Do you want me to give you a hand?” Noooo….I squealed. I mean, you can’t make your own birthday cake, can you?!! I shooed him out of the kitchen and got on with it. It may be simple, it may not be glamourous, but I’ve done it and I think it’ll taste nice, so I was quite pleased with myself.

John shuffled off to bed about ten-ish. I was still in the throes of cake decorating – thought I’d be there for ever – but soon it was done and then it was on to present wrapping and laying them out ready for the ‘big reveal’ tomorrow. I had fun doing all that.

In between times, in among the work we’ve been doing today, we have listened to the news and find nothing surprises us any more. There are shenanigans in Downing Street with Cummings finally going; and the election in the USA is still causing comment with Trump not packing his trunk and saying goodbye to the circus. ‘Keep your eye on the ball’ is what I want to say to these people. It’s people’s lives you’re messing with. Really, it is.

27,301 people have been confirmed as infected with the dreaded lurgy today, and 376 people have died. 169 people have died in hospitals over the last couple of days too.

It’s in our hands how much the virus spreads, so please take care everyone. Had a sobering conversation with a friend from church today who had recovered from the virus. She knows she caught it from her granddaughter who was down from Uni. She thought it would be OK to meet up at her daughter’s house, but clearly it wasn’t. She said it was no joke but, thankfully, feels better now. Can happen to anyone, I suppose.

God bless. Stay safe.

….the dark depths of Lockdown 2. And what did we do? Same. same. See below.

Got up. Got dressed. Did a yoga class (thank you Jaime) which I enjoyed. Pottered. Polyfilla’d cracks in the library ceiling. Took John for a blood test. Went to Screwfix for supplies. Did a bit of ceiling painting. John did more man-shed stuff – fitting a door…. Had a takeaway. Drank Cobra. Felt drunk (probably was drunk). Watched TV. Zoomed the College crew. More TV. Bed. As I said. Much the same.

Except, of course, that there were 33,470 people infected with the virus today.

And, 563 people died of the said virus.

Plus, 190 in hospitals over the last couple of days.

This is what hits home….. the volume of people encountering the virus and dying from it. It’s too much, isn’t it?

Take care everyone, God bless.

Not that we’ve opened it yet, but great excitement in the house today. We have taken delivery of a wine cooler! I think we’ve ‘arrived’, don’t you? We have wanted one for ages and never been able to justify it but, having decorated the kitchen and made a space for one, we have finally taken the plunge. That’ll be good at Christmas – to free up space in the fridge, if we need to…..well, fingers crossed anyway.

In addition to this particular delivery, one or two other parcels have been arriving at the front door and John is now forbidden to go into the dining room where they are being stored. I texted Gail and Graham to say, “The camellia has arrived.” Gail texted back with a ‘that’s not supposed to arrive until next week’ message, which puzzled me a bit as John’s birthday is on Saturday and its arrival would be a bit late by then. Ah….. ‘There should be 2’ – meaning camellia. Oh. And then: ‘They are for your birthday not his.’ Well, thank you very much. How nice is that? A really nice surprise. No wonder they should have been despatched for next week!

I am not sure how John was feeling today but he said he was going to be anti-social all day and take himself off to the bottom of the garden to his man-shed to do some more sorting out down there. You would think, after all this time, that the man-shed would be finished, wouldn’t you? But no. There was still a wall to build between ‘storage’ and ‘working area’. So off he went to try and do as much of that as he could. I haven’t been and inspected his handiwork but I think he has got on quite well – although he came back up to the house knackered at tea-time.

In the meantime, I decided to have a bit of a go at tidying and cleaning the bits of the house that aren’t under the paintbrush, and finally, put some washing on. It’s been a week since I did any and the laundry basket seemed to be creaking at the seams.

I also did more painting with top coats on the things I’d started yesterday, which are now all ready to be placed back in situ tomorrow and eager to be used, I have no doubt.

After we’d eaten this evening, it was Quiz Night and a good time had by one and all. Great fun, great questions – and great answers. We were on fire! Got loads right today.

The virus is on fire too, with 2,590 people confirmed as infected with it and 595 people having died of it today. Plus 204 people having died of it hospitals over the last couple of days. Too many, too many.

In other news, the Trump show still goes on. Susie Dent’s word of the day today was ‘stiffrump’ (18th century) meaning an obstinate and haughty individual who refuses to budge no matter what. That’s about right, eh? I shall never read the word ‘Trump’ right again….. and we haven’t heard the last of it yet, have we?

Take care everyone. God bless.