A Garden Party

Today was a momentous day for the Kenilworth Sleaths. They took possession of their new home to great excitement in our household, as we looked at some photos of them having a mosey round it before they move in at the weekend. Can’t wait to go over – perhaps we’ll do a garden visit this week if time, medical appointments and weather permits. *Does an excited dance*

One thing that particularly touched us were photos of items that the previous owners had left behind. One was a map of Jersey – well, we have the Jersey connection through Danielle, so that felt good; and the other was what looks to be an original drawing of a Tawny Owl by Trevor Boult – a dear friend I met at church in his later years – so that felt good, too. I do hope the whole family will be very happy there.

And so to the ‘garden party’…… just before we went to bed last night, I had a message from Danielle, wondering what we were doing today. The weather was going to be nice. So nice, in fact, that we could have a picnic in the garden, couldn’t we? Well, that sounded like a jolly good idea to me!! That would lighten our mood.

So, we planned for lovely food at lunchtime, and then John & I would nip over to Solihull to drop him off for his treatment; I’d come back for a little while longer before it would be time to collect the ol’ man again and it would be time for Danielle to go home. And, do you now what? The plan worked! *Does another little dance*

We had the most scrumptilicious picnic with all the things John is not supposed to have, as a treat – including scones with clotted cream and jam. Mind you, scones/cream/jam is such a worry isn’t it? Do you put the jam on first? Or do you put the cream on first? And which of the ‘cream tea police’ will come nee-nawing up the road after you? Will it be the Devon or Cornish ones? We were nervous wrecks…..

Thomas was delightful, too – although he was fast asleep in the pram when I took the ‘Post-Lockdown Picnic’ photo. He was a happy, smiley boy, pulling himself up on absolutely anything he could, and trying to wobble-walk. And if he couldn’t do that, just crawl over anything and everything and then dibble his fingers into whatever he could find. He is such a grand character and so lovely, and my heart was full.

Because it was such a nice day, we even put the roof down on the car for our journey across to Solihull to let the breeze blow through our hair. That was lovely too and we ‘apricated’ as we drove along. What? You don’t know what ‘apricate’ means? Well, Susie Dent tells us that it’s a 17th century word meaning ‘to revel in the warmth of the sun on your back.’ She recommended it today – so we did.

John’s treatment went fairly smoothly, as well, this afternoon, with the nurse only having to have one go at getting the cannular in. That’s a bonus, isn’t it?

John was worn out, though, once he was back home, so we sat outside for a little while, drinking tea, before he went to sit in his favourite chair and have a snooze. I stayed outdoors and planted up some of the pots that have been waiting for the ‘fair weather gardener’ to get outside and do them. Had a lovely potter about. Although I wasn’t too happy with one of the pots I had a rummage in. It was full of little white maggot-y things which had clearly enjoyed munching on the primulas in there and had been busy killing them off. Had a look on a gardening site on-line and I think they are weevils. Might have to pop to the garden centre tomorrow to see what dastardly trick I can find to get rid of them. Pesky things!! Anyone got any gardening tips?

This evening, I had planned to do a little bit more on the quiz that I’d started this morning, but I felt tired and so sat and watched a bit of MasterChef instead, and then amused myself with the ‘Dogs Behaving Badly’ programme, which I always find very funny if I ever watch it. And then I went and tucked Mum into bed.

We had a bit of a laugh as I cajoled Mum into bed. She really didn’t want to be in bed as early as ten o’clock, but I gently explained that I couldn’t be calling round at midnight. She wrinkled her nose up, and then said, “I feel as if I’m being shepherded to bed.” I had to agree. Yes, she was being shepherded but it was all in a good cause.

I suggested she read a book before she went to sleep, which she thought was a good idea – until she remembered that all of the print in her favourite books was too small. I had to go on a hunt, then, to see if I could find any large print books. I eventually found one, and left her ostensibly reading it.

So, although John is still feeling in the doldrums, we have had a better day today. Phew! Didn’t want to face another one like yesterday!

With regard to the COVID figures, they are still looking fairly stable so I continue to be ever-hopeful….

• 4,040 people tested positive for the virus today
• 56 people died with the virus in the last 24 hours
• 15 people died in hospitals with the virus on 28 & 29 March
• And it’s Day 2 of the lifting of Lockdown 3; Day 372 since Lockdown 1; Day 377 since our self-imposed Lockdown 1

Take care everyone. God bless.