Cracking on…

The bluebells are out in Katharine’s Wood. Lovely they look, too. I particularly noticed them today as they were nodding their heads quite vigorously in the downpour as I walked past. Rain!! At last! Gosh, don’t the gardens need it? I am rather pleased it’s raining so that getting the hosepipe out isn’t necessary, but I wasn’t so pleased when a large SUV sped through a large puddle and sent a vast splash of water over me and Chester this morning.

Despite the rain and the puddle adventure, it was a lovely walk again. Hardly anyone out and about and Chester was on his very best behaviour, trotting along very happily and snifferty-sniffing every available lamppost, clump of grass or bush in sight. He was great company.

Not long after I got back from the walk, I said goodbye to John, leaving him to set this evening’s quiz and have another look at the Lotus, and made my way over to Mum’s flat again. More sorting. More paper. But we cracked on and we’ve done it. With grateful thanks to Anita for being such a very good friend in helping to take the pain out of the process. How amazing it is to have had her calm and steady company throughout.

I am also rather grateful to youngest son, too. He helped heave Mum’s chair into a hired van and take it over to the care home. After a day of rushing through the last bits of sorting, Andrew, too, was a calm and steady companion and it all went very smoothly indeed. The added bonus was that the lady we saw at the door of the home told us that Mum has ‘settled in really well.’

Andrew and I popped back to the flat after the delivery run to gather up the last of the items we plan to sell/keep/ditch, one of which is a Jentique sideboard. I was confident that it would fit into the van – and it did – but only just. Andrew and I had to do a little bit of manoeuvring to make it fit. It was darned heavy too. In fact, when we got home, we were rather grateful to John for joining in ‘the lift’ as well.

After our scrumptious evening meal, which was cooked by Andrew, it was time for Quiz Night – and John did a cracking job as Quiz Master. He always makes us laugh and tonight was no exception – he brought his sense of humour to the party and we all enjoyed it.

Unusually, however, we didn’t stay chatting at the end – I think every one of us was tired. Nigel and Hazel particularly, because they are still unpacking boxes after their move at the weekend. Malcolm and Caroline have had a busy week so far; I was tired after a day of sifting, sorting and straightening out goods and chattels; and John was pretty exhausted after his continued efforts on the Lotus and the constant puzzle of exactly where the problem is on the car. Linda and Brendan had been out for a large lunch to Simpsons and were feeling very full, so consequently, they were keen not to stay chatting either. We said our fond ‘goodnights’ and look forward to another session again next week – even though Nigel and Hazel are now at the other end of the country!

That’s all folks, and here are the stats – just because I’ve started, so I’ll finish….

• 2,166 people tested positive for the virus today
• 29 people died with the virus in the community in the last 24 hours
• 6 people died on 26 & 27 April with the virus in hospital

It is now Day 401 since the beginning of Lockdown One. However, John and I are on Day 407. Lockdown 3 was eased a month ago, 31 days ago; and we’re into Day 17 of the instruction that we are all allowed to play outdoors.

Take care everyone. God bless.