The difference a day makes

What a difference a day makes. I woke up feeling so much better that I promise I won’t bore you with all my ills today. I am glad I remembered yesterday that patience is a virtue. Not only that, but we’ve had an exciting day.

Michael had asked us if we might look after the little ones for an hour or so today while they go house-hunting. Naturally, one says ‘yes’ because we love having them, and also one never knows when one might be incapacitated and not be able to do it.

Anyway, it transpired that Danielle was suffering after her second jab this week and was really up to nothing very much. So Michael brought himself and the children over and left Danielle at home – house-hunting on hold. It was still a work-day for Michael so he left us to look after the boys – and it turned out very well.

Normally, I allow myself to be monopolised by William, but Thomas was a bit clingy and missing Daddy, having seen him disappear up the stairs, so I spent most of the day entertaining him, while John entertained William. And crikey, what a good job John did. He was on form. Up and down the stairs; in and out of the house; and on and off the sofa like nobody’s business.

And the cutest thing that Michael overheard, as John was wrestling with the marble-run and having a grumble at it: “No need to be anxious, Grandpa. Just take a deep breath….” says William, aged 3.

We had a cracking day. The children were angels, and such good company that they lifted our spirits no end. Smashing.

Mid-afternoon, however, we had to leave the children with Michael for an hour while we shot off to the audiologist to get John’s hearing aids sorted. It was one of those wonderful things that you wish you had more of.

The traffic was light getting into Solihull; we sailed into a parking spot, right outside Boots; we didn’t have to wait very long to see the audiologist; she was lovely and explained everything very clearly; she adjusted John’s hearing aids just right; and then restored the link to the app on John’s phone, before we sailed back to Balsall Common as quick as you like. Just like that – fabulous.

The only down side to that little trip was that we decided to leave John’s hearing aids at Boots for them to be sent away for a service. Could be 7 to 10 days before they are back. Oooooh, we aren’t half going to have fun over the next week or so, aren’t we?

We were also of use to the Kenilworth Sleaths today, in a small way. Harriet phoned first thing; “Hi Anne, Could you do us a very small favour please? Collect Paul’s prescription from the chemist? We haven’t got time to do it before we go on holiday….” Of course we could – no worries. So we did. And it turned out well, because it meant that we saw them all for a nano-second before they shot off on their hols. They dropped into the house to collect said package as they set off on their journey this afternoon. Lovely.

On a totally different topic and out of left field, I have been midnight watering in the garden just now. Having been out of action all week, I have to confess to having neglected to get out and tend the plants in any way at all. They are feeling exceptionally sorry for themselves and some of them are giving up the ghost altogether. They may not need the water I have offered them just now, because I believe it may rain tomorrow – but it has salved my conscience a bit…..

In anticipation of a change in weather, I thought I’d better close the attic windows. As I walked towards the window looking out over the centre of the village, I was breath taken by the view. The photo doesn’t do it justice but I tried….

And some numbers for you, just for the record:

• 36,389 positive COVID cases nationally
• 87 cases in Balsall Common
• 64 deaths in the community nationally
• 27 deaths in hospitals on 21 & 22 July.

Hold tight everyone. Gird all your loins and fight the good fight. God bless.