Leisure Pleasure

Thursday. Bin Day. The only chore of the day as far as we are concerned, because we just chilled today and had a day of leisure, which offered up such pleasure.

I left John a-snoozing in bed this morning while I took Chester for a walk, and I then took myself off to meet friends from church for breakfast. That was such balm for my soul. It is a long while since I saw everyone face-to-face, and it was marvellous to have such beautiful company. I always feel so very privileged to be part of the ‘group wot breakfasts’ and today didn’t disappoint. Lovely company with lively conversation and sympathetic souls. Wonderful, thank you very much.

No sooner had I finished breakfasting, than it was time to hoof it back home in time for more beautiful company. Pete and Dawn came round for coffee and cake. Fortuitously, I arrived home just as they were ding-donging on the doorbell. John wasn’t answering the door and we wondered why. It turned out that he was chatting to George Pryzbyla on the phone. A fine fistful of friends this morning – lucky, lucky us.

We enjoyed our coffees and chat with Pete and Dawn, who are always great company, and we were disappointed when lunchtime came and we had to say goodbye. “See you again soon!” we all chorused, as they set off down the path.

I didn’t want any lunch as it turned out, because I was still digesting my breakfast, so I did a bit of tidying before I got ready for badminton this afternoon.

I am so enjoying the little bit of badminton I am doing on a Thursday afternoon. The group is full of little old ladies like me and the badminton is quite gentle. Some of the players are pretty good, but they are too polite to blast the shuttlecock at us amateurs, so it gives me chance to join in. Not only that, but there’s a fairly hefty pause between games while everyone natters and gets their breath back. Suits me down to the ground.

When I got home, Chester greeted me with a lazy wag of his tail and a wide yawn. That was nice. No barking. But where was John? Not in his usual seat watching TV. Not at his computer. Not in either of the downstairs loos. Was he upstairs? Had he gone to bed? Nope. He was outside on the lounger, in the sunshine, having a smashing sleep.

Heh, heh, heh. While the cat’s away the mice will play. I rummaged in the cupboard to see what exciting food there might be to graze on…… ooooh, what’s this? A tin of condensed milk? I don’t mind if I do…….. I tell you, it was scrumptious. Mind you, I had to admit to John what I’d been eating when he came in, didn’t I? “I’ll stop eating it now,” I said, “but there’s half a tin left. Want some?” He didn’t, just then. But I wonder if he’ll be tempted at any other time? Middle of the night maybe……

This evening was another laze in front of the TV – this time watching the women’s One Day International cricket match against New Zealand. Gosh, it was such a close match – and it was a heart-breaking end for the New Zealanders who gave the winning run away, with a ball bowled wide.

We had a lovely chat to the Sutton Sleaths, who are down in Devon, this evening too. I had sent them a little video of Chester on his walk this morning, and William was keen to see him on a video-call. William was thrilled to see the dog, who was pretty disinterested in what was going on despite everyone’s attempts to attract his attention. Thomas seemed to be even more thrilled at seeing Chester, as he shouted, “Chester! Chester!” every two minutes and grinning all over his face. Lovely.

Michael looks relaxed after all the effort of all his studies, and he has asked me to say a heartfelt ‘thank you’ to every one of you who has sent greetings and congratulations to him. He has been overwhelmed and pleased by the lovely sentiments offered and the volume of people who’ve said ‘Well done’. Thank you.

I toddled out for a walk this evening, leaving John watching TV, and once again had a great sky to view. A bright moon, stars shining and sparkling in the sky, wispy clouds drifting through. Really lovely. This pic doesn’t do it justice, but I’ve put it in to remind me of the lovely feeling it gave me as I watched the moon rise over the houses.

And what of COVID today? More of the same, I’m afraid. 36,710 people tested positive; 182 people died in the community and 50 in hospitals in the previous 48 hours. Want the comparison to this time last year? 6,178 people infected; 37 deaths.

Keep yourselves as safe as you can. God bless.