It was a day of exercise today. John was due down to the doctor’s surgery for a consultation about his chest so that they could check that they have everything on course for him, so he walked there and back. I was delighted he did – although it was a bit icy underfoot and I did wonder how he’d get on, but he was fine and I am sure the walk did him good.
I went off to yoga this morning – having missed so many sessions due to my tooth business, Jaime suggested I catch up and do a couple of Thursday sessions as well. It was all good and I found muscles and bits of my body I had forgotten about.
Once home, I decided I’d have a go at making a Paleo Christmas Cake. We made one last year and it was delicious. The only trouble was, I had to pop to the Co-op first to grab a few missing ingredients and that set the timings back a bit. “John…….” I wheedled, “will you be able to take the cake out of the oven, or shall I wait until I get back from badminton and make it then?” All good, no worries – John could take it out of the oven while I was out.
I set the timer on the oven. Then I thought I’d better add another timer, because I know John doesn’t always hear the one in the kitchen. I put a timer on his phone. I told him what I’d done. I handed him his phone and I went out in total confidence that all would be well.
I had a really enjoyable game of badminton, despite the fact that I was fairly rubbish, not having played for weeks. And when I came home and walked into the house, I thought what a wonderful smell of cake greeted me. “Smells lovely!” I called to John. “Yes,” he replied. “Have you had a look at it yet?” No, I hadn’t looked but I would do in a minute when I was sorted after the badminton session.
Upon inspection, I thought the cake looked a little scorched. John looked sheepish. “Did you forget to take it out of the oven?” I asked. “Well….. when the timer went on my phone,” he said, “I thought it was a reminder for my tablets……” And no, he hadn’t heard the oven timer either.
Ah, well. We think it might be alright. I trimmed the scorched edges and we’ll see tomorrow when we eat it for lunch. King Alfred? Eat your heart out! John’s giving you a run for your money!!
After our exertions today, we were both keen to sit down for a while and just flop. I groaned at the thought of cooking the tea. John said he’d do it, which I thought was really kind of him. So I sat and was waited on at tea-time which, I have to say, felt rather nice.
In the news we are hearing a lot of kerfuffle about No. 10 holding parties in the midst of lockdown last Christmas. Heaven knows what the truth is, but it is beginning to feel like ‘The Boy’s Club’ can do what it likes while we maunder about the restrictions and mostly do as we’re told.
COVID cases are up today with 53,945 people testing positive for the virus – up by nearly 3% in the last 7 days. Pause……..let’s just say that number again, shall we? Fifty-three thousand, nine hundred and forty five.
141 people died in the community today. 41 people died in hospitals in the last 48 hours.
700 people were admitted to hospitals today.
And 1.2 million people are reported as suffering from Long Covid. One point two million.
Hot chocolate, anyone? It’s the only thing keeping me sane……
Take care. Things are sent to try us but every day we go again.
Susie Dent’s Word of the Day yesterday? ‘Apanthropy’ (18th century): the desire to be away from other people and to be left alone.
Ha!
And one more for luck – Susie Dent’s Word of the Day today is ‘eye-servant’ (16th century): one who only works properly or follows the rules when they are being observed.