Unexpected pleasures

We knew we were going to be busy this afternoon for an hour or so, looking after the Sutton Sleath grandchildren while Michael and Danielle went across to the hospital for a mid-term scan and check-up on the baby. But what we hadn’t expected was that we’d spend most of the day with them – and it was lovely.

I thought today’s arrangements were going to be tight for time as I had an appointment with the cat groomer to tidy Rio up this morning, so I phoned to check whether she could sort him out pronto. She could have done, but she suggested an appointment for tomorrow instead. Well, that made things nice and easy. No rushing about.

Mid-morning however, Michael phoned to say he was going to call in. He’d been to Kenilworth to interview a childminder and, because of the rain, there was going to be no park play for the children, so could they come over to us for a cuppa? We rarely say ‘no’, not wanting to pass up an opportunity to spend time with the family, so guess what? We said ‘Yes, please call in’.

The Sutton Sleaths, minus Danielle who was working, duly arrived and the fun began. Upstairs, downstairs, in my lady’s chamber and generally wherever there looked to be anything interesting, we played. The Scalectrix came out, as did the Duplo, the Bouncy Tigger, the glowsticks, the imaginary space ship, bouncing on the bed with Grandpa, nursery rhymes and dancing…… and so on. We had fun.

Michael wondered whether it might be a better idea to leave the children with us while they went to the hospital, rather than us trundle over there. We nodded eagerly. Yes, we were all settled into playing and the thought of upping sticks didn’t appeal.

Michael went home. We carried on playing and then sorted out some lunch. ‘All OK?’ Michael queried while they were waiting at the hospital. Yes, all OK….. ‘Of course they’re OK! They’ve got food in front of them!!’ said Danielle, when she saw the picture I’d sent.

It’s not the best photo in the world, but they were tucking in and really didn’t want to be disturbed.

Thomas was tired after lunch. “Do you want a little nap?” I asked him. He nodded. “Yes,” he said. So I popped him into the large buggy and rocked him for two minutes before he was sound asleep.

That left William full rein. More Duplo, the pretend food, disco lights in the space ship and the Marble Run came out. We were just grappling with the Marble Run when Michael came back to collect the children. John and I were rather grateful. I’d had a go at putting the dratted thing together, then abandoned it to John, who finally abandoned it to Michael. Great fun once it was set up, but such a fiddle to set up in the first place!!

Gosh, we’d had a ball. Thoroughly enjoyed ourselves with such an unexpected pleasure of entertaining the children at our house. Soul food, folks, soul food.

Soul food is essential right now, I think, as we all remain mindful of our situation with the various variants of the coronavirus lurking about. The Omicron variant is now doubling its infection rate every couple of days apparently and seemingly sometimes avoiding detection on the Lateral Flow Tests, too. The little devil.

The official figures report 51,459 people infected with the virus today. There have been 41 deaths in the community and 10 in hospitals over the last 48 hours (although that figure is likely to rise as the weekend figures are fully included). 811 people have been admitted to hospital today.

I am mindful of all those who are troubled and in distress right now – for whatever reason – and am saying a prayer for them all. ‘Double Trouble’ is how it seems to me when there’s COVID about, because nothing is quite straightforward.

Take care everyone. Let’s keep our distance, wear our masks, ventilate indoor areas and do lateral flow tests frequently, as a courtesy to those we know and to those we may yet know. God bless.

Susie Dent’s Word of the Day today is ‘mubble-fubbles’ (16th century): an overall feeling of despondency, low spirits, or ill humour.

Not me today, folks!! Not me!! I hope it’s not you either.