The best laid plans….

We spent the day gathering things ready to take over to the Kenilworth Sleaths, popping items into boxes, and making long lists of ‘things to do’ and ‘things to take’. We nipped to the shops for those final items, like the turkey and all the trimmings, and lovely cheeses and pâtés. Getting very excited for the big day,

This afternoon, Harriet phoned. “Are you still at the shops?” she wanted to know. No, I was home. “Ah… good…. my sister has just told us that my nephew, Arthur, has tested positive for COVID. And they were here, staying over, on Monday…. so….. what do you want to do about Christmas?”

Arthur had shared a room overnight with Freddie on Monday. Hmm…… I mulled it over, “I think it’s a bit risky if we come, Harriet.” I said. She agreed. Everyone has agreed. And so, Plan A has become Plan B? Or maybe Plan C? We haven’t quite made our minds up as to which plan we are going to go with yet, because, of course, I was there yesterday, and we have yet to evaluate the risk of that.

Upset? Upset? I should say so! We were all so looking forward to being together. It’s not so hunky-dory now, is it? Hmmm……. best laid plans and all that.

Upsets seem to be coming thick and fast one way or another and, one that emerged yesterday was my friend, Tim, who was admitted to hospital. If you could spare some positive thoughts or prayers just now, I’d be very grateful. His illness is not COVID-related, but it’s worrying nonetheless.

In other news, John has started decorating the Christmas cake. Apricot jam is de rigeur as the glue for attaching the marzipan to the cake, but did we have any? I rummaged and found some, and put it ready by the cake. John didn’t know I’d found a jar and thought that we didn’t have any, so he spent ages researching alternatives on the internet. When he finally came down on the side of the home-made plum jam we’d got in the cupboard, he went through into the kitchen only to be pleasantly surprised by the jar of apricot jam waiting patiently by the cake. More cake decorating tomorrow……

The post brought lots of Christmas cards, and also one or two medical letters with reports of tests done and appointments in the New Year. John also had an e-report ping through on his phone regarding the x-ray recently taken on his dodgy hip. Things are crumbling nicely, apparently. Fancy a hip replacement, John? Ha! Now there’s a decision to make. He’s an interesting case and, with his history, I wonder what the medics are going to suggest. We’ll find out, no doubt, in 2022.

This evening, it was Quiz Night. It felt quite a hectic one because my brain was still reeling with disappointment, the internet was occasionally intermittent and we had a couple of additional voices in the mix with the Connor’s grandsons joining in, too – but who seemed to know more answers than we did, so we were grateful for their company. Great quiz questions which raised plenty of debate both during, and after, the quiz.

On the COVID front, there have been 106,122 people who have tested positive for the virus today. 140 people died in the community and 813 people were admitted to hospital. 50 people died in hospitals in the previous 48 hours.

We are trying to be careful with the contacts we are meeting up with and the activities we undertake, but that blooming virus is sneaky and seems to slide in before you even know it. Do hope there’s no infection carried forward from Arthur’s visit to the rest of the family. Fingers crossed…..

Take care everyone. God bless.