Sunny Days and Black Holes

Yesterday was another good day with John and I taking a trip into Birmingham – not for a hospital trip, but for a jaunt into the Jewellery Quarter. A little repair to the claw on one of my rings was needed, so we thought we’d make an occasion out of the trip.

As we drew up to park the car, I wondered where the best place for repairs was. I’ve visited this part of Birmingham for many a year – it’s one of my favourite places – but hardly ever taken things in for repair. I’m normally in ‘feast your eyes on those sparkly things’ mode.

However, we were in luck. The shop directly opposite where we’d parked offered ‘Repairs and Restoration’. Now that sounded just right. And sure enough, it was. The young man who served us (‘I’ve been 20 years in the business‘ – and he only looked about twenty as it was) was very knowledgeable and was able to run round to his craftsman for an immediate repair on the ring. So that was good.

“Shall we just have a look at ear-rings while we wait, John?” I wheedled. “I’d like a pair to complement the lovely necklace you bought me last year…..” So we looked and found a pair that were just right. John got his wallet out. Lucky me.

We popped over the road to the café for a cup of coffee and a bite to eat. We sat outside in the sunshine, where it was nearly 18 degrees. It was lovely – we really enjoyed the fresh air and the lovely food. How good it felt to be out together. Roll on the Spring.

Today was another trip out – this time to Solihull – but it was for a hospital appointment. John needed to have a blood test, so I dropped him at the hospital while I shot over to the town centre to buy a gift for baby Arthur’s first birthday. I can’t quite believe it’s a whole year since he was born and created a stir by being several weeks early. What a worrying time it was then. But he’s a bonny, bonny boy now.

We took a detour on the way home via Mum’s Care Home. One of the staff had phoned this morning to say Mum had broken her glasses, so I took her an old pair for the time being while we work out what to do. It looks like the pair she’s been wearing has broken before and we’d glued them together. Neither of us remember that…… oh, look, there’s a great big black hole where the memory should be.

We do a lot of that. Peering into black holes hoping that the memories will emerge, but they never seem to. So far in the last year I have lost vouchers down it – no idea where I’ve put the darn things; new books I am keen to read – now, where did I put it/them once I’d unwrapped the parcel? Clothes – I was sure I had a purple top to go with those jeans, but what did I do with it after I’d ironed it? Keys, gloves, shoes, inhalers, tape measures – down they all go into the murky depths of memory loss. Eeeeeh…… getting old, eh? What fun………..hahahahaha.

We babysat for the Kenilworth newbies this evening. What a quiet night. The boys were in bed and fast asleep when we got there and they stayed that way until we left. We’d like to have seen them of course, but in reality, we’d have excited them far too much and Michael and Danielle would never have got out of the door.

Poor Freddie is still poorly though. He’s picked up the tummy bug that William and Thomas had last weekend but, whereas they were over it in 48 hours, poor Freddie is still feeling very unwell. Fingers crossed he’s feeling better tomorrow. Might have to take him a little ‘get well’ gift, I think, to cheer him up. And maybe a bottle of wine for the parents…… it’s tough looking after a poorly child, isn’t it?

Anyway, it’s the weekend and I am looking forward to the last of the tennis (for now) and Sue Gray’s report…… oh, did I mention Susie Dent’s Word of the Day? Here it is: ‘forwaked’ (14th century): weary from watching and waiting for something that never seems to materialise.

Have a good weekend everyone. God bless.

89,176 people tested positive for the coronavirus today, New cases, that is. 277 people died with the virus and 1,732 people were admitted to hospital. Infection rates in schools is pretty high right now and I am keeping everything crossed that they slow down and stop. I’m really not keen on our grandchildren contracting it……