Burgers, hotdogs and cake…..

Well, that was nice. Another day of goodness, thank goodness. After the flurry of activity in the last few weeks it has been rather good to feel less pressure and more freedom, allowing a day to unfold and then enjoy it.

The morning was beautiful. A sparkling blue sky and very little breeze meant that my morning walk with Chester was glorious. We strode out across the fields – he enjoying all the smells of the hedgerows; me enjoying all the flowers in the hedgerows. I had the added bonus of listening to birdsong, and Chester had the bonus of saying ‘hello’ to every dog we met on the way. And he was a good boy, too. Happily wagging his tail, but with a bark that told all comers who was top-dog.

Once I was home, I nipped to the shop to buy some bread rolls. We had originally planned a picnic today as Dave and Chris were arriving for lunch and an afternoon of natter. In the end, though, I thought a cold picnic on a cold day wasn’t the best plan and opted for burgers and hotdogs instead. Chris brought a cake.

After I’d prepped all I could in the kitchen, I went outside to arrange tables and chairs and put the sides onto the gazebo. John had got up, had a cup of coffee and then said he was going back to bed, so I wanted to be sure that he was going to have all the warmth available to him when he sat outside later on.

The sun was shining so wonderfully though, that actually it was lovely and warm as I sat waiting for Dave and Chris to arrive.

We had a great day. Natter? You bet! John came downstairs once he knew that our guests had arrived and wrapped himself up in a blanket, so that he was on a par with the rest of us in the warmth stakes. And that was it. Putting the world to rights, catching up on what’s happening in our families, sharing our woes, our triumphs, and hoped-for plans. Brilliant.

Chester made friends with Dave and Chris once he’d got over his barking and realised that they were friends and not foe. And, like us, he spent the day outside in the fresh air. It always makes you feel tired doesn’t it? The fresh air? Well, John certainly closed his eyes early this evening, and I was tempted, but Chester succumbed…

I say the day was ‘brilliant’ because it was. However, John wasn’t feeling great today, so wrapped up warm in his heated blanket and settled under the patio heater, he listened to the conversation in ‘sleep’ mode. Half-awake, he’d sometimes join in the conversation; then at other times he’d drop off for a little doze. Any exertion and the ol’ lungs are objecting to functioning. I shall keep my beady eye on him…..

We waved goodbye to Dave and Chris and were just going to make a cuppa when Chester came hurtling through the hall, barking his head off. Ah….there was someone at the door. How very lovely, it was Paul and Freddie. “Come round the back!” I shouted, and hurried down the side to open the gate. I do love such surprises. Fills my heart.

Anyway, it transpires that Freddie had suggested they call in after their swimming session. “Let’s go and see what Grandma has got for us,” he’d said. Well, Grandma had got cake. At lunchtime, none of us had wanted to start on the cake as we were all rather full from our burgers and hotdogs. Freddie loves cake. “Have you got any sprinkles, Grandma?” he wondered. I had. Hundreds and thousands, chocolate sprinkles and letters and numbers – would that do? Yes, thank you – and he decorated his two pieces of lemon drizzle cake with them. Delicious. Thank you, Chris.

John meanwhile, was still feeling tired and was nestled in his armchair. Paul chatted to him through the patio door while Freddie and I played in the garden. *Does a little dance* I do love to play…..

An evening walk with the dog and then a bit of telly this evening before I realised that the fresh air has made me tired too. An early night if I can, I think.

We haven’t watched the news today, but I have looked at today’s coronavirus figures, just for the record. People with positive tests – 1,671; people who died in the community – 14; people who died in hospitals on 30 April & 1 May – 3.

These figures continue to be encouragingly low, so I am hopeful that we will be able to follow the roadmap that’s been planned. We really can’t wait to be able to say to friends and family: “Come in, take a seat, kick your shoes off and have a drink. Stay over if you’d like….”

Hope you’ve all had a good weekend, too. Brace yourselves for the rain tomorrow! God bless.