Keep on, keeping on….

You never really know how your day is going to pan out, do you? Some days look miserable as they lay themselves out before you, with not a lot to do and not a lot of motivation to keep on keeping on. However, today was different. What started out as ‘more of the same’ became something a bit more interesting.

First thing this morning, still laying in bed and a bit bleary-eyed, Michael made a video call to us. “What are you up to today/tomorrow?” he wanted to know. “Not a lot today, other than Quiz Night tonight,” I replied, “but tomorrow we are planning to visit Tim and and Michelle.” Ah…. he had wondered what the mystery trip was – so that was it. “Just wondered if you had any spare time to help us with some pre-holiday washing?” he said. Well, yes. We’d got all day, so no worries on that front.

Danielle called in at about ten o’clock and stayed for an hour before she shot off to take Thomas to a music class, BoJingles. It was lovely to see her and to chew the cud even for a short while. There’s always something to talk about and she’s very good company. Thomas, too, is good company, with his ready grin.

We pressed the washing machine and tumble dryer into service immediately and, while the clothes were whirling round, I did a bit more admin for Mum’s affairs. I wanted to let the Civil Service Pension people know that she’d moved and to send correspondence to me but, hey, that was a bit more difficult than I thought. “Send us a copy of the Power of Attorney agreement.” they said. No problem. “And two items of photo-ID plus a utility bill with your name and address on. Oh, and something formal like a letter from HMRC dated within the last three months.”

Hahahahaha! I split my sides laughing. ‘Scuse me? I am old. I do not have photo-ID. My passport has expired, I still have a paper driving licence and all our utility bills are in John’s name.

I could hear the general shrugging of shoulders and feel the tutting over the phone. In the end, I sent a copy of an expired passport, my paper driving licence, a copy of a letter from HMRC dated January, a utility bill in John’s name and my bus pass. That’ll show ’em! Honestly, it could only be the Civil Service, couldn’t it? In triplicate, madam?

Meanwhile, John had been trawling ‘tinternet for cars. He showed me one or two and I suggested we make an appointment to try one out fairly locally. He booked for test run at four o’clock. Lovely.

We ploughed on with our bits and pieces – washing, tumbling, admin-ing, tidying, washing-up and so on until it was time to go. We had a really good run to Coventry and met the sales chappie on time. We went through all of the features of the car. We mulled over the fuel consumption, its age, its service history, its reliability etc etc. Then we had a test drive. We liked it. “We’ll go home and discuss it,” we said.

On the way home, we both agreed we liked the car. “If you’d like to buy it, John, we can, can’t we?” I said. “I’ll check on the insurance, first,” he replied. Good idea. I don’t know if you are waiting for a ‘but’ – but there is no ‘but’. Insurance was OK. We still liked the car. We think we’ll buy it. Boom.

This evening, it was Quiz Night. We were the Quiz Masters and I thought the quiz was going to be easy – only it wasn’t as easy as I thought, despite the fact that we’d had a few of the questions before. I am not sure how everyone enjoyed the quiz, but they were all very polite about it anyway. I really enjoyed the evening though, as there was lots of chat, which is always very pleasant indeed. However, note to self: must make the quiz easier next time…… I mean, do you know what a baby puffin is called?

The news has been dominated today by the testimony of Dominic Cummings to MPs as part of the enquiry into the handling of the COVID crisis. He has slashed to the right, left and centre and hardly anyone has come out of it un-bloodied – including himself. I am watching with interest as to what the fall-out will be…..lies, lies, and more lies?

The COVID figures are now rising with over 3,000 people infected with the virus in the last 24 hours. 9 people have died in the community with the virus and 6 people have died in hospitals on 24 May. I think it’s going to get sticky unless we are sensible and remember to be cautious wherever we go, because people are travelling now. Like us, tomorrow. Fingers crossed that it’ll be safe.

In the meantime, it’s still a full moon – well, nearly, 99.56% of it is visible – and it is very bright. It always befuddles me when it’s that bright. Might have to sleep in our old bedroom where we’ve got black-out blinds……

Take care everyone. God bless.