‘Twas a sunny day

Well, we had a cracking day today! One wonderful thing after another.

First of all, we woke up to sunshine. How brilliant that felt. To open the curtains and see a blue sky, with a bright yellow orb in it, was uplifting to say the least. I donned suitably summery clothing and felt proper ready for the day ahead.

Only one thing marred the day and that was the dodgy shoulder that I’d jiggered yesterday. I thought I’d done a bit of a mischief and I clearly have. Blooming thing! Mind you, the hip injury didn’t amount to anything so I am grateful for small mercies.

John was up early this morning too. This was because he had a purpose. And the purpose was to toddle along to the garage and take delivery of our nice, shiny, new car. It’s not brand new – I mean who can afford that these days? – but it’s new to us and it’s lovely. We did all the paperwork in record time and then John took control and brought her home. We are very excited and John immediately said, “Where shall we go then?” Not sure where we shall go but a little drive out tomorrow is on the cards.

Once we arrived home we started the set-up for Carol and John arriving for a visit, about which we were equally excited. The set-up was only getting the chairs and barbecue out and baking some part-baked bread rolls, but as we both now feel ancient we thought we’d better allow plenty of time.

Carol and John’s ETA was about 12 o’clock, at which time the doorbell rang. Oh, whoopee! They’re here! I raced to the door to find that it was Catherine instead. She was on her way back up to Manchester after her few days at Paul and Harriet’s and thought she’d call in to say ‘hi and bye’. Well, we were delighted to see her. She looks wonderful and glowing with vitality. We had a great chat for about twenty minutes before she had to say goodbye as her friend, Jade, was cooking in the car. But what a delightful surprise. Not only sunshine and a new car but a lovely, unexpected visitor too.

Carol and John arrived around one o’clock. “Grrr….” they said, “the blooming motorway! Did you get our text message to say we’d be late?” Well, we hadn’t looked at our phones because we’d been chatting to Catherine, but it transpired that they’d got stuck in traffic caused by a broken down lorry. But, phew, they’d made it and we were thrilled to see them.

I can’t really describe the feeling of euphoria I had, seeing Carol and John in the flesh after such a long time. Oh, such dear, dear friends. Our words tumbled over each other as we had so much to say to each other. But first things first, of course – admire the car, please. Which they duly did and made all the right noises. And then, we settled in.

Oh, yes, that was it, then. We talked and talked and talked. We laughed and giggled and put the world to rights. Eeeeh, fantastic. And not only that, but they stayed until nearly nine o’clock. Even then we weren’t keen for them to go, but they’d got another motorway journey so we didn’t prevent their departure.

We did, however, draw their attention to the fact that an overnight stay is now allowed and what a pity they couldn’t stay so we could have chatted more tomorrow. Never mind, they are coming back again in ten days’ time for another get-together – this time with Pete and Dawn, too – so more chatting will be on the agenda. And it’ll be our turn to go to them next, so perhaps we’ll stay there if it’s still allowed….and we’re invited, of course.

Suffice to say, our souls have been refilled today. More please. I am not yet full.

The COVID figures are still steady. I am not sure what it means, but those who have tested positive for the virus today number 3,165 and no deaths have been reported in the community and just one death reported at the University Hospital, Birmingham. This feels like good news. I hope it really is.

Take care everyone. God bless.