Good days

Yesterday, being Sunday, I ‘went to church’ (that is, via YouTube) which seemed to set me up for a better day. And so, when Harriet texted to say did we want to have Freddie over in the afternoon, the answer, of course, was ‘yes’.

So we had a great afternoon playing – well, I did, anyway, and Grandpa kept up remarkably well. In fact, Freddie and Grandpa were almost twins, having selected similar stripey garments to wear.

Freddie was full of ideas: let’s…… make a den; light a fire; cook marshmallows over the fire; have a picnic; find treasure; create a treasure box; play in the garden….. and so on. And we did it all…… the only thing we didn’t do was go to the park. “Maybe later,” said Freddie – which I knew meant ‘well, actually I’m not that keen, but I’ve learnt the art of diplomacy…..’

As is usual with the children, we were up and down the stairs, in and out of the garden and round and round the houses. Loved it. Mind you, we were caught out when the parents came home. We had not long sat down for a rest and I’d suggested Freddie could have half an hour of TV while we had a cuppa. About ten minutes in, Paul and Harriet were at the door…..and not only that, but I’d selected an episode of Minecraft from YouTube that was forty minutes long. We hated it, but Freddie loved it.

But there’s nothing like looking after your grandchildren to remind you that there’s life left in the old dogs yet. Our spirits were certainly higher in the evening than they had been in the morning – and as far as I’m concerned, that was all down to a gorgeous little boy coming to visit.

We were looking forward to today, too, as we met up with Dave and Chris at Kingsbury Waterpark. It was a slow start as I couldn’t winkle myself out of bed, and I was eating my breakfast when we should have been setting off. However, we finally got there about half an hour late and we weren’t told off at all.

Naturally, Dave and Chris had got out of their car and had had a wander before we actually arrived, so it was time for a warm-up in the café: “Shall we have a coffee before we set off on our walk?” Coffee and a natter – lovely.

And then we set off on our walk. To my surprise, John managed amazingly well all the way round and we must have walked about a mile. He was delighted with his efforts too, and he puts it down to a new inhaler he’s been prescribed. Well, whatever it is, more of the same, please!

Walk completed and it was coffee time again. More coffee and a natter. Time flies when you’re enjoying yourself doesn’t it? It was three o’clock before we said our goodbyes. The good company and the fresh air had boosted our spirits no end.

Once we were back from our trip out, I got ready for a tea-time yoga session. When the term started, I had decided that the high incidence of COVID was too risky to attend class, so planned to give this half-term a miss. However, Jaime had got in touch to say there were only three participants and how did I feel about that? I thought it wouldn’t be too risky after all. Windows open, masks on when moving about and so few people in a big hall? I’d go. And I really enjoyed it. The only thing was, after our fresh air today, I was in danger of dozing off…..

January blues? I think they might be edging purple now…..

And if the figures are true, it looks like COVID infections are coming down with just a few hotspots. 88,447 people tested positive today; 56 died and 1,967 people were admitted to hospital. I am not sure of the narrative surrounding these figures, so make no other comment!

Take care everyone, God bless

Pinched this pic from Twitter…..not quite sure where it came from originally, but it’s apt isn’t?