Isolation Day 102

I think it is true to say that isolation now, is not the isolation we knew at the beginning. In the beginning, we saw no-one. We stayed in. No-one came in, although people came to the door, and we went nowhere. Now, thanks to clement weather, we are out in the garden and our friends and family visit us there. Still no-one comes in, but people have hovered in the porch, with us adrift in the middle of the hall. And today, because there’s a new baby in the family, we ventured over to Sutton for an unexpected ‘garden visit’ to coo over him. It’s the first social outing in four months, and it was ruddy marvellous.

It’s a good job we had something exciting to do today, as neither of us was particularly feeling great this morning. We had each got out of the wrong side of the bed, feeling grumpy, bickering on and off from the minute we got up. I am more ‘hard of hearing’ than previously, and John only has one hearing aid now, since he sent one off for repair on Monday, which means that each of us think the other has said something different to what was actually uttered. Confusion ensues and we both think we are in the right. “But you said….” “No, I didn’t….” We are like school children all over again. It’s probably nothing to do with our hearing, we’re probably just losing our marbles. Or is it the heat? Do say it’s the heat….

The original plan this morning for me was to go and have a cuppa in the vicarage garden – a first outing. I felt very tired and lethargic. Linda called in with the shopping and said, “See you there?” I hummed and hawed. I don’t know, I’ll see….I’m not feeling great. In the end, I texted Sandra and said I’d go next week. Give me some time to pull myself together, I thought.

I drifted about for half an hour – couldn’t be bothered with a shower or putting on fresh clothes; couldn’t be bothered to wash the shopping; couldn’t be bothered even to get breakfast. I rallied and had started to unload the dishwasher when Michael texted. ‘What are your plans for today?’ he asked. ‘Nothing. Nada. Rien.’ I replied. ‘Boring’ he said. Well, yes. There’s more gardening, of course, and upholstery, and painting, but nothing planned. John was on the sofa inspecting the back of his eyelids, so I hadn’t asked what his plans were. Hope glimmered. Would Michael invite us over to see the baby?

For ten minutes or so, the conversation stalled. Ah…… maybe Michael was just being polite and checking on the old ‘uns. Then…. ‘If the weather’s OK and you wanted to visit….?’ All of a sudden, I didn’t feel quite so tired! Yes, please!! I was then spurred into action. I whizzed through the dishwasher emptying and the ‘shopping washing’, then ran around gathering bits and pieces to take with us, including the obligatory bottle of ‘fizz’, and I even managed the shower I’d been putting off.

Mum decided to stop at our house. In fact, I think she was a bit relieved to have some time to herself. I laid up her lunch before we set off, made her a cup of tea and then we were on our way, roof down on the car, sun hats on and joy in our hearts.

We had anticipated thundery showers this afternoon, so I loaded the car with a couple of parasols so that should it rain, we had some shelter. No thunder storms materialised, however, and we sat on the newly erected decking at the back of Michael and Danielle’s until tea-time and had a wonderful time.

Thomas was the model baby (I wonder how long that’ll last?) snoozing contentedly in his pram, only murmuring awake for a feed and then dozing off again. We donned our masks and gloves and risked cradling him. We toasted the new born with a drop of Bucks Fizz and wished the family well. Oh, my, my heart is full. John was the proud grandfather again and he, too, felt a burst of pride.

William woke up after his afternoon nap and joined us. “Come and see my baby” he said to me, beckoning me on. “See? My baby brother.” Yes, I see your baby brother; and I see a tender big brother alongside him.

Mid-afternoon, the sun was hot, and we were sweltering. Danielle had been hoping for cooler weather today as she’d had two nights feeling like she was in a furnace already. The cooler weather didn’t arrive as expected in Sutton, but the jingle of the ice cream van did. William was in the lounge, cooling off, watching TV. He heard the jingle and ran out to us on the decking. “It’s an ice cream van!” he exclaimed, his eyes sparkling and as big as saucers. “Shall we get an ice cream then, William?” Michael asked. “Yes, please.” was the earnest and very prompt reply. And two metres apart, in an orderly manner, the children and parents waited patiently to be served until it was William’s turn. He was as happy as a sand boy. So was Danielle – a cooling ice cream is just what she needed.

All too soon, the afternoon was over. We weren’t keen on leaving but were mindful of our responsibility back at home.

Mum had enjoyed her afternoon and was bright when we got back. I even persuaded her to eat her evening meal outside with us, despite the breeze. Our evening meal of pulled pork, courtesy of Michael, was absolutely delicious. But hey! What’s all this? I’m the one who’s supposed to be doing the Red Cross food parcels, not the other way round!!

I decided to rest this evening and watch TV. John decided to tackle the kitchen cupboard above the fridge/freezer. There was a lot of hammering and drilling and cursing. But boy, has he done a grand job. It’s a cracking piece of work and I am thrilled to bits with it.

I’ll try not to bicker with him tomorrow…..

And so, to today’s reports on COVID-19: 9 deaths up until five o’clock yesterday in hospitals and 34 confirmed for the day before according to the NHS. 186 deaths in all settings and 1,006 people confirmed as infected according to the government report for the same time period.

The death toll and the infection rate appear to be flattening out, but we are not going to eliminate the virus until there’s a vaccine, so I imagine these figures will stay much the same for some time to come. Unless, of course, the second wave that is predicted takes ‘R’ rate above one and it sends us all back into our homes again. I do hope not. Might be the pattern of things to come though – in, out, shake it all about….

God bless.

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