As you were, folks

Day 230 since we locked down in March 2020.

Yes, yes, I know it’s not the actual situation or circumstance that makes you feel like this. Of course I realise it’s how you respond to a situation or circumstance that dictates your mood. I do understand that the external state of affairs can’t be changed. And I honestly recognise that how I perceive conditions in current society is personal, and not necessarily real. But it’s not making me any the less angry. Or upset. Or irritated.

Slam. The door, that was only an inch open anyway, is now shut. And if you talked to me this evening, I gave you short shrift. Sorry about that. But there we are. With apologies, but hope you can take it on the chin. As I should also take the latest announcement – on the chin and be gracious about it. But – for a nanosecond I wasn’t, and couldn’t be.

I opened a bottle of Prosecco, but funnily enough, all that alcohol didn’t help. Just made me more and more maudlin. The thing is, I think the fact that Boris kept everyone waiting and the plans were announced by Robert Peston on Twitter, hours before, is what got my goat. As if we are but nothing. And I know I have said this before but it is so redolent of Animal Farm. Nothing to see here, folks. I said what? No, no, you are imagining it…… these are the rules. They were what yesterday? No, no, you got that wrong. These are the rules. Do as we say, not as we do. Next!!

Anyway, rant over. Up until this evening it was a very good day.

The rain was being hurled against our windows early on and I dreaded the worst on the overflowing gutterings. However, it didn’t really last that long, and the very severe wind, having blown the rain hard, eventually blew the clouds away, revealing the most glorious sunshine and cracking colours. The trees, and the leaves that had been buffeted from them onto the ground below, swirling from the maelstrom into cosy corners, were aglow wherever you looked. Just stunning, absolutely stunning.

I made the trip into Kenilworth early on this morning to collect a coffee table I’d ordered, putting me in a great mood for the rest of the day. I even managed to buy one of the grandchildren’s Christmas presents while I was out, too. Once home, John helped me pop the table into the lounge and then it was ‘settle down’ time for the Grand Prix qualifying, then the rugby. Wales vs Scotland (we wanted Scotland to win), England vs Italy (we wanted Engerland to win), and Ireland vs France (we wanted France to win, but by not too big a margin). Our prayers were answered and lo, and behold! England won the 6 Nations Trophy. Great whooping and hollering in our household.

Before we actually settled down though, we had a glorious half hour with Freddie and Paul, unexpectedly – on the premise that it might the last chance for a while. I had just arrived back on the drive from my little shopping trip and who should pull up on the drive too, but them? How very, very lovely. Just calling in after swimming. We went out into the back garden and had a bit of a mess about there and a cup of tea but, more importantly, we sorted out some sweets for socially-distanced ‘trick or treating’. “Come on, Freddie, let’s tie the packets of sweets to the back of the chair.” Freddie was a great help. Although it was weird. A couple of packets seemed to need opening for trial purposes to make sure they were OK and up to the task of the ‘trick or treat’ evening ahead. Funny that. Fortunately, both the Maltesers and the Haribo were deemed quite satisfactory.

Having said farewell to them, we scooted back into the house. John to watch the sport and me to prep lunch before I started painting. Plan: paint the front door. Yes, I know I am half-way through painting the bookcase, but this needs doing too….and I’d like to get my curtain back up, thank you. So, I got all my bits and bobs out and then opened the tin of paint. “D’you know what, John? I don’t think I’ll have enough paint.” How much had I got left in the tin? About half an inch. Best go and buy some more then. Which I did, of course, but which meant that I was rather late doing the painting…. it’ll be interesting to see how it turns out in the morning, won’t it?

Having completed the painting for the day (it needs a second coat tomorrow) I got our evening meal ready and John suggested I might like to watch Strictly. Well, yes I would, but I am happy to watch the rugby too. He insisted, so I didn’t argue although, of course, we had to wait until Boris had finished his little spiel. We sat comfortably for a while until I thought that really John would prefer the rugby, so let’s watch that. So we mixed and matched our evening viewing interspersed with me getting ever more grumpy as the evening wore one. Ah well, tomorrow’s another day, so perhaps I’ll view it all in a different light then. Fingers crossed. I enjoyed both the rugby and Strictly though, so that was something.

21,915 people were confirmed as having contracted the virus today; 326 people died from it in the community and 150 people died in hospitals on 29 & 30 October. And Andrew’s COVID test was inconclusive so he’s got to do it all over again. Watch this space.

There is nothing to say that hasn’t already been said about the stats, is there? So I won’t, having had a good rant earlier.

In the meantime, take care everyone. God bless. Thinking of you all, such very precious people.