Author: anniesleath@hotmail.co.uk

Monday. Start of another week. And what a beauty the day was. The sun was shining all day, the trees were wearing their most colourful clothes and the moon shone exceedingly brightly this evening – even sporting a rainbow hue through the clouds. (Photo courtesy of Michael)

So, what do you do on a glorious day like today? Work inside of course! A job from my snagging list to get the kitchen finished, I actually put a coat of paint on the skirting boards today!! I will put another coat on tomorrow (I hope) and then that job can be crossed off the list.

Of course, it wasn’t as simple as it sounds. The paint I used is quite old, so there was a lovely thick skin on the top of a third-full tin. It transpired that, underneath the skin the paint was actually OK, but it was a bit of a fiddle to get down to it. John helped me fish out the last bit that was still floating on the top, and then wished he hadn’t. This satinwood paint wasn’t water-based after all. And where on earth had we put the large container of white spirit we bought at B&Q recently? Couldn’t find it – but I did find the accoutrements to the fish tank which I hadn’t been able to unearth yesterday instead.

I settled down to paint….. oh! I had forgotten to put the masking tape down. But you know how masking tape has that horrible habit of ripping, just as you’re on a roll? (Sorry about the pun) Yep. That. Bloomin’ stuff. Anyway, once I got going, not too bad to start with, but then there was negotiating round the waste bin and the radiator and the pipes. And I am arthritic – knees, hips, wrists – so, after about fifteen minutes I remembered why I am trying to keep up with yoga. I am not as supple as I was. Creak……

John, in the meantime, was furkling about with the lights on the trailer as it transpires that they are not fully functioning. So, the ol’ man got up and at ’em this morning, and was out there by mid-morning having a good old rummage around to get the reluctant things working. He thinks he’s done it, but we’ll see…..

He’s still not feeling great and is a proper Puffing Billy, so every job he tackles takes a superhuman effort. I applaud his determination – you can’t keep a good ‘un down, can you?

We both sank into the sofa after our hard work and watched the mid-day news. The question of what to eat for lunch was too much for John, exhausted as he was, and he said he didn’t really care what we had. In the end, I did a middle class, posh lunch…. made up some guacamole and served it with paleo bread and crudités. That’s mashed up avocado, cashew nut bread and raw veg to you and me. But whatever you want to call it, it was delicious.

After lunch, I knew I had to get over to Mum’s this afternoon to take her for her flu jab. And it was a matter of planning…….. working back from the appointment at 3.45, what time did I need to get there to get her out of her chair and out of her flat? That was the question. I decided I needed to get there an hour beforehand at least. No matter how many times you tell her and write things down, it would still be surprise to her that I was taking her out.

“Mum, I’ve come to take you for your flu jab.” She nodded and smiled. “Yes, dear.” she replied, “Nice of you to come.” I put her washing away, tidied a few things, and then got her shoes, socks, and a cardigan ready. “What, we’re going this afternoon?” Ah….. she hadn’t clocked that it was today. All of a sudden, she had tummy ache. “Oh, dear, oh, dear,” she moaned. “Mum.” I said, very firmly, “We’re going.” And then teased her, “A bit of tummy ache won’t stop you having your flu jab, you know.” She laughed weakly and looked at me appealingly. I shook my head. “We’re going.”

The upshot was that we made it there and back in on piece, and she managed to wear her mask and have the jab without too much fuss. A bit of a struggle getting in and out of the car though, which we had a giggle about.

While I was out, John cleared and removed the shelves in the old office/gym/snug so that he could hang them in the garage for his beloved Lotus bits. He looked pretty done in when I went in, but he ploughed on and he started putting them up in the garage. I was going to nip up to the shops, so went in to tell him. He was having a bit of a fight with the shelf, the wall and his drill. “Do you want me to help, John?” No, he was alright. “Well, let me know when you’re doing the next one and I’ll come and hold it up. And just be careful on those steps!” I hoped I didn’t get back to find him in a heap on the floor. As it turned out it was OK, but he did go to bed for a while as I cooked our evening meal.

All in all, a very busy day for both of us but quite a satisfying one for a change. Even if we are feeling our age….

And COVID? How’s he doing then? Oooh, really rather well, spreading nicely, thank you, to 20,890 people today and killing off 102 in the last twenty-four hours. The hospitals report 67 deaths over the weekend.

Take care everyone. God bless.

A whole extra hour in bed. How lovely! Well, in theory. I am not at all sure what happened to me last night but I couldn’t sleep. Half past three when I finally nodded off. And then, instead of snoozing on, I was awake at seven o’clock and ready to get up. Goodness knows….

It being Sunday and all, I thought maybe I would get to church this morning, but I started on with jobs and the time ran away with me until it was too late. Maybe next week.

We had planned to go over to the Sutton Sleaths today so that we could take them a spare printer we have, but in the end, they came to us. It was all lovely, because the sun was shining and, although it was a bit chilly, we lit the chimenea to huddle round. I brought out the cushions for the garden chairs and offered blankets for anyone who wanted them. William was feeling the cold as he had not long woken from his nap and, although John was in his big winter coat, he was also feeling the cold. William and Michael did some running to keep warm. John wasn’t up to that though. “Would you like your birthday present early?” I asked him. “Depends what it is,” he said, cautiously. “I think I’ll just go and get it,” I declared and ran upstairs.

Mindful that we are likely to be sitting out in the garden for the foreseeable, and knowing that John does feel the cold a bit more than most these days, I had taken the plunge and ordered a heated over-blanket for him to snuggle into. I thought it might be useful indoors sometimes too. Well, he was delighted with it and I was delighted that he was delighted. I think it did the trick and kept him going for the whole duration of the visit.

The blanket was going to be a surprise for John’s birthday but, to be honest, much better to make use of it when it’s needed rather than wait, don’t you think? And I also had to confess to him that I had bought a second one – either for me to use on the coldest days or for others to use when they come to visit us at our ‘garden’ parties.

Michael and Danielle hadn’t had their lunch before they left home, so I rustled up a salad – perhaps not the best food for a cool day outside but, when I started making it for John and me, the Sutton Sleaths hadn’t yet arrived and we were going to eat it indoors. I have to say though, that it was a tasty lunch.

And what other treasures could we find today? “Do you still have the goldfish bowl, Mum?” Michael wondered. “Yes, I do.” Of course I do, never one to chuck anything out. “Ah, but do you know where it is?” John teased. “Yes, I do – it’s in the loft.” The upshot of the conversation was that Michael thought it would be a nice thing to have for William. He’d been planning on buying one when he suddenly remembered I used to have one. And so now it’s all set up just outside William’s room and ready to receive a goldfish. Definitely exciting!

After the Sutton Sleaths left, John sat and watched the Grand Prix, which I think he enjoyed. It’s galling though, isn’t it, when the drivers are interviewed and they only look like they are sixteen? I mean it’s the young ones who are coming up now – Pierre Gasly and Max Verstappen – and honestly, they hardly look like they are out of nappies.

We had a bit of a kerfuffle though this afternoon when it was time to SKYPE Carol and John. I was in the kitchen pot-washing when I realised that it was a quarter past four. I popped through to the lounge to see about setting up John’s laptop. John was on the main computer trying to put an order in for a Tesco delivery on Tuesday afternoon. So, I thought I’d not bother him as he was ‘in the middle of’ and I’d fire up the laptop and get it all set up myself. The laptop had other ideas. It was exceptionally slow. Nope. Not a lot happening. Took ages to fire up, then was just buffering with that little blue spinney thing on the screen. Then a message came up saying that it was refreshing (or something) the XBox, or Gamebox (or something) …….

Of course, when I told John all this, it was clear that I’d done something wrong. “I’ve never had a message like that before.” he growled. Oh. Right. I know, I’ll switch the thing off and then John can start it up again to make sure it’s done right. More growling. “I never switch my laptop off. I don’t why you’ve done that.” I did a bit of bleating…. the laptop was off when I picked it up, gov….. I just switched it on, honest.

Twenty minutes after the appointed time, we were in. Well done John. The four participants all had a glass of wine in hand and we settled down for a good old chinwag. It were luvverly. I really don’t know why we don’t do it more often. It wasn’t until our rumbling tummies could be heard over the conversation that we thought we’d better bring it all to a close. Once again, I was overwhelmed with the wonderful friendships we have. Thank the Lord.

And so to the stats today on what the virus is doing to us all. 19,790 people were confirmed as infected with COVID-19 today and 151 people died. The NHS figures hadn’t been updated today when I looked, so it was on 112 deaths on 22 & 23 October. Still a lot of infections and a lot of deaths.

And how was your Sunday? As good as mine I hope. My heart is full of family and friends. God bless.

The hour is late. It is a quarter past midnight and I have yet to write anything that captures the day. It doesn’t matter though, does it? Because tonight’s the night we magically conjure another hour up for our delectation tomorrow. Yippee!! An hour’s extra snooze.

I am not sure whether John thinks he has had a good day or not today. He hasn’t done a great deal, as far as I can tell, except play every second of the Wasps vs Exeter rugby match this evening. We had been hoping for Wasps to triumph, but the side had been weakened by the virus, so Exeter got revenge for their 2008 defeat and walked away with the win. Wasps put up a good fight, but it wasn’t to be.

John was up before me this morning. I was laying in bed reading my book when he brought me a lovely cup of tea, then he went back to bed. I finally winkled myself out of bed around eleven and, goodness knows what I was doing, but it took me a long time to get John some breakfast and his tablets. Once I’d done that, I faffed around some more and then set off for the shops and to visit Mum.

The Co-op wasn’t too busy and I managed to get most things I was after – except a couple of specialist things that John wanted. I took Mum’s shopping to her, where I spent a couple of hours before I went back home. But what has my life come to, folks? I spent a good half an hour de-staining Mum’s mugs whilst I was there. Oh, dear. This is not what I was meant for…..

Mum was in reasonable spirits, but everything seems to be such an effort for her and a bit confusing. She wasn’t sure if she’d worn certain clothes; insisted that I handle a pair of trousers very carefully as they’d been folded in a certain way; and just going to the loo was exhausting and she didn’t feel quite herself. I suggested she have a sip of water once she’d sat down, whereupon she made a great play of the fact that she couldn’t reach the glass. I ignored the little playlet and she sorted the problem out, but not before she’d pointed out to me how difficult it was to pick her glass up. Hmmm…….. I do dislike it very much when she cries wolf.

Anyway, I left her in good spirits, because she’d been useful. I asked her to sniff the mugs I’d washed in Persil to make sure they weren’t still soapy. She loved that. She thoroughly enjoyed stating which mugs were rejected, and conversely, triumphantly fan faring the mugs that were odourless.

Once the mug-washing was complete, I took myself home and I could see John had done some clearing up in the kitchen which looked lovely and tidy. I was pleased about that. He claimed to have just sat and watched TV all day, but it wasn’t quite true.

With rugby finished and our evening meal eaten, it was ‘Strictly’ time. I thought it was better this week with only a couple of mentions of ‘staying safe’ and ‘socially distanced’ stuff. The dancing was quite good too, but the presentation still seemed a bit forced. I expect it will relax as the series goes on. Fingers crossed anyway.

And that’s our lot today. No great shakes but not a bad day – unless you count the weather? It’s absolutely poured down pretty much all day….. ah, well, maybe tomorrow the weather will be better.

In the meantime, 23,012 people have been infected with the virus today with a total of 174 deaths in the community and 112 deaths in hospitals on 22 & 23 October. As I do more research into the situation, I understand that the death toll will increase as the time lag between infection, hospitalisation and death kicks in – and it will be mostly among the elderly again. Cause for thought; pause for thought.

So, with that in mind, take care everyone, and remember that the virus is lurking close by. Wash your hands, keep your distance etc etc etc. God bless.

It seemed to be a very grey morning when I woke up and, sure enough, when I looked out of the window it was, and it soon came on to drizzle with rain. The glory of autumn was overshadowed by threatening clouds on the horizon. I didn’t mind particularly, as we were not planning on doing anything outdoors today but I did wonder whether we’d feel miserable because of it.

In the end, I felt OK but John felt a bit low, not least because he is really fed up of being under the weather. Nevertheless, he got himself ready at a reasonable time for us to get going to Heartlands this morning where we were meeting up with his haematology consultants.

It turned out to be a speedy visit in which we saw two of the consultants, Dr Paneesha and Dr Kishore, both of whom know John very well, and they were delighted to see him. There was a bit of banter which always cheers us up, and they were relatively happy with John’s progress from the infection that had seen him hospitalised the other week. They were thrilled with the fact, too, that John has been set up for some treatment next week at the immunology clinic, to have some IV immunoglobulin. This is in an effort to protect him from repeated infections which, if it works, will be very welcome thank you very much.

I expressed my concern over John’s chest and his inability to breath and they nodded wisely but pointed out that actually, his lung function is probably not much more compromised than before. Admonishments to do the breathing exercises and to nebulise a saline solution every day, and they thought that those, along with immunoglobulin, would improve the situation. Just got to hunt out the breathing apparatus we bought a couple of years ago….. now, where did I put it for safekeeping?

After we’d got home, had a cuppa and a bit of lunch, it was time for me to get ready to go over to Paul’s to collect a very large set of pine bookshelves. When I called in to their house the other day I saw that they were chucking it out and it was lying prostrate on the skip. “Can I have it?” I asked Paul, and he said yes, no worries. But, how to get it to us? It is 2.4 metres tall…..

“Will it fit in your car, do you think, Paul?” I asked naively. Everyone fell about laughing. I looked up the cost of a ‘man with a van’. At the very least it would be fifty quid. Hmm….. still cheaper than asking a carpenter to make me some shelves, but still. I know! We have our very own trailer here still (until Sunday). Who do we know with a tow hitch?

So anyway, Malcolm arrived punctually at two-thirty this afternoon to hitch up the trailer, man-handle the shelves into it and transport it back from Kenilworth to us here in Balsall Common. If only I could hug him. Handed over a bottle of wine instead.

Harriet also gave me a pile of books that she was getting rid of, so I am now a very happy bunny. Trying to kick-start my reading habit again, but it is slow progress, I’m afraid. Still having trouble concentrating. Not sure how to get into the groove again. Tips anyone?

After the excitement of humping a heavy bookcase from A to B, I thought I’d have yet another cuppa and a sit down. John was busy watching one of these real-life whodunnit programmes when I got back, so I joined in. We both felt the need for mind-numbing stuff. And that was it then. Never got the paintbrush out again today. Maybe tomorrow?

After we’d eaten our evening meal, we settled down again to watch more TV. It is after all, a Friday night. We decided to start on the homework we had been set by our Centre Stage friends a while ago – to research Bond movies. There had been a spate of them shown on TV during lockdown and I had diligently recorded them. But recording them is not the same as watching them I found out, as our knowledge hadn’t improved at all just by having them sitting on the planner.

So, it was ‘Never Say Never Again’ – an ‘elderly’ Sean Connery cast as Bond when they made this film in 1983 – he was 53 then and it certainly wasn’t his finest hour. I made copious notes during the film, few of which I expect to remember for future quizzes. Ah, well.

I studiously avoided the news today, but I can report that there have been 20,530 people infected with the virus today. 86 people died in hospitals on 21 & 22 October and 224 people died in the community in the last twenty-four hours. There’s still people kicking off about whether or not they should be locked down in whatever Tier they are in, and the issue of feeding children over half-term, with their parents struggling to put food on the table as a result of lay-offs, is high octane news.

And, I don’t wish to worry you but, autumn promises to make way for winter in just eight short weeks, with Christmas in nine weeks, and we’ve got the torment of putting the clocks back this weekend……. who wants an extra hour of 2020, then? Hands up!

Take care everyone. God bless.

Well, I am dead impressed with myself and the hairdresser. I am also impressed with John who was up and about before I’d finished my bath this morning. That’s good news because, although he still feels tired and is constantly out of breath, he felt well enough to face the day at a reasonable hour today. Yay!

I was impressed with myself for not feeling too nervous about going to the hairdresser’s and I was impressed with the hairdresser because she took absolutely every precaution going to keep her, and me, safe. Mask, goggles, visor, hand gel, temperature check and distancing as far as she could, given the job she had to do. All good and I came out feeling like a ‘new me’. See me grin…….

After I’d been and had a haircut I went over to Paul’s for a cuppa. It was lovely to see him and have a chat. He was ‘working from home’ but he hadn’t done much working at that point, having been tied up with a bit of tidying up and then chatting to me. I didn’t stay very long – just long enough to down a welcome brew – and then left him to it so that he could get on.

I walked up into Kenilworth to go to Boots because, having had my hair cut, I thought it looked like it needed some more hair colour on it now, so braved going into the shop for box of ‘Nice ‘n Easy’. While I was in there, I saw a shelf full of photo albums, all reduced, so I bought the lot. I recently found a few bags of photographs that are still snuggling into their original wallets from twenty years ago, so plan to slot them into albums……. one day……

The open air market was on in the square today so I stopped and bought some fresh fish and vegetables for tea. I bought a fish I hadn’t heard of before called ‘Megrim’, which was very tasty. It’s a flat fish, a bit like plaice, and it has an alternative name of ‘Whiff’……. glad I didn’t know the alternative name before I bought it!

I tottered back to Paul’s where I’d parked the car, laden with bags. It’s all very well buying stuff in the square, but it feels like a long walk back up to the end of the High Street when you’ve got a heavy bag or two. I almost fell into the car.

John had spent the morning on self-care, warming his sore eyes with an eye mask, resting on the sofa and then having a tidy-up which tidied his mind too. Once I was back in through the front door he was out in the garage tinkering with wooden boarding on the walls. The idea being that the wooden boards will accommodate hanging things up. That’ll be a first. You know what we’re like….. we’ve spent our lives with a ‘floordrobe’ for clothes and tools…… Mind you, he’s done a good job and it’ll be good to have a place for everything.

I washed the shopping and put it away, prepped lunch and then, after we’d eaten, I was about to get my paintbrush out when I took an excited phone call from Philomena. Thrill of thrills, she has just been told that her new flat is ready. “Come and sign on the dotted line,” they said. I am over the moon at the news. It’s so exciting. She has been telling me about this particular accommodation for a year or two when she put her name down for it, and she’s been waiting patiently ever since. Not that we’re gloating, but it’s one in the eye for one of her friends who said, rather meanly, “You’ll never get one of those.” Well, she has, so there! Big hugs to Phil.

The paintbrush didn’t get picked up in the end. Instead, I wafted about the house trying to decide where to put the new painting that Paul and Harriet had bought us. In the end, I found a nice little spot in the lounge. The only trouble was, the floor lamp that was in the corner didn’t suit the new arrangement, so I spent a while faffing about with different lamps from different areas to get the effect I was after. The upshot of all that is – the painting is on the wall; an old floor lamp is in a new place; and I will be buying a new lamp for the now naked other corner of the room.

The photo I’ve taken of it isn’t great, but I am keen to share the lovely painting with everyone, cos I love it! Ta-da!

After we’d eaten our evening meal we both flopped onto the sofa and just stayed there, scrolling through the TV channels. After all, we’d both had a busy day one way another, don’t you know!!

Of course, we did watch the headlines of the news and are informed that 21,242 people were infected with the virus in the last twenty-four hours; 189 people died in the community in that time and 99 people died in hospitals on 20 & 21 October. No comment…….

Take care as best you can. God bless.

Well, I feel very lucky, and very blessed today. I was planning how to drop the car off for its MOT and, once delivered, to get home again this morning. Originally, when I booked the MOT, the weather was nice and I thought I might be up for the long walk home, but it was piddling down with rain today and, as it turned out, I really didn’t fancy a three mile walk after all. I checked the train times and no worries, I could get a train home. However, I was just sorting out bits and pieces before I set off, when the phone rang, and it was Peter. “Hi, we’re back from taking Dawn to the hairdresser’s so I can give you a lift back from the garage once you’ve dropped the car off, if you like.” Would I like? Oh, yes please!! How very kind. I felt like a film star, sat in the back of the car, as if chauffeur-driven – although wearing a mask was a bit of a come-down. Dear Peter did the return journey, too, so that I could pick the car up later on. How very blessed we are to have such wonderful friends.

A bit later on in the day, I was blessed again. I had run upstairs to do a spot of cleaning before I cooked the evening meal when the front doorbell went. I ran downstairs to hear John calling up that it was someone for me. That ‘someone’ was dear Margaret with a bouquet of flowers. How absolutely spot on. Just what I needed. Cheered me up no end. She is amazingly thoughtful and what a boost she offers with her conversation and actions.

Feeling blessed: number three. It wasn’t long before we were due to log onto Zoom for our quiz evening when my phone buzzed by the side of me. It was Michael doing the phoning, but it was William’s call. He was in the bath and just wanted to chat to Grandma/Grandpa while he was washed. Oh, my days. This is what fills my heart. A conversation with the grandkids because they want to phone us up. I had a really lovely time with him – he is such good company.

What greater treasures could a person ask for than the thoughtfulness and company of friends and relatives? It is everything, isn’t it? I thank the Lord for such treasures when we are in dark places.

In other news, John was busy today, making paleo bread and paleo scones. The bread, called ‘sandwich rolls’, is once again, a success. The scones taste quite good too, although aren’t quite to my liking, as they taste too much of coconut. I think they will do the trick for John though – might even be able to recreate a cream tea.

I decided I might have a go at getting a paintbrush out this afternoon and paint the skirting boards in the kitchen, which was one of the unfinished jobs from my decorating spree earlier in the year. For a while, we didn’t have any skirting boards, having taken them off to paint the walls. Then, once we’d put them back on, I could see they needed a bit of prep – and I had put off dealing with them. They were white, and they didn’t look too bad, so I left them. However, two or three people have asked me if the kitchen is ‘finished’ and, shamefacedly, I have to confess that it’s not.

I never did get the paintbrush out though. I knew all that prep was daunting and time-consuming…… anyhow, I’ve done the prep now (and thank you to John for putting the filler in) and so on to the painting…….. maybe tomorrow?

And blessing number four this evening, of course, was a fun evening quizzing with our Centre Stage friends. Honestly, we were giggling our heads off tonight. The questions weren’t as easy as usual and initially, we were concentrating hard to think of answers, but in the end, we got silly and starting offering daft ones. It was an absolute cracker of a quiz though and, despite the difficulty, we really enjoyed it. Same time, same place, next week, folks??

I think John has felt marginally better today, although he continues to be breathless and a bit tired. He hasn’t spent all day prone on the sofa, however, so I know he’s on the up. Fingers crossed it continues. Get those supplements down you, boy!!

I didn’t watch any news today, nor did I scroll through social media quite so much in an effort to cut down my ‘angst’ about the mess we are all in – whether it’s of our own doing or not. So it was a bit of a shock to read that there have been 26,688 cases of people being infected with the virus today, and nearly 200 deaths in the community and 58 in hospitals on 19 & 20 October.

I understand that there are more places being put into Tier 3, including Coventry as from this Friday. Just when you thought it was safe……

Hairdressers, tomorrow. Will I be a bundle of nerves, that’s the question? Hope not.

Take care everyone. God bless.

With a yoga class that I was determined to go to, I got up relatively early this morning and took John his cuppa almost before he was awake. We have been a bit lax in recent months in adhering to the supplements that the dietician recommended, so the other day, I thought that if we started them up again there may be an improvement in John’s health. So, not only did he have a nice cuppa today, but also a great big bowlful of tablets too. He probably didn’t need breakfast after that!

I left John in bed and made my way to yoga, which I thoroughly enjoyed, having stationed myself near the open doors for the fresh air and wearing my mask throughout so as to avoid the dreaded lurgy. The only thing was, of course, is that I haven’t been keeping up with any exercise since March and found myself a little rusty. “Engage your core!” Jaime called out to us all cheerfully. Core? What core? Well, I found it when I tried to do the plank – only to find it was pretty non-existent. Not only that, the session included mini-planks, elbow-planks, standard planks and side planks. Nope. Definitely no core there to speak of. I collapsed in a bit of a heap and tottered home. Might struggle to get up in the morning.

Once home, I found that John was up and about. He’d been summoned to the front door by the delivery man putting some aluminium sheets into the porch. John’s plan is to cut them to size for a bespoke repair on his Lotus. Once up, he stayed up, and I found him browsing motorbikes on the computer when I came wandering into the lounge on my return from yoga. New project, I wonder?

We had planned to catch up with Pete and Dawn this afternoon now that we can meet in the garden, and had invited them here as we were waiting for the Sky repair man to call. In the end, the Sky man came across lunchtime and sorted us out quite quickly with a hard-wired link to the router and a booster box upstairs. We are now able to watch TV in three (yes, three) rooms. Pleased about that. His arrival early meant that we could make the trip up to Pete and Dawn’s instead of them coming to us. A change of scenery for us – how nice.

John did a bit of wood-chopping before we went out, and then we walked up the road. It’s not far, probably three hundred yards or so, but John is still out of breath and it’s a struggle to walk even that far without having to stop a couple of times. Anyway, we made it and had a lovely time in their back garden admiring their handiwork and newly-nestled plants to make it really nice. I was particularly jealous of a flaming Japanese Maple and a stunning fuchsia in white, pink and purple. It may be a fledgling garden now, but this time next year it’ll be really well established and it’s going to look glorious.

After we’d prepared and eaten our evening meal, it wasn’t yet time for Bake-Off to which I was looking forward to watching, so we watched ‘Who do you think you are?’ that I’d recorded yesterday. We think we are living through tough times now, but hearing the story of David Walliams’ great-grandfather’s life, as he suffered from shell-shock in the First World War and ended up in a lunatic asylum for forty-odd years, was heart-rending. Why are we humans so cruel as to impose war on each other? It has such a terrible cost.

Had a very very welcome phone call from Margaret M checking on how we are this evening. So very much appreciated to know that people are looking out for us. Then afterwards, we did watch Bake-Off and enjoyed it. Great light relief and some cracking bakes and skills on show.

Thereafter, of course, we watched the news. I really think I need to stop watching the news though. No-one is telling the truth as far as I can tell; politicians are playing with people’s emotional and mental health, as well as their income, promising this or that and then reneging on the deal. I was exhausted trying to make head and tail of the arguments raging backwards and forwards with the Manchester situation and, while recognising that the coffers are empty, found myself siding with the populists and wondering how Westminster can be so callous as to assume people on a low wage can live on a fiver a day. At the same time, I was wondering how it had got to this with Mancunians being offered up for ransom. “There’ll be anarchy,” I growled to John as we watched the stories unfolding. “Well,” he replied, “there’ll probably be civil disobedience at least.”

In the meantime, the virus is having a high old time infecting 21,331 people today and killing off 241 in the community. Hospitals are beginning to creak a little, we hear, in the Tier 3 areas and, overall, there were 63 deaths in hospitals on 18 & 19 October.

Let us pray for truth and trust to be restored in this topsy-turvy world and that everyone may work together in harmony and as one against the virus. That’s what we need now.

Take care everyone. God bless.

Footnote: Thought I’d better mention that it was Danielle’s birthday today. She had lovely day browsing Hobbycraft and going out for lunch. But, (and this is why it’s footnote) she posted a photo of her ankle this evening. A great big, fat sprain. Ouch! Potholes….. they’re the devil.

The treacle from yesterday continued into this morning until, about ten o’clock, I gave myself another talking to and got out of bed and set my face to the day. I set about in a determined way, and thought I’d have a tidy-up before thinking about doing something a bit different for the afternoon.

My main aim was to have a good clear-out of the kitchen, which seemed to have spawned pots and pans, letters, plates, cups and a whole pile of Christmas cards I’d brought home from Mum’s to throw away. She is always reluctant to throw away those lovely cards she’s received, and even the envelopes. Almost every card she has had in the last ten years, has been slotted back into its envelope to ‘keep’. I have thought about why she does this, and can only conclude that cards, back in the day, were very, very precious, and this has lived on into our throwaway society. A mystery to us, a generation that buys and throws so much away.

I recognise the instinct, having been brought up not to throw away anything that has been a gift. I can hear her say, when I was growing up, “No, Anne, you can’t throw that away. So-and-so gave it to you. You must keep it. Think of the thought that’s gone into choosing that. And when s/he comes round they’ll wonder where it is if it’s not here.” And so I am a bit stuck, too, with ‘stuff’ that has sentimental value – even ‘stuff’ I don’t like.

Anyway, I went through all of her cards and couldn’t find any that we should keep, (there weren’t any from my Dad, for example) so they have all been put in the re-cycling.

The morning was pleasingly interrupted by a phone call from Dawn. And, boy, did that cheer me up. She empathised with the treacle, and so we were able to share the horrible feeling, and then move onto things more cheerful, ending in an agreement to meet up in the garden tomorrow afternoon.

John was up at a reasonable time, and looks slightly better and, I think, feels a bit better, but still out of breath. He was well enough today, anyway, to be interested in selling the trailer and putting an advert up onto e-bay and then, later on this afternoon, tinker about with the project car in the garage. He is also on a mission to grow trees. He collected a whole pile of acorns fallen from the oak tree opposite, and has nestled them nicely into pots. I shall look forward to seeing them grow. I love an oak sapling or two.

After lunch, I suggested that we might take a trip out to Hatton Country World. John agreed to come with me for a change of scenery. I was thinking that it might not be awfully busy and therefore not so risky, and I am still keen to buy the candles that I have searched for, first at Melbicks, then at Rosebourne’s, only to draw a blank.

I was still focussed on sorting the kitchen before we were due to set off, when I had a phone call from Michael. They were on their way home from Devon and thought they’d call in as they’d be passing. Well, in that case, we are not going to Hatton. Goodness me, we’d far rather see the family than totter about in shops.

Not long afterwards, they arrived. Another day of great excitement on my behalf. My heart leapt as they drew up on the drive. What a treat, three grandsons in two days. Just got to catch up with the granddaughters now.

Had a lovely afternoon together. William was a little chatterbox and great company, as was Thomas. Thomas may only be four months old but he gurgles and gurgles away at us like no-body’s business. It is so cute. Michael and Danielle looked really well and refreshed from their holiday, so I was pleased about that. Apparently, the resort had got busy over the weekend so it was probably just as well we didn’t go down in the end.

As always, the visit was over too soon but it was a much-needed salve to our sore souls. And, unlike yesterday, I wasn’t so down after they left as we were getting ready to SKYPE Dave and Chris in the evening, so it was action stations to get our meal ready and finish clearing up in the kitchen. I didn’t have time to get back to the treacle.

Our evening had a bit of a stuttering start with the internet playing up so our connection to Dave and Chris was intermittent and there were several ‘frozen’ moments. However, John to the rescue and he soon sorted it out, which meant that we chatted for two hours straight – unstoppable.

While we were chatting, John had a message on his phone and, unexpectedly found he’d already sold the trailer. Crikey! That was quick! It was only posted on e-bay at seven o’clock and by ten o’clock it had gone. Not sure how he feels about selling it, but I think it may be a relief to get it off the drive. His next project is to sell the trailer-tent…….

All in all, a better day for both John and me, so things are on the up. Fingers crossed that they stay that way for a while anyway. Can’t be doing with these down days.

The incidence of COVID infections continues to rise, however, with 18,804 people confirmed as having contracted the virus today and 80 people having died in the community. 56 people died in hospitals on 17 & 18 October, and the figures for hospital admissions and those on ventilators is pretty much as it was the other day.

Stay safe everyone and look after yourselves.

It’s a bit like walking through treacle some days, but then you get a wonderful boost that reminds you that treacle can be watered down. Today was one of those days.

I was rather excited because Harriet said she would call in with Freddie today. So I was up and about this morning, getting on and generally facing the world wonderfully well. I had decided yesterday to put anxiety aside for a moment and try to just ‘be’. So, I did the little things that keep the house ticking over and I went for a lovely walk – really relished the greenery and the autumn colours on the trees at the park. Enjoyed a nice lunch of poached egg on toast while I offered John something more ‘paleo’. Watched a bit of TV and then the guests arrived.

Into the garden we all tumbled, all very excited and thrilled to see each other. We can be together in the garden – *does a little skip and dance and woo-hoo!* and there we played with the Marble Run, and then the Frisbee, and then Freddie asked if he could get the Jenga out, which we did. Oh, we had such fun playing with that. Giggling every time the tower fell down – although Freddie did look a bit worried when it nearly fell on him!! He just managed to avoid the downfall and scramble into Mummy’s arms – phew!

He was amazingly good at the game though, I have to say. I know Harriet helped a bit, but he was incredibly thoughtful about which piece of wood he was going to pull out, and when he did so, very gentle in his approach. Wonderful to watch. He made me laugh though, as well. He could clearly see when it was getting precarious and was more than willing to let us take our turns in case we knocked it down – in fact, he had a glint in his eye which suggested he hoped we’d knock it down!

The weather held out beautifully too. It was very mild, and with us running round the garden and up and down to the Jenga, we were all nice and warm. Even John didn’t feel the cold today and joined in. Even throwing the ball for Mac on the odd occasion or two.

I so enjoyed their company. I was particularly delighted to be with Freddie as his eyes sparkled with anticipation at the games we were playing, and we chatted together just like old times. I do so miss looking after him, but even a short while together is lovely. But, of course, the idyll was soon over and it was time to go. Freddie wasn’t particularly keen to leave but, bribed with a pack of chocolate buttons, he was happy enough getting into the car.

We had a very nice surprise as well today, and were delighted to receive a beautiful water colour depicting Brixham town and harbour – a lovely gift from Paul and Harriet that they had brought back from their summer holidays in August. Brixham was one of our favourite haunts when the kids were little so it’s a fantastic reminder of happy days. Very pleased with that. Just got to find pride of place for it now.

After the Kenilworth Sleaths had left, I got on with cooking our evening meal – well, I put the chicken in the oven – and we finished watching a programme we’d started a while ago. And that was it then. The treacle was back. A little anti-climax from the thrill of seeing Harriet and Freddie, I expect, and the knowledge that John is still feeling a bit under the weather.

I did manage to rouse myself sufficiently to cook the rest of the evening meal and eat it, but after that, I really couldn’t be bothered to do anything this evening other than sit on my bum all evening. John joined in with the sitting about, and he felt a bit grumpy that his chest isn’t easing. Grrr…….

We did watch some news, but we’re fed up of it being nothing but wrangling and bickering about what we should or shouldn’t do to manage the virus. We no longer trust the government because we know they are not ‘following the science’ and they are seemingly insensitive to the general public mood with regard to the effect their behaviours have on people. More treacle…..

Anyway, still a lot of people infected with the virus today – 16,982 – and 67 deaths. Hospital admissions are still at nearly a thousand, and there are nearly six hundred people on ventilators.

It all feels a bit bleak, but tomorrow’s another day and perhaps I’ll have another go at setting anxiety aside and try the ‘just be’ stuff again. It’s gotta be better than the treacle.

Take care everyone. God bless.

A very relaxed start to the day with a very long lie-in to read my book. There was no getting me out of bed this morning – even John was up before me. This must mean that he is feeling a bit better. He has certainly seemed a bit brighter and less out of breath today when he’s moving about.

Once I was up, I got myself into a bit of a tizz with my brain unable to concentrate on anything for more than five minutes at a time. I ended up with about four jobs on the go, all at the same time, and I had have a strong word with myself to buckle down to at least one of them.

I was getting the washing out of the machine but only did half the job; then I was changing a plug on a heater, and left that half-done; as well as those two things, I was disembowelling the great big box of loo rolls that had arrived from ‘Who Gives a Crap?’ this morning, to put up onto the shelf; and equally, I was looking at bulb replacements for the ceiling lights in the kitchen – all while getting my breakfast ready and baking some pains aux raisins. Honestly, I have no idea what was going on in my head!! How on earth did I think I could do all those things at once? Not a clue. Probably addled from too much book-reading.

However, once I’d had a stern word, I pulled myself together and tackled each job one at a time. I got all of them done, bar the bulb exchanges, which will now wait until tomorrow.

John was enjoying watching a bit of rugby on TV. That’s a relief that rugby is back but he’s wondering what will happen to the Wasps match next week, with half the team down with COVID. He suspects they won’t be able to play, and have to stand aside for the next-best team, Bristol, to play in the Premiership Final. How very disappointing that will be.

While John enjoyed his rugby, I thought I’d better get over to Mum’s this afternoon to take her washing and some loo rolls, so mid-afternoon, I set off. I had a lovely walk there, carrying my bag, which I thought felt quite light. Of course, once I got there, I realised that I hadn’t got her washing. I’d just got the repaired heater and the loo rolls. Definitely away with the fairies today.

As it turned out, she needed some bread, so I wandered back home again and popped into the Co-op to buy one or two bits and pieces, picked up the car and went back again. I arrived just as the carer was there making Mum’s sandwiches for tea. Mum was grumbling that the bread wasn’t right. Very patiently, the carer smiled and said, “Don’t worry, we’ll change it now that Anne has brought a fresh loaf.” I apologised, but the carer was very kind, saying “We just want them to eat properly, don’t we?” I didn’t really have an answer to that, as I thought Mum was just being picky……. naughty me.

When I had first arrived at Mum’s she said she wasn’t feeling well and, it has to be said, she didn’t look her perky self. She has been claiming a painful back this week, which is an intermittent complaint every so often. I dosed her up with paracetamol and a cup of tea which seemed to do the trick and she wasn’t so bad when I left. Fingers crossed I don’t get a phone call in the middle of the night though….

It was ‘Strictly’ this evening, which I was seriously looking forward to, but which John was dreading. He very tactfully took himself off to fiddle about on the computer while it was on, and I settled back a bit more comfortably in my chair to enjoy the evening.

However, I didn’t really enjoy it all that much. There was a forced cheerfulness about it and the never-ending references to ‘socially-distanced’ and ‘within the current rules’, while the presenters looked earnestly into the camera, grated on me. I am hoping that, when they get to actually dancing, next week it will improve and be more relaxed. Otherwise, if they continue in this vein, I ain’t watching it. I really don’t want to be reminded of our semi-lockdown situation and the rules every five minutes in an entertainment programme. As you may be able to infer, I am wearing the Mrs Grumpy Gripey outfit today – hope to pick out a more cheerful outfit tomorrow.

In the meantime, I note that 16,171 people have succumbed to the virus today and 150 have died from it in the community. 55 people have died on 15 & 16 October in hospitals and hospital admissions are increasing fast – nearly a thousand admitted today. Locally, there have been 15 cases in the last seven days – only seven other wards are higher (out of the 28 in total) within the Solihull area, and the growth rate is high at 1.8. Crumbs.

And that was our Saturday, folks. Better than some, but not as good as others.

Take care everyone. God bless.