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General => The Stay Safe Board => Topic started by: Roobarb on Thursday 17 September 20 23:37 BST (UK)

Title: Diary > Thursday 17th September
Post by: Roobarb on Thursday 17 September 20 23:37 BST (UK)
Bright and sunny today, a pleasant change from the gloomy weather yesterday. Felt like relaxing this morning so left my walk until after lunch. It was cooler out than expected,  the wind was chilly, wished I'd worn a warmer jacket but the exercise soon warmed me up.  Went all the way through both woodland paths and around the field.

Back home, hung some washing out then got the mower out to cut the front lawn. Trimmed around the flower beds and borders. The begonias are still in full flower in one of the beds, I don't usually buy them but will do again. Was expecting NN to be putting something in the bin at the front so she could see what I was doing  but instead she went bustling past me down the street. Took the opportunity to trim back her shrubs where they overhang my drive and to knock in a couple of nails that had come loose from the back fence. Planted some more of the plants I bought yesterday into containers and took more cuttings from geraniums.

Came inside and updated my next Tesco order. Also ordered some dumbbells. I recently froze my gym membership till the end of the year - I have no wish to go there under the current circumstances and my usual Pilates class isn't taking place. I get plenty of cardio exercise with my walking but I need to resume the weights for upper body exercise.

Fish for tea, usual evening.

Read in the local news that 1000 fans are to be allowed into the football stadium on Saturday to watch a game. Utterly ridiculous in my opinion, particularly considering the number of additional cases recently and the extra measures being taken further north.

Title: Re: Diary > Thursday 17th September
Post by: Caw1 on Friday 18 September 20 02:40 BST (UK)
Sounds like another busy day Roobarb... don’t blame you for cutting NN bushes if they’re hanging over your drive.... just dare she says anything after what she’s done to your plants!
Your exercise regime sounds pretty hard core... using weights not sure I’d be able to lift them whilst exercising....

Today was a wonderful day all round... the weather was clear blue skies and pretty warm... woke up early, my son sent me a message at 7.30.... Then got lots more from friends even before breakfast! Phone call from my daughter boys already at school so we’ll have a FaceTime later...
Set out on our visit to Anglesey Abbey, there were lots of cars in the car park but it was all well organised... had a much needed cup of coffee when we got there sitting in the sunshine. There was a one way system with a few free flow areas. We were surprised how well the gardens were looking compared to few others we’ve visited that weren’t... pity we couldn’t go into the house as it’s quite a nice one.. but the disappointment of that was made up by the beautiful dahlia garden... stunning, all tall at least 3-4ft high, the bed was a long arc starting with deep orange to lighter, ambers to pale yellows into cream and white then lilacs, purples pinks, magenta, finishing in deep red... all different varieties from the tight balls to the large headed spiky ones, single flowers... quite beautiful, the best we’ve seen anywhere. The Rose garden was a colourful sight too, and lots of flowers some with heavenly scent and some with not much. Walking through the wooded area the floor was a carpet of white and pink cyclamen so pretty, ending in the area where all the bleached birch trees are... in normal times you hit them first coming round a corner there they are best in spring when the floor is covered in snowdrops and little blue star flowers.... glory if the snow I think they’re called. Quite stunning ... we then drove in to the next village for lunch sat outside in the garden and had a very pleasant meal, first time eating out since late January, the publican and wife made us very welcome and couldn’t do enough for us... the bill seemed pretty inexpensive so we rounded it up as we felt the meal was worth it...
Once home had a cuppa and started to sort out food for the evening... all the goodies I’d bought in Waitrose yesterday... Split the cake and put mirabelle and masala jam on one half, butter icing on the other sandwich back together drizzled some icing over the top and tied some ribbon round it..
 there’s far too much for 6 of us OH says...
I just smiled at him!
FaceTime with the boys who were happily showing me the conkers  they’d picked up in the park on the way home from their tennis lessons. Looking forward to seeing them at the W/e...
Our neighbours/friends arrived at 6.30 armed with bottles of wine and a huge bunch of lovely flowers... we opened the bubbly and enjoyed the last of the sunshine... once that disappeared it soon turned chilly... we managed to sit outside for a while eating but soon retreated to the conservatory where it was warmer! We spent a relaxing evening chatting....it was gone midnight when they left... cleared up all the food had gone!....sat playing with my new iPad whilst OH watched some of the golf...
It’s been a lovely day and I couldn’t think of a better way to have spent my birthday... it did remind me that last year we spent it with our daughter & family, son and his wife, my SiL & family.....how different in terms of numbers getting together... you never know what’s round the corner!
Now it’s late....
Caroline
Title: Re: Diary > Thursday 17th September
Post by: Ruskie on Friday 18 September 20 03:25 BST (UK)
Happy Birthday Caroline.  :) It sounds like you had a wonderful day.

I had to google Anglesey Abbey - it looks amazing - just the sort of place I would love to explore. The gardens look spectacular.
Title: Re: Diary > Thursday 17th September
Post by: Caw1 on Friday 18 September 20 03:32 BST (UK)
Thanks Ruskie.... all over now and another day older 😢
Yes Anglesey Abbey is a lovely place and only about 45 mins away so we go quite frequently, it always looks wonderful what ever time of year you go...

Caroline
Title: Re: Diary > Thursday 17th September
Post by: River Tyne Lass on Friday 18 September 20 08:10 BST (UK)
Roobarb,I think it is within your rights to trim back your NNs shrubs which are overhanging your side.  You sound like you have had another busy and productive day.  Your woodland walks sound nice.  Do you see a lot of wildlife when there?  Part of the cemetery is woodland like near where I live.  When I go on walks there I see lots of squirrels, birds and butterflies.  It was beautiful in the spring when all the bluebells came out.

Happy belated Birthday for yesterday Caroline. 

🎂🎂🎂🎁🎁🎁🎈🎈🎆🎆🎉💃💃💃👯👯👃🎂🎂🎂🎁🎁

I am glad you had such a lovely day.  Such a good thing that the weather was so nice too for your special trip out to Anglesey Abbey.  What a nice end to the day too.  It sounds like it was a really happy day to remember.

Yesterday, didn't feel too much like a good day after I found out that new lockdown restrictions apply where I live from today (Friday).  This feels like such a blow for our area and I do find this quite depressing.  I didn't sleep at all well last night thinking about it all.  I accept that this is not something that the government would want but that this is necessary, at least for the time being.  I am feeling a bit low about this setback in my area but I know I will rally.  I think I just need to come to terms with it again.  I know I still have much to be thankful for.

I contacted our Pastor to confirm that Church will now be cancelled.  However, to my surprise he says that they have been assured that Church services can still go ahead.  He says he is going to email people about it.  I know the plans were for people to attend on  allocated Sundays and to have socially distanced seating.

If things continue like this it sounds like I won't be able to visit my sister in law's sister at her holiday cottage in October after all.  That is, if she is able to come up and stay in a holiday cottage.  I don't know.  Things seem so much in the air now.  I have a lot to find out about what will and won't be allowed.

Oh, regarding my Grandson .. my Daughter in law has since told me that he and the other little boy at nursery have now stopped their fighting and have become friends.  I am really glad to hear that.   :)

Title: Re: Diary > Thursday 17th September
Post by: Caw1 on Friday 18 September 20 08:24 BST (UK)
Thanks RTL for your good wishes...

I really sorry to hear your area is going in to some sort of lockdown again, it’s a depressing thought for us all, like being on a cliff edge, and not a pleasant situation for any of us to be in...
I hope that your SiL sister will be able to visit as I know you’ve been looking forward to going... it’s these little straws of something normal that keep us all going..
Pleased for you that your church will be open though and that your grandson and the other little boy are now friends... I expect they were just testing one another out!
Hope you have a better day...
Caroline
Title: Re: Diary > Thursday 17th September
Post by: River Tyne Lass on Friday 18 September 20 08:53 BST (UK)
Thanks, Caroline.  I am going to try to have a better day today.  I think I just need time to process this setback.  In recent times, with more places reopening, things have felt more like the old normal.  And now this whammy, brings it home that we are very much not out of the woods as yet.  I thought there might be little lockdowns later this winter.  I hadn't expected that this would have come around this quickly or that so many places in my area would be affected.  Still, my family and I am well and I am grateful for that.  Also, I will still have to go to work so I am not confined as much as many others.  It just feels a bit of a shock at the moment.  I really feel for all those whose jobs and businesses might be affected. :-\
Title: Re: Diary > Thursday 17th September
Post by: Viktoria on Friday 18 September 20 11:06 BST (UK)
Quote
Well some more good news ro add to lovely Birthday, friends at school,
busy gardeners ,my son’s little cat  arrived  home at 2am this morning .
Very bedraggled, thin and with a really bad eye infection.
So off to Vet’s this  morning  for check up .
The sad side of this is, their other cat which is very timid ,came out of her shell in the absence of  the missing one.
But again the bullying has started, eating her own good but driving the timid one away from that one’s food!
So naughty one to be confined to certain areas and nice one free to roam, eat alone and get some time unmolested.
If the timid one cut up rough she could really give bully what for ,twice the size!
Well, what a set back, NE and Bolton and other parts of Lancashire ,not heard
the news yet .
Will put BBC 2 on in a moment.
Must order some more paint, can’t use the queer yellow that ought to be magnolia ,perhaps just plain white is the least trouble.
Needs doing as it is trade paint on the walls now and if it is even bathroom
paint is debatable !
Used Dulux “ Timeless” in one bedroom of my old house ,Brilliant White
was wrong for a lovely  Victorian  house .
However,for “ Timeless” read grubby!.
Plain white was best.
Smoked salmon in spinach and cream sauce with tagliatelle for tea.
In Belgium sorrel is always mixed with spinach ,a sharp sour taste that lifts
dishes.
You could buy sorrel at greengrocers.You only need a little,Oxalic acid!
Lemon juice is a good substitute ,but not with cream of course.

Was given some baking apples by a kind neighbour ,might use them for some MacMillan baking,give some baking to other neighbours and just say if they wish to do so ,to put something in a MacMillan box when they see one perhaps.
Listening to latest news so cheerio for now.Look after yourselves and thanks  for your news,it might seem trivial but it really is not.
It is continuity ,a striving to be normal whilst struggling to keep to rules and guidelines .
The daily trivia is very important , don’t minimise or underestimate its positives.
It keeps my feet on the ground
Viktoria.




Title: Re: Diary > Thursday 17th September
Post by: Caw1 on Friday 18 September 20 11:53 BST (UK)
Oh Viktoria - I’m delighted that your sons little cat has returned home despite being bedraggled and a sore eye.... I’m sure it will soon be remedied.... perhaps in some way a good thing as it has shown the other cat was being bullied and now they are able to address the situation... I’m sure they are mightily relieved though... wonder where it had been all this time... perhaps punishing them for moving....so maybe not as much dementia as they thought...
Lovely to make cakes for MacMillan... friend in the village is hosting a coffee morning next Friday in her garden... not sure about going and seeing people I’ve not been in contact with over the last few months... happy to donate cake and money I think... another cake to make for Cynthia Spencer Hospice on Monday..... all this cake making! Good job eggs and flour aren’t in short supply as in early lockdown.
Take care and stay safe although we know you will...

Caroline
Title: Re: Diary > Thursday 17th September
Post by: Bearnan on Friday 18 September 20 12:10 BST (UK)
Viktoria I am so glad your sons cat has returned home, it must be such a relief. Glad that she's off to the vets to get her eye sorted. I hope things settle regarding the bullying.

Stay safe.
Title: Re: Diary > Thursday 17th September
Post by: Mowsehowse on Friday 18 September 20 13:36 BST (UK)
Gosh, just dropped in to ask if RTL is going to be continuing working despite local lockdown... I see that is the case, just as I expected.

Many Happies Caroline. Sounds like you had a very special day. Good.
My Baby was 40 yesterday!  That feels a bit weird.  :P

Hope everyone else is feeling well and keeping safe.  :-*
Title: Re: Diary > Thursday 17th September
Post by: Viktoria on Friday 18 September 20 13:37 BST (UK)
Thanks everyone.
Well the latest news makes me wonder if I ought to shelve the MacMillan baking!
I already give each month,standing order so can increase that.
I am wondering about my flu jab.
Son would normally take me to Drs’,,but living in Bolton I think he will not be allowed to mix with me.Or I with him.If you get my meaning.
I can walk down to the town centre ,but it is a long haul uphill all the way home.
Don’t feel confident using taxi, and not sure I could walk back .
It is eight bus stops ,so a fair way.Downhill O.K.but not uphill.

Looking at TV,so many people wearing masks only over their mouths, not sure either if that is just to speak to TV reporters, on markets and in other public places so many people are not wearing masks properly, according
to TV coverage.

Daughter’s little dog is tons better, waterworks functioning and also other unmentionable  functions.
Flash Harry is “ looking after “ her whilst my daughter and  OH are having a little day break, just a drive and  picnic  at a beauty spot.
Thought it best to not take the dog,as they will be walking in woods and how far would be too much for a dog that has just had a big op.?
So FH is in charge !
Just Sunday.

Look after yourselves .

Keep the daily news of activities coming , those with problems and difficulties,worries about family and friends ,concerns about how we will manage etc, there are lots people who may not say anything but who do think about us and hope
we are getting by.
And we think about one another don’t we.
Cheerio, going for a little walk as it is a nice brisk sunny day.

Does anyone need some sickly mustard  yellow paint ? ;D ;D ;D ;D
Free to a good home.
Viktoria.


Title: Re: Diary > Thursday 17th September
Post by: louisa maud on Friday 18 September 20 14:24 BST (UK)
If anyone is interested I have just booked a flu jab,14th November,  well I actually said " I could be dead by then"  it is getting ridiculous, also up to 6 weeks to see a Dr, thank God right now I don't need to make an appt,  I  do wonder what the GP's are doing now, makes me feel despondent  to be honest

Louisa Maud
Title: Re: Diary > Thursday 17th September
Post by: Caw1 on Friday 18 September 20 15:34 BST (UK)
I phoned our surgery last week and were having our flu jabs on 27th October... so far I was told they’ve non in stock when I exclaimed surprise! As you say hopefully still here to have it!
Dentists again got to phone at the end of September to see what’s what... originally meant for March! Not that I’m too bothered... if it doesn’t hurt then leave we’ll alone I say and treat people who have pressing issues!

Caroline

PS - viktoria not sure I could cope with bright yellow paint... need to wear dark glasses... although Moneys kitchen in Giverny is painted in yellow and had such a warm bright uplifting feel to it....you just need an artists smock and palette and you’re there 😁😁
Title: Re: Diary > Thursday 17th September
Post by: Roobarb on Friday 18 September 20 19:53 BST (UK)
Caroline, great to hear about your birthday, sounds like a lovely day and the dahlias must have been a wonderful sight. All followed by a marvellous evening, so important during these times.

RTL, the reason I wait till NN has gone out to trim her shrubs is because although I know I'm within my rights I'm sure she would come straight out to see what I'm doing and would no doubt have a go at me. I can't deal with any more aggro from her so it's easier to just bide my time.
I don't see a lot of wildlife in the woods, it's a narrow strip rather than a deep wood, I know squirrels are not so timid these days but I haven't spotted any. The birds I've seen are usually just the usual ones like magpies but in the spring I was pleased to see a number of bullfinches there. There have been a lot of swifts on the field, they swoop around me while I'm walking.

It must be very had for you having these new restrictions imposed, I'm very glad to hear that your church services will still be going ahead, a little comfort for you. The restrictions as to who you can get together with seem to depend on whether they are in your bubble, I really hope you're able to do so with your SIL's sister. Hope today has been better for you.  :-*

Viktoria, glad to hear that the little cat is back, let's hope she behaves herself a bit better now!
It's strange, I was just thinking today that the minutiae of my day can't be very interesting and that maybe I should just condense it to 'walk, gardening' etc. However, having read your comment about the details of our daily lives helping you I'll continue as before. I'm very glad that it's a positive for you.
Re your flu jab, have you spoken to your son about it? It's my understanding that you'll be regarded as being in a bubble with him which would allow him to take you. Probably be best to see what he thinks now rather than waiting till the time.

Louisa Maud, my flu jab is tomorrow, I booked it early August. I've had four reminders so far!
Title: Re: Diary > Thursday 17th September
Post by: River Tyne Lass on Friday 18 September 20 22:38 BST (UK)
Victoria, I echo Bearnan in saying that it is good to hear that your son's cat has returned home.  It must have been very stressful for you all worrying about him.  Poor thing to have come back in such a state, I wonder what must have happened to him.  At least he is safe now.

Regarding your son, I think he might be classed as your in your support bubble.

That is very kind of you to think of baking for Macmillan.  I can understand you wondering if you should do this now in light of the current situation. 

Roobarb, I can understand why you did the trimming when neighbour wasn't there.  In your shoes I would do things that way too, I wouldn't want to risk another altercation either.

Louisa May, I am sorry to hear you will have to wait so long for your flu jab. 

Caroline, I think Viktoria is marketing that paint under the trade description of 'sickly' yellow rather than 'bright' yellow.  ;D

Mowsehowse, I hope your arm isn't paining too much after getting two jabs recently.

The Pastor has sent us all a long email tonight.  It seems he and his wife have had a change of heart.  He has said that although legally the Church can reopen, after a lot of soul searching they have decided to postpone this for another 2-3 weeks.  I know this will have been a very tough decision for him to make.  It is disappointing but I think the right decision has been made.
Title: Re: Diary > Thursday 17th September
Post by: Roobarb on Friday 18 September 20 23:20 BST (UK)
That's such a shame RTL but you obviously appreciate that he has taken the decision in order to protect you all. I hope it's not long before things improve and you're able to get together.
Title: Re: Diary > Thursday 17th September
Post by: Mowsehowse on Friday 18 September 20 23:32 BST (UK)
Ref FLU VACCINE
I suggest it is important to have it, especially this year.
VIKTORIA, if your son isn't able to take you, a reputable cab driver should be ok for what will be a brief journey.
Use hand sanitiser, wear a mask, the driver should too. Have car windows open.
You ought to be safe enough, but maybe you could get a health visitor to visit your home if you plead age and infirmity.  ;)
Title: Re: Diary > Thursday 17th September
Post by: louisa maud on Saturday 19 September 20 10:00 BST (UK)
My local church have a zoomed service each week that we can attend if we want to but only by prior arrangement, there are 3 churches under one priest, one zoomed and can be attended at 10 am, the another 11am not zoomed which can be attended, attendees have to make a prior booking, it is very well organised and very well spaced out, we are not allowed to linger at all inside the church but we can chat outside distanced
From October the churches are going back the the original times of 09.15 and 11am,  but still the restrictions will be put in place, that will suit me, waiting round almost till 11 is a real pain, I am clock watching all the time, I prefer 09.15
It will be a long time it seems that life will return to "our" normal, but as long as we are all sensible and stay safe I think we will come through this, perhaps some of us better people, me included .
I has been interesting reading everyone's diary, kept us on our toes I think as to what others are putting up with and filling their day

Take care folks

Louisa Maud
Title: Re: Diary > Thursday 17th September
Post by: Mowsehowse on Saturday 19 September 20 10:26 BST (UK)

Dentists again got to phone at the end of September to see what’s what... originally meant for March! Not that I’m too bothered... if it doesn’t hurt then leave well alone I say and treat people who have pressing issues!  Caroline

Pressing issues or not; and I still have a huge lump of tooth missing, though I am SO grateful it is not giving me any pain at present, (she said, rapping on wood,) it seems there are zero NHS dental appointments to be had in Paignton.  Believe me I have tried.  :'(

P.S. Does anyone know why the spell checker has become so grumpy about apostrophes??

Title: Re: Diary > Thursday 17th September
Post by: Viktoria on Sunday 20 September 20 01:05 BST (UK)
Ref FLU VACCINE
I suggest it is important to have it, especially this year.
VIKTORIA, if your son isn't able to take you, a reputable cab driver should be ok for what will be a brief journey.
Use hand sanitiser, wear a mask, the driver should too. Have car windows open.
You ought to be safe enough, but maybe you could get a health visitor to visit your home if you plead age and infirmity.  ;)
I could plead insanity too!
However son says he can take me if Boltonians are allowed to travel,
I will ask him tomorrow what the guidelines are .
Thanks everyone for your  kindness about the puss cat.
Hope you are all alright ,I am,.
Waiting to hear how well the little dog us, she does fret when my son in law particularly is away from home but
also loves to be with FH ,so will probably be alright.
Off to bed.
Goodnight and a good day tomorrow.
Look after yourselves .
Viktoria.
 i
Title: Re: Diary > Thursday 17th September
Post by: Mowsehowse on Sunday 20 September 20 07:50 BST (UK)
 ;D ;D ;D I could plead insanity too!  ;D ;D ;D

Fingers crossed for you the logistics are easily managed.