Diary > Saturday 16th May

[Roobarb]

Up one day and down the next, seems to be following a pattern, I hope I can break it.

Woke up very late feeling really down, had to drag myself out of bed. Another Saturday when I think it's Sunday all day. Did some cleaning and had lunch late, checked in with Rootschat. Off out for my walk, was quite sunny. Ducking and diving to avoid people again, same old same old.

Went out in the garden, will have to stop looking at the dead ivy, it upsets me again every day. Was doing some work at the bottom of the garden, hadn't been there long before the vandal herself heard me and came out into her own garden, singing to make sure I knew she was there. I feel like I'm being stalked by this woman, if she hears my phone ring outside she's out straightaway listening, when I was attempting to fix the damage she had caused she was straight out as soon as I had hammered two nails in the fence, I can't breathe without her noseying. Came back inside leaving my tools out, did some preparation sketching for a painting, was only inside about fifteen minutes then went back out, as expected she'd gone back in when I wasn't there to torment. Perhaps I should just stay indoors, I can't stand all this, it's affecting my mental health.

Did some ironing then had tea, found the cooked peas in the microwave after I'd finished. A friend phoned and I'm afraid I ranted about my neighbour. She said ignore her but it's not easy when you can't get away from it.

My friend lives near the beach, she said there were loads of people down there today despite the car parks being closed, there are plenty of places to park without using the car parks. This is despite this area having one of the highest infection rates, stupidity seems to be rife too.

Hope everyone has had a better day than I have, I'll try for a different subject tomorrow.

[Caw1]

Oh dear Roobarb, I'm really sorry your having such a torrid time at the moment.... I know this is a lot easier to say than to do but your friend is right try to just ignore her if you can..

 Neighbours can be a great source of angst and I know it can really get to you, we have issues with one neighbour, old chap now, think I mentioned him previously. Neighbour the other side is a bit of a nosy parker.... harmless but annoying. Everytime we're out she makes a beeline and start chatting, she also likes cutting stuff randomly  to the extent she chopped one hedge so low that in the end I just took the whole thing out very frustrating... OH gets fed up with her as the hedge was right by his veg patch and he goes up there for peace and quiet except she's always there as soon as we're outside .. so I know where you're coming from!

My day...

Was awake early as OH was clattering around downstairs, he was off to play golf.
I spent most of the day sewing,with some ironing... now up to 8 sets of scrubs!

OH cleaned both cars as they're on the flight path of a pair of pigeons ably fed by next door so consequently cars covered in droppings!

Had a Zoom late afternoon with daughter, husband and boys who were in high spirits... they been out for a 6 mile bike ride and considering youngest is only 4 quite good... having seen him on his bike ( last time we saw then in February on his birthday) he goes like the clappers and is hard to keep up with!

Watched briefing and got quite frustrated with Williamson, Education minister.. he comes over in such a patronising way... don't think they've got a grip on the schooling at all. Daughters not happy about boys going back yet.
Oh what a mess this all is and it's hard to see how we're ever going to get back to any sort of normality!

Had BBQ steak, Chips and peas! Lovely all washed down with glass of wine ..or two!

Early night as early start... now awake in middle of the night!
You realise when writing daily just how dull life has become and so much the same nothingness really... so glad I've got sewing as a distraction.

Well ought to try get back to sleep..

Hope you're feeling better on Sunday Roobarb

Caroline

[Mowsehowse]

Oh dear, not a great day yesterday for some it seems. 

I wonder if those of us with horrid neighbours could manage to pretend an air of casual insouciance which might really wind up the adversary??  No doubt that sounds easier than it is.

Yesterday I suddenly realised about 9:30 we were almost out of bread, and the real bakery sells out early on a Saturday, so I rushed into town afraid it would be getting busy, anyway, seem to have missed the early birds and escaped before the lunch time crush which was good. Hurrah!

Sat on the balcony for a while watching a much busier beach than during the full lockdown, but not as crowded as I feared, and plenty of distancing going on.  A football group training at a distance from each other but using only one ball to throw and kick. 

Very quiet after evening meal so another walk along the front and back.  All very samey, dull and boring, but it has to be the new normal sadly.

Hope Sunday is a better day for all.

[pharmaT]

Haven't posted a diary entry for a few days so will just post in this one to catch up. 

Nothing particularly interesting to report.  Thursday I had a Morrison's box delivered. Not too bad at all.   Friday I had to nip out to the shop quickly for bread and juice because that wasn't in the box. 

Saturday at work.  Was a weird day, fewer admissions than normal.  It felt like the calm before the next storm.  I hope not.  Started running out of stuff again though.  Last minute rush in last hoour of shift so was running a bit late leaving.

So far this morning been lazy because again, not much sleep last night.  Got to bed the back of 10, was awake again before midnight, then woke a further 4 times before 430 and then lay awake for a while

[california dreamin]

Hi everyone - playing 'catch-up' again I'm afraid.  Sorry to hear Roo that the garden issues are still dragging you down.  It is very difficult as we're all home so much and our focus can't be redirected. I think we've all had sticky patches with neighbours..... one of ours some years ago decided to have an air conditioning unit installed! This faces our patio - so not only do I have to hear it but look at it.  Mr CD went to speak with them when it was first put in to ask if it could be re positioned and they refused. Mr Self-righteous went on to say he gets 'hot' at night.  Mr CD told him that when he gets 'hot' he opens a window    The unit is still there but I've faced my patio furniture the other way I just can't bear to look at it!

Diary for Sat:  Overcast and dreary to start. Road to park quite busy with parked cars so doesn't bode very well.  I would say today there are quite a lot of serious 'exercisers' about.  Two lads who have brought the most ginormous set of weights into the park to practice some heavy weight lifting,  a couple of people who look like they are doing training sessions with personal trainers, the dog walking 'company' that also give dog training sessions was also there.  It is nice the park is so useful but I always feel it is not really fair to run your business in a public area.  Perhaps they do pay a licence fee to the Council?  However, I am doubtful of that.  Anyway a nice walk.

Had a number of emails to sort out.  Made two batches of scones sweet and cheese - so looking foward to scoffing those.  I would like to try some bread making.  But although I've sourced a good supply of flour I can't find any yeast.  Not even the 'special' kind that Caroline has found!

Spoke with daughter in London.  She's well and starting to get busier at work with new cancer patients making it into the system. Of the staff recently tested for CV19 currently none have it. Which is brilliant news. She managed a 13 mile walk around London! Sounds very tiring.  I do feel for her. She really needs some of the open spaces near there opened up.

Had a Chinese takeaway. Nice but not as good as our normal place which has not reopened.

Dull telly and then bed.  So stressed out with all this 'returning' to school talk.  I just cannot believe that individual school authorities and individual schools have not discussed a 'transition' phase before now regarding the return of their students.... surely an acceptable transition scheme and timetable of learning can be put together for the month or so school left this academic year?

He ho, onwards to another day.

Stay safe!
CD

[Mowsehowse]

Quote: "So stressed out with all this 'returning' to school talk.  I just cannot believe that individual school authorities and individual schools have not discussed a 'transition' phase before now regarding the return of their students.... surely an acceptable transition scheme and timetable of learning can be put together for the month or so school left this academic year?"

How can it be safe to open the schools again, while it is not to appropriate open Parliament?

[california dreamin]

As we are in the first week of the 'Alert' stage with a staged return to a 'new' normal the government has asked those that cannot work from home to return to work, and those that can work from home to continue to do so.  Parliament appears to fall into the later category and can work remotely from home. The fact that Parliament can work remotely from home does not cause me any stress.  On a person note I feel perfectly safe applying hygiene and social distancing measures as do my family as we move forward.

CD

[pharmaT]

As we are in the first week of the 'Alert' stage with a staged return to a 'new' normal the government has asked those that cannot work from home to return to work, and those that can work from home to continue to do so.  Parliament appears to fall into the later category and can work remotely from home. The fact that Parliament can work remotely from home does not cause me any stress.  On a person note I feel perfectly safe applying hygiene and social distancing measures as do my family as we move forward.

CD

My issue is the number of people who deliberately won't follow social distancing.  It's intimidating when people come right up to you into your personal space to prove the point as some people have been doing.

[Roobarb]

I must apologise, I thought I'd responded to the good wishes in the posts after mine, it must have been in my head but not typed in the appropriate place! Thanks once again for the support, it helps a lot.

Sounds like I'm not the only one with a pesky neighbour! Caroline, your nosy neighbour is exactly the way mine used to be before she decided she wasn't speaking to me. At least I don't have to put up with her coming too near now!

PharmaT, I hope the storm doesn't return after the calm. I really can't understand the behaviour of people like those you mention, some folks seem to think this crisis isn't real. I think perhaps they'd change their attitude if one of their loved ones was suffering from this dreadful disease.