Diary > Wednesday 27th May

[Roobarb]

Couldn't get to sleep again last night, not quite as bad as the night before. Usual late morning walk, cooler today but quite a few groups of people sitting around on the field again, a number of them with small children. A bit frustrating for me as I couldn't get any speed up either on the field or in the woods. It'll be interesting to see what the situation is next week.

Gardening again this afternoon, thank goodness nasty neighbour had gone in after cutting her lawns for most of the morning so I got some peace again. Finished doing the edging then cut some of the dead stuff off the ivy and tried to rearrange what was left alive so it didn't look quite so bad. Loads of dead leaves, found an old bird's nest in there. Still a long way to go, hope my efforts don't get sabotaged again. Loads of dead leaves to clear up, cut the lawn so that picked them up. Sun came out about 4pm so had a cuppa and a read in the garden. Tried taking a couple of cuttings from my Acer, thought I could grow them in containers as part of the future plan. Cuttings didn't look too happy though, will see if they perk up.

I see there are plans to open the non essential shops, apparently a lot of people are looking forward to that but when I've seen how they're going to have to arrange things I really don't think I would want to go. Making the trip to the local nurseries will be a big enough step for me. Sorry to say I was a bit overcome with depression about it again, it's like when we first locked down, I can't believe the world has come to this. I'm quite disgusted too about the way some people are already behaving (ordinary people). Last night one of my neighbours was talking to a man in the street who doesn't live round here, another man who I've never seen before came across and hugged the other guy. Words fail me....... Yes, he could have been his dad but I really don't think so.

Have been watching a programme about the male dancers of the Royal Ballet, very interesting.

[Viktoria]

Still doing the bedspread etc .
Want mitred corners as otherwise I will trip up on any excess material when I pass the bottom of the bed to get out of the room.
There is not a lot of space from the end of the bed to the drawers.
The arrangement of sockets etc limits  the arrangement of furniture.
Gorgeous day again.
Grandson’s Birthday so phoned him but had
left for work, left a message and we spoke later.
Neighbour whose 90+ years old grandad died from Corona Virus ,attended his very limited funeral today, at the Crematorium.
They will have a larger family gathering memorial service when possible.
Cards still arriving but I leave post for about a week before opening.
I am however consumed with curiosity!
I am out of date with the latest re CV,but what little I know my opinion is that Boris needs all his advisors, and though one did break the rules, there were mitigating circumstances and  I think it better he remains in his post.

Hope everyone is alright, got all they need and have spoken to someone at least once today, that is important.

I hear our local health centre address can be given as an address for people who are homeless and need to have an address for various things.
Not sure how that works but sounds very helpful.
Wonder how much work will be done to get rough sleepers off the streets.
Seemingly containers are being converted into shelters for the homeless.
I often think if prefabs were to be built again they would solve quite a number of housing problems, I would love one.
Can remember them being built post war, people who lived in them loved them.
Well nearly time for Morse, so goodnight everyone .
Cheerio,Viktoria.

[Caw1]

Sorry to hear you've had a depressing day Roobarb it does seem to come in waves doesn't it?
Glad NN has been keeping her distance from you allowing you to spend precious time in your own garden!
I know exactly what you mean about non essential shops opening up... I haven't got any interest in visiting them at all... as for clothes shops what's the point.... we're still not going to be able to go out socialising for some time and I'm certainly not keen to go to pubs or restaurants yet!
Now hairdressers.... although you're probably in a worse situation there as you're really up close with them!
I saw that programme advertised about the ballet dances must catch up with it as it sounded interesting...

Today's missive

I woke up at 6.30 this morning and despite trying to go back to sleep it was impossible so read for a while then up earlier than usual...

Breakfast.... weather not quite as warm as yesterday but put washing in

Two treats to look forward to today...

First we had a long FaceTime with our son and wife in Brisbane...
They are getting along fine... he's busy with his furniture making and DiL with her work from home...
No flights in or out of the country except repatriation and cargo... not even domestic flights between the states...
Children there back at school as they've only got three weeks before breaking up so good trial to see how it goes...
They went out to a restaurant with DiL's cousin and wife ... only 10 allowed in at a time, had to book... said it was a strange experience...
Some good news they've decided that if all things being back to some normality and flights going on they're going to try to come back in August of next year 2021 as I have big birthday, and both DiLs parents have too... so keeping fingers crossed it could happen.... be so lovely to gave them home ..

Did some housework and had lunch

Second treat of the day daughter set up a Zoom - ' Story time with Grandma & Grandpa'.... the boys very excited as they both love being read to although eldest one does read to his brother!   Anyway....
I'd sorted out a load of books for them to choose from and OH read to them first... The Old Man of Lochnagar by HRH Prince Charles ( bought for our son nearly 40 years ago)... so there they sat and I said ' are you sitting comfortably? Then let's begin' always remember that as a child from listening with mother! They loved the tale and were very attentive!...
Next I read Them a book daughter loved.... Tales of the Riverboat... so after nearly two hours... gasping for a cuppa they decided that they'd heard enough... daughter couldn't believe they'd sat there for so long but pleased as it had given her time to do other things!
Other Granny has done the same too! It's probably the closest thing we can do with just them and not actually be there in person... it was great a real treat...
Had a much needed cuppa... OH went out to use his new mower for the first time and I went to my sewing room to cut out some more scrubs...

Our third excitement of the day was to go to the tip for the first time...
There was a small queue but it didn't take too long and was well organised... we took the old mower and several bags of tree trimmings that have been in our back shed... next trip going to be Friday as we need the bags emptied so we can cut the beech hedge and the fir trees need doing too...

BBQ chicken and salad, sat outside but not as warm as last night...

Watched The Repair Shop and The Sewing Bee which this week was somewhat better than previous weeks as no innuendo!
Bed and a read.

Better day today, so nice to gave something to look forward to! Hope others have had better day...

 Caroline

[Mowsehowse]

A really lousy day on the whole yesterday. I am still seething with fury at Hancock demanding I do my civic duty minutes after I listened to the PM's advisor lying, lying and lying again.
And then I made the mistake of watching the PM's zoom meeting which had me screaming with frustration.
The day comprised  a lovely long walk in beautiful sunshine, and H manoeuvring that we walk through town centre at noon.  Every day I state why that is not a good idea, and for an intelligent man I do not understand why he doesn't get it!
Then more of the same. Reading and walking and I am so fed up I am ready to throw myself off the balcony, but no, too low. Better use the cliff walk and be damned.
Thursday isn't shaping up that well either to be honest, so perhaps I won't trouble you for a few days.

[Caw1]

Oh dear mowsehouse sorry to hear you've had such a rotten day... please don't throw yourself of your balcony or the cliff edge!!!

This situation gets to us all at times and the way the government have behaved over the last few days beggars belief when we have all (mostly) been keeping to all the requests they've made....

Well let's hope that perhaps because of the silly behaviour they will consider relaxing things a little more.. like Scotland where we can at least see our families in our gardens....

Anyway keep your chin up.

Caroline

[Roobarb]

Mowsehouse, I'm really sorry to hear that you're feeling so down, this situation is certainly taking its toll on many of us and it's hard to be optimistic at the moment. As for the government .... words fail me. Unlike them you can be proud that you've done everything to protect yourself and others.

If it helps to sound off please do so, it's certainly helped me and I hope I can offer some support as others have done for me.


Caroline, your day sounds great. I haven't watched the Sewing Bee yet, have got that in reserve, might watch it tonight. You're right about the depressing times coming in waves, not only day to day but sometimes within the day. Thanks once more for your supportive words.

[louisa maud]

I am amazed at what the sewing bee contestants come up with using what looks like pre owned clothes  on the last programmes,  all very talented

Louisa Maud

[Viktoria]

Why, because I need clothes ,ike a hole in my head- have I ordered some?
From am “ old ladies Catalogue!
The parcel has waited a week to “de contaminate” so tried them on this morning after my bath in case they have to go back.
A 12 and 14 in three garments,so three will go back anyway.
Not bad ,don ‘ t wear many dresses or skirts nowadays.
Well another scorching day so I mostly stayed inside.
Had a laugh over the fence with a passer by,his daughter was with him and when asked what she hoped to do when exams over said Aero Space Industry.
Her dad said we needed planes on the big new aircraft carrier Prince of Wales
We thought it daft that Russia knew we had no planes.
We discussed the possibility of making cardboard planes for on the deck just as cardboard tanks had been made , to fool the Germans in the Western Desert.
The daughter needed an explanation,but was so amused by it and laughed for ages,Another neighbour joined in after an explanation” what was it Monty Python or The Goon Show “?suggested an older ( but young by my standards)neighbour.
I was able to tell them that just down the central path of the nearby cemetery was the grave if an old gentleman who had been in the Western desert and had fought under  Montgomery and had helped make the mock tanks or do some part of ithe operation.
 He was the Verger at Church.

He died just after his 100 th birthday and had recurved Maundy
 money from The Queen, who also laughed when he told her about the cardboard tanks lined up with real ones, to face Rommel.
Principally to fool German reconnaissance planes.
How ever did we win that war?
Been very lazy today, probably because  I stayed  up to watch Morse until after two.
Must buck my ideas up tomorrow..
Cheerio folk, clapping this evening again.
Must set the timer in case there is a call from someone NOT CLAPPING like me the other week!
Viktoria.



How ever did we win that war?
Well with cardboard tanks !

[Viktoria]

It has been suggested by the person who thought of doing it, that tonight is the last time we clap.
I feel all mixed up, mortality rate has risen, lockdown being relaxed somewhat,   I can’t  see sense in that.
What mixed messages we are getting ,that means they will probably be ignored.
Quite a number of people have stated they do not wish to restart commuting to work and hope to continue working from home.
Life and the world will never be the same , hopefully it will be better.
Such lovely birdsong ,perhaps it was always there but it can be heard now
there is less traffic.
Goodnight ,and I hope it is a restful one for all who are troubled .
Viktoria.