Ending another week and also the month already on Saturday 31st. A bunch of family birthdays falling together again, our youngest on Monday and we spent the day together on Sunday, picking her and S-i-L up mid morning and headed north of the city for a lunch date with aunt and cousin. Aunt was 94 a week ago, the only sibling left of families of our late parents and the baby of them them all by a few years really. She was up for a sky dive for her 90th, this year though her pain management and mobility has been an issue and decision made to give up her home and move into a room in care. Has thankfully accepted that and has improved enough to have short wanders exploring new neighbourhood. The restaurant was packed, luckily had booked but menu showed why popular and food was very nice, aunt very tiny and appetite to match but enjoyed it.
Sunday also the first birthday of a great nephew, born on his sisters 2nd birthday last year, an early lesson in sharing and a lifetime of joint celebrations. A lovely family day and another meal in the evening at daughter's favourite local, a first visit for us and good food but also busy and people waiting for tables when we left to go back to theirs for drinks. Another of my nieces/goddaughter turning 50 on 31st, we had a memorable family get-together for her 40th in Melbourne where she lives, nothing like that this time though, just a special occasion for her and her son's 20th 2 days later.
Rest of week usual attempts at keeping up on the home front etc indoors and out, some torn foliage and light deadwood to clear away after a bit of 'weather', section is a half acre with well established trees. Our 'caretaker' does a great job once a fortnight when he arrives with his mower, weed-eater and blower and we get the better end of that deal, here this Thursday. Cheaper than the going rate for the job, paces himself and very thorough, just prefers working outdoors than at desk but not much younger than us, we pay his employer where he boards but slip him extra as well.
Handed in a few more knitted beanies Tuesday morning, group has an ongoing side project for the school where we meet, navy with sky blue stripe in band to match uniform.We had a class of new entrants file in to visit the knitting grannies this time, with it being a new term there were a few who were only having their second ever day at school. Quite an ethnic mix and levels of readiness for the change in their lives and mostly quite shy, culture a big difference there though as well and not one of us in attendance on the day would look like any of their family, just as none of us would have experienced exactly same as them. I do remember being quite quiet and shy though in junior years, particularly around adults and it was always quite formal. Teacher was from UK and interested to see how they would socially interact, a few stood about waiting to be let out!
Catch up with some calls etc, Wednesday club morning, meeting and essential shopping, Thursday meeting, general business and a short train trip.
Still mandatory to wear masks public transport, always see quite a few who don't though and it was a warm day … surprised also to see a mature woman board the train, take off her coat and only have a skimpy and flimsy cami top on underneath, with track pants and jandals/flip flops, no mask. The short, do it yourself shaved sweep on sides hair do to top it off , such a clear image as she sat close to me, side seat in front of my forward facing one near door. We alighted together at next stop, different ways .. different days !! Anything goes of course in attire when out in public now and am quite accustomed to diverse tastes in style, just interesting sometimes seeing those not bothered with following the face covering guideline and those prepared to wear them properly when required. A few would be exempt from mask wearing but just a small percentage of those who don't I would think.
A mass 3 day c-19 vaccination campaign started at a large venue near me this morning through to Sunday, targeting a younger age group and their families encouraged to book. It was a bit slow to fill the bookings and some queue delays day one too I heard, hopefully more efficient over weekend.
Friday today, a work related round trip in countryside, fish and chip lunch at beach and clocked up a few more kms in car, a fine day for it and always a good outing together, saw lots more new lambs and other signs of Spring. Car was booked in for a service on Tuesday, they didn't have a courtesy car available but replaced a bulb that needed attention and rebooked for next month.
Good to hear you were not too inconvenienced by the workmen Annette, and Rhubarb that you are getting through the days with noticed improvement albeit a slower pace. Wish all well with your weekend and new week ...