149 days of lockdown/isolation

It’s been a while since my last post. I think I am suffering from a bit of lethargy and post dental apathy. Whatever it is, I feel only a little motivation for most things. I think it is starting to hit me how much our life has changed and how it is having a day to day effect. I still do all my jobs around the house but getting the toolbox out and all the right screws, for example, is a real pain, as is putting it all away again. Although we do see David and the grandchildren and my mum occasionally, it is not the same as going when you feel like it, to see them. The freedom to make a quick visit is gone and much preparation is needed in advance. We see none of our other friends at all and the regular WhatsApp calls have reduced to a trickle. We all feel the same and have the same stories to tell. We report insignificant events such as having a toothache which is not a major news item. We report the progress of our hanging baskets and inform everyone of the visit by the plumber or the delivery of a couple of packs of wine (although that turned out to be quite interesting). Does any one need to know all this or are they even interested or are we just marking time until a vaccine is found for this pesky virus?

We are fortunate that we have had decent weather and can manage the occasional socially distant coffee in a friends garden. I have even been able to watch Ronnie play a bit of cricket and football and Thea and Maisie have been able to swim as guests at our gym which is now operating again. But it all papering over the cracks of a situation which shows no sign of abating.

We watch the news, but not like before. Daily briefings have gone so at least we don’t have to watch the lying Boris or the incompetent Hancock any more. The figures we get and all the ones we had before have become meaningless. Originally they were fine but all we want now is an end to it all. Somebody, please find a vaccine. On top of that, the virus is still around and the idiots who crowd the beaches and other tourist spots are deluded if they think it will be OK. One student and his pal were interviewed and one said “He’s not infected and neither am I and we go to the same uni so we don’t need a mask”. Well, it’s good to know that the world’s future is in such intelligent people’s hands. Still, they are probably vegetarians so probably think they are saving the world and are doing their bit by only eating lettuce! The powers that be are now realising, slowly, that the young should not be exempted from all the restrictions but so what! They will be opening the schools as normal because they miss their pals. Well they will if they die!!

Pete in Spain sent me a link to order lovely red and white wines from Jumilla, and that even with delivery charges it worked out at €4 per bottle, so we ordered 12 of each which qualified us for 6 free wine glasses. The red and the glasses arrived a couple of days later so I sent an email saying one box had not arrived but then it did on the following day. So, I emailed them again thanking them for the completed order. One week later they sent 12 more reds and 12 more whites and 6 glasses. What do I do about the moral dilema? I’ll wait and see what happens. Maybe nothing.

We have had an estimate for a new walk in shower and bathroom renovation which should happen early next month. That should be quite exciting for a week. How easily we are pleased nowadays.

Only a few days to our Golden Wedding day (15th) but with the venue and the musical entertainment now cancelled, it will be a quiet day. At least we won’t run out of wine!

My mum is still going strong and although she just watches tv and does “Word search Puzzles”, she is very content and generally remains healthy. I’ve been regularly and the carers are still seeing to her every need although they have told me she is not eating much. This is not surprising as she cannot work up an appetite sat in an armchair all day. At least she is safe. David and the grandchildren went last week and as it was a lovely day, they got her into her wheelchair so she could sit in the garden. That will have been a nice change for her.

Jenny is now going regularly to the gym. As much as 5 times per week. I have also started and have twice been on some equipment, running/walking machine, rowing machine and prone cycling. 10 minutes on each. I am easing my way in so no swimming yet. Also as I had to see the optician about a possible detached retina, chlorine water in my affected eye is not recommended. `No treatment or medication has been prescribed but if the large black “floaters” in my right eye increase in size and/or multiply or I start to see flashing lights, I am to go straight to the optician or if they are shut, A&E. Worrying. Maybe I should cut down on the sugar/marzipan/jelly babies.

People are still dying and becoming infected.

I’m seeing spots on my tablet screen. Like a pretty snowstorm.