24th September, 2020. 194 days in lockdown/isolation.

Our holiday break to Scotland is still on but we are keeping our eyes on the news. Andy rang last night to chat about the arrangements and confirmed they want to pick us up and stay here with us the nights before and after. I hope it all comes off as we are really looking forward to it.

We got an invite to go to Portugal and meet up with Pete and Donna in Porto for a short break in October. It would have been great but that is a busy month for us, having the bathroom redone and our break in Scotland. To be honest, we had already written off 2020 in terms of travelling abroad and whilst we are not really bothered about going into quarantine, we should really avoid putting our heads into the mouth of a lion. Any other time we would have jumped at the chance to see our good friends

I went to see Mum on Tuesday as usual but went in the afternoon for a change. Catherine was booked to do her hair. Mum had a full perm and looked really nice. We all had a good time chatting and if I didn’t know better, I could swear her memory is getting better. I don’t think that I once had to repeat various facts to her. She even remembered that we have had our front garden block paved. Remarkable!

Jenny had to go to the dentist on Tuesday following the loss of a crown and everything else, post and all. We expected a big job (appointment was 0830) but all he did was fill in the gap. All the nerves were gone so we hope for no more pain.

We are enjoying our new leather suite but I am still waiting to have an extended turn on the reclining armchair. Even Maisie has had more time on it than me. I’m not bitter!

The rain, ie Autumn, has arrived with the appropriate drop in temperature. Even the heating has been on a couple of times We are still waiting for Jim (block paving) to deliver our top soil. Jenny is anxious to get some plants in.

Well, Boris? After your speech to the nation, am I any the wiser? No! I am not. Can we still go to Scotland in October? Will four of us be allowed to travel up there in one car? Will we need to wear masks in the car if we are allowed to travel? Can we call in at Barnard Castle on the way up as it may improve my eyesight? Add to all of these questions, we have to consider all the slightly different rules in Scotland. So that depends on the saintly, narrow lipped Nichola Sturgeon, who I dislike intensly. The whole thing is a shambles and shutting pubs at 10pm is a waste of time. For goodness sake, close them altogether and force the 18 to 30 spreaders to have cans of rubbish lager at home.

And finally some nice news. I met neighbour Simon in the street who announced the birth of a baby boy on Monday 21st September. He is called Elijah. He and Mum Shareen are back home and are doing well. I will check on his name spelling and weight when I speak to them later on. Well done them!!