29th December 2020. 293 days of lockdown//isolation

The Christmas “celebrations” are all over and it is time to take stock. Christmas Eve had gone without a hitch and we hope the arrangements had kept everyone safe. It is a bit worrying that there is a new variant of the virus which is easier to pass on. We should just keep on doing what we are doing.

Christmas Day was a busy one. Under Government regulations for Christmas Day we were allowed a visit to take our presents to his house for our grandchildren, who were there until 1pm. It was great fun and we got presents too including an Alexa, A canvas print of David and Jo and a 1000 piece jigsaw of David and kids.

Covid has been the big news with thousands more affected in a tidal wave of new infections. The NHS is almost overwhelmed and there is no immediate solution and everyone is pinning Their hopes on the vaccination programme. They have started dismantling the Nightingale hospitals due to lack of staff to bring in. I am very pessimistic and am determined that Jenny and I will not be caught out. We will only go out if absolutely necessary and have food deliveries as we did way back in April. The situation is very serious and I hope someone can come up with policies that will reduce the numbers. I don’t think Boris has it in him and neither do any of his ministers.

Brexit seems very inconsequential at the moment and my guess is that some sort of extension is absolutely necessary. We may have a “deal” but it is by no means signed sealed and delivered. I had intended to list the benefits versus the advantages today but will do that at a later time when things are clearer. The FTSE is at least on the up although the sterling exchange rate is falling. That would however be good for any Brit moving Euros back to the UK.

There will be restrictions on passports and travel in general to Europe. We won’t need visas, it seems but our EHIC cards may be invalid and we will need a UK insurance green card and a Europoean driving certificate which will involve a small charge.

On Christmas day we went to David’s house to watch the grandchildren open our gifts. We kept our distance and went as soon as possible to cook the dinner for which David joined us. I did a plate for Mum which I took in the after noon. Jenna, a carer who I saw later, said she warmed it up for her and she really enjoyed it.

On Boxing day we went to Davids house so I could put up shelves for Ronnie’s new X-Box. He was at Jo’s. The rest of the day we watched TV at home. Great! Apart from Jenny taking her passport to the Post Office, we stayed in and so we can stay safe there will be a lot more of that in the future.