April 26th, 2021. 43rd day of isolation/shielding.

Great news today. After David pointed out that Mum does not seem to have been contacted about her second vaccine jab. I rang the surgery in Anlaby and they were very helpful and confirmed that she received her 2nd jab on Thursday, 22nd May, in the 12th week since the first jab. A nurse from the surgery had been to the house and administered it without ringing anyone from the family who may have been able to be there. No matter. It’s done!! They may have rung mum direct but she wouldn’t remember anyway. I’ll check the paperwork on my visit tomorrow.

Boris shenanigans are rife today. First, did he pay for the improvements to his “grace and favour” flat himself or was it as a result of Tory party supporter’s donations? It’s a simple question. Yes or no!!  Unless you need to lie. Second, did he really say that he would rather see bodies piled up in the streets rather than have a third lock down? I think we should be told but as Dominic Cummings is behind the allegation, I take it with a pinch of salt. Hell hath no fury than a Private ecretary scorned. Then third, there is the usual call for explanations about favouritism and nepotism regarding Covid equipment contracts. Not a good time for our beloved leader.

We had a bus trip out today into Hull. Only to bank a cheque I had received for winning this months Cottingham Cricket Club Numbers Draw. I have been a regular winner of his thing and jokingly refer to it as my cricket pension. Indeed, the club treasurer commented “Usual donation to your pension fund”. If I were the Prime Minister, it would look vaguely suspicious.

Whilst in town, I visited the East Yorkshire Motor Services lost property desk. During the last 12 months I have lost a very nice walking stick and three umbrellas. My best guess is that I have left them all on various East Yorkshire buses. Two of them were quite unique. The very nice lady told me that all lost property is kept for 28 days only and then given to various charity shops. My umbrella from the “Cordoneue Bodega” in Valencia is a big loss as I cannot replace it and it was a good one. I don’t think I will tour nearby charity shops as they will be long gone. I’ve already replaced the umbrellas but I still need to buy a new walking stick.

April 25th, 2021. 42nd day of isolation/shielding.

It’s three weeks now since our second vaccine so we are more or less immune but will still be sensible and “shield” where appropriate. We sill wear masks in shops, on buses and around markets. We will of course stick to all the other rules. Say, if we went to a restaurant etc and I will still wear a mask when visiting Mum. Up to today, she has not had her second jab and the 12 weeks runs out next week. I am liaising with Angela about contacting Mum’s surgery.

We went to visit Auntie Phyllis, Uncle Raymond and Pamela on Friday. We sat in the garden of course. It was very sunny but a bit cold. It is nice to visit and as time goes on, we can do more of it although normality is a long way off yet.

Football has still been in the news although the European Super League has bitten the dust. I eagerly wait to see what sanctions or penalties are imposed on the offending clubs and/or their owners. On a positive note, Hull city have made an immediate return to The Championship after securing a promotion win over Lincoln yesterday. With two matches left the need a win to ensure they go up as champions. This, I think, would mean more prize money to help improve the team. All credit to the Hull City owners sticking with manager Grant McCann despite him being the manager of the team that were relegated last season. He has made some great signings, especially up front where he can call on a strike force and solid defence which have given them a goal difference of 41 which is no mean feat. They have won 26, drawn 8 and lost only ten. A brilliant season, spoilt by the lack of any crowds able to watch them. One day I hope to take Ronnie to a game to try and wean him off his support for Manchester United although his hero worship of Marcus Rashford is totally acceptable.

India is really suffering with the Covid virus. They are second to the USA in terms of total cases but that tells us little. The USA had 2051 new cases yesterday whereas India had 164,868 new ones. Gien the difficulties they must have with keeping records, it is likely to be many more. One only has to look at the pictures of the overcrowded corridors in their hospitals. I think we were luck and I thank the scientists and the NHS rather than the politicians who have dithered around for months. Lock down or not lock down? Social distancing or not? Masks or no masks? Thank goodness we are OK and the main positive result is the dismantling of the. Nightingale Hospitals, which were never needed. Reported deaths in the UK in the last 24 hours are 11. In India they number 1161 but had 224,959 new cases. Very sad.

Boris in in hot water about some decorating which allegedly cost over £200,000 from political donations, which is clearly naughty and perhaps, illegal. Either way it does not endear me to him or his pregnant girlfriend who, I would not be surprised, is pulling all the strings like a seasoned narcissist. Boris is a weak and indecisive man in my opinion and would be targeted as easy prey by women who would like to (mentally) dominate him.

I washed our Ford Kuga yesterday and found it quite a challenge. I never realised how big they are and how high! I could not meet the roof halfway across and clearly need some steps. However, with Jenny cleaning the inside and the boot, the car looks really well.

We have our appointment with the kitchen fitters next Wednesday. once again, we will almost be able to pay out of what has been saved from taking no holidays for 12 month. However, we are stiil awaiting a message from Ledgers Coaches, who have not yet cancelled our Germany trip.

April 21st, 2021. 38th day of isolation.

The news that everyone (almost) is talking about is the proposed European Super League which would contain six of the English Premier League. The “spat” appears to be over after only 48 hours but the ramifications seem to be more far reaching, thanks to the fan base of each club. There are various suggestions of punishment for those six teams ranging from being banned from domestic cup competitions to the banning of players from those teams from representing England. The one I like most is the banning of England representation as (a) this would give opportunities to players from lower clubs and (b) would mean those banned players may look for other “lower” clubs to play for. Can you imagine Marcus Rashford signing for Accrington Stanley, or (dream on) Hull City. My preferred punishment would be (even though they have withdrawn from the scheme) to deduct 20 points from each team now anyway. That would result in the following revised Premiership positions,

Manchester City……6th

Manchester United……9th

Chelsea……15th

Liverpool…..18th=

Tottenham…..18th=

Arsenal…..Relegation zone

So only one of those would be battling for a European place and at least four would be battling to stay in the premiership. Can you imagine Arsenal and Tottenham in the Championship. How exciting that would be! And a reality check for both fans and players. I’ve always dreamed of seeing, say, Rotherham or Crewe in the Premiership. It won’t happen of course.

Sally was 45 on Monday. My dear daughter is catching me up but apart from the numbers she, thankfully, doesn’t change a bit. It is a while now since we have seen her but things are on the up. Jenny and I are now into our third week of “two jabs” and apart from feeling smug, we are exactly the same.

WE have had two kitchen fitters come to our house to help with designing our new kitchen. The first young man had lots of ideas and was quite impressive. The second, not so much. We now await an appointment at their respective showrooms to choose colours, worktops and more.

I was hoping to see Ronnie play football on Sunday but there had been a rule imposed restricting supporters to 1 per child. I decide to give it a miss as I didn’t want to upset David’s “Ex” by breaking the rules. Wouldn’t you know it though, that Ronnie had a great game, apparently, and scored a headed goal.

My jigsaw is a real challenge now and I am finding about 5 black pieces each day that fit. I am having to do it by shapes.

In the absence of any rain at the moment, I am watering the plants each day. I’ll go now as Jenny is cleaning the living room around me.

We went to “babysit” the grandchildren tonight and then take them to swimming training at their swimming club. David went for his weekly run with his running club. Melanie’s car was not there so she will have walked, like last week.

April 16th, 2021. 33rd day of isolation.

Things are progressing. Our 2nd jab is now 10 days old so we are almost immune. So today Auntie Phylis along with cousin Pamela, came for an al fresco coffee and cake. The first of many with friends and family but hopefully it will be a bit warmer soon. Uncle Raymond was feeling unwell.

We have not fallen into the trap of insisting on going for a pint. It would be nice to drop in to our local but I am not booking a table in advance. It is ok to do so for the barber shop and I had my first short back and sides for a long while, yesterday. A gentleman was making a reservation, as I arrived, which was for as far away as the 30th April. Still a long way off but he took it. Mum had her hair cut after many months. She really needed it.

We did our first ever baby sitting duties on Wednesday. Our grandchildren are 14, 12 and 10 so it’s about time. David had them for a couple of days and David wanted to go for a run. So we also took them to swimming training. Watched Ronnie at cricket training tonight. That lad can bowl fast.

I haven’t mentioned the Jig Saw for a bit. Well its 75% completed but all that is left is a monotonous sky and David’s black T-shirt. I’m usually pretty good at spotting where a piece goes but when over 100 are plain black and the rest are pale blue, my work is very challenging.

April 13th, 2021. 30th day of isolation.

There is a feeling that infection rates falling are due to lockdowns and not the vaccines. But what do we see? Hundreds of people without masks drinking pints and also causing long queues outside Primark. Is there a correlation between people who can’t wait to have a pint and those who get their knickers from Primark? I think we should be told.

The thumbs up emoji is being “noted” as one that should not be used by young people as it is only relevant to us old folk. Well here’s two thumbs up for you young ones. First for my 2 Covid jabs and second for my own house.

There has been a lot of criticism about the one hour non playing the game of cricket during this coming weekend as a tribute to Prince Philip.. This is ridiculous. Yes, tea can be taken during this hour but surely a minutes silence as with all other sports, is sufficient tribute? Even he, as a big fan of the game would probably object in his own inimitable manner. I also wonder what he would say about the first female jockey to ride the Grand National winner. “Who cares”, would be my guess.

I went with David to watch Ronnie play football at Longcroft School on Sunday. Managed to avoid Melanie but could hear her a mile off. Ronnie was substituted in the third quarter. He can usually take any tackle but this one must have hurt. One forgets that 10 year old boys cry when they are hurt but to his credit he did not go down and writhe around like his hero, Ronaldo.

I’ve made another batch of marmalade today. It is not setting as well as the last batch. Maybe I put too much whiskey in.

I saw the consultant orthopaedic surgeon yesterday. My x-rays on hip and knee show no problems so he thinks there may be an infection in the knee but he is going to organise some physiotherapy. I told him it was not a continuous pain and was one that was related to specific movement. He is baffled by the hip and will organise some physio as it may be a muscular problem. I still left thinking “what a waste of time”.

I had blood pressure tests and blood tests at my surgery which have all shown up as normal.

April 9th, 2021. 26th Day of isolation.

Only one talking point today. The death of our beloved Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinborough. My tribute is some of his”gaffes” which were, I think, deliberate and funny. He enjoyed having fun and this was one way he coped with the hard work which he clearly undertook in support of our Queen:-

“Do you still throw spears at each other” to a group of indigenous Australians.

“If you stay here much longer you will get slitty eyes” to a group of British exchange students in Xian, China.

“British women can’t cook”

“You can’t have been here that long. You haven’t got a pot belly”. To a British tourist in Budapest.

“How do you keep the natives off the booze long enough to pass a driving test”. To a Scottish Driving instructor.

“It looks like it was put in by an Indian”. Referring to an old fashioned fuse box in a factory near Edinburgh.

There are more and I have ordered a book called “The Wisdom of Prince Philip” by Antony A. Butt.

RIP Philip.

April 8th, 2021. 24th and 25th days of isolation. 4 days after 2nd Pfizer vaccine.

Went with David to watch Ronnie play for Tickton versus Mill Lane, last evening. They won 2-1 and it was a great game. Ronnie played very well in central midfield, his preferred position. He is fearless and the opposition coach shouted at his team “Why is everyone backing off the number 3”. Enough said.

There is more news about the fear of blood clots forming in the brain after the Astra Zennica vaccine has been given. To me though, the news is positive in that the scientific advice clearly says that there is a far greater risk of dying of Covid with the vaccine than having a blood clot with the vaccine. It is a no brainer but many government ministers abroad, who are not scientists, advocate not using it. It is clearly a political decision not based on science and statistics. Macron in France, also thinks he is god. Meanwhile, in the UK, even with Boris in charge and loads of government corruption, we are forging ahead with our vaccination programme using a mixture of vaccines. Our deaths and infection figures, continue to fall.

Had a lovely lunch of leg of lamb and vegetables today. All fresh stuff and we are looking forward to two thick rib eye steaks on Sunday. We enjoy shopping locally.

April 6th, 2021. 23rd day of isolation.

Yesterday, I made it to 73 years of age. Many years ago, I would have been delighted to know that I would reach my 70s. However, with age comes uncertainty and worry. The world is a dangerous place and I fear for my grandchildren and what they must face in the future. It is no consolation that I will not be around in 60 years time when they are in their 70s. Lots of things will have to change. The environment is in danger of being fatally polluted and is getting worse. The rule of law is being stretched to the limit with, it appears, more protection for the perpetrator than the victim. On top of all that, we have the corona virus which we do not seem to be able to face with a united international front. Europe is completely fragmented and highly critical of others, especially the UK.

At home, we cannot agree on a simple thing, as I see it, as having a “passport” or some document to show we have had two inoculations, have had the virus and have recovered or have very recently had a negative test. The deputy health secretary (labour) says that the issue of such a document would be discriminatory. I don’t know what he means. It is discriminatory but rightly so! I do not want to be on a plane, in a restaurant or a football ground next to an ant-vaxxer. They should be discriminated against and banned from such activities. I want to travel safely and eat out without the risk of being affected by these numpties. If there are genuine reasons for not being vaccinated then fair enough. But they should still be isolated.

My son and his children came to see me for my birthday and we had a lovely cake and drink outside in the very fresh air. They brought me a very nice single malt whiskey which I will really enjoy. Sally also sent me a terrarium via my niece Stephanie, who makes and sells them. I will certainly look after it. They are a great gift idea. We had a lovely time with the kids who laughed a lot, mostly at my expense., which I, of course, encourage.

Had a lovely phone call from (Scottish) Sue whilst I was visiting Mum. She is well but worried about her daughter’s wedding. We may be OK but will she be able to go to Scotland from Germany. Whatever happens we will go for two days with no wedding and then visit Bill and Irene for a couple of days.

Spring is nearly here. Despite the current wintry conditions, many of our neighbours are out in their gardens, planting, landscaping or having driveways paved. Since we came and had skips in our garden taking away rubbish, a trend seems to have been set. The area around our house is looking better and better.

The NHS rang me today to arrange an appointment to see a consultant about my knee. This has been, thankfully very quick although if I do need a CT scan, there may me a long wait for that.

Jenny and I had our 2nd Covids on Sunday and are feeling smug. Over 5 million others are now in the “club”. The UK programme of vaccinations continues to impress.

Jenny and I are still baking, making pies and curries for the freezer. We have today stocked up with more ingredients and if there is a positive from the pandemic, it is that we do use the kitchen alot. I hope that this will continue after it is, eventually, all over.

I have heard from cousin Petra in Germany in the last couple of days. She is very unhappy at he delays in their vaccination programme and the ignorant attitude of her employers. Her and Manfred are depressed at not seeing friends for months although they are getting fresh air walks each day. Impressively, she is doing 10,000 steps a day. Given that they live right on the Baltic coast, they will be very fresh and brisk steps indeed. We can’t wait for the day that we can see them. These times that we have lost, we will never get the back but we must make the most of any opportunity to get together in the future. The same goes for Sally and her partner, Jim. It is good to know though, that they are all in good physical health.

April 2nd, 2021. 19th day of isolation.

It’s very cold today and Jenny went to David’s house in Beverley to do some housework for David after having the kids for a bit. I stayed at home keeping warm and doing some more of my jig saw.

Had the usual fish and chips tonight. I don’t know why but they taste better and better.

There is a report that there is a small incidence of blood clots as a side effect of having the astra zenica vaccine. However the advice from the NHS and government is that you are safer to take the Vaccine and not contract Covid. Exactly. I wish someone would talk the same sense to our European friends. France certainly seem to be having a change of heart. C’est bon. I cannot understand the sudden interest/fear of side effects. I know of very few people who read the leaflets inside any prescribed medicines. If they did, then they would never take them.How about this list:-

Possible internal bleeding

Breathing difficulties

Dizziness or faster heartbeat

Flaking or blistering of skin. ie Steven Johnson syndrome.

Kidney problems

Signs of aseptic meningitis

Possible blood pressure problems, irregular heart beat. The list goes on……

Of course these are all very rare and we generally ignore them. They are possible by simply taking 200mg of neurofen, available over the counter every where. I’ll never understand some people.

There are alot of white Brits not turning up for vaccination or even openly refusing it. 4% of over 70s in fact. Sadly though, the figure for those described as “black african” it is as high as 37%. We need to better understand the reasons for this and try to address those concerns. Community leaders have a large part they could play in this task.

Our dear friend Bill Jackson is 74 today and thankfully, quite well and even putting on weight.

1st April, 2021. 18th day of isolation.

Goodness, it’s freezing today. After 22 degrees yesterday we have come down to earth with a bump. Today it is 8 degrees with a biting wind. Yesterday we had a lovely curry lunch in the garden with the grandchildren and David. Ronnie and Maisie did some of my crossword puzzle and seemed quite taken with it. It is therapeutic though.

Today I walked to my chiropractic session where tests have revealed some improvement to my posture. I am due one more assessment. I have told them that I will pause further “treatment” until I have had a scan. I rang my GP who is going to make an appointment for a CT scan on my right knee. There is enough information in my notes to take further action and I will be contacted in due course.

Our spat with Europe continues. My cousin Petra says that there have been 7 deaths which have been caused by blood clots on the brain for which they are blaming the astra/zennica vaccine. I told her that it was not logical: out of over 3 million jabs the odds are infinitesimal even if it was to blame. We are all still better off not dying of Covid if we have the vaccine. People do get blood clots under normal circumstances. I had them in my lungs some years before but covid did not exist. Maybe, looking back, I could blame the fish and chips I had on he Friday before. We are going for our second vaccine jab on Sunday. No worries.

We haven’t fallen for any April Fool pranks today and are eagerly awaiting our £1,000,000 inheritance from a Nigerian prince who, it seems, is a long lost cousin, Fakir Nooz.

We went to watch Ronnie tonight, attending his first cricket practice of the season. It was very cold but despite that, it was a very good turnout. I was wearing thin tracksuit bottoms and Jenny thought I was mad. David was wearing shorts.