22nd June, 2021. Days 88 to 101 of year 2 of isolation.

It has been a while since I updated this Blog. It may seem that I have had enough of doing it but that is not the case. Time is not a problem but as each day starts more or less the same and lack of motivation is the reason. I think the length of the lockdowns and isolations and the wearing of masks etc may be getting to me. How long do we have to wait for the chance to see Sally and Jim and other friends and family without restriction or care or having to adhere to strict rules? How long before we can go and watch the grandchildren at swimming training? How long before we can mix with hundreds of others at shopping centres or football matches or on public transport? How long before we can flcy in a plane or go on a ferry or take the car into Europe? We will always stick to the rules and take our vaccinations but can understand (a bit) those that are losing patience. The European football Cup has highlighted the problem of each country having a different view on how the (restricted) travel rules should be administered and this has resulted in our friends, the Clarke family from Spain not being able to come over next weekend. I don’t know how much we can lay the blame at the door of Brexit and the rest of Europe punishing the UK but surely this is part of the reason. Even Scotland (Nicola Sturgeon)has banned people from Manchester and Salford from going to Scotland. She says it is because the infection rates in Manchester are too high. But they are allowing dignitaries from Europe, which has a high infection rate, to come to Scotland for the football. Well, thank you Nicola!However, there have been some highlights over the lat 10 days.

We have seen Ronnie’s Cottingham under 11 cricket team progress through the quarter and semi finals of their league cup competition. He produced two very good performances scoring significantly in both games and taking 3 wickets in his allotted overs. Both matches were won in two great team performances and we are awaiting details of when the final will be played. We think, against Beverley.

David and the kids came on Sunday when we did a bid spaghetti bolognese which went down very well. They left us a little bit that we could freeze for a snack one day. We don’t waste anything nowadays.

We have just got back from a great weekend in Chapelhall near Airdrie in Scotland, With Bill and Irene who were celebrating their 52nd Wedding Anniversary in lieu of their 50th, which they were unable to celebrate. We arrived last Friday for fish and chips. (Very nice but Fab Fish need not worry). On Saturday we went to the Falkirk wheel which was absolutely amazing and to see The Kelpies which were really astounding. We then went for an evening meal at a nearby restaurant which was really tasty.I had a “hot American chicken special” with jalapenos and chilli which nearly burnt my tongue off. Lovely.

On Sunday, Anniversary day, we went for a special meal with their family and close friends. We were honoured. The food was brilliant. We knew most of the guests and were introduced to Irene’s brother Pat and his wife Betty. We had heard of him, of course but never mat him. He is allegedly quite well off having owned the Franchise on a few McDonald’s Burger Restaurants in Scotland. He was a real gent and very enjoyable company. We stayed 3 nights altogether. The journey was around 520 miles return so less than a tankful and the car averaged around 48 mpg. When travelling to and from a foreign country, it is tradition to bring back duty free. So I brought back 24 cans of Bellhaven Bitter. About the best bitter I have ever tasted. I got it at Tesco in Airdrie so I will see if they do this lovely canned Scottish Beer in Tesco’s in Hull.

I’ve visited Mum twice in the period and she is keeping very well. A family member of Bill’s suffers from dementia and rang him yesterday to accuse him of stealing a bucket. Obviously untrue as she lives an hour away and Bill hasn’t seen her for a while. I am so glad that Mum is not at that stage.

I watered the plants today. They have been used to a soaking at least every other day so it has been 6 days so I got the hose pipe out. And promptly broke the fitting to the tap. I quickly found a spare part which will suffice until I buy a new “unit”.

England go through.They are boring!!!! Scotland are out.