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.

31st March, 2021. 12th to 17th days of isolation.

Today, the rules have changed in England. We can have up to six people at a time, from two households, outdoors for a chat and a coffee. We are hoping, therefore, for a visit from David and the grandchildren. It’s been quite a while. So I may have to go to the shop to get some pop etc. We haven’t bought anything for some time. Hopefully we can get out and visit our friends and family. Especially as the weather is going to be warmer.

I have heard from Donna in Spain and they are similarly restricted but the have managed a weekend away. The situation for British immigrants abroad, is getting difficult, especially for those, and there are many, who stayed “under the radar” who now find themselves in a bit of bother. The “evidence” would suggest many of them voted to leave and it is now coming back to bite them. Awww! I always believed that things would be made difficult for Brits and never believed the lies from Michael Gove who promised us all that nothing would change and our rights would be retained as if we were still in the EU. He knew he was lying, or at best guessing, leaving tens of thousands of Brits in limbo. It’s a real “Eton Mess”. In the EU they would probably say that revenge for leaving, is sweet! Nothing will ever be the same again and I don’t know when we will safely be able to visit Sally and Jim in Bucharest.

At last, The Ever Given container ship has been freed today, so the trainers and wicker chairs I ordered are now on their way. (Not really). The ramifications of this accident will be felt for months.

Had a phone call from the NHS changing the time of our second dose of Pfizer but only from pm to am on Sunday. Phew!

The number of Covid deaths continues to fall as the vaccines done gets up to nearly 31 million. Also in addition, 3.5 million have had their second doses. Obviously this is not a coincidence. It also looks as though there are contracts pending to ensure vaccine supplies.

With restrictions on outdoor activities being eased, I may be able to go and watch Ronnie play football and cricket. For our part, we will still respect the old rules, masks, hand washing and social distancing. We cannot allow the virus or any of it’s variants to fight back and put us back into lockdown/isolation. It will be interesting to see how many of the population stick to the rules. I am sure that many will not!

We are likely to hear from our gym soon as they are also likely to reopen. I shall certainly rejoin and check out the availability of a personal trainer. The visits to a chiropractor have had little effect and I am hoping that I will see an orthopaedic consultant soon.

Why do journalist ask such stupid questions, especially at the daily briefings. The questions are clearly rhetorical or closed, requiring only a yes or no answer. And when they ask a yes or no question, why do they allow the respondent to waffle and go of at a tangent without replying to the point. I would love to see Boris be interviewed by Andrew Neil. Of course it will never happen. Mr Neil is always too well prepared. I cannot wait for the new news channel “GB News” to begin broadcasting. It will be on Freeview on channel 236. It will be worth a look if for no other reason to watch Andrew (Rotweiler) Neil in action.

25th March, 2021. 10th and 11th day of year 2 of isolation.

Scone Day today! I really felt the need to get some flour up my fingernails today so baked a couple of dozen fruit scones with raisins and glace cherries. They turned out surprisingly well and I have frozen ten for the four Clark’s.

I was very saddened to hear of the death of Frank Worthington yesterday. He played 8 times for England, scoring twice. Not a big achievement on paper but he move clubs too often to be noticed I suppose. I always wished I could play like him. He scored goals at almost every club he played for. Most of his goals (267) came playing for Huddersfield, Leicester, Birmingham City and Bolton. He was always entertaining and worth watching at all the 25 clubs he played for. A flamboyant player with a playboy lifestyle, who will be sadly missed.

Last Chiropractic treatment yesterday. Only final analysis to go next week on the day I have a Drs. appointment. I shall not do any more. Hopefully the gym will reopen soon and I will try for that with a personal trainer. I need motivation!

Went to Mum’s on Tuesday and Wednesday. Jenny had again done a load of washing for her. There appear to have been a worry that she has been trying to use the cooker?hob. It is not needed and I intended to switch it off. I could not manage to get to the fuse box so my nephew is going to sort it. Personally I think the whole house needs rewiring after the floods of 2007. Jenna was there and I had a jar of home made whiskey marmalade in the car, which I had promised her. She was absolutely ecstatic. Some women are easy to please.

Vaccinations in the UK are still moving on with some speed. There is no good news from the EU and Petra has told me that only 10% have received the first dose. Almost every EU country is falling behind and are holding back doses ordered by the UK but still not giving their own citizens the vaccine. I don’t think we shall get to Germany this year. I just don’t think it will be designated as safe to travel to any European country. At least we can look forward to not winning the European Song Contest again.

23rd March, 2021. Days 8 to 9 of year two of isolation.

Car Spray day today. The damaged panel looks superb and Erik, the sprayer also put the new lighting unit in. There was no charge for the latter and it was a bit awkward so worth a £20 tip. I’ve got some business cards from him for friends and family. I cannot recommend him highly enough. I went on the bus in the morning to fetch the car. It was before 09.30 so I had to pay £1.50 which went against the grain a bit.

Germany’s vaccination policy is a bit baffling at the moment. They seem to be on the side of restricting exports to the UK and yet they cannot get people to go for the Oxford jab. In Bremen, the largest vaccination centre in Germany, could vaccinate 2000 people a day but are only doing about 20% of that. Pathetic. The attitude of the French is totally expected but I expected better of my birthplace.

We have started putting together the Jig Saw we got from David and the kids for Christmas. It didn’t look that difficult but as it’s from a photo, there is very little shading and Davids black t-shirt (the picture is him and the grandchildren on a beach) is all black so I am having to fit the pieces together by shape. A challenge but good fun. Most pieces are very slightly different and should slot in easily to it’s neighbour. It wasn’t always like that but major manufacturers laser cut their puzzles now which keeps the process cheaper. In fact, it should be possible to do a puzzle upside down but which numpty would try that?

There is ongoing improvement work on four neighbour’s houses nearby. We have moved to a good area where everyone seems to be happy to update their properties. All our neighbours are very friendly so I think we picked a good spot to live.

There is talk today of being find £5000 if you travel abroad without good reason, a holiday is not a good enough reason. So it seems to be a no no for our trip to the Harz Mountains at the beginning of June. It remains to be seen if visiting a relative who lives and works abroad and who we have not seen in over a year, is reason enough to travel abroad. Sally has been for an anti-body test in Bucharest today. She is determined to come to see us soon. She gets the test result by Email tomorrow.