21st March, 2021. Days 4 to 7 of year two.

Thursday, I had an appointment with my dentist to examine a broken tooth, upper left back. Some weeks ago a large chunk broke off and needed filling. No problem but the routine x-ray showed a wisdom tooth removal. Appointment made for the end of May.

I have also sourced a new rear lamp for the Kuga and booked it in for respray on Monday morning. I went to fetch the lamp this morning. The supplier was behind the railway station in Beverley. There is also a branch in Hull so either will do in the future. The click and collect web site was not an easy site but I got it to work eventually and got a 40% discount as advised by our neighbour, Dave.

What is going on in Europe with their vaccination programme? They are denying us the doses that were ordered by the UK and at the same time, not administering that vaccine because of what can only be described as “fake news” about it causing blood clots. There have been no more than one would normally expect from 17,000,000 people. This means that there may be some problem with our second jab on the 4th April. Meanwhile, the UK programme gather pace. The last 24 hours heralded 844,285 jabs. Who needs Europe? Two weeks today we both get our second jab and we can’t wait.

Went for a walk yesterday. Did 7000 steps resulting in a seized up and very painful right knee. I will continue with the chiropractor appointments but will ring my GP for an appointment to start the process to see a consultant. It could be a while.

Everything is looking good with Sally and Jim in Romania and with all our family in the UK. Our holiday on 31st May is looking increasingly doubtful.

17th March, 2021. Days 2 and 3 of year two of isolation.

Took the car in for an estimate yesterday for a scrape on the back wing and a new rear lamp. Over £1500. I think I will look elsewhere. They were even charging for a new “Kuga” logo which is on the opposite side to the damage caused. They even priced for a new bumper. I can see no marks on the existing one. I think they have confused my car with one that has had a rear end shunt on the M1 motorway. At the repair shop the “estimator” only took photos of the scratches. I think it is bordering on a con as I think they expect me to claim this bill on my insurance. Instead I am taking the Kuga for an estimate to a paint shop in Hull. Our neighbour Dave recommended him.

Had another session at the chiropractor’s today. I don’t know what good it is doing but I will stick it out for the remaining two sessions.

Had a different estimate done by “Chips Away” in Hull, The paintwork estimate was £190 and if I bought the rear light array, he would fit it. Estimate accepted. Eric, the boss is clearly an expert and had a beautiful clean and tidy workshop. He was just finishing the front of a white VW and it looked really good. He could not believe the estimate I had got yesterday. It was “laughable”.

Afterwards we went for a drive to visit sister-in-law Carol for a cup of coffee. We then drove home, calling at the garden centre in Cottingham for some bedding plants and, of course, some carrot cake.

15th March, 2021.365 days of lockdown/isolation and day 1 of year 2

It’s almost unbelievable that it is a full year since we started a blog and lockdown/isolation at home. Today is my son’s 48th birthday so it is not an easy anniversary to forget.

So it seems strange to talk about a non-Covid news story: the Oprah Winfrey interview with Prince Harry and his American wife, Megan. I did not watch the programme . I didn’t want to watch it and I still don’t. However, I have seen snippets on the news. It was inevitable. I don’t like the woman and think she is a narcissist who cannot be believed, and Oprah was complicit in what turned out to be a devastating programme for our royal family. During the interview, Megan was never really challenged on her accusations and she was given free reign (no pun intended) to bad mouth any body in general and nobody in particular. All the accusations implied our Royal Family said and did horrible (mainly racist) things without saying who. So, I have looked to see the main traits of a narcissist. Here is what I found.

A Narcissist has/needs:-

Grandiosity. An exaggerated sense of self importance

Excessive need for admiration

Superficial and exploitative relationships

Lack of empathy

Chronic feelings of emptiness and boredom

Sensitivity to criticism

Passive aggression

Long held grudges

Sensitivity to what others think of them

Frequently demeans, intimidates, bullies or belittles others,

Feelings of emptiness and thoughts of suicide are associated

Do any of these ring a bell. Watch the interview again. Also she is a second rate actress but an actress nevertheless and I think she put on a decent performance. What is really sad is that many people fell for it. Our Queen remains dignified as Megan Markle’s popularity ratings plummet.

Our “friends” the EU, are at it again. Apparently, the Astra Zeneka Vaccine can cause blood clots. 37 cases reported out of 17,000,000 who have been given the vaccine. Give me strength! How many of the 17 million fell down the stairs, defecated in their pants or got hit by a bus? Are they going to blame everything on Astra Zeneca? Sour grapes again which will result in more deaths if they carry on. Idiots.

In 5 weeks, we will be able to socialise again, albeit in a restricted way. David called round yesterday to see Jenny for Mother’s day. We had a good chat with all of them. Sally also made a video call later to speak to her mum.

We went to Chris Leach’s funeral in York today. We left in good time and got lost in Bishopthorpe. It was a lovely but short service with covid distancing in place. Only 18 mourners were allowed and we were privileged to be two of those included.

Maybe, just maybe, things are getting better but we should not let the Covid situation make us believe that Brexit has gone away or is actually a good thing. We shall find out soon enough.

9th March, 2021. 359 days of lockdown/isolation.

It’s been a while and lots has happened since my last blog. All our closest family have now had their first vaccines. David being the final one, today. Sally and Jim had to drive for over one hour to get theirs last weekend but it was worth it. Perhaps they will not have to travel so far for the 2nd one. The grandchildren are back at school and the two girls are getting tested there. We got David some free testing kits so he is testing Ronnie at home.

I saw a chiropodist for the first time ever and only had to go around the corner to her treatment room which was a converted garage. It had been very well done. The verruca I thought I had turned out to be a blister that had gone hard and was very painful when walking. She cut it out and dressed it and cut the toe nails and gave both feet the full treatment and removed lots of dead skin. It was a good job and their will be no further need for me to go unless there are any problems. All in all a very pleasant experience.

It’s all go in our neighbourhood. Number 25, opposite, are building a “mancave/shed”. Both immediate neighbours are respectively, putting in a new bathroom and landscaping their back garden. We feel a bit left out although we are having a kitchen designer round later in the week and may also get a landscaper in for the back garden which has been in the plans for a while.

The UK vaccination programme is gathering pace and most over 50s are now waiting for a date for jab number 2. The EU, having turned against the companies that the UK used, are now buying the Russian vaccine “sputnik” which doesn’t have full approval. I will need convincing that the EU is just vindictive against the UK but their delays are going to haunt them.

I didn’t watch the Megan /Oprah interview but it has grabbed the headlines in the newspapers and on TV. I never could stand the woman and her interview with Oprah has confirmed that dislike and mistrust. She is a second rate actress (a smallish roll in a poor US series..”Suits”) and a B/C list, celebrity. I have always believed that she was always looking for a “promotion” via our Royal Family but they saw through her. Her revenge was to mimic Diana in as many ways as possible including the upward looking gooey eyes and the clothes she wears. This is someone who complains incessantly about lack of privacy and press intrusion and then arranges/agrees to an interview with Oprah Winfrey which guarantees her maximum publicity in the US (and large sums of cash) and in the UK. Apparently there were over 11,000,000 viewers of the documentary in the UK. I don’t understand that, given that Master Chef was on the other side. During her interview (apparently) she spoke at length about our Royal Family and how they never really embraced her into the family “Firm” and even suggested they were racist. Such balderdash. Clutching at straws whilst hardly mentioning her own dis-functional family. Good riddance and with luck she and her husband will fade away into anonymity, which, after all, she maintains she craves.

David brought the grandchildren round for a quick forecourt visit and we were able to give Thea her birthday presents which included a Billy Eilish vinyl LP. I actually ordered the CD for myself at one third of the price. It’s quite good actually. Anyway, Thea was well pleased.

My visits to see Mum are all positive and she continues to be well. I told her I had made Whiskey marmalade. I had to promise her a jar and Jenna, our favourite carer, was licking her lips behind her mask so I had to promise her one too. I’ll do some decent labels and take them next week.

Our Kuga went for it’s annual MOT this week and passed. Not surprising as it’s only done just over 2000 miles in the last year. The end of February and early March is an expensive period for the car which is due it’s MOT, Car Tax and insurance all at the same time. If there are no faults with the MOT, the total cost is around £550. Still, ERNIE came up with £75 worth of winnings this month.

The authorities are predicting that there may be a surge of Covid Virus cases at the end of summer. The 2nd vaccinations are predicted for the end of October so with the relaxation of lockdown restrictions before then, there will be plenty who are still vulnerable. They will be mostly the younger population. Let us hope not but travel outside the UK will still not be straightforward. Either way, we will try to get to Romania to see Sally and Jim. It would be nearly a year by them without seeing them. Far too long.

During the pandemic I have been watching lots of sport. The live transmission of the test marches between England and India was an unexpected bonus. It proved to be an anti climax as England were awful. The European athletics championships were excellent with some great young talent shining through. Watch out for Keely Hodgkinson in the 800 meters. Football has become boring, as without the crowds, the play acting (cheating) has become worse, or at least is easier to spot.

The spike in deaths caused by Boris not wanting to spoil Christmas. I don’t trust anything he says.

28th February, 2021. 351 days of Lockdown/Isolation.

I notice that China has announced 11 new cases of Covid today making a total of 89,842 cases in total. That puts them in 84th place on the table of countries and their reported cases (the UK has had 4,177,330 (5th place) by comparison. If anybody believes that load of conkers, they will believe anything. Everybody needs to see a great documentary of two episodes which was on BBC 2 and is now on iPlayer. They are called respectively:- “54 days – China and the Pandemic” and “America and the Pandemic”. Riveting stuff!! In the meantime all that is coming from our government and scientists, is good news. We are first in the world on vaccinations and all infection numbers are plummeting, in the right direction and vaccinations are being given at a rate of over 500,000 per day including 2nd vaccinations.

What have I learned about lockdown? What do I do now that I did not do over a year ago?

I, like many others, talk to strangers a lot but then, I always did. The difference is that now, everyone talks back and they don’t think I am some random nutter. Or maybe they do. But as before, I don’t really care. I have got to know so many faces that I couldn’t begin to count them. Even when I do my usual walks for bread and milk, The Times or Fish and chips on a Friday, I know that those on the route will be saying “There he goes again. Regular as clockwork. You could set your watch by him” I know that because it’s what we say as we look out of our window at the passers by. The man who walks three cockapoos three times a day. The Little girl with the pink crash helmet and pink bike, twice a day. The cars that break the speed limit. The delivery drivers (and there are dozens of them) and which house gets the most parcels. No. 25, if you are interested.

I eat more biscuits and cakes and sweets and have taken to making scones and Whiskey marmalade. I could eat that straight from the jar. Comfort food is so necessary and done without a thought to the waistline It’s hard to remember a time when we did not have chocolate covered raisins in the house. When this madness finishes, hopefully this year, I will suffer a huge sugar crash and nobody should speak to me for a week. Cold turkey on chocolate. I cannot wait.

I am under no illusions that I could learn a new skill or learn a new language during lockdown. Even write a book, as some have done. Why do any of those things when there is a ready supply of lemons to make gin and tonics? Why bother with intellectual stuff when you can binge on twitter? And are those people pleased with themselves who have achieved reading War and Peace or written a self gratifying tome of hugely boring proportions or learnt Welsh (why would they) and know the meaning of Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysilogogogoch. That should be 58 characters. You count them. I cannot be bothered. And I’ve been there. Those who did those things would not declare it for being declared as sad buggers. So what is the point.

Unlike many others, we have not bought a dog. Or a cat or lizard or goldfish or tarantula. No pet of any kind will ever cross our threshold. Even a “visitor” would be chucked into the back garden for the duration of the visit. Don’t get me wrong. I quite like dogs. They are to some extent loyal, friendly and trainable. Unlike cats who are “tarts” and spread their love to any one who will feed them. And leave a calling card. It is estimated that the number of pets during lock down have increased to 1 in every 4 households. Goodness gracious! I have a pet who cleans up after me!

We in the UK seem to be forging ahead of most countries with our vaccination programme whilst simultaneously having the highest number of deaths per million. That must change if for no other reason than to ease my troubled mind at the dichotomy. Boris has given a list of dates to slowly and gradually come out of lockdown. There are several milestones going up to June. Why make it a time thing? Why not just say, for example, 4 weeks after everyone has had their second dose? Except we should exclude anti-vaxxers who should be incarcerated and have a big black cross painted on their front doors.

Sally and Jim continue to video call from Romania (it is always lovely to hear from them for an update. They are both bearing up very well) and we are getting messages from Petra and Manfred in Germany and Bernard and Sue in France. Those two latter countries are not doing as well as the UK with their vacination programme. Very frustrating for all. We have not seen any of those lovely people for over a year and the prospects for 2021 are slim. At least for the first half. This may of course (along with Brexit) explain the appalling refereeing by the French chap who was in charge of the match against Wales on Saturday. I fear the worst for the Eurovision Song Contest. It would not matter if we had Shirley Bassey or Paul McCartney representing he UK, we are guaranteed “Nul Points” I’ll go one further. We are likely to be the first country to score a minus figure. Forget any points from the Mediterranean. The Balkan countries and the Scandinavians all vote for each other and of course we can forget any of our old friends in the EU. Especially the French. As usual, I won’t be listening to all the rubbish songs (which, ironically, many of the competitors sing in English) but I will take time to watch the voting. I predict that The Ukraine will win.

Only 35 days until our second Pfizer jab. Then a couple of weeks later, almost immune!

21st February, 2021. 344 days of lockdown/isolation.

I’ve just seen a film of Boris speaking on May 10th last year. He looks 10 years younger than he does now. I am sure that he thought he knew what he was doing with Brexit (he clearly didn’t) but he did not expect a pandemic and looking at him now, he has clearly aged alot.

There was a fascinating documentary om BBC iplayer about the pandemic originating in China in the last weeks of 2019. It was a damning report. China is clearly culpable in the beginning but other countries, especially the USA and in particular the New York powers that be, did not lag far behind. The UK is not innocent either but to a much lesser degree. China did not tell anyone it existed and the USA were in denial and probably still are. The UK were, at the start, at best, incompetent. We seem now, for the time being at least, to be on top of things. China it seems, is sticking to it’s story that the Corona pandemic did not start in Wuhan but is telling that in the first quarter of 2020, one province showed a reduction of state pension claims of 150,000. Why, I wonder. And it is only paid to those over 80 years of age. Funny that!!

It’s “Roadmap Day” tomorrow when we find out what rules are going to be relaxed in the near future. I personally don’t care what Boris comes up with. We shall stay inside and self isolate ans believe we should all do the same until the pandemic is over. We will risk another spike and lockdown and be frustrated by it. We know that kids are going back to school and I suppose most of them will be pleased about it so they will see all their pals again. I am just looking forward to vaccination #2 in April. I do need a holiday though.

19th February 19th, 2021. 342 days of lockdown/isolation

Woks are great. I love a stir fry and I also use ours to do chips or fried potatoes. However, the design of this particular pan is meant to be used making street food or in a Chinese restaurant with deep recess on the cooker. Our gas hob gives the wok a way of sliding around and eventually falling onto the kitchen floor along with half fried onions and leaks. I have been closer than I would like to getting second degree burns on a couple of occasions. We will shortly be getting a new kitchen with an electric induction hob. I can’t wait. I might even incorporate a deep fat fryer. I make very tasty onion bhajis.

Our new bookcase arrived today, several days before it’s 25th February delivery date. Now filled with interesting books downstairs. The CD shelf and cds are now upstairs with all the others. Good job and well done Amazon.

I’ve had a session with my chiropractor, which was quite painful. I am still a little suspicious of the treatment but have booked a course of 5 sessions and will see how it goes. They have sent me an attachment with exercises which I report on through an on line form which is very thorough and detailed. I was very stiff after doing all of the exercises which I also did properly.

Sally and Jim rang from a lovely Air B&B on the way to Brashov, our favoutite place. It’s on the list for us all to go when we eventually get to go there. They are also going to book flights to Doncaster in May or June. I hope it works out and they are able to travel. We miss them.

44th fish and chips at the weekend since lockdown began. I am beginning to look like a medium haddock.

17th February, 2021. 340 days of lockdown/isolation.

We lost a friend of 50 years today. Chris in Easingwold finally succumbed to her COPD and finally, Cancer. She was a good friend, especially to Jenny. They worked together in LP3 Tax Office when we moved to Bradford in 1970 and we were always good friends up to the present day. We are thinking of husband Mike and all her family. Chris was 78.

Covid numbers are coming down and the vaccinations seem to be effective so it makes it more galling when these barmy anti vaccine groups protest the dangers of receiving it. There was an interesting documentary on TV where over half a dozen anti vaxxers had an opportunity to quiz proper scientists and doctors about the vaccines available. To a man and woman they changed their minds and were prepared to go ahead and be vaccinated. Hopefully many more of their ilk were persuaded. It would also be a great idea not to give “airtime” to these loonies. We should just tell them that if they refuse to be immunised and they subsequently get infected, they should be charged for treatment by the NHS. Rant over.

I spent a couple of hours with Mum yesterday and she is still well with no adverse effects after her vaccination 5 days ago. We spoke to Sally and Jim and they have now got a dishwasher (previously called Jim) and have belatedly joined the 20th century. Other plumbing work has been done and we are looking forward to seeing the finished work, when we are allowed to fly there. We miss them both and hope we can make the trip soon.

Get well soon Prince Phillip!! We would like you to celebrate your 100th birthday in June. Will you get a telegram from the Queen? (His illness is NOT Covid related.

Boris wants to ease lockdown rules. I think it is too early. Please let us wait until everyone has had the first injection at least. If the lockdown is eased, we should at least continue to wear masks.

14th February, 2021. 337 days in lockdown/isolation.

Happy St. Valentines Day. Did you know he was a 3rd century Roman Saint and is also the patron Saint of epilepsy and only became associated with “love” in the later middle ages. His “miracle” was to restore the sight of a young girl, daughter of Judge Asterius. Later Valentine was condemned to death by the Romans for not denying Jesus Christ and allegedly wrote to the now fully sighted young girl and his letter was signed, “from your Valentine” which is said to inspire the romantic cobblers we “celebrate” today.

I am more inclined to celebrate the fact that three weeks ago today we were vaccinated against Covid 19 with the Pfizer vaccine. It is what I will celebrate most each February 14th. My mum and late father were also married on this date in 1948, in Germany. It is also the date in 2000 that I had my left hip replaced in Anlaby, Hull. Private, of course.