12th December 2020. 273 days of lockdown/isolation.

It’s been a funny 9 days. All sorts has been happening despite hardly moving from my very comfortable sofa. I’ll start with Brexit.

No deal has been agreed yet although it would seem to be imminent. Fishing seems to be one of the sticking points and the fact that the EU, notably the French, want us to abide by rules in force now as if nothing has happened. This is where I get confused. I am a remainer and wanted everything that the EU had to offer.That is benefits and rules, regulations and restrictions. With all that we were not badly off and I thought, oh well, better the devil you know. But we lost! So I assumed, as I am certain all the Brexiteers did, that we were OUT and we would have to start again under our own sovereignty. However, the EU won’t let us go quietly. They want to keep catching fish in UK waters whilst denying us Shengen. They want to impose tariffs on goods into Europe whilst taking away our health benefits whist visiting or living in Europe. I see it as a punishment and now we are talking about having Navy ships to protect our fish. This has of course happened before, with Iceland. but now the shoe is on the other foot. Goodness knows where we go from here. What I do know is that Boris is not the man to do the best for us. How I long for a Margaret Thatcher, and I never thought I would say that. What is going to happen to our holidays in Europe? Will we still be able to there or welcome visitors here? All we can do is hope.

We now have the vaccine against Covid 19 and it will save the world. Or the UK at least. We have not had the “letter” yet but it won’t be long. Uncle Raymond and Auntie Phyllis go to Brough, East Yorkshire next Wednesday for the first part of the dual treatment with the second following on, 14 days later. My mum has yet to hear but her surgery have assured sister Angela that the “letter” is on its way. We should not be to far behind. We are hoping to get the first jab in this month. Fingers crossed. Nobody knows how successful the vaccination will be but we must remain hopeful and positive.

A lot has been said about Amazon (and other parcel) companies but we have had 24 deliveries in the last few weeks and there has been no problems whatsoever. Well done them. Although deliveries of gifts have been useful, I think, we will, in the future revert back to shopping personally. That is if there are any stores left in the high street.

I have been to Hull eye hospital and have had laser treatment on my retina. I haven’t noticed much difference as yet but the told me the spots in front of the right eye should fade away withe time. The procedure was fairly painless although when they fired the “laser gun” each time, it stung a bit. I shall “keep an eye” on progress.

I have tried to keep the walking going but have noted that after 4000/5000 steps, my right knee is shattered and very painful. The GP has told me in a phone call that I must wait for a letter from Castle Hill hospital before I get my bone scan.My blood test results came and I am in the numbers rang for Type 2 diabetes and in the high range for cholesterol . I am also overweight and so must diet, exercise, cut out the high levels of sugar, carbohydrates, eat more fish and pulses with less red meat. Biscuits are a no no. I have to go for follow up blood tests.

Jenny and I are taking supplement Vitamin D tablets to make up for lack of sunlight during the lockdown. I’m not a believer in supplements but this one is necessary and recommended. What can go wrong?

One good thing is that we can now go and watc Ronnie play football on Sunday mornings. He really is ace and it is great to watch the opposition back away from our fear less grandson. I know that the team coach likes to rotate his team but I don’t know why Ronnie get more than his fair share of goalkeeping duties when some lads get none. In his last match I saw him get a 15 minute hat-trick. How can he be in goal? Do I sound like a doting granddad? I hope so.