Tuesday 12 May 2020

Covid-19 Chronicles . Weeks 6 and 7.


I spent a lot of Tuesday crocheting and reading.  It was a chilly, wet day and not conducive to walking. I did do a wash, though, and filed my paperwork. I have a system for paperwork. I plonk the important stuff in my bureau and every couple of months file it properly in my portable concertina file. It must have been quite a while since I last filed; because I found a tax code notification for the tax year 2019/2020 and I've already received one this year for the tax year 2020/2021! OH re-hung two of the upstairs curtain poles as each had come adrift on one side and were crooked. They've been like that for several years and I'd got used to them; but it's great to have them straight again! You can tell I'm not a perfectionist - just as well really.

The other job I'm hoping OH will do while he is on furlough is put some window film on our  lower front windows upstairs and down. As we live on a pretty busy street people are always peering into our living room. I don't blame them; I do the same myself. The window film will allow the light in but the nosy parkers out; and upstairs I can prance around naked should I choose to do so without fearing a double decker bus will be passing at the same time - we're very close to a bus stop! UPDATE - he's done it!


On Wednesday, I got up and walked 6 miles around my usual route -  from youngest grandson's school to the village of Clapham; following the farm track to the village of Ravensden; and back to grandson's school. It rained for the last mile but not heavily and I was wearing a waterproof jacket with a hood.

Jacket/Kimono Challenge - Day 8


 I'm not completely sure I haven't already counted this jacket in the previous jacket challenge but what the heck!  I wore it to London over a maxi dress for my brother Julian's birthday celebration meal.  The jacket is by Zara and came from my Barnardo's, as did the turquoise patterned shirt. I bought the shirt on the very last day at the charity shop when we were instructed to go home and shut up the shop; as the lockdown had begun in earnest.  Monday, March 23rd; it seems like aeons ago!


All jewellery and scarf charity shopped.

Jeans by Next; charity shopped and cut and frayed by me. Shoes; Donegal charity shop.

I didn't wear the jacket round the house but I did wear it to Aldi where I went in the afternoon to pick up bits we needed. It saved me going there on Thursday when I did the weekly shop.

Thursday - the weekly shop. Highlight of my week! This was what I wore:



Everything charity shopped. Jeans as before. Top by Wallis; Irish charity shop; woollen waistcoat 1.00 rail somewhere, Shoes; Donegal charity shop.


All jewellery and scarf charity shopped. The necklace came from my Barnardo's.

I'd stripped the bed and was letting it air....

I woke up early on Thursday and the sun was shining brilliantly. I should have got up and gone for an early walk but I turned over and went back to sleep. By the time I was up and ready and had done the shopping there was torrential rain and the temperature dropped to 7 degrees.

Friday was brighter and warmer. I decided to walk to the village of Bromham and have a look at my old house. I lived in this village for 10 years; 8 years in this particular house. I walked 6.5 miles in all and saw lots of amazing blossoming trees:
And I got more Wisteria envy:
This was what I wore but with walking boots and socks. I took a waterproof coat with me but discarded it after a while as I got quite hot.

Jacket/Kimono Challenge - Day 9
I still haven't made up the spare bed - with grandsons not staying anymore there is no need.


Everything charity shopped. This is the second kimono I ever bought. I think I got it in the Red Cross shop when I volunteered there. It's by Peacocks. Trousers by F&F and shoes by Clarks. Hair freshly washed and not looking too bad...


All jewellery charity shopped except the silver cuff; a present from my friend Ann. I miss her and can't wait to see her again when we can start visiting friends and family....

On Saturday, I walked around the town and managed 5 miles in total; no rain but nice and sunny in parts. In the afternoon and evening I finally finished my blanket. I've used most of my blue and green stash now but I would have liked the blanket to be a few inches wider; it doesn't quite fit a double bed as you can see. I like the edging which I adapted from Attic 24 Granny Blanket edging HERE; I didn't have enough turquoise left to do the three rows of edging so opted for just one row instead.

My plan for my next crochet project is to pick up and carry on the 'Willow pattern' squares I initially started in Ireland in 2018 and got bored because I was only working in two colours. I like lots of colour. I have a box full of pink and purple wool to use up so I intend to make a throw for my bed. We sat down to watch the BBC4 9pm Scandi series but was rather disappointed and gave up after 15 minutes. Life's too short...we started to watch 'Killing Eve' on catch up instead. That would keep us going for the week ahead.

Sunday was a cool but dry day and I went out for a 4.5 mile walk before I cooked dinner.


Everything charity shopped. Trousers by Tu; lace top no label and cardigan bought in Irish charity shop. Pumps by Next.


Scarf and all jewellery charity shopped.


We had a family Zoom meeting in the evening and it was lovely to see my brothers and eldest grandson. Everyone is well, thankfully, and all curious about how the easing of the lockdown will play out... we would find out by 10th May when the Prime Minister would announce what measures were to be taken.

Monday was the beginning of week 7 of the lockdown. OH and I did the housework; I did a wash and hung it out. It was quite breezy but sunny. In the afternoon I went for a 6 mile walk meeting up with my daughter but keeping our required distance.

I finally got round to making the bed up.

Everything charity shopped. Jumper by Next; trousers by Tu; shoes by Clarks.


All jewellery and scarf charity shopped except the earrings; a present.

I was looking forward to the food bank on Tuesday having not been needed last week. I spent the morning making up hygiene packs for families; 2 toilet rolls; 1 washing up liquid; I bottle spray household cleaner; 1 cleaning cloth; I bottle of washing liquid (Ariel) for clothes; I bar of soap, I pump hand wash; 1 shower gel and 1 toothpaste. The van came and collected all the ones I'd made up and put into crates so I made up another 12 crates for collection later in the week. I was in the big warehouse on my own with only the warehouse manager coming in and out.

Jacket/Kimono Challenge - Day 10



Everything charity shopped.  Trousers by Zara; top by G21 and kimono charity shopped somewhere in Ireland. Can't remember where the shoes came from either.


All jewellery and scarf charity shopped.

My daughter gave me her old fitbit watch in February. It took me a couple of weeks to sync it to the Fitbit app and I've been wearing it daily since about the middle of February. I got a message from Fitbit the other day telling me I had walked the length of Italy; according to the number of steps I had accumulated! It is quite amazing how many steps you can clock up in a day; and in my case not always including a walk.  For example, I've done 13,000 steps before just around the house and garden. I had a break from walking on Tuesday. I'm scared of straining my knee the way I did a couple of years ago. I always try and rest from walking at least one or two days a week. It's a bit annoying as I have the time to walk daily now with far less commitments on my time because of the lockdown; but it's better to be safe than sorry as the saying goes.

On Wednesday it was the most beautiful day, sunny, warm and very little breeze. I went for an 8 mile walk following the walk route I was supposed to lead for the Ramblers on 18th March just before lockdown proper began. I saw an unusual bird  on my walk - white head, reddish back; but couldn't get close enough to see the detail; I love spotting new birds when I'm out. Having looked it up, it's possible that it might have been a Red Backed Shrike but I saw several perched on the overhead wires. and they're quite rare.. so probably not. I also saw 2 grey partridges, pheasants, and heard several green woodpeckers (yaffles) and saw and heard lots of wonderful skylarks.

Jacket/Kimono Challenge - Day 11



Thursday was busy. I took my car in early for a service and while I waited for the call to collect it; did a wash and hung it out; worked out my monthly expenditure - my pension was paid early as Friday had been announced as a bank holiday. The car needed a new rear tyre and there was a small oil leak. I'd have to take the car to Bletchley; as due to the virus their specialist tech person was not travelling around the branches so we have to go to him. I then went to do the weekly food shop at Lidl and Aldi. After that it was off to Sharnbrook to the farm shop for coal and kindling; our evenings are still chilly. Once I'd packed all the shopping away I put on my walking boots and walked 5.5 miles. It was very warm and I felt more tired doing this 5.5. miles in the heat than I did  on Wednesday when I walked 8 miles!


Everything charity shopped. Skirt by Rapp; from Daycare Hospice shop; white top 1.00 rail somewhere; jacket by M&S; Red Cross shop. Shoes from Donegal charity shop.


Scarf and all jewellery charity shopped.


It was still warm on Thursday evening so we didn't need to light the fire. That's the first time in weeks. .

Friday was another very warm day and a bank holiday to celebrate 75th anniversary of  Victory in Europe Day. When we walked through the village of Beddenham they must have had a sort of street party. Lots of houses had put their tables and chairs at the end of their drives; someone was playing music from WW11 over a loudspeaker and champagne buckets were on some tables but there was no one around. It was a bit spooky to be honest...

More Wisteria envy and a beautiful horse chestnut tree complete with candles; both spotted on the walk of 5 miles. OH came, too. Apart from the walk and a quick walk into town earlier to pick up some hooks for the bathroom I didn't do much else. I tidied up an area of the garden by putting all the loose bricks and broken slabs into a container ready for the tip. That left a clear space next to the Hibiscus bush where we can put more pots of flowers or maybe another climber; decisions, decisions!  When I was in Lidl I bought some begonias for the hanging baskets and a fig tree. I'm hoping it will do as well as the Fatsia Japonica I bought from there years ago; and if it does it could maybe go  into this new vacant space...OH managed to pick up a hosta plant so we're hoping by smearing vaseline around the top of the pot we'll keep the slugs at bay.

The planter is blooming nicely....

I also got rid of some of the rubbish in the alleyway - OH throws nothing away - aaaaggghhhh!  There was lots of cardboard to break down and plastic packaging all to be recycled. I also contacted a fellow Rambler who collects scrap metal for a charity; and asked him if he would like the metal bed frame and the few other metal bits blocking up our alleyway. He agreed to pick them up on Monday - hurray! We also had an announcement from our Mayor to say the tidy tip would open on Monday; but that we would have to book in advance. Visits will be organised into 15 minute slots and there will be a one way system in operation to maintain social distancing. I'll wait until the metal has gone from the alley way to see if we still need to visit the tidy tip; somehow I doubt it.

Jacket/Kimono Challenge - Day 12


Everything charity shopped except the shoes; online retail.
Trousers by John Lewis; top no label; lace jacket no label and I can't remember where I got them from. The last time I wore this lace jacket was to Cousin Marian's birthday bbq last June...


 Scarf and all jewellery charity shopped.

Saturday was another beautiful hot day.

Everything charity shopped. Skirt by East bought at The Guildhouse when I volunteered there. Both tops 1.00 rails. Red Chinese embroidered slippers; British Heart Foundation.


All jewellery and scarf charity shopped.


We had a barbecue in the garden and lots of wine was consumed...hence the rosy cheeks!

Sunday was a complete contrast; temperatures much lower, very windy and rain! The English weather never ceases to surprise. A quiet relaxing day with not very much happening. Reading; a bit of crocheting etc. I've sorted out quite a lot of clothing for the charity shops and luckily there was still an almost empty clothes bin where I park my car for a countryside walk; I've managed to get rid of two plastic bags full since the lock down. I've also saved quite a bit of money as I haven't been able to go for a rummage. There's always a silver lining to every cloud! The announcement from the PM was a bit of a damp squib and lacked detail on some important issues. I expect it will become clearer over the next few days...

On Monday, I ventured to Sainsbury's where OH had spotted some footwear he'd like for his birthday. I queued for about 3 minutes and was in. I need to buy him some of his favourite aftershave as I know he is running out. Normally, we would have a night or weekend away to celebrate his birthday but I'll have to owe him one until we can travel freely again. We also usually have a celebratory birthday meal  out with the family; but that will have to wait as well. Monday saw the beginning of week 8 since lockdown began. I went out for a walk in the morning before I went to Sainsbury's and walked 6 miles. Still quite chilly but sometimes sunny with the occasional strong breeze. I forgot to take photos but I wore my new to me Seasalt clogs around the house...


Tuesday brought a much better day. Sunny, little wind and a bit warmer. I set off for the food bank as usual and wore my M&S charity shopped coat.


I don't like this pinafore dress on me so it will be going into the charity shop bag. The neck needed to be a V or a scoop shape; I look all bosom! Everything charity shopped except the leggings.


All jewellery and scarf charity shopped.


The sun has obliterated my feet!

The food bank was busy. I spent the morning dating and sorting pasta and rice, making up hygiene bags and unpacking dropped off donations from the public. Still only three of us in; plus two managers and one admin staff. I can't see it going back to normal as when we're up to normal staffing levels it would not be possible to social distance from one another in the warehouse. There has been so much donated (thank you!) we also now have another warehouse a few miles away but it is just for temporary storage. The council loaned it to us.

 I am in the  midst of a Scandi Noir reading crime fest trying to read as many of my crime books as I can - a shelf and half full - and I've given about half a dozen away. I  can now legitimately meet my daughter and walk together from tomorrow. That's about how exciting life get's at the moment! See you in a fortnight and thank you for comments; I appreciate them very much.




Tuesday 28 April 2020

Covid Chronicles - Weeks 4 and 5 UK Lockdown


Hello; I hope you are all bearing up. At the start of writing this blog post the UK government had just announced another 3 week period of lockdown; the position would be reviewed again on 7th May.

I gave up with the blanket and turned it into a cushion cover.


Don't worry my hands aren't idle; I've started a basic granny square blanket instead. It's a great stash buster. I started with some of the leftover blue and then began on the green stash. I'm hoping by the time I've finished it it will cover most of a double bed. It will be my second contribution to 'Knit for Peace'; a charity that sends knitted items to conflict zones around the world and to people in need. A big thanks to Mim HERE for telling me about them.


On Wednesday, I walked 7 miles following a walk route I've led in the past. It was a lovely sunny, warm day and it was a pleasure to be out. I saw a fox crossing a field but wasn't quick enough to take a photo.

Like most of the bloggers I follow we are all revelling in our gardens. I was almost orgasmic on Thursday when I got to Lidl for the weekly shop and found they had busy lizzies! Then, needing to pop into Aldi for a few other bits; I found they also had (reduced) busy lizzies! OH replanted some in the window box that had ranunculus in it. I bought the ranunculus and had no idea it would grow so tall and wasn't well suited to a window box. Gardening to me is very much trial and error.

Here are some pictures of the garden which is finally beginning to bloom and show some colour - especially for Sheila!


By the kitchen door.
We have gooseberry, strawberry and blackberry plants; some roses, lupins, marigolds (not my favourite plant but OH loves them) and some night scented stocks and busy lizzies. The pebbles cover a drain...


Along the back wall. 
To the near left you can see a magnolia flower. There are pansies, geraniums,  night scented stocks, rhododendron, tiger lilies, ranunculus (replanted from the window box), lavender, cyclamen, wallflowers, a camelia and fuschia plus the unnamed purple flower.  I'm trying to grow a pyracantha bush as the birds love the yellow berries. If it's successful it will come out of the pot and be planted in the very narrow strip of earth that runs round three sides of the garden. There's also a kiwi plant  in a pot - I'm interested to see if it bears any fruit!  Growing up the (rickety old) trellis which came from my mum's garden; is a honeysuckle, a passion flower (which fruits) and there is a buddleia tree to attract butterflies. The branch you can see growing up the wall nearest to camera is our grape vine. We had grapes for the first time last year but the birds ate them! Against the fence we have clematis, more lavender, canna lilies and a hibiscus bush (out of shot) which has now turned into a tree! The birds like to eat the buds and I hang a suet block for them in the tree. It still manages to provide lots of flowers in the summer. There are also strawberry plants here.


Left hand side of garden. 
We're planning to buy trellises (when things return to normal) and put them up near the top of the wall that demarcates the neighbours garden. Update - we bought some trellises in B&M and ordered a jasmine; another honeysuckle (pink) and a yellow clematis; called 'Bill Mckenzie' from the local nursery. The trellis will give us and the neighbours a bit of privacy and the climbing plants should smell lovely! Can you see my overripe banana hanging on the free standing trellis - it's to attract butterflies. The bowl is a bird bath. It's almost 50 years old and used to be a taller pot with a narrow neck. The frost got it and all I have left is the base. It has lived in my garden since my mum died in 2009. The pot was originally made by a close friend of the family when he was 14; somehow it came to my mum and she kept it indoors! We have a red robin in a big pot;  a hydrangea; more ranunculus; montbretia, irises, more wall flowers (1.00 in the farm shop);  the mad succulent; more stocks, some newly planted busy lizzies and cyclamen. The fatsia japonica was bought about 8 years ago in Lidl and was about 18 inches high originally - it's nearly as tall as me now. We moved the pot of lavender back as we now have a pot of deep pink dianthus on our doorstep instead - thanks to B&M again! You can see one of the seed kits on the ground in the sun.


Now with added trellis...


The house side of the garden. The wall is painted a pinkish red. As it's an East facing garden; the sun stays until about 3pm; then it's sunny at the front until sunset. That is if we have any sun! That gate is the entrance to our alleyway and leads out to the street. It's currently filled with stuff that needs to go to the tip (closed); gardening equipment; spare chairs for outside and other bits and bobs. Years ago the children used to use the alleyway to come in and out of the house as they were always losing their door keys; but now it's almost inaccessible. The planter on the wall you've seen before. I don't know what the plant in the pot is but I think it's some sort of fruiting plant; we shall see! The wisteria has recovered from the brutal chopping I gave it but it's too late to flower now - we've only ever had one flower on it so I have high hopes for next year. The next thing to do is to plant up some hanging baskets. At least lack of time isn't an issue at the moment!


Our very small front garden area. Basically, it's about 2 foot wide and runs under the front windows and behind the brick wall that separates the house from the pavement!
A hydrangea; more monbretia/crocosmia; geraniums and pansies in full bloom.


Freshly planted window boxes; busy lizzies on the left and fuchsias on the right. I'd love to have plants in pots on the wall but they would get nicked or knocked over by drunks and rowdy clubbers on their way home. We've had our wheelie bins taken for a walk to the other end of the street; once a very drunk young guy tipped out the entire contents of the bin; and tried to use it to transport his black plastic bags full of his belongings (his girlfriend had thrown him out). I made him put all the rubbish back and gave him a couple of huge shopping bags to put his stuff in! One of the few disadvantages of living in the town centre.


A pot of lavender on my doorstep.

On Thursday I did the weekly food shopping. I didn't bother with the big Sainsbury's and just did the usual Lidl shop and Aldi. I bought the few bits I needed from our Sainsbury's Local. It's just around the corner from me. I bought my house specifically because it was near the town centre. I reasoned that when I was an ancient old crone with my zimmer frame; I'd still be able to make it into town to shop at Sainsburys - we used to have a branch there. Of course it closed down soon after I'd moved in but the Sainsbury's Local  is great and very close.

In the afternoon I went for a 5 mile walk. Another beautiful sunny day.

Jacket/Kimono Challenge - Day 2

I've decided to incorporate kimonos into the jacket challenge because I need to amuse myself and I wear both interchangeably.


Everything is charity shopped except the kimono - a present from my daughter years ago.

Camouflage leggings; my Barnardo's, red top 1.00 rail somewhere. Chinese embroidered slippers bought from the British Heart Foundation last summer.


Scarf and all jewellery charity shopped.

Jacket/Kimono Challenge - Day 3



Friday's outfit. I had a break from walking.
Everything charity shopped except leggings bought in Forever 21 sale. Dress by Tu; Cat's Protection League. Shoes bought in Kells charity shop in Co. Meath.


All jewellery charity shopped except ring from Sainsbury's.


 Kimono by Indigo, M&S; can't remember.


Jacket/Challenge - Day 4



Trousers; La Redoute sale. Tunic by White Stuff; 1.00 rail and kimono (home made) from my Barnardo's. Shoes from Donegal charity shop.


Scarf and all jewellery charity shopped.


OH and I walked 8.6 miles on Saturday afternoon. We walked along the river to the village of Cardington. A woman runner who passed us shouted at me that she liked my outfit and that I looked amazing - what a lovely compliment!

Jacket/Kimono Challenge - Day 5


Shoes by Clarks but can't remember where I bought them.




Sunday's outfit. Everything charity shopped. White top by M&S; 1.00 rail;  cotton homemade jacket; my Barnardo's and the jumpsuit, too. I had a break from walking.

Monday brought us to Week 5 of 'Lockdown'. So far, so good.


My task for Monday was to go for a walk, which I did in the afternoon. A sunny day but the wind was quite fierce. I walked 6 miles in total.

Everything charity shopped. Trousers by Zara; cardigan by H&M, top by Primarni. I got the cardigan at my Barnardos but can't remember where I got the rest.


All jewellery and scarf charity shopped.


Shoes by Hotter; charity shopped in Stevenage. On Tuesday I wore the same trousers with a yellow jumper to the food bank. It was the same three of us; all practising social distancing. I went to collect a prescription from the chemist in the afternoon - what an exciting life I lead! The weather was fine and sunny with a bit of a breeze. The plants in the garden are loving the sun and OH religiously waters them every evening; front and back.

Wednesday - too hot for a jacket!


Went for a 5 mile walk checking out a route I haven't walked for a couple of years; it was very warm 23 degrees. Everything charity shopped. Trousers; 3:16 charity shop; top 1.00 rail, lace shirt; can't remember or where I got the shoes.


All jewellery charity shopped.


Before I went out for a walk I went through my fiction books picking out the few I'd read and didn't want and those I wondered why I bought in the first place! I put them in a box outside the front wall with a sign saying 'free - help yourself'. Just lately on my walks I've found a few freebies. On one walk there was a box full of jade plants in pots and on another walk someone had books and magazines outside with a similar sign. I picked up some interior design magazines to drool over...

Jacket/Kimono Challenge - Day 6



Thursday's outfit. I wore this to do the weekly shop. The weekly shop has turned into the highlight of my week! How sad is that? I've given up on big Sainsbury's as the queues are never ending no matter what time I go. I only buy a few things in there anyway and what we can't have we'll go without. I went to the farm shop but this time there was no queue. They had started selling plants and I bought a trailing fuchsia to go in one of the hanging baskets and the usual coal and kindling. Although the weather's been pleasantly warm the evenings are mostly chilly so we've been lighting the fire.


Everything charity shopped except jacket Beales retail about 4 years ago; green shoes online retail.


All jewellery and scarf charity shopped.


Skirt by Betty Jackson bought in my Barnardo's and top by Toast bought in Daycare Hospice nearest my home.


Wisteria envy... passed on my walk on Friday in the village of Biddenham. I walked a 6.4 mile  walk covering another route I hadn't walked in a while. There were plenty of people about; walking, cycling, running. strolling...I started from Queen's Park; walked along the river to Great Denham; through the estate over the golf course into the village of Biddenham; and then home. I passed my Barnardo's on the way -  I am missing it but not as much as I thought. The thing I miss the most is being able to go swimming.

Jacket/Kimono Challenge - Day 7


Saturday was a lazy day - like all the others really. I didn't go for a walk although I had planned to and spent hours poring over my OS map to look for a new route. When I walked on Wednesday I forgot my walking boots and socks and was too lazy to go back and get them. So I walked 5 miles just wearing my comfortable shoes and no socks; but ended with blisters on both heels. The one on the left heel had got progressively more painful as the days went by and I couldn't face it on Saturday. I had three plasters on it, too!


Everything charity shopped. Kimono by Topshop; can't remember; trousers by Papaya, my Barnardo's; top by M&S; Red Cross shop. Brothel creepers/beetle crushers 3:16 charity shop. I've had to bin these as one of the soles tore away from the upper. It could have been restuck but the faux suede coating was crumbling in places so out they went.


Scarf and all jewellery charity shopped.

Sunday was the usual housework and cooking Sunday dinner but first I got up and went for 6.5 mile walk in Milton Ernest. A beautiful day with the air full of birdsong.

On Monday I went into town to get some items in Boots. When I got back I went for a 4.5 mile walk. Monday was a cooler day but still very pleasant. It also marked the beginning of week 6 of the lockdown. This was Monday's outfit:


Everything charity shopped; trousers by New Look; white top by Next 1.00 rail; tunic charity shopped in Ireland, I think but can't remember where. Shoes on line retail.

All jewellery charity shopped.

My hair looks ok when it's just been washed but other wise it's gone mad; I cannot wait to get to a hairdressers but I fear it may be a while yet...

I mentioned coincidences in my last post and I'm now going to tell you about a really, really strange coincidence. OH and I met almost 22 years ago. We did online dating before there was on line dating - in those days it was teletext or newspaper columns.  He lived in London and I lived in Bedford. Anyway, after knowing each other for 2.5 years OH moved in with me, permanently. One day I was showing him my photo album when he suddenly exclaimed 'I know that woman'! That woman was my ex-sister-in-law. Many years ago, when OH was married to someone else; he and his wife met my ex sister-in-law and her daughter in a hotel in Spain where they were all on holiday. In fact, they became so friendly that OH and his wife went to visit her several times at her home in Cardiff. This was before she met up with my brother-in-law and therefore before I even knew her!  Is that a coincidence or what?

On Tuesday I was up at 7 am, showered, ironed my clothes, dressed and was eating my breakfast when the phone rang. It was the food bank saying that I wasn't needed as there had been very little in the way of food parcels distributed on Friday and Monday and consequently no need for more to be made up. How strange given that the demand in general was up by 50% in previous weeks.


Never mind; I have this book to be getting on with and the blanket is almost complete - just needs a few more rows before I use up all the wool.



This  is my TBR pile (to be read) - all fiction. Once I've read the fiction pile my plan is to read through a shelf full of detective fiction. Once the lockdown is over or things start to ease; I can scour the charity shops for more!


I wonder if anything will have changed much in two weeks time?



A weekend visitor and an exhibition

 Hello!  I'll soon be off to Ireland  so let me tell you what I've been up to over the last two weeks.  I'll start with a whinge...