The first we knew of how serious COVID 19 was when we were deported from Ecuador and our holiday cut short because that country was closing its airports the following day.  As we had been at sea for a week with no outside connectivity, we had no clue how much the crisis had escalated in such a short time so it was a complete shock.

Arriving on the mainland from the ship, we had our hands sanitised at the airport, as we got into the car to take us to the hotel, as we arrived at the hotel and at reception at the hotel.  When we came down for dinner we had more sanitizer squirted at us.

The following day we arrived at a very quiet and eerie Heathrow but we got home safe and the shops and restaurants were still open so it didn't really feel that different in the UK.  That didn't last!  Less than a week later, on 23 March, the country was effectively asked to go into lockdown.  As Jonathon has asthma, although he wasn't on the NHS serious list, we agreed it would be better for him to safeguard (or wife guard as he called it) and I would do the running around, such as needed.

Around the same time, restaurants and shops (other than for essentials, e.g. pharmacies, supermarkets, post offices, banks) were told to close; everyone was asked to stay 2 meters apart to minimise cross infection; and no travel was allowed unless absolutely necessary - a strange world indeed.

23 March 2020

I had retired on 11 March so I knew my life would be different when I returned from Ecuador but I had no idea that it would be like this.  By the end of the first week of lockdown, I had done more queuing, shopping, cooking and cleaning than ever before.

Queuing because only a limited number of people were allowed into the supermarkets, banks etc. at a time so it was "one out, one in" with a queue to get in.  The queues were marked up so everyone stayed at the recommended minimum 6 feet / 2 metres apart.  All sensible precautions but it felt really strange.

Shopping because most of our neighbours are 70+ and therefore were supposed to go into lockdown.  Most did so and they therefore needed shopping doing, if their family wasn't able to help, or prescriptions collected etc.  My "adoptees" were Jenny & Peter at Number 4, Bob at Number 10 and Gina and Ernie at Number 16.  Peter and Mary (No. 6) had their son staying with them before the lockdown so he took care of them, Sheila (No. 12) had a large family and one of them appeared to have been nominated to deliver groceries (at a distance).  Number 14 simply ignored the guidance and carried on doing their own thing.  Sainsbury's (along with most others) also changed their opening hours.  7.30 - 8.00 for care workers, 8.00 - 9.00 Monday, Wednesday and Friday for 70+ and disabled.  I did wonder how many 70+ people went when they were supposed to be staying at home but, as I was 60 not 70, I never did find out.

We heard all sorts of horror stories about no food / other stuff in the supermarkets.  There was a problem initially but Sainsbury's in Orpington served us really well.  Fine, we had to try for 2 or 3 days for a couple of things before they were in stock but we could manage without a specific kind of Ryvita.

Cooking because I had been used to grabbing something at lunchtime at work and (usually) eating it at my desk.  Cooking was something that happened at weekends (if we didn't go out).  Under the new circumstances, cooking happened every day as we couldn't go out but we needed to eat!  

Cleaning because Teresa, who normally keeps our house lovely and clean, wasn't allowed to come as that wasn't an essential reason for travel / visiting with people not in your household.  Our kitchen and bathrooms have never been cleaned so often.  Jonathon was in charge of vacuuming and we took it in turns to do the dreaded dusting.

The first week wasn't too bad as the weather was OK for 5 days of the 7 and I established a new routine:

• up and out early for my permitted 1 hour (or so) walk before most people had even got out of bed  (usually went walkabout for more than an hour but as I was out so early it didn’t matter as it was easy to be socially distanced)
• shower (or bath) and breakfast before going to Sainsbury's with however many lists for the day
• jobs around the house
• lunch
• gardening
• tea
• gym challenge etc. (this fizzled out after a few weeks!)
• watch TV or live streams so we could have our fix of dance, music etc.
• bed
  

26 March 2020

27 March 2020

The gym challenge ... obviously the gym and pool were closed so alternatives were required.  I was one of a group of girls (middle-aged women really) who went to circuit training on Monday morning at the gym prior to lockdown.  Judy set up a WhatsApp group for us all so we could keep each other motivated and provide support when needed, particularly for those in the group who lived alone.  Every day (for the first few weeks), someone was nominated to set a gym challenge for the rest of the group.  The chit-chat wasn't limited to gym stuff and it was a great group to be a member of.  I tried to take a few early morning photos to share so the rest of the gang had something nice to see when they woke up.

Primetime at MyTime (Gym) released a few workouts on Facebook (thank goodness for social media) and Joe Wicks (The Body Coach) became the PE teacher for the nation - his 10-minute "senior" workout was very manageable.

• Carole and Pauline looked after Mum and Dad and kept me very well informed about how they were getting on.  Dad was classed as "moderate risk" because of his ulcerative colitis, which meant visits were very limited.  Skype came in really handy as the best way for me to keep up to date with Mum and Dad with two scheduled Skype meetings at drinkings time (3 p.m.) on Wednesdays and Sundays.

So ... dry days that weren't really cold were easy to deal with.  Really cold and/or wet days - they were a different matter altogether.  Thankfully I had a load of jigsaws in reserve and a lot of books to read.  Jonathon sorted out a selection of films to watch and we managed to get through the "inside" days but they were a lot harder than the gardening days.

As we moved into April, the "rules" were becoming more rigorously enforced as too many people were ignoring the guidelines and still travelling when they didn't really need to, mixing with others outside their immediate household etc.  There was criticism of one police force (Derbyshire I think) for using drones but how else could they monitor the Peak District to make sure people weren't driving there to take their one hour's exercise?  

One amusing event while in the garden ...  we were assembling the new cages for the strawberry beds (we have 2) and went back for the second lot of netting etc.  "Where did you put the pegs?" I asked Jonathon.  "On the floor".  "Well, where are they now?"  Having hunted around, Jonathon spotted one of our fox visitors playing with something in next door's garden.  Hmmm - we couldn't tell what she had but Jonathon phoned Peter and asked him to open the side gate so Jonathon could sneak round and see if she had taken them.  Yes!  along with my gardening gloves which she had chewed so the right one was useless.  For reasons I won't go into, that left me with three left hand gloves and no right hand ones!  Simple - turn one of them inside out and use it that way.  The nets were secured and we live in hope that we will get some strawberries this year (the squirrels got them all last year).

28 March 2020

29 March 2020

 

30 March 2020

Oh, I forgot to mention the theatres.  We had a load of shows / plays / concerts booked which were cancelled due to the lockdown.  Some we had paid for, some I was a +1 as Jonathon was working so what next?  In total, I had 21 performances of one sort or another in my diary before the end of June.

Sadlers Wells, as expected, were very professional and efficient.  Email advising of the dates when shows would be cancelled, asking whether we wanted full refund or (please, please) could we let them have some of it as a donation.  Gilda and I jointly book tickets for Sadlers as there are usually a few of us go so spreadsheets were prepared and other attendees contacted.  Some wanted full refund, some 10% donation, some 25% and a couple 100% - good job it was on a spreadsheet!  We agreed our figures so when Sadlers spoke to each of us we knew exactly what needed to stay with them and the refund to be paid.  Very organised.  

Kings Place sent a holding email and advised that we would be contacted for each show.  So far, so good.

31 March 2020

2 April 

I’m feeling a bit sad today.  I was supposed to host a lunch for a few southern friends at Chapter One to celebrate reaching 60 and retiring but, of course, that can't happen.  We hope Chapter One will survive and we'll be able to re-book after the lockdown but it is on days like this that I miss meeting up with friends most of all.  Jacket potatoes at lunchtime aren't quite up to the culinary standards of Chapter One but needs must.

Today's main job in the garden was going to be assembling the fruit cage that we'd inherited from Carole but shredding was a higher priority so that got done instead.  We measured out for the cage and thought we'd be able to cover both raspberry and gooseberry beds so on the agenda for tomorrow.  

In the meantime, I did the digging for the second veg bed, fed and netted it and put the pea frames in place for when the peas are ready to plant.  

Last year the foxes destroyed the garden - there were 6 cubs with their mum and dad so lots of boisterous activity.  They were lovely to see but I am hoping to have fewer in 2020.  I'm eagerly awaiting their arrival (if any) and, in the meantime, have double netted the veg beds.  Unfortunately I'd ordered the wrong length of netting so it looks a bit patch-worky.   Proper length now ordered so will tidy it up when that arrives.

 

 

Tim phoned this evening, knowing we'd be in!  He and Di were guests for the cancelled lunch.  Di's mum is very poorly (not Covid 19 related, just old age and, more importantly, the fact she lost her husband late last year so is feeling completely lost).  As a result, she is now living with Tim and Di.  Finished the evening listening to Biddy Ronelle, clapping for key workers and jigsaw!

3 April

Veg beds still look OK this morning so perhaps double netting worked.  Saw one of my gym buddies in the Sainsbury's queue so that was a nice surprise but we didn't talk for more than a couple of minutes (and kept our distance).  Call from Bob next door as he has a cheque to pay in to Nationwide.  Found a form for him to fill in so I can take it for him on Monday.

WhatsApp'd with Norbert.  He and Stephen are in separate countries - Norbert in Switzerland (where he works) and Stephen at home in UK.  Can't imagine being separated from Jonathon for the duration of this horrible period, even if we don't spend every minute of the day together (benefit of having a large house!)

The great success of the afternoon was the assembling of the fruit cage (main part) to cover the raspberries and tidying up the gooseberry bed so we can do the extension part tomorrow.  Listened to Megan O'Neill on live stream in the evening  - it's great having live concerts on Facebook or similar so we get our music fix.

4 April 

What a lovely sunny day!  Finally got the fruit cage assembled, netted, pegged down etc. so we should have some rasps and gooseberries later this year rather than the squirrels and birds getting them all.  As that took pretty much all afternoon I have nothing else to report other than catching up with concerts in the evening and finishing the first jigsaw.

5 April

The end of the tax year but this year it seems totally unimportant.  The weather has been beautiful today - bright blue skies and lovely sunshine.  Had a fairly relaxed day - walk before breakfast (no shopping on Sunday), church on-line service at 10 a.m., got lunch ready and ate it (see later), Skyped Mum and Dad at 3 p.m., quick bit of gardening, started next jigsaw, did my exercises and listened to the Queen's address to the nation.  

 

Lunch - I decided to do something a bit different so I sloshed some grapefruit juice into a bowl, added half a teaspoon each of cumin and coriander and 3 cardamom pods, chopped up 2 chicken breasts and marinaded them for a couple of hours.  Removed the cardamom pods and cooked the chicken and juice on the hob.   Served with rice, cabbage and green beans - surprisingly yummy!

7 April

Another lovely warm and sunny day so we’ve been working out in the garden (after usual walk and shopping).  First job - sorting out the lights from the tree at the front to see which work and which need to be thrown out; sorting out the garden hoses for irrigation - still need to work out how to water everything fruit and veg wise but at least we know the soaker hose is OK; third (last and largest) redoing the netting round the veg beds as the cage makes the veg beds look untidy.  All done pending receipt of the new netting that was ordered a few days ago.

Frustrating news from the travel agent - we need to go to our insurance provider as the travel agent / Ecuadorean providers are not coughing up anything at all.  Jonathon not happy but on the case and has spoken to HSBC travel insurance who agree that JLA (agent) should cough up.  Email sent to travel agent asking them to pay what they owe us.

9 April

No eggs in Sainsbury's today and the longest queue so far.  Surely it can't be because the shops are shut for one day on Sunday??  Asked one of the shop assistants where I could find blancmange (it wasn’t with the custards and jellies) but she couldn’t help as she’d not heard of blancmange!  A lovely warm day so ASHPs (heating system) switched off so we can check that the PVs are heating the water (so far, so good!).  Jonathon started to power wash the patio today - takes a few days!  The bit he's done already looks so much better.  My main task in the garden today was sorting out the compost bins, the two smaller ones at least.  The compost is lovely but I want to store it somewhere dry until I use it so can't take it all out of the bins just yet.  

Had a chat with Nigel (former boss and still friend) - work doesn't sound like much fun so glad I'm not there!  His wife, Rona, is a radiographer so is incredibly busy at her hospital, not least as one of her opposite number is off work with Covid 19.  In the evening we watched a daft rom-com type film via Amazon Prime and listened to some Fleetwood Mac with clapping for the NHS and other key workers in between at 8 p.m. - more and more noise each week. 

10 April

Another beautiful, sunny day so main task was phase 2 of power washing the patio.  Lots of pots for me to move, clean down etc. while Jonathon played with the water.  It looks so much better.  Hope to do third and final phase tomorrow.  Managed to watch the Good Friday church service early evening (completely missed it when it was first shown at 10 a.m. because of the Sainsbury’s queue).  Watched a couple of live streams in the evening then collapsed into bed.

11 April

Tried Tesco for a change today – sad state of affairs when a change of supermarket is a highlight!  The gym WhatsApp group have been watching a family of Egyptian Geese goslings – there are 6 of them. They are getting quite leggy now and it’s amazing how fast they are growing up.  The swans are also sitting on their nest in the park so hopefully there’ll be cygnets as well soon.  Patio cleaning finished and all pots put back etc. – glad to see the back of that for another year.  My other challenge for today was thinking of a video message for the St. John’s URC Facebook page.  Not my kind of thing really but I finally decided to sing “Happy Easter to You” (to the tune of Happy Birthday) so hope that works.  Will put it up tomorrow as requested and see what happens.  Watched Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo perform “Paquita” and a couple of music things and that was the end of another sunny day.

12 April

Easter Sunday so watched the on-line service at 10.30 a.m.  Tried to upload video but not permitted to do so.  Sent it to Charlotte who uploaded it along with a few others from people who had the same problem.  Another warm, sunny day so quite a bit of watering got done.  Jonathon got the grass cut so the garden looks tidier.  Skype’d Mum & Dad and spoke to Christine as usual.  Ordered some bird food to be sent direct to Mum by RSPB.  Other than that, we had a very quiet and relaxing Sunday.

13 April

Much chillier today with a brisk wind so my hat had to be used for my early morning walk.  On-line festival / concert called “Folk on Foot” was in the diary for today, starting at 2 p.m. so we settled down to watch that but I couldn’t sit for 7 hours so had to go and do some weeding!  Jonathon found out that he’d won a competition run buy The Jive Aces via their live stream – 2 tickets to a swing festival.  Not too far for us to go as it’s in Sussex but it’s early August so not sure if it will go ahead or not.  Heating system switched back on overnight.

14 April

No hat required today and we even managed to have dinner outside, albeit wearing nice warm jumpers (needless to say the heating went back off).  Treated ourselves to some oven chips (can’t remember the last time I cooked those!)  Main outside tasks were washing down the greenhouse and edging the grass.

15 April

Another day of doing not much!  Had a chat to a couple of older neighbours – one taking her little dog for a walk and the other when I delivered her shopping.  I think we’re all starting to struggle with the lack of freedom to do what we want, when we want. Started weeding the front garden (takes a while so “saved” some to do tomorrow).  Jonathon’s main task was successfully fixing the lazy Susan from the outside table. Seems we now have 4 foxes rather than the 3 we thought we had.  Looking at one of the vixens, it seems she’s nursing so we await cubs!  Skype at drinkings time with Mum and Dad was the highlight of the day. 

16 April

I think I have mornings sorted!  By the time I’ve done my walk, had my breakfast, got and delivered and any shopping that’s needed and done a bit of housework, it’s time for pot of green tea and my paper.  The main crossword usually takes me a while, Pop Master is on Radio 2 at c.10.30 a.m. (which I can’t really do but it’s still fun) and then reading the paper and doing the puzzles in the second part of The Times fills in the time until 12 noon when Jeremy Vine comes onto Radio 2 so the radio gets switched off!   Afternoons are gardening (weather permitting, and we’ve been lucky so far) – today I finished the half circle in the front garden before we had about 6 drops of rain so I raced to get the washing in (thinking it would come to more rain) and put my gardening stuff away.  Couple of live streams watched tonight and NHS/key worker clapping done.

17 April

Today I should have been driving up north to enjoy Chicago Blues Brothers show in Bridlington with Christine, Gordon and Angela (Jonathon with his camera).  Instead, we are at home and not happy about it.  This morning I picked up a prescription for neighbours at Boots – very well organised, screens up at pharmacy and tills etc. and not too long to wait - they made up the prescriptions while I waited (they are running 3-4 days behind).  When I delivered the stuff to Gina, she told me her son in law has Corona Virus and is really poorly so that’s a worry for her.  Thankfully she hasn’t seen them recently as she and Ernie have been observing the 70+ isolation guidance which is good. 

18 April

Today we should have all been together as a family at The Tiger to celebrate my 60th birthday and retirement so feeling a bit sad.  I’ve increased my daily walking challenge.  I was originally aiming for 10k steps, which I seem to manage pretty easily now so I’ve changed it to 10 km per day (about 13-14k steps).  It means I’m out for longer than 1 hour but as I’m out so early and see so few people I don’t think that matters too much. 

Today’s walk was towards Chelsfield and I came across a map showing what can be seen from there on a clear day and a memorial stone. It was interesting because I didn’t even know that path existed.  As it was so dull and grey, I decided to do some baking and make a few sultana buns and a crumble for tea.  The only trouble with baking is that we eat it!!  Back to the jigsaw and repair work to be done to the “help” that Oli had given me during the night.  Despite a sheet over it to try and protect it, somehow he’d managed to undo the border and pat some of the pieces into a nice tidy heap!  Thanks Oli.

19 April

Exceeded my allotted exercise hour this morning by quite some margin as I exited a local wood at a different place and then had to work out where I was – an hour’s walk away from home!  Needless to say, I did my steps / distance with no problem at all today.  Joined the on-line church service at 10.30 a.m. which was very uplifting. 

Email from Gilda who says she’s had a bad week.  Can’t imagine living through this on my own, especially for someone who’s as sociable as Gilda.  Hopefully we’ll be able to Skype / FaceTime or similar at some point but don’t even know if she uses them.  Email sent suggesting it. 

Was supposed to have pork with apricots for dinner today until I realised we had no apricots so pork in asparagus sauce instead – still very tasty and somewhat of a first-world problem.  Skyped with Mum and Dad at 3 p.m. as usual but had nothing new to tell them (not good news anyway).  Sheila popped round to say thanks for the heads up re local plant suppliers but she’s decided not to bother with bedding plants this year.  Suspect there are many like her so could be a change in gardening (we stopped a few years ago as they use too much water). 

Great excitement in the evening as we had a hedgehog in the garden – a real treat as we don’t see them very often (not a good photo).

20 April

Stayed nearer to home for today’s walk!  Special treat was seeing a pair of Egyptian geese up a tree – didn’t even know they did that.  FaceTime with Gilda in the afternoon, which was fun once we’d got the IT to work.  Christine phoned – she wants to change the days she delivers milk to various villages so had to put my brain in gear and draft a note for her to think about.

21 April

Such excitement today.  We went to the big Sainsbury’s in the car – Jonathon’s car because my poor Shaun wouldn’t start.  Hope it’s only the battery as he’s not been out for almost 2 months but no point in getting a new battery at the moment – might as well wait until we can actually go out somewhere more interesting than a supermarket.  Jonathon had to drive and then stay in the car to remain self-isolated but it gave him something different to do as well!  

More excitement – our recycling was collected after 6 weeks.  We’d built up quite a lot in that time but they took it all so we can start building it up again as we have no idea when they’ll take it again! Paper and cardboard’s not been collected in ages but Bromley Council’s website says they’ll attempt to collect it, resources permitting, so we’ll put it out with our general rubbish next week and hope for the best. 

The main job in the garden today was sorting out the irrigation for the food beds.  Pleased to say that the veg beds were still pretty much intact from last year so just needed a bit of a tweak.  The foxes had completely destroyed the fruit bed irrigation so we’ve done something different with that – reverted to a more old-fashioned sprinkler to cover all 4 beds.  Hopefully that will work and we’ll get lots of lovely gooseberries, raspberries and strawberries.  Christine was happy with the note so all good there. 

Finished a pretty pink baby blanket for Esha’s impending arrival but I don’t have her address so not sure how to get it to her (the original intention was to hand it over to her in the office!)

22 April

No shopping for neighbours today so popped into Tesco on the way home from my morning walk to pick up some bits for us and, hurrah, they had flour so I could make some more sultana buns after a trip to Boots to collect Jonathon’s inhalers.  Very organised and the prescription was ready so no hanging about.  Skype with Mum and Dad at drinkings time in the afternoon and, other than that, just enjoyed the sunshine, reading my Kindle book (Scraps of Paper by Kathryn Meyer Griffith).  Whilst on my walk (part of the London Loop), I spotted a notice about a walking group so might bear that in mind for the future.  All in all, today was a very relaxing day.

23 April

Yet another wrong turn today but that meant I saw a Skylark soaring and singing its heart out – wonderful.  It’s the first one I’ve seen in the UK for years.  As a result of the “detour” I’ve easily done my steps today – 17k+ at last count.  No supermarket shopping required but I now have Esha’s address so went to the Post Office / WH Smith to post it, get some stamps and cards etc. 

Carole phoned as she was sorting out Mum’s Skype – now done.  Steak and chips for lunch (yum) and then just enjoyed the warm sunshine as it was too hot / sun was too strong to garden (that’s my excuse anyway).   Clapping for key workers and watching Jive Aces’ live stream finished off the day – Jonathon won the competition again but they’ve run out of prizes to give him because he’s already got all their CDs.  Think I’ll be getting a t-shirt!

24 April

Another lovely day and I thought I’d visit Kynaston Wood but couldn’t find the way into it.  Saw some lovely scenery whilst I was walking around, found a hamlet I’d not heard of before, learned that Orpington has a football team (who knew? – took a photo for Andy) - and even had a stroke of a pony so a nice walk, just not where I expected to be.  Came home and made some bread because I’d seen a yeast free recipe in The Times – not too bad for a first attempt.  I could only make half of the recipe as I’d not got enough buttermilk but Jonathon seemed more than happy to munch quite a bit of it.  We’ll use the rest for toast with bacon and eggs tomorrow lunchtime.  We were going to have a takeaway today but changed our mind and had ham salad and aforementioned bread instead.  Lazed around enjoying the warmth all afternoon and finished jigsaw number 3 before watching a couple of live streams. 

25 April

Set off with no real plan as to where to go for this morning’s walk and ended up in Petts Wood that is both a place and a National Trust wood.  Came across a lovely garden of remembrance along the way so popped in there for a look as well.  Was going to go to Tesco but the queue was so long I went to Sainsbury’s instead (only two people in front of me).  Came home to find a fox examining a tree!  Planted some pea plants out this afternoon and did a bit of general tidying up in the garden while Jonathon cut the grass.  It always looks so much better with tidy grass so I took some photos to share. 

26 April

Usual morning walk, this time part of it was along the A21 – never seen it so quiet.  There was some traffic but there were times when there was none at all – amazing.  Baby coots have now appeared in the local public gardens so some more little birds to watch on my walks.  Came home and made some yeast-free bread and sultana buns whilst listening to / joining in with the on-line service from church and before having soup and bread for dinner.  We were supposed to be having chicken but I forgot to get it out of the freezer so that will now be for tomorrow.  With showers forecast for later in the week we enjoyed the warm sunny weather, reading books etc.  Skyped with Mum and Dad, spoke to Christine – a normal Sunday.

27 April

Did my “3 parks” walk – Priory Gardens, the park along the River Cray and Poverest Park / Covet Wood.  Went down to the town centre twice so loads of queuing today – Sainsbury’s for No. 4’s shopping (and ours) first time then Boots for a prescription for No 10. and his shopping, so Sainsbury’s again.  Chicken for dinner!!  Planted the rest of the peas out and put the rest of the potato grow bags out ready for the rain that’s forecast tonight / tomorrow. 

Now regularly doing 15k+ steps per day so that should be my new minimum.  That said, if it’s chucking it down tomorrow …  I might have to do gym exercises for a couple of hours instead and stay dry (other than getting my paper).  Perhaps 10 minutes exercise for every 1k steps not done??  Watch this space …

28 April

Rain arrived as forecast so did 2 hours of “PE” before breakfast.  Went the long way round to get my paper so still did about 5k steps but stayed in the dry after that.  Set a challenge for Carole, Pauline and the Gym Girls – took close up photos of bits and pieces around our home and they had to work out what they were.  Carole did really well and, funnily enough, the only one she got wrong was the same one as the gym gang got wrong. 

The paper recycling was collected for the first time in about 6 weeks – hurray!  Got a lovely thank you message from Esha for the blanket – she says she’s going through baby’s clothes to put together a “going home from hospital” outfit.  Caught up with some streams and TV that we hadn’t found time to watch (not that we have had a lot to do but I don’t like being inside if the sun is shining).  Also caught up with a bit of housework etc. and was going to do the bit of ironing that was lurking about but jigsaw took priority so finished that instead.  Ironing can be “saved” for tomorrow.

29 April

It was dry when I got up so off I went for a tramp around Crofton Woods.  Everything was very damp and, as the ground in this area is predominantly clay based, very slippery so I was glad of my boots and waterproof trousers!  Rain came back about lunchtime.  Trimmed my hair a bit (hairdresser will have an interesting job trying to sort it out when all is back to normal).  Sainsbury’s visit – no medium chicken so my neighbour had a small one instead which they seemed to think was OK.  Cooked a cheese and tomato quiche from scratch for lunch – great success with lovely pastry so very happy.  Skyped with Mum and Dad who seem OK, did Carole’s country quiz (10/10) and started jigsaw number 5 (City of London so I recognise most of the buildings).  Heard from Sadie.  That was a relief as I emailed her a while ago to check all OK.  All is OK but she’d been busy hence the late response.

30 April

Another day of much the same with my usual morning walk, shopping, lunch cooking etc.  My walk today was in Goddington Park and Priory Gardens.  The photos show Orpington Bowling Club (for Mum and Dad), Court Road (Orpington bypass and really quiet today) and our street.  Sainsbury’s list from Number 4 included interesting “essentials” including stem ginger (there wasn’t any so I got loose ginger instead which was apparently what they really wanted).  Lunch was leftovers with roasted peppers. 

1 May

I started today by believing the weather forecast (stupid girl) and got drenched.  Wasn’t a complete disaster as I’d also looked at the clouds so hadn’t ventured too far from home for my daily walk, doing a figure 8 route (well, the first half anyway).  I saw a plane in the sky, which is quite unusual here at the moment, so I took a photo! Did a run to the big Sainsbury’s so Jonathon got out of the house, if not out of the car! 

My new netting has finally arrived but it was too wet today to take the old down and put the new up.  Tomorrow is forecast to be fair so it can be one of tomorrow’s jobs.  Other than that, caught up with some telly watching, 70 minutes of workout to make up for the missing 7k steps and housework.

2 May

A lovely sunny, if chilly, morning so steps back up to 15k today.  I should have been in Yorkshire this weekend for George’s christening but … 

I didn’t realise how much I’d miss train travel. 

I see a van quite regularly that makes me smile – the passenger seat is reserved for the dog!  Netting done, old broccoli plants pulled out and that ground dug over and fed ready for planting courgettes later this month.  Veg beds look a lot tidier (the photo is prior to broccoli removal). 

3 May

A typical Sunday really other than the start of the day.  Oli decided he wanted to come on my walk with me.  We got to the end of our road and he dashed like a bat out of hell across the road (thankfully quieter than usual).  Managed to catch him and carry him almost all the way back home before he wriggled free and decided to trot off to next door.  Fine, I thought, and set off in a different direction so I wasn’t as easy to see.  Only a few moments later – tinkle tinkle – I could hear his bell so I knew he was behind me again.  He was determined not to be caught this time and therefore kept letting me get quite close before dashing just out of reach.  Hmmm.  We got to the end of that street where there is a little alleyway and he sat down, almost daring me to pick him up.  Almost got to him only to hear another cat meow at him from the other side of the fence.  Being the coward that he is, he trotted off.  Unfortunately for him, Bertie (spaniel) was in his garden for a morning visit and Oli trotting near his front gate set him off barking.  His female human (Margaret) who chats a lot at the best of times, was trying to shush him while chatting to me.  I had a round about tour of her knee op (wasn’t successful), the death of various family members in 1998 (!), how Bertie got his head stuck in a wine rack a few years ago etc. etc.  By now it was 7 a.m., Oli had dashed off towards home and I had got precisely nowhere in 35 minutes! 

Managed to do my 15k steps but most of it in my walking boots as I was trekking across fields and suchlike today.  I’m sure 15k steps in my boots is the equivalent of 20k steps in my trainers.   At one point I had a field of cowslips (haven’t seen that many since Dad used to have the land in Nun Monkton) behind me and the view of Canary Wharf (don’t miss going there at all!) in front.  Pork and apricots etc. for dinner – we had a tin of apricots this time.  Had a chat with Mum and Dad on Skype (nothing new and both seem OK) and chatted with Christine before watching a whole load of live streams.  It’s lovely being able to do half an hour with one then another without having to tramp from one club to another!

4 May

Walked my 15k steps and called in to Tesco on the way home – all before breakfast this morning.  At one point I found myself on Frank’s Wood Avenue so had to take a photo.  I was also on Route 22 of the London Cycle Network (who knew there was such a thing).  Finally, I came across the steps in the photo (not what I was wanting after 14k steps but there you go).  Bob’s email shopping list arrived in my inbox just before I got to Tesco so got his bits as well.   Learned that my poppy photo had won the photograph of the week on the Facebook “Photography” page.  Received 3 facemasks in the post from PBB so that prompted me to FaceTime with Nigel (nothing new at work).  Zoomed with Gilda and Jonathon in the afternoon (no news there either).  Cleaned out my bathroom cabinet while Jonathon photographed foxes (too cold for me by that time of the evening).  Caught up with a bit of TV, live streams etc.  Bed.

5 May

Did my 15k steps and called in to Sainsbury’s on the way home today – again all before breakfast.  It’s easier than going out again later in the morning but if I have too much to carry it’s better to come back and get the bags etc. Gardening in the afternoon – pruning mainly with the bamboo “harvest” also done.  Potatoes are coming along nicely and I’ve found a home for my four spare courgette plants.  Linked up on Skype with Carole and Pauline (and had a brief chat with P&P) ready for the trial run tomorrow and group call on Friday.  Gilda sent us some picture quizzes after the Zoom yesterday so had a go at those in the evening.

6 May

Delivered the courgette plants to Jenny and Brendan on my morning walk so they are no longer my responsibility. Walked over to Farnborough for a change and skirted the edge of High Elms Country Park – must explore that more at some point.  WhatsApp’d Mark to wish him happy 65th birthday.  First time he’d done a video call using WhatsApp so he was a bit surprised.  It was lovely to see him.  Tested Skype Group call with Carole and Pauline in readiness for Friday – seemed to work OK, menu sorted out, quiz now prepared, all good.  Skype’d with Mum and Dad – no real news.  Watched English National Ballet’s Romeo and Juliet via Facebook streaming.

7 May

Walked over to Petts Wood today.  Petts Wood is the next “suburb” to Orpington but the wood itself is a National Trust property and lovely to walk around.  My mission was to try and find the sheep that Judy (gym buddy) had seen the other day – pleased to say I found them but I could hear them a lot sooner than see them.   Funnily enough, as I was coming home, Judy and Nick (husband) were heading out for their walk so we could have a quick chat.  As we were doing so, Pat and Barbara (also gym buddies) came past – busy morning. 

Was planning to get scones for Friday from Sainsbury’s (Taste the Difference) but there were none to be had so guess others had had the same idea.  Instead, I made some and they were surprisingly OK.  We’d recently got some jams and curds delivered so VE Day strawberry jam and home made scones are on the menu along with sultana buns (also made this morning) tomorrow afternoon. 

8 May

Hmmm … it seems I’ve done more than 12.5km and 17.5k steps yesterday and today so perhaps they need to be my new daily target.  My feet won’t like it (especially my little toe on left foot) but I’m sure they’ll cope.  Came across a warning sign re a COVID Hotspot on my walk – first one I’ve seen and not entirely sure whether the words were true or the local population were simply trying to put people off walking along the path.  I still went along (had gloves with me as it happens) and didn’t see another single person (just a horse!). 

9 May

So … new target met today.  Saw a lovely field of poppies on my walkabout as well as lots of chalk art.  The council gardeners have removed the spring bedding so let’s see what they plant for the summer bedding.  In the meantime, the beds look very tidy, if a little empty.  I made some bread when I got home to go with lunchtime soup.  Usual Live stream listening, reading etc. completed the afternoon.  Watched Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “By Jeeves” on line – quite funny. 

10 May

Nice long walk again today.  Set off for Keston but rather than go into the village, I took a left and went into Holwood Park.  I’m not even sure this was a public right of way but nobody stopped me (only saw two vehicles and no pedestrians).  The Hall itself was clearly marked as “out of bounds” but the grounds, woods and fields seemed to be open.  Obviously I stuck to the paths so think it was OK.  The views were lovely and I even came across a little fox cub as a special treat. 

Church service included the Brownies talking about friendship. 

As afternoon approached the weather changed so we headed inside (having had lunch outside) to catch up some TV watching, music listening, Skype, phone calls etc. Church ran an online quiz via Facebook and YouTube – we were hopeless but had good fun joining in and I don’t think I’m too worried that I didn’t know much about Peppa Pig or Sponge Bob Square Pants!  

Angela let me know that Uncle Dave is being tested for COVID 19 today.  He has no symptoms at the moment and she thinks it’s home wide testing but had to give her permission.  Fingers are tightly crossed. 

11 May

20k+ steps today because I decided to walk as far as a village called Crockenhill.  I’d seen it signposted while I was out and about but I’d never been there before.  As the prettiest thing in the village was the sign for the village I don’t think I’ll bother going again but at least I know.  Coming home and I came across some street art – 2 spitfires and a union flag in chalk – lovely to see.  The colder weather had arrived so didn’t do anything outside but did manage to clean the inside windows downstairs (with Jonathon’s assistance) so they look a lot better.  Outside of the front windows to be done when the weather picks up a bit.  Zoomed with Gilda in the afternoon and heard all about her antics in her school maths lessons where she seemed to spend most of her time standing on a chair for either getting her homework wrong or not doing it at all – very funny!

12 May

Golly, it was chilly this morning – 0C when I set off for Jubilee Country Park – a new place for me to visit.  Really pretty, plenty of interesting info boards around and a nature trail to follow.  There was also a woodland trail so I can perhaps do that one next time I visit.  Finally got Bob his South African butternut squash (not that my neighbours are at all specific!) and got one for ourselves as well so butternut squash risotto on the menu for later this week. 

13 May

A bit of concern this morning when my temperature was only 34.7C (medically hypothermia).  The house was cold and my “normal” is well below 37C so didn’t think I need to worry and set out for my walk.  On the way out of our drive I noticed that the alstroemeria were flowering nicely so we should soon have a good show of orange.  On my walk, I came across a couple of little woods that I hadn’t visited before as well as a grassy hill – lovely walkabout but didn’t quite get to the 17.5k steps (16.7k instead) or the 12.5 km (12.1km) so not too bad and probably made up for it paddling around at home.  Took my temperature again when I got home and it was above 35C so all OK. 

Saw that our favourite Indian restaurant had a notice in the window about takeaways so that will be tea for tomorrow – delegated to Jonathon to organise.  Jonathon did some vacuuming and managed to eat some of my knitting wool in the vacuum.  Luckily nothing that did any damage, just another couple of ends to sow in.  Made pizza for lunch (better this time – less base, more topping).  Had the usual afternoon drinkings-time Skype call with Mum and Dad – no real news other than they’d had fish and chips delivered.  Watched TV, live streams etc. 

Made some shortbread biscuits and sorted out the recipes I’d cut out of various papers etc. (while Jonathon did something with speakers in the front room) before joining a Zoom presentation by RSPB about their research work – really interesting.  Following the presentation I sent a note to Lyndon, a friend in Wales who we met on a holiday watching puffins.  Within 10 minutes he’d phoned for a chat.  He’s in lockdown due to age (76 in June), diabetes and various other things, including prostate cancer for which he’s still awaiting radiotherapy (estimated July).  Other than that he seemed to be in good form and is keeping busy sorting out photos etc.  Heard from Angela that Jo and Uncle Dave had clear results from their COVID tests so that was great news.

14 May

Back on form today so lots of steps done – more than made up for the shortfall yesterday.  It was a lovely clear (chilly) day so I could see for miles and I even saw some rabbits while I was out and about.  Also checked up on the Egyptian Geese goslings – they’re about the same size as the adults now but without the fancy colouring.  Today’s shopping challenge from No. 4 was Old El Paso Nacho Kit – really??  There was a space on the shelf with a label but no sign of the kit – Enchilada, Taco etc. but no Nacho.  Perhaps I’ll have more success another day. 

Saw Lisa (gym friend) who was on her way to Sainsbury’s while I was on my way back.  Her parents live fairly close but her mum was diagnosed with luekemia about a month ago and her dad has had a fall so is in hospital – tough time.  After Pop Master, we finished cleaning windows – I did inside, Jonathon out.  As we were having an Indian takeaway, no lunch required so I cleaned my wardrobes – taking all the bits and bobs out and cleaning the shelves and rails (not to mention the tops).  They look a lot better. 

Jonathon was busy drafting a note to Daikin as we are still trying to get some of our money back in respect of the ASHPs.  Popped down to get the takeaway – very well organised with clear floor markings and a one-way system.  Needless to say, the food was delicious but we were confident that it would be.