4 March

The Covid numbers are still going down and, hopefully, spring and summer will see that trend continue.

After Sainsbury's and breakfast I went for a walk with Caroline and Pebby. We stayed local and got a bit muddy but avoided the worst parts.

I managed to get about half the pampas cut back in the afternoon before the rain started. I've already filled four large garden sacks of rubbish so we'll need to go to the tip within the next few days.

5 March

I don't seem to have done much today. Went to the supermarket, the gym and then Fay's class. On my first trip to Sainsbury's, there were no daily newspapers but I picked on up on the way to the gym. Jonathon reported that there were quite a few empty shelves in Sainsbury's when he popped in for milk (there wasn't any). No idea if they are suffering from staff shortages, supply problems or something else.

We went for a walk after dinner to check out the Croft Tea Room lunch menu for Monday. Had to have coffee and cake (Jonathon) and yummy scones and tea (me) while we were there. Unfortunately they're not open on Monday so I'm glad we checkedand at least I remembered to take a photo before I'd munched it all.

I went home via the park because there'd been reports of trouble makers so we are all being extra vigilant. I didn't see anything serious which was good.

Christine is organising a jumble sale to raise funds to send to Ukraine, via the Red Cross, so I helped with the posters / flyers for that.

6 March

No church today (Communion service) so went on the treadmill for a while after body pump. Came home to find that Jonathon had been to the council tip on his own - real progress and a nice surprise. He'd done so well, he went again with another load.

Got the pampas finished after dinner and before Skype. Mum and Dad are a bit upset by the large increase in their fuel bills (c. £100 to c.£150 per month so a lot of extra money to find). It's the same for most people, and certainly not as big a percentage increase as ours.

Went for a quick walk to the park to make sure all quiet (it was). I had the bonus of a lovely sunset.

Had a chat with Christine - she's very busy with village things and is very pleased to have her pick-up back and working.

7 March

Ela's class and gym to start the day then a nice time with my crossword and a pot of tea before Gilda came for a walk. The sun was shining brightly but it was jolly chilly with a north wind so we made sure we were well wrapped up.

We met up with Jonathon at the GPO for lunch. They've changed their menu and I wasn't that impressed as I ended up having a burger (not my favourite). Another one for brunch rather than lunch I think.

I didn't do a lot in the afternoon other than admire the sunset from the warmth of the house!

8 March

Today did not start well. I offered to do the first "shift" in the park because someone had said there were only nine goslings out of ten left. Having got there, there were still ten but this one was obviously not very well. When he tried to get up, his leg looked like it was broken. His Dad was staying close by him to try and protect him. Dad and baby finally got into the water and all seemed OK until the poor little thing was attacked by two Canada geese. Dad did his best but the gosling didn't stand a chance, not least because he couldn't get out of the water away from danger. Needless to say, he didn't make it.

Rest in Peace, little one.

On a more positive note, the sunrise was amazing - like a fiery ball rising in the sky.

We went "all electric" a few years ago but with the problems in the earlier years of the Air Source Heat Pumps we decided to keep the gas to the property and the meter in the garage. We've finally got comfortable with the ASHPs and the gas man came today to take the meter out so we shouldn't need to pay the standing charge any more.

I'd arranged to meet Caroline to go for a walk at 10 a.m. When she hadn't appeared by 10.05 I messaged her, by 10.15 I tried to call her but got her voice mail. I walked on my own and enjoyed the sunshine even though it was very chilly. Caroline phoned back later - she'd mixed up the times.

Teresa came to do the cleaning, Jonathon cut the grass and I spent the afternoon in the garden doing more tidying up and cutting back. It's starting to look a bit more loved.

9 March

Lots of activity today, starting with body pump. Shreena is starting to cut down her classes in anticipation of going back to being a quantative analyst in the City (due to start 21st March). She says she'll try to continue to Sunday and Wednesday morning classes if she doesn't get too tired.

Next job was getting my hair cut. Rachel did a good job and it looks a lot tidier again now.

Lunch was in London with Nicola. I'd forgotten how lovely the food was at Rajasthan - I hope not to leave it as long before going back there.

Jean (neighbour) brought our ladders back - she'd borrowed them to help with decorating her hall. She and her husband brought me a lovely bouquet of flowers as a thank you.

Jonathon went into London in the evening to photograph a gig at St. Martin in the Fields. I didn't go with him this time because he had a photo pass rather than buying a ticket.

10 March

We'd planned a day out as a pre-birthday treat. Our destination was Eastbourne. It's years since I was there last and 2 years since I saw the sea so I was really looking forward to it.

First things first, I got up for an early morning walk (Goddington) then off we went.

We arrived in time for drinkings and went to the Victorian Tea Room on the pier - very nice carrot cake (for me) and coffee and walnut cake (for Jonathon).

After a east bound stroll along the promenade we went to Malayalam for lunch - yummy southern Indian food! The bill came in this pretty elephant box - just one example of their attention to detail.

Eastbourne is known for its floral arrangements - this one was particularly colourful.

After lunch, I walked westwards while Jonathon surfed the charity shops (and the sun came out!)

A final cup of coffee and home we went, driving along pretty country lanes rather than along the M25.

It was a lovely day!

11 March

Glad we went to Eastbourne yesterday because the weather was nowhere near as good today!

Popped to the gym then met Jo for a walk. I left my phone at home (by accident) so no photos. I'm not sure if I felt liberated or lost without it. Thankfully we knew where we were going so didn't need the map and we weren't up against a specific time to be back home.

Heard some strange noises outside the house early afternoon only to find a man doing something with the streetlight outside - no idea what he did because it didn't seem to be any different when he'd finished.

Heavy rain in the afternoon but quite bright so we had a pretty rainbow.

Finally got to see Saturday Night Fever at the Peacock Theatre. I wish I could say it was worth the wait but it really wasn't. The best way I can think to describe it was "wooden". No enthusiasm in the male lead at all and he wasn't even a great dancer! Oh well, at least we met up with friends and had a nice meal at Boulevard Brasseris beforehand.

12 March

My birthday! I was lucky enough to get loads of cards and even more electronic messages on Facebook, messenger, email, WhatsApp etc.

We went out for breakfast at the Orpington, I had a quick walk around the park then we went to the garden centre for some compost so I could get my early potatoes planted into sacks (kept in the shed until the danger of frost has passed).

It was just about warm enough to sit in the garden for drinkings before embarking on a weeding spree in the veg beds - one down, one started but still to finish.

A final walk to finish my steps and then TV - a perfect day.

13 March

Body pump with Vicky today (Shreena's gone skiing) followed by church. The daffodil cross was replanted on Remembrance Sunday last year and looks lovely now.

I thought the rain would put paid to a walk between dinner and Skype but it stopped for long enough for me to go for a quick tramp around and finish my steps.

Mum and Dad didn't have any real news when we had our Skype call.

Christine is getting very excited about her jumble and cake sale for next Saturday. She's had lots of offers of help and promises of cake etc. together with some very nice donations so she's expecting to do pretty well.

Carole and Gareth got home safe and sound after a lovely week in Portugal.

14 March

Started with Ela's class and Sainsbury's then Gilda came and we went for a nice long walk.

We met Jonathon at Masala Dabbas for lunch and met the new consultant chef - Abdul. His pedigree sounds quite impressive, including being a judge on "Masterchef" on television. We followed his recommendations from the new menu and the food was amazing.

Once dinner had settled, I did a bit more pruning and weeding on the basis that every little helps.

15 March

It was such a beautiful morning that I had my breakfast in the garden and enjoyed the sunshine (crossword, Pop Master, lots of green tea) before making lunch.

I managed a bit more gardening (both veg beds are now weeded) before meeting up with Caroline and Pebby for a nice long walk.

Teresa came and did the cleaning. Jonathon went to the cinema and enjoyed "Uncharted".

16 March

After such a lovely, sunny day yesterday, today was a bit of a disappointment, weather wise. The sky was a kind of yellowy colour - Saharan sand apparently. As it started to drizzle and bring the sand down from the sky, the air quality changed from Good to Moderate and Jonathon's car ended up covered in sand.

We had booked to go to the GPO for brunch but, when we got there, their coffee machine wasn't working so we had lunch at The Cricketers instead - really tasty bangers and mash.

I was supposed to be playing tennis this afternoon but Carol cancelled so that was a non-starter. At least she let me know yesterday so I could cancel the court and get a credit note. Tennis was going to be my exercise for today but I went to body pump instead (Oli woke me up early) and then did an hour on the treadmill to get my steps done whilst staying dry.

Jonathon had agreed to photo shoot a concert at Smithfield Piano Bar this evening so he went out in the drizzle to do that while Oli and I stayed in!

17 March

I wasn't intending to go to Body Pump today but Oli woke me up early so I thought I might as well after all. After that, and a pound on the treadmill, I spent a lovely day in the garden. My main jobs for the day were edging the grass and weeding the front of the beds that face onto the lawn. It looked a lot tidier by the end of the day.

Jonathon and I went to Kings Place to a concert by Daisy Chute and her band. It was really good but we were very late getting home!

18 March

Met with Jo and Coco for a train to Lewisham. From there we walked to Greenwich then had a tasty lunch at Cafe Rouge.

Did some gardening - mainly sorting out ivy and honeysuckle so Terry can get to the shed to paint it while we're in Yorkshire next week.

Spoke to Carole. Dad is very weepy at the moment and is also struggling with his mobility again. Carole has spoken with the GP and Dad has to fill a questionnaire in (re depression we think). Carole thinks it could be the after effects of his second bout of Covid - horrible disease.

Worryingly, the Covid case numbers are rising rapidly again - Bromley area is above 13,000 now.

19 March

First job for today (after the usual load of washing, trip to the supermarket etc.) was collecting at Morrisons for Marie Curie Cancer Care. The shop wasn't busy but my collecting tin didn't feel too bad by the end of my two hours.

I enjoyed a sunny walk round Jubilee Country Park before meeting Jonathon at Uskudar for lunch. Uskudar is still my favourite Turkish restaurant in our area.

Jonathon managed to walk home from Petts Wood (about 1.5 miles) then we cleaned his car and finally got all the Saharan sand off.

I planted some early peas, broad beans, carrots and leeks while Jonathon fixed one of the security cameras.

Quite a busy, productive day.

20 March

Covid tests done ready to head north tomorrow - both negative thank goodness because the number of people with Covid in our area is skyrocketing.

Gym and body pump for me while Jonathon went to the tip to get rid of a few bags of garden rubbish. He had to queue quite a long way back today so it took a while.

Church was next then a quick walk to do my steps for the day before chilli for lunch. It was only when I was dishing up that I realised I'd forgotten to put kidney beans in!

Enjoyed the sunshine in the back garden while I read the paper, did the crossword etc. then had a Skype call with Mum and Dad.

Did the packing ready for tomorrow.

Christine posted on Facebook to say that her jumble sale had raised more than £2,600 which was amazing and far exceeded her expectations. She later let me know that one of her milk customers had added £400 to the tally so she could clear £3,000.

21 March

Finished the last few bits of packing then went for a walk through Priory Gardens and along the River Cray. It was a bit chilly with a light frost on the ground but looked really pretty in the morning sunshine.

We drove to Knaresborough, stopping off at the OK Diner for lunch.

Pauline sent a WhatsApp message to say she and Paul had both tested positive for Covid so they are isolating for this week and won't be able to join us on Thursday. Apparently they both have cold symptoms and headache and Paul had gone back to bed.

Mum and Dad seemed to be on OK form. They'd had a busy day with doctors (Mum), a massage (Mum), district nurse (Dad) and gas man to service the boiler.

We got to the Dower House - much nicer room than the one we had last time we were both here.

22 March

Hotel gym for a pound on the treadmill before breakfast then I walked via the river to Mum and Dad's and Jonathon drove up with all the stuff we needed for the day. It was amazing how quickly the sun brightened up as I walked along.

Managed to get the finances, paperwork and filing done before dinner while Jonathon sorted out updates to the computer, sorting out the Humax etc.

Gardening (under Dad's supervision) was my main job for the afternoon. Jonathon finished the jigsaw that had been lurking around for ages then had a wander round the town.

Mum went to the dental hygienest. Dad got confident enough to walk along the path in front of the garden twice.

We went back to the hotel after tea.

23 March

No gym today because I'd spotted Jacob Smith Park on the map and thought I'd go investigate before breakfast because I'd not been there before. It was lovely to watch the sun coming up through the trees. I got back to find the shower rail and curtain had come off the wall while Jonathon was in the shower so that got reported.

Rather than eat breakfast in the hotel we went to the Old Ticket Office at the station. Although Jonathon said his bacon sandwich was tasty we are unlikely to go there again because there was nothing particularly "Shirley friendly" on the menu which was principally bread based.

As we were leaving the Dower House to go to York for visits, we met and had a chat with the new manager, Phil. He advised that the hotel will be closing for a complete refurbishment September - December this year. I think he's got his work cut out getting the staff and the systems sorted out but he seems to be looking forward to the challenge.

Our first visit was to see Angie. Jessica had taken Buddy (dog) to the dog park and Twix was upstairs with John, who was working from home, so it was a really good visit with plenty of chit chat.

From there, we went to see Christine and Gordon and out for lunch at their local pub. Again, lots of chat and, as always, lovely food so a good day.

When we got back to the hotel, the old shower curtain and rail had been taken away but no new one put in its place. Housekeeping had not been in to clean our room so Jonathon went to see the manager again and the head of housekeeping rushed up full of apologies and sorted it out. Apparently the new hotel booking system doesn't communicate with the old housekeeping system! As it's several months since the Inn Collection took over the hotel it seems to be taking quite a while to sort out the teething problems.

We decided to test out the pool and jacuzzi (they were closed last time we were both here). The pool is quite short but OK, the jacuzzi is very bubbly but wasn't as warm as we were expecting but we still enjoyed it.

24 March

Started today in the gym to make sure I got my steps done. Breakfast at the hotel -a bitshambolic but I don't think we missed anything we wanted!

Showed Jonathon where the Co-op is (Boroughbridge Road) in case there's ever a need for him to go get the paper then went for a walk round Conyngham Hall and Grounds.

There was a really lovely cherry tree in blossom on the way back.

The main item on today's agenda was lunch at the Tiger Inn with Mum, Dad, Carole and Gareth. Unfortunately P&P couldn't come because of their Covid. A good time was had by all but Mum and Dad were tired towards the end.

Tried to open an HMRC Gateway account for Dad to check his tax code and was doing fine until I needed either a Northen Ireland driving licence or a valid UK passport - he has neither! A task for when we're in Yorkshire in June I think.

Jonathon and I went to the pool / jacuzzi and had a bit of a swim. The jacuzzi was much warmer today. We were sitting there relaxing when Jonathon announced that he'd lost his locker key. When the bubbles subsided there was no evidence of it in the jacuzzi so her went to check it wasn't with his towel or still in the locker door (no!). The two other ladies in the pool and I scoured the floor of the pool and eventually I found it so I had to dive down to retrieve it. In the meantime, Jonathon had gone to fetch the gym / pool manager although what he was going to do, fully dressed, I have no idea.

I'd washed my hair this morning and didn't want to get my hair wet in the pool - best laid plans!

25 March

Our last day in Yorkshire for this visit so I got up early and walked 11 km before breakfast to make sure I got my fill of the lovely scenery (and got my steps done for the day).

After a long journey south we arrived back hom. Oli seemed pleased to see us, demanding food and grooming. He's got quite scruffy and dirty while we've been away so grooming over the next few days should be "fun".

I can't remember if I wrote earlier that UK families are being asked to house Ukrainian families who have fled their country because of the Russian invasion. Jo's daughter, Jenny, is intending to host a family, a grandma (49), a mum and two children. Jenny knows the mum of the family through work (Baker and Mackenzie). They have got as far as Frankfurt and are waiting for their UK visas to come over here.

They have a dog (cavapoo) called Lucky who is with the family but it hasn't got the right certificates to allow it into the UK without quaratine and the family can't get the papers because the vet's surgery was bombed in the fighting. Apparently if the dog lives in the EU for 3 weeks it will not need to stay in quarantine for 3 months in England so Jo has been asked by Jenny to go to France as soon as the family have their UK visas to look after Lucky for 3 weeks in her flat in France.

The younger daughter is very anxious about being apart from the dog so there is no way of telling how she will react to Jo taking the dog with her while the family come to the UK. In the meantime, Jo is on tenterhooks, waiting for a call from Jenny to tell her to get to Calais quickly to meet the family and collect the dog.

We are on standby to water her plants while she's away. We've also offered to be back up for the grandma should she need a bit of peace and quiet.

A nearby neighbour is from Ukraine and is collecting goods to send there. Knoll Residents Association (our local area) is helping with goods and cash donations so I made a payment to the collection.

26 March

The Covid numbers are shooting up but we are, apparently, learning to live with it if you believe the politicians.

I went to see my newly painted shed - Terry has done a really excellent job - it looks like new.

Went to HiiT class but used lighter weights than normal so I didn't tire myself out before Fay's birthday walk.

27 March

The clocks went forward overnight so it seemed early getting up. It didn't help that the weather had turned chilly and damp. Still went for a pre-church walk to get some steps done (nowhere near as many as yesterday). At least our tulips look pretty.

Went to church and then dropped some more stuff round to Jackie's house for her to deliver to Bromley Homeless charity.

Had a Skype call with Mum and Dad - no real news since we saw them on Thursday.

Christine is gradually finding takers for her spare jumble etc.

28 March

As Judy cancelled her space at Ela's class this morning I was able to sign up. No idea where some of the people were - I think they book a space and therefore block others but then don't turn up. Annoying.

Although the day started out quite chilly and foggy, it gradually brightened up. Gilda came over and we went for a walk to Keston Ponds (with a bus journey for the boring bits on the busy roads!). By the time we got to the ponds, the sky was blue and beautiful.

Rather than go out for lunch with Gilda, I'd made a chicken and apple curry which we ate outside to enjoy the nice weather.

Gilda's decided she'd like to try and grow some veg this year for the first time so she went home armed with some French bean seeds and a potato grow bag.

Managed to speak to Dad's accountant after lunch and am now happy that he doesn't need to complete a tax return.

Ordered some bird food for Mum. The banks have upgraded their security processes but it seems the firm that process the payments for RSPB don't comply with the new regime so RSPB cannot accept credit card payments on line. They are working on it apparently.

Did a bit of gardening - nothing major, just a bit of deadheading, cleaning bird baths, sweeping the path and patio but it looks a bit tidier. I had a shadow in the form of Oli and/or Whitelegs for most of the time.

29 March

The forecast was for rain so I set off early (woken by my furry alarm!) for a walk with the idea of being back home to go to the tip with Jonathon at 8 a.m. Happily, he got up while I was out walking and did the tip run before I got back. As the traffic was light, he managed to get home before me.

Mark came over for lunch - my last birthday lunch for 2022. We went to Xi'an (yum) then back home for a good chat and a look at his skiing photos while Teresa did the cleaning.

I finished the last few steps strolling round the garden. Good to see the acers starting to leaf up.

30 March

Woke up feeling a bit grotty after a bad night's sleep but still went to body pump while Jonathon did another tip run (just about caught up now - until I start pruning and taking all the dead Spring bulb stuff out of the garden!)

Went for a walk when the weather cheered up a bit. Horses still have their blankets on - I didn't think it was quite that cold (they go into the stables at night). I felt a lot better after my walk.

Created some thank you posters and flyers for Christine. She raised £3,346.50 from her jumble sale / donations - a great result and the money has already been paid over to the Disasters Emergency Committee for Humanitarian Relief in Ukraine.

Had my hair cut ready for going back to work next week. It's now short again.

Tried (unsuccessfully) to speak to Yorkshire Building Society to sort out Mum and Dad's ISAs. I've received a notice from YBS that their rates had gone up but the letters that Mum and Dad received reflect the earlier rates and I don't want them to miss out.

Went to Bromley theatre with Gilda in the evening. It was excellent!

Jonathon went to Piano Smithfield to photograph a show. He really enjoyed that as well so a good evening all round.

The Covid numbers in our area went through 21,000 today and still appear to be climbing steeply. Apparently we have to treat it like flu - stay home if we don't feel well but no testing required from 1 April and no free testing kits to be provided.

31 March

March went out like a lion! We had hailstorms and strong, biting winds. I waited until the storms had passed before going out for a walk but it was really sold across the fields. The sunshine was very deceptive!

Did a Covid test this morning because I was very snuffly. It was negative and I suspect the snuffling was because Oli spent most of last night on my bed.

Got the forms filled in for Mum and Dad's ISAs - they are now on their way north. Carole will be at Aspin Oval on Saturday so she'll check they are happy with the forms and get them to sign then deliver them to Yorkshire Building Society by hand on Monday.

Jo's daughter, Jenny, was on ITV London news talking about the problems with Visas, Permits to Travel etc. when trying to help Ukranian people come to the UK. We missed it so will need to catch up tomorrow.

1 April

Jo and I went for a lovely walk today. We took the train to Herne Hill and explored various parks in that area. All new territory for me and good to see the variety of both parks / gardens and housing / businesses. We saw this poster in the Brixton area which made me smile.

Our first stop was Brockwell Park, a large park in Lambeth Borough. Very well kept with a lovely walled garden. From there we went to Loughborough Park, smaller but still nice and then to Wyck Gardens (near Loughborough Junction station). There was a lovely Community Cafe at Wyck Gardens where we stopped for a very welcome hot drink. It was really cold with frequent snow showers and a biting wind!

Our next park was Ruskin Park where we followed the Ruskin tree trail that a local group had created. It was fun trying to find the right trees and then reading the short essays that they had allocated to each of the six stops.

Our final stop was Sunray Gardens followed by lunch at the Dulwich Picture Gallery cafe and home.

Pauline is taking them for their 4th Covid jab (second booster) on Friday which is good looking at the way the numbers are increasing. Although the graph is for our region, the pattern is pretty similar across the country.

Jonathon and I went for a walk. Our intention was to go to Croft Tea Room but when we got there it was closed because Louis has Covid so we went to Pret at Nugent Retail Centre instead.

Whilst there, we bought a few ready meals for Jonathon for when I'm at work (M&S) and a pair of summer shoes and a pair of walking boots for me (both Clarks). By the end of the day, Jonathon had walked more than 12,000 steps.

4 April

Started today with Ela's class then had a nice, relaxing morning. Amelie and Mike came round and brought us some birthday cake - very yummy.

Gilda joined Jonathon and me for lunch at A Mano then she and I had a quick walk but didn't go far.

Caroline had a lot of spare bread so we went to Priory Gardens to give it to the birds. They seemed to appreciate it.

Carole phoned to let me know I'd filled in the wrong forms for the ISAs. She now has the right ones and she and Gareth will complete them.

Mum and Dad had their second booster jabs.

5 April

Back to work today and a meeting already in the diary for this morning so I got up and went into London. As the trains were behaving I had a nice walk alongside the Thames rather than going straight into the office. Met my new colleague, Shane, who joined while I was taking my month off.

Jonathon had gone out to do a photo shoot in Brixton by the time I got home so I didn't see him at all today. Just like it used to be pre-Covid.

Mum said both she and Dad were very tired today after their jabs yesterday. Hopefully they'll be back on form tomorrow.

Carole and Gareth filled in the replacement forms for Mum and Dad's ISAs - hopefully these ones will do the trick.

6 April

The tulips survived the frost!

Went for a walk before work to make sure I got a few steps done then spent the rest of the day in the City. Sitting on the 23rd floor when it's snowing and thundering is an interesting experience.

Met Nicola for lunch and sorted out the iPhone for her. She's decided she needs to keep the phone for now because her home internet is very dodgy so she uses the phone as a hotspot.

That's it for this page ....