7 April

Thursday is my rest and relax day now I'm back at work. Oli, of course, had other ideas so no lie in for me. I'd already been woken up by the storm at 3 a.m. and Oli had come to get some comfort then so I didn't get too much sleep!

I did some shopping at Tesco. Teresa came to do some more spring cleaning and I went out for a walk so I wasn't under her feet. It was incredibly windy but at least I didn't get wet.

Chris and Hilary (opposite neighbours) came back from holiday and collected their Amazon delivery. Will came to wash the windows. His prices will be going up from next month - hardly surprising with cost of everything rising.

Spent some time in my shed, tidying up the geraniums and planting the Apache potatoes.

8 April

Jo called round so Jonathon and Coco could have a mutual admiration session before going on our Friday walk. We stayed local today and spent quite a lot of the walk throwing Coco'c ball for her - she loves galloping after it and is quite good a dropping it for us to throw again. There were lots of other dogs around so she had a lovely walk (as did Jo and I).

We met up again in the evening (without Coco) to go to the Churchill Theatre at Bromley to watch "Midnight Train to Georgia" where Jonathon was working. Hayley was on fine form and the show was as brilliant as I'd remembered it.

9 April

Fay's class as normal - there were only 9 of us today so nowhere to hide!

My main activity was leading a group walk. There were supposed to be eight of us but three called in sick, one with confirmed Covid, the other two not feeling well, and Jo is now on her way to France to collect (and look after) the Ukrainian dog, Lucky, until her 3 week stay in the EU is complete.

Our walk was Lewisham - Blackheath - Greenwich and, as we had no dogs with us, we could go through the pretty flower gardens at Greenwich which was a real treat.

After lunch it was supposed to be an easy journey home but a trespasser on the line near Lewisham put paid to that and we had to catch the 208 bus that took an age to get to Orpington.

Unfortunately, Jonathon was trying to get to Blackheath which meant changing at Lewisham so he was crawling along on a 208 bus going in the opposite direction.

I went to join him in the evening for a concert by the London Soul Choir (trains were working again by then). Jonathon was there by invitation as the photographer and I was lucky enough to get a comp ticket.

10 April

Usual Sunday. I surprised myself by getting up in time to go to body pump after a late night last night. I definitely didn't have time to do anything in the gym beforehand and I'd cancelled my attendance just in case! There were plenty of spaces so that wasn't a problem.

Church was next on my agenda. Quite a few singers were away either on holiday or with Covid. Shana, one of my fellow singers, is in hospital. She has an extremely stressful job and I think it's just all got a bit too much for her. Her mum, Bing, was singing with us and did really well until I asked how she was. She is so worried about Shana (understandable) but was going to see her this afternoon.

We had our first rhubarb of the season for dinner - really tasty.

Went to check on Jo's flat then caught up with yesterday's paper and started on today's before Skype with Mum and Dad. Both seem to be same as normal - as OK as can be in the circumstances.

Got some gardening done - potatoes are now out of the shed as no frost forecast for a few days and a few bushes tidied up. Also got the grass cut so that looks a bit tidier.

Had a chat with Christine. She's waiting for one more collection and then she'll have got rid of all the stuff that didn't sell at her jumble sale.

Went for a quick walk in the dark to finish my steps, finished reading the paper and watch the last episode of The Iprcress Files.

11 April

Started the day with Ela's class - she's so tough!

Gilda came over and we went for a 2 hour walk. Good to see the boating pond was being filled up for the season - hopefully it was not go green and slimy this year. Our walk took us through parkland, alongside the river, across a field and along some country lanes. It was a lovely day!

Jonathon called David Wood - a friend from York and now one of my professional advisers at work. David has long Covid so they were comparing notes and Jonathon was giving him some tips, including "don't give into it, but fight it!"

I didn't know how long that call would last so, rather than book a table at a restaurant, I cooked and we had dinner at home in the garden - very sociable.

Enjoyed the sunshine and did the puzzles in The Times then did a bit of gardening before the temperature started to drop and it was time to come back inside. I'm really pleased with how the front garden is looking at the moment.

12 April

Started today with a "sanity" walk before heading to the City for the day. The sunrise was spectacular and there was loads of pretty blossom around.

Work kept me busy all day so the time flew by. Met with Mark at lunchtime at Comptoir Libanais - the food was good but the service was very slow.

Teresa couldn't come to do the cleaning because her cat had been in a fight and she had to take her to the vet. She's hoping to come tomorrow instead.

13 April

Body pump followed by work for me.

When I got home Jonathon was on a two and a half hours Zoom call with people from the American Association of Woodturners (AAW) to go through some pieces for a competition.

Daddy Fox has lost half his tail. He seems to have perked up since the weekend when it was dangling so perhaps getting rid of the damaged part has made life a bit easier for him. I've been in contact with the fox expert at a local wildlife rescue centre and they say it's quite normal, just to keep an eye on him.

Teresa came - her cat needed a stitch but seems OK apart from that. Apparently it's something that happens about once a year (territory scraps) ane her cat seems to get caught up in it all.

Lovely sunset to end the day!

14 April

Catch up day with washing and other such exciting things. Popped into Jo's on the way to Sainsbury's. All was fine with her flat - we've only got two more days of keeping an eye on it because she's due back late on Saturday.

Jonathon did a Covid test - it was negative so his snuffles are either a cold or hay fever.

Was pleased to see how well the self-seeded forget-me-nots have colonised the section of the gravel path that I allowed them to invade. It looks like a shimmer of blue along there now.

On the other side of the garden there's a bed full of bluebells - I love Spring!

Went for a walk with Jonathon, alongside the River Cray, round St. Mary Recreation Ground and then to Croft Tea Rooms for dinner. It's the first time we've had dinner there and it was very tasty. We had a stroll round Priory Gardens to make sure all OK before calling in the The Orpington for pudding (ice cream) on the way home.

Spent the rest of the day in the garden, tidying up the strawberry beds and weeding the patio while Jonathon worked on some photos for the producer of Midnight Train to Georgia.

15 April

The Covid numbers are on their way back down, thank goodness.

Oli decided it was getting up time earlier than my alarm was set so I had plenty of time to go get my paper, have breakfast and do a load of washing before heading off for the first church service of the day. The service was low key and very moving - the first Good Friday service I'm aware of at St. John's.

The second service was in the market place - open air and very different to the one at church. It was well attended but there weren't many choir members. I couldn't sing at St. John's and in the choir so I had to choose.

I spent the afternoon in the garden, clearing up around the pond and tightening up the net to make the pond itself a bit clearer. It looks better now but there's still more work to do.

16 April

Fay's HiiT class set me up nicely for the day.

I was surprised to see Sainsbury's didn't have any mango or pineapple for the second day in a row. Even more surprised (but pleased) to find that when Jonathon went down later in the day both were available - perhaps I was just too early.

I had a wander round the garden with my camera before dinner to make the most of the lovely sunny weather.

I met up with Netta, Marcia and a few others for a walk around Scadbury Park in the afternoon. Marcia's daughter, Kirsty, runs a local Wellbeing Walking group and today was one of her walks. Netta has a foster child at the moment - a four year old boy. He was really well behaved and managed the whole walk.

While I was out, Jonathon was trying to fix the internet that appeared to have given up for some reason or another. It was back in action soon after I got back.

17 April

Easter Sunday and a very busy day today!

Body pump then the usual rush around to get to church on time for the service. There were quite a few of Music Group singing and more in the congregation than I've seen for a long time so all good. As usual, we filled the cross with daffodils - it looks lovely when it's done!

The supermarkets are closed today so finding my newspaper was a bit trickier than normal. Jonathon tried the local newsagent in the High Street but they'd sold out of The Times. I went to the newsagent near the station after church and got the last copy from there.

No Skype today because Mum and Dad were waiting for the District Nurse to come and see Dad and they weren't sure of timing.

Did a load of gardening after dinner - finally finished clearing round the pond area but didn't finish until 6.30 p.m. by which time Jonathon had gone to a photo shoot.

Carol (from church) went to see Shana in hospital this afternoon so caught up with her in the evening then reported back to John (Music Group leader).

Phoned Christine for a catch up. She's getting a bit fed up with people cancelling their milk with very little notice which means she has surplus. and no real way to get rid of it.

At the end of all that, I'd still not done my steps so I had to have a quick trot round. I finally got to sit down and write this at 9 p.m. Hopefully tomorrow will be a little bit less busy!

18 April

Monday morning gym class - Ela was surprised that any of us had turned up on a bank holiday but, for those of us who don't work on Mondays, bank holidays don't mean much!

I've subscribed to Freddie's Flowers recently and received the first delivery today. Very pretty flowers and they come with a suggestion how to arrange them which is helpful. I won't get them every week - hopefully, they'll last longer than a week anyway.

Had a Skype call with Mum and Dad. Dad seems to be quite muddled at the moment but still pretty cheerful.

The afternoon was spent gardening and then I did my first swan watch shift of the year. Carol, Caroline and her grandchildren and Pebbie all came along to join me and the hour went really quickly. Thankfully there were no hooligans but there was a lot of rubbish in the pond that Dennis kindly removed.

19 April

Did a Tesco shop for stuff that could be carried home then did a load of gardening. Tidied up the pots and put some more compost on them, cleaned the greenhouse to get it ready for this year's tomatoes. As usual one of the panes shattered so I had to clear that up. Thankfully, we have a spare one from last year.

Went to the garden centre to get some more compost, grow bags, tomato plants and a couple of pelargoniums. Jonathon brought all that lot home (via Sainsbury's to stock up on some of the heavy stuff) while I walked back home to get my steps done.

Met Gilda at the Orchard Theatre in Dartford in the evening to see "Chicago" - rescheduled from 2020.

20 April

The light was lovely when I went for a walk before work this morning. It was catching the chestnut tree just right and I was really pleased to get this photo.

Work was as usual. I'd seen something in The Times about landlords being forced to let shops that had been empty for 6 months or more by some kind of rental auction. Apparently there'll be more detail in the Queen's speech in May but it sounds like we need to know about it.

Got out for a short walk at lunch time and then walked to the West End after work to meet up with Jo and Gilda.

Jo seems to be recovering well from her stressful week and is happy that Lucky the dog is now with his Ukrainian family and no longer her responsiblity.

"& Juliet" was completely bonkers but very high energy, funny and well worth seeing. We all enjoyed it.

While we were at the theatre, Jonathon was at Clock House with his camera

21 April

Oli and I had a long lie in this morning - it was about 8.15 a.m. before we got up! In my defence, I was reading my book from about 7 a.m. but Oli looked so comfy I didn't want to disturb him.

My main job for this morning was tidying up around the fruit cage. Peter and Mary, next door, had their trees lopped earlier in the week so there was a bit of tidying up to do but their tree men had done a pretty good job all in all.

One of my friends asked me to post a photo of my shed a few years after the original photos when it was first built. This was to show whether it was tidy or not. I'm a naturally tidy person so no problem!

Gilda arrived around 1 p.m. and we went to Churchill Theatre for our third theatre trip this week. Today's show was "Looking Good Dead". It was excellent - really tense with plenty of twists and turns.

I went for a quick walk round Poverest to finish my steps and then Jonathon and I caught up with some TV - it's the first night we've both been in this week!

22 April

Squeezed a quick walk in before work. The spiraea and yellow rose in our front garden are looking lovely.

We received an unsolicited letter from Aspire asking if we'd be interested in selling our house, together with numbers 4 and 6, to be redeveloped into a 60-70 bed care home. Needless to say, we won't be taking it any further.

Went to Cote for lunch with Mark. They've changed the recipe for their tarte au citron - really yummy!

Jonathon went out to a gig in the evening and I had a nice, quiet night in.

23 April

The morning started with washing and ironing, getting my paper and other such exciting things! Fay's class was good. I did most of my steps on the treadmill because I wasn't sure when I'd have time otherwise.

I cut the grass after dinner - the last time until early June as we observe "No Mow May" - and got things ready for our visitors.

Amelie, Shreena and Mike came round. Shreena and Mike helped Jonathon with the garden umbrella while Amelie and I got on with a list of jobs, including feeding the fish, filling up the bird feeders and planting - potatoes (Desiree main crop), sunflowers, courgettes and French beans. Amelie's favourite job on her list was "drink and cake". J and I were going to put the "lid" back on the fruit cage but it was far too windy so that will have to wait for another day.

24 April

Got up early and delivered the newsletters to a local street then went for a "wake up" walk. It was lovely and peaceful - only the birds and me, not even any dog walkersat that time on a Sunday. The local Morrisons (mini shop) was open so got my paper to save me a job later on.

Did body pump with Shreena and then went to church. It was Charlie's last service and, as Jennifer is on holiday, he took the service. It was a lot more relaxed than when Jennifer's in charge. Charlie has been our youth pastor for the last three years - I don't know what we would have done without him during Lockdown as he was instrumental in getting the services etc. on line.

Jonathon disappeared about 12 o clock to go do a photo shoot at Toulouse Lautrec - same place as he was on Friday night. While he was out, I managed to get the "lid" on the fruit cage (plenty of stretching exercises required!) and netted the strawberries.

Had the usual Sunday Skype call with Mum and Dad. Dad seems to be getting quite forgetful and slow but still seems to enjoy coming onto the Skype calls while Mum and I chatter away.

Christine had some "exciting" news, but not necessarily of the kind you want to hear. Seems one of the rich farmers in one of the villages near Pocklington has died suddenly. There are various rumours going around as to whether he killed himself, died of a heart attack or was murdered by somebody trying to steal some of his diesel. No doubt there'll be an inquest and the truth will come out in due course.

25 April

Started with gym and Ela's class - it was good to see Janet back at the Walnuts having had a year elsewhere.

Gilda came in her lovely, new car and we went for a walk through Crofton and Sparrow Woods. It was very dry underfoot most of the time, just the odd muddy patch to avoid.

Either side of dinner, Jonathon and Gilda played with her "new toy", to make sure Gilda knows which button does what. They managed to get her phone paired etc. so she's all set.

26 April

Frosty but lovely and sunny walk before work.

Work was relatively busy (I had enough to keep me out of mischief) and I managed to get out for a walk at lunchtime.

Jonathon cooked dinner for himself (an omelette) . It doesn't happen very often and he was very pleased with his efforts!

27 April

Got up early enough to go to body pump then off I went to work. It was really busy today - I didn't even manage to go for a walk at lunch time - just a quick trip across the road to Marks and Spencer for a salad and straight back to my desk.

Met Nicola for dinner after work (Thai Square). Very busy in the restaurant - they were even turning people away. It's a long time since I've been out in the City that late at night!

Jonathon was also out. He was in Smithfield Piano Bar, one of his regular haunts, with his camera.

Shocking news today in that someone was shot in Orpington, just off the High Street. There are all sorts of stories doing the rounds but the latest is that it was a drive by shooting - awful. The victim was taken to hospital and I've heard this evening that he's died whereas the Evening Standard said his injuries weren't life threatening. No doubt we'll find out more over the next few days.

28 April

Did some shopping then met Mark at the station and off we went for a walk. Today's itinerary was alleyway to Crofton Woods, alleyway from there to Newstead and Darrick Woods then the marked walk around there and into Tubbenden Meadows.

Teresa came and finished the spring cleaning so that's all done for another year.

Jonathon joined Mark and me for lunch at Xi'an then Mark went home. Jonathon decided to set off early for his gig at Cecil Sharp House in London because there was apparently some delay caused by somebody hitting a railway bridge earlier in the day. As I was going to the garden centre I gave him a lift to the station and filled Shaun up on the way home. He now needs Super Unleaded petrol because the new "recipe" for ordinary unleaded won't work for him with him being so old. Shaun also had a good clean inside and out (by me!) so he now looks like a car again instead of the van we tend to use him as.

The plants in pots need to be regularly watered at the moment. We've had hardly any rain for several weeks now. The clematis seem to be enjoing the extra attention and are starting to flower very prettily.

I went to our local residents association meeting in the evening (at the Cricketers). Seven of the candidates for the local elections were in attendance to state their case and answer questions. Some were more impressive than others and at least I can cross a couple off the list as potentials for me to vote for. As the election is next week, we really need to fill in our postal voting forms and get them sent off so that's a job for tomorrow.

29 April

After a late night last night (the meeting didn't finish until 22.40), I had a bit of a sleep in. Popped to Tesco to get some shopping and finished the blanket for Jo's Ukrainian dog friend so I could give it to her when she came round for our weekly walk.

We cut through Covet Wood on our way to Petts Wood and had a good walk around. The bluebells were lovely and most of the paths were dry with only the occasional patches of mud to negotiate. Finally, we skirted Crofton Wood then went home.

Jonathon's Mum emailed to tell him that his Dad is in hospital with bronchial pneumonia which sounds horrible. Apparently Jonathon and David aren't expected / allowed to visit because visiting is limited.

We had to water the fruit and veg beds again because we've still not had any rain. With frost forecast, I've put a fleece tent over my early potatoes. The second earlies are earthed up and the main crop aren't peeping through yet so I'm hoping they'll all survive.

Jonathon went off to Smithfield Piano Bar to do another night of photography.

30 April

Fay's class then we went to Penshurst Place for a craft fair. We used to go every year but, obviously, haven't been for the last two years so it was good to be back. We bought cheese, apple juice and cider mainly.

We gave Jonathon's car a clean when we got home then Oli decided it was a good vantage point to watch me gardening in the front garden.

Finished my daily steps in Poverest Park and Covet Wood.

1 May

Today started with a lovely photo from Yulia showing Lucky enjoying his new blanket. I'm so pleased he finds it snuggly.

I went to body pump but not to church (Communion service). That meant we could go to lunch at Chapter One (delicious as always). It's better to go around 12.30 p.m. if possible because it's a lot easier to park.

Jo came round at 4 p.m. so we could go to The Orchard Theatre with Jonathon to see the Chicago Blues Brothers Band's show. Jonathon likes to get to the shows for the sound check and he wanted to catch up with Chris (the boss of the show) between sound check and performance.

As we had gone so early, Jo and I went for a walk through Princes Park and round Brooklands Lake before heading back to the theatre for the show. Before lockdown this was one of our more regular shows so it was lovely to see it again. Biddy, main female singer, has recently left the band and was replaced by Megan last night. She was really good - hard to believe she's only 19. Jonathon was called on stage at the end and introduced to the audience.

Janet emailed to say that Brian is now in a normal ward but the medics have found another "significant condition" - no idea what that means but it doesn't sound good.

2 May

Bank Holiday today so no 7 a.m. class. Instead, Judy, Janet and I met at the gym and did our own version of circuits, with input from Ela as she was on duty anyway. We did 1quite well, even if I do say so myself.

Had a Skype call with Mum and Dad. They didn't have much news.

Met Netta, Kyron and Miro and went for a walk. The route I had planned would have gone too close to where Kyron's parents live so we had to have a rethink as Netta has been asked not to go there. We found another playpark for Kyron so he had a good time on swings, slides etc. No photos allowed because he's fostered.

Swan watch duty was at 4 p.m. as usual. Towards the end of my shift, a lad brought a dog into the park. Although it was on a lead, it was not under control so I had a chat with him. Unfortunately, that meant I missed seeing the thugs killing a moorhen and posing for photos with it. Julie saw them as she entered the park to take over (her shift follows mine).

Had a chat with Christine but she didn't have any news either.

3 May

I focussed on blue /purple and white flowers on my walk today - I was surprised how many there were.

Work wasn't busy this morning so that gave me plenty of time to sort out the photos on my phone. I never seem to find time to do it at home!

The afternoon was busier because I found something I could be getting on with so the time went a bit faster.

Work has asked that we continue to do a Covid test once a week and have now provided us with test kits so I did one tonight (negative).

We had a tiny bit of rain today - thank goodness - we still need a lot more!

4 May

I met Shreena on her way to body pump. Oli had tried to follow me but I don't want him to go as far as the High Street so I was carrying him back home. I managed to get to the gym on time to join the class.

Did a detour past the Tower of London on the way to work. It's a long time since I've seen the stretch between the River and the Tower that quiet but it gave me a chance to take a photograph of the empty benches.

My lunchtime walk also went past the Tower but on the other side. The pathways are in place for the walk through the wild flower meadows to celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee. Our tickets are already bought so it will be interesting to see what it looks like when the flowers grow (hope they pop up in time!)

In the late afternoon we had RAIN! I got very wet going home and Jonathon got very wet going to his photo shoot but the garden really needed the rain so I was more than happy to see it.

5 May

I went to Sainsbury's via Priory Gardens. Coconut, one of the white Indian runner ducks, has been missing since Saturday night / Sunday morning and the team are worried about her because she was limping last time she was seen. Unfortunately, I didn't find her - only Ice and Rolo, her companions.

Jonathon and I had tickets to go see "Canaletto's Venice", an exhibition at the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich. We are member so didn't have to pay. The exhibition was excellent.

While we were there, we noticed that the Astonomy Photographer of the Year exhibition was still running so we popped into to see that as well. There were a few sections that we really liked and some that left us cold. There was a large screen at one end where we could choose a favourite and take a selfie so that's just what we did.

We had a snack lunch underneath the keel of Cutty Sark - one of our favourite venues for coffee etc.

Having got home and enjoyed the sunny weather and a pot of tea in the garden for a while, I did a load more weeding under close supervision from Oli and the three guardians. The Forget-me-nots were a lot harder to weed out of the path than I expected but I got there in the end.

6 May

Still no sign of Coconut and still no "ripe and ready" soft fruit at Sainsbury's.

Met Jo for our usual Friday walk. It was a beautiful, sunny day but not too hot so perfect for walking. We prowled round Newstead and Darrick Woods.

Will came to clean the windows (he can't half talk!) and I did a bit of gardening. It's good to see some of the sunflower seeds starting to peep through.

The local election results were announced. Conservatives got back in for Bromley Borough, albeit with a smaller majority.

It's Mark's birthday today so I went to join him for dinner at Amerigo Vespucci in Canary Wharf. It's a new restaurant to both of us and very nice it was too. Jonathon didn't join us because he was at Toulouse Lautrec with his camera.

Carole messaged to let me know that Mum had had a fall. Nothing broken but she's very bruised, stiff and shaken.

7 May

Covid numbers are coming down quite nicely.

Gym class was with Jim today. Much gentler than Fay but I still came out of the class feeling like I'd done exercies. There was a lot more running involved so I was suitably hot and sticky!

A quick shower before meeting Jo, Janet, Veronica and Irene for a walk. We visited South Norwood Country Park, South Norwood Lake and Grounds and Crystal Palace Park. It was completely new territory for most of them and they seemed to really enjoy it.

I phoned Mum to check in. She says she's feeling a bit easier today but very tired and still struggling to put any weight on her right leg. She's using Dad's spare walking trolley to get around and Carole is doing an amazing job keeping her eye on them.

Jonathon went off to Toulouse Lautrec again (shooting a private party this evening).

8 May

Shreena has started a new HIIT class so I went to that. It was really hard with focus on cardio and abs. I didn't do body pump as well - that would have been too much. The timing worked much better.

Church was led by the Cubs today. It's the start of Christian Aid week soon so that was the focus of the service.

Got the veg beds weeded so they look a bit tidier.

Skype didn't happen because Mum couldn't get the computer to switch on. She phoned instead. She's still very stiff and sore and getting impatient because she's not getting better faster enough.

Carole went round to see them later in the afternoon and said the computer was fine - it was just the plug wasn't in properly.

Had a chat with Christine. She's busy organising the village celebrations for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee on 2 June.

9 May

Ela seems to make us work harder every week! At least this week Judy, Janet and I had a treat to look forward at the end of it because Jo invited us all round for breakfast.

Dug up some Lily of the Valley and potted them up for Gilda to take home - she only came for lunch today because she had a Zoom meeting this morning. We went to Masale Dabbas and Jo came with us (as did Jonathon). Jo has often said she doesn't like Indian food but Masala Dabbas is a cut above the rest and, unsurprisingly, she really enjoyed her salmon. Gilda and I both had biriyani - Yum!

A quick check in my shed told me that the courgettes are starting to peep through as are a couple of the French beans and most of the sunflowers. Seems we should have some veggies to eat this year (providing the slugs don't get there first).

I did my usual Swan Watch patrol. No trouble but quite a bit of litter to be picked up so I had plenty to do for the time I was there - I also had a chat with a few people to explain about the birds etc.

Pauline phoned to update me re Mum (Mum was in A&E at the time). Carole then messaged to say that Mum hadreturned home. She has broken a small bone in her pelvis area (no wonder she was in pain). Carole is trying to persuade Dad to go into respite care for a couple of weeks to give Mum time to recover. They are going to see a care home tomorrow and take it from there.

10 May

Did a Covid test (negative) then went for my usual Tuesday pre-work walk.

Ulrike asked me (again) if I would extend my contract - I suggested she should have a think about my salary /pay rise.

Met Gilda after work and went to The Churchill Theatre in Bromley to see "A Murder is Announced". Jonathon went to Toulouse Lautrec with his cameras.

While we were doing that, Carole was busy getting Dad settled into Manor House Care Home in Knaresborough and Pauline was helping with Mum. All I had to do was pay the invoice when I got home after Bromley.

11 May

The Covid numbers are coming down - perhaps fewer people are testing / reporting now that the test are no longer free from the NHS.

Work was boringly quiet but Nigel had spotted a lunchtime concert so we went to that. The music was lovely, the pianist, Olga Stezhko, was amazing and Saint Olave's church is a beautiful setting.

Dad seems to be settling in at Manor House and Mum is getting a good rest so hopefully she'll be on the mend before too long.

Met Nicola for dinner at Rajasthan II then enjoyed the sunset whilst walking back to the station alongside the Thames.

Teresa came to do the cleaning (she wasn't well on Tuesday). I did some gardening, under close supervision. Quite why Oli thought laying on the weeds would help me get them out of the garden I don't know.

Jonathon and I went to the Orpington for ice cream and a drink then I went off to do an extra Swan Watch shift. By the time I got home, Jonathon had gone into town with his cameras.

I spent the evening catching up with admin and sorting payments out for Mum and Dad.

13 May

Tescos then I met up with Jo and we went to Beckenham Place Park for a lovely stroll around. We took quite a while to walk all the way around, including a couple of drink stops and a lot of dog stroking. Jo didn't have Coco so we were dog-less.

The park has lots of different parts to it - a couple of lakes, a river, woodland and grassland. It also has a small-ish formal garden which looked lovely with the Spring flowers.

14 May (no photos today)

Did Fay's new class and really enjoyed it then pounded away on the treadmill for a while.

Made a roast dinner (Jonathon had bought some eggs so Yorkshire puddings seemed like a good idea!)

Jonathon worked on his photos from the last few evenings as well as some for Chicago Blues Brothers (for promo work) while I did lots of gardening in and finished my steps for the day.

Phoned Dad but he didn't really want to talk long because the FA Cup Final was on. Liverpool won on penalties in the end.

On to the next page ....