2022 Out of Lockdown Diary - Page 26

20 September

I went to the gym and did a treadmill walk rather than wander around locally before work.

Work was quite busy (as usual for a Tuesday) but I still had time for a short walk at lunchtime.

Jonathon did a bit of running around - bags to the tip, Sainsbury's, double grass cutting etc. The grass doesn't look too bad after such a dry summer but the area under the big fir tree has no grass left - instead it has lots of pine needles. I'll have to think what to do with that bit.

The pond was still not quite right but did appear to be a bit more in balance today.

21 September

I managed body pump with Shreena this morning before heading to work. Had a nice walk over Tower Bridge on the way in to set me up for the day.

Had a second riverside walk at lunch time and a wander round St. Katharine Docks.

Met Jonathon at St. Martin in the Field to go to a Lisa Canny concert. She's a red-headed Irish singer who plays banjo, harp and guitar - great musician. We left at half time because the Chief Exec of the church seemed to think there were too many photographers.

22 September

Tabata was hard this morning but I survived.

Jonathon took the last of the garden sacks to the tip so I started filling them again by scarifying the grass. I got about 4 sacks of grass out then mowed it again and it's all ready for Autumn.

Jonathon tested the pond again today and it seems it's back in balance so I got some fish food from Tesco and fed them a very few sticks. They seem to be a bit more lively now so hopefully we won't lose any more.

23 September

I was surprised that Jo hadn't been to Elmstead Wood so that was the first stop in our walk today. We followed the Butterfly trail half way round then wandered along the path to go to Chinbrook Meadows. Desmond Tutu used to work in Grove Park (where Chinbrook is) and there is a Peace Garden there with a beautiful chair in it. Unfortunately the cafe was closed when we got there so we walked up to Grove Park station for a coffee then headed back, walking the path on the other side of Chinbrook, following the Acorn trail in Elmstead then finishing the Butterfly trail. It was a lovely walk despite the showery weather.

We still hadn't got our ISA transfer confirmed so spoke to Alex at Close Brothers who asked us to speak to HSBC. HSBCs aid they were still waiting for Close so spoke to them again. The deadline is Thursday so it's all getting a bit too tight for comfort. Samantha (works for Alex) is monitoring it closely and both she and Alex are confident it will happen before the deadline. I hope they're right.

We went to Cadogan Theatre (Sloane Square) in the evening for an Illegal Eagles concert. They were brilliant! We persuaded Manicomio to let us have desert and coffee because they weren't busy - yummy. I think we've found the next restaurant to go to with Derek and Maureen.

24 September

Started with Fay's class (having done a few jobs).

Jonathon tested the pond again and all seemed fine so, hopefully, that's the end of those problems (at least for now).

I popped some gardening magazines round to Irene, had my hair cut, bought a couple of birthday cards and some bits from Boots. As Irene lives in Green Street Green, that just about sorted out my steps for the day. The weather wasn't too bad and the clouds and bright sunshine made for an interesting sky.

In the evening, we were back at Cadogan Hall for the second night in a row. This time to see Leo Sayer, a concert that had been rescheduled from 2021. He was brilliant! You'd never think he was 74.

25 September

Usual Sunday morning - Shreena's class, walk, church. It was a lovely morning and the sunflowers in someone's garden were looking spectacular.

Lizzie Howells and her family led the service at church. It was really good to have something different for a change.

We went to The Cricketers for lunch (very tasty).

Got the bird feeders cleaned and refilled - they are eating us out of house and home at the moment. No idea why they're all so hungry when there are so many berries etc. The starlings and great tits seem to have found the grapes so they are making the most of those (and making the windows near the grapevine filthy!)

Sorted out some old gardening equipment for a local charity and let Liz (neighbour) know it was ready for collection. I've also offered her some canes (we have loads) so she'll hopefully take some of those when she comes.

Had the usual Skype call with Mum and Dad - they had no news other than Dad has got various medical appointments lined up.

Christine didn't have any news either.

26 September

Ela's class was really hard this morning.

Gilda came over and we walked the Bear Trail - she was so excited when she found each bear. Jonathon joined us in Chislehurst for lunch at The Chestnut - basic English food, really nicely cooked.

Liz came and collected the garden equipment but there was no way she was going to fit canes (long enough to grow runner beans up) in her Fiesta so I carried those round for her.

James Hardy came to look at the trees that need sorting out near the pond. He'll send quotes through shortly then we can decide what we want to get done and get it booked in. We also asked him to quote for tidying up the pyracantha in January and the conifers that hang over into the bottom of our garden from the neighbours.

Oli liked the fact that I had the shed open and snuggled down in there for a while. I locked up my shed when he decided to leave and come back into the house.

27 September

I knew today would be busy at work so I did my steps in the gym before heading into The City. By the time I left the office it was already starting to get dark so I didn't have time to do a lot after I got home.

Jonathon had gone out to do a photo shoot by the time I got home but he came home earlier than expected so I managed to see him for a little while before I went to bed.

28 September

I had to be at work for an early call today so no gym or walk first (I missed it!).

Work was a nightmare but I don't have to go back until Monday so I can put it behind me for a few days.

We think we've finally got our HSBC ISAs sorted out - we'll find out on Friday (deadline is Thursday).

I managed to get my steps done by the end of the day by going out for a walk at lunchtime and then walking the long way round to meet Nicola for dinner in the evening.

It was really nice to see Tower Bridge "open" as I walked along the side of the Thames - not something I see very often.

29 September

Vicky was in charge of our Tabata class this morning. It was different from the way Ela does it but equally hard. I did a few km on the treadmill before going home so I didn't need to go for a walk today.

Spent the afternoon working in the garden while Teresa was doing the cleaning and Jonathon was sorting out his photos from the show last night.

Went to Kings Place in the evening with Jonathon to see Siobhan Miller's concert. She has a lovely voice. Jonathon was her photographer for the show. London looked very pretty all lit up.

30 September

Decided to go to the gym and do some cardio today. The classes I've been doing concentrate more on strength and toning and, since Covid, I seem to be putting weight on more than before so I need to do something to address that. Caught up with Janet and her sister, Vivienne, so that was good.

Jo and Coco came up and we went for a walk through Poverest Park, Covet Wood, Petts and Hawkwood Estate. It was a nice walk but I could tell I was wearing walking boots instead of sandals - it felt like I had lead weights on my feet and that's with my lightweight boots. We were home well before the rain started.

Gilda came over and she, Jonathon and I went to the Churchill Theatre to see The Commitments - rescheduled from 2020. It was as enjoyable and lively as we remembered from when we saw it in the West End a few years ago.

1 October

Fay's class was my main activity for this morning. It was pretty tough but I was pleased when Fay said she thought my core was getting stronger. I pounded on the treadmill for a while after the class to make sure I got my steps done for the day.

This afternoon's main activity was Janet's tea party. She hadn't told us that it was her birthday but Judy knew so that meant we all did so we went armed with cards! Judy had bought Janet a birthday hat and made her a lovely birthday cake. Janet had made a whole load of yummy cupcakes. There were ten of us in total (all gym girl friends) and we had a really good time catching up and comparing notes.

Jonathon was supposed to be going out to do some photographing tonight but the RMT, ASLEF, TSAA and Unite unions were all on strike. As a result, we had no trains so he had to stay at home.

2 October

No church today so treadmill then body pump with Shreena. I went for a walk via the Co-op to get my paper. The ponds in Priory Gardens and the River Cray are all really low - we definitely need more rain. The false Autumn continues and there are more acorns than I ever remember seeing in earlier years. They'll be finished by the time the birds and squirrels need them so they're likely to have a tough winter.

Jonathon went to collect our order from Sainsbury's and fill his car up ready to go North next Friday.

I did more pruning in the afternoon, both before and after Skype. Jonathon helped with some of the higher up bits. Mum and Dad have now had both their Covid booster and their flu jabs so they're all set for winter.

Had a chat with Christine - Gordon's very busy getting everything planted etc. and Christine's running around doing all sorts of stuff in the village.

3 October

We all sang Happy Birthday to Jo at the gym this morning. Unfortunately I couldn't go to her birthday breakfast because I had to go to work (trains on strike on Wednesday so worked today instead).

Had a walk alongside the Thames at lunchtime and saw this surpringly black cloud engulfing the top of the Shard.

Met Gilda at The Churchill Theatre to enjoy Strictly Ballroom, the Musical in the evening. She got there out of breath because she'd taken her friend, Alison, to hospital for some treatment on her back and the roads were busy when she was trying to get to Bromley. Silver lining - meant I got a lift home instead of coming home on the train!

4 October

Went to the gym and walked on the treadmill for a while before getting ready for work. Had to go via the doctors because they'd given me an appointment for my flu jab. It was all very efficient - straight in and out - didn't even have time to sit down.

Work was a nightmare! Trying to deal with people who believe whatever comes out of the computer, even when it's clearly wrong, is really frustrating. I think we reached a compromise in the end but it was really hard work.

Mum messaged to say her osteoporosis is getting worse (stronger tablets) and she has a fractured vertebrae. Nothing the doctor can do about her back but they, very "helpfully", suggested she shouldn't fall over again and make it worse!

Jonathon went for his usual visit to Toulouse Lautrec to take some photos so he was already out by the time I got home from work.

Rachel messaged to let me know that she'd contacted some of the people I'd introduced her to and they were being really helpful. I'm pleased she's finally getting round to contacting them.

5 October

I had no side effects from my flu jab other than a bit of a sore arm so all good.

No trains meant a day at home so I could join the gang at the gym this morning for our own made up circuit. I did my steps for the day on the treadmill before going home so I didn't need to go out again.

Instead, I spent most of the rest of the day in the garden pruning (when it wasn't raining). I was well guarded / supervised by Oli and got quite a bit done. Jonathon finished off the very centre bits of the Corylus Contorta (hazel) tree and we got it chopped into bits and into bags for his next trip to the tip.

6 October

Ela's class included jumping onto a box today. I don't really do jumping - hurts my right knee - but I managed to jump onto a step. I can hardly even step up onto the box that some of the class were jumping on to!

From there, a quick shower and over to Petts Wood station to meet Mark to go for a lovely, sunny walk round Jubilee Park. The autumn colours were starting to show and it all looked very pretty.

Jonathon met us at Uskudar in Petts Wood for lunch (yummy). Mark went home for a sleep (he's not reacted well to his latest Covid booster) and we relaxed for a while before heading out to Sadlers Wells to watch Zoonation's "Mixtape". Their skill and energy levels were amazing (as usual).

7 October

I did a load of cardio stuff at the gym before sitting in the car for most of the rest of the day getting to Stone. The journey was really slow with occasional heavy rain to make it even more unpleasant. We booked into the Premier Inn but didn't have time to go to the wood turning seminar to collect our badges so we'll need to do that tomorrow morning when we go. We did manage to get to the local OK Diner for lunch / tea so all was not lost despite the awful journey.

I went for a quick local walk after we'd checked in but the hotel is on an industrial estate, betwen the M6 and the A34, so there's really nowhere interesting to walk in the dark. I'll have another wander round tomorrow morning and see what I can find.

8 October

Set out this morning with no real hope of finding anywhere green to walk so was pleasantly surprised to find a stream, lake and general green area in one part of the industrial estate. I don't think there are many paths in the whole estate I've not prowled down now (and all before breakfast).

The main reason for us being in Staffordshire was to attend the AWGB (Association of Woodturners of Great Britain) seminar. The instant gallery had a really good range of work for us to admire (and buy three pieces) and it was good to catch up with some people we haven't seen since well before lockdown.

We were invited back for an informal dinner in the evening. However, Jonathon wasn't at all well when we got back to the hotel. No idea what he'd come down with but he was very shivery. He had a bath to get rid of the shivers then he was too hot. Covid test was negative so we were confident it was just a bug that he'd picked up.

He went to bed to try and sleep it off and I had a chicken wrap and some crisps from Starbucks for my tea!

9 October

Jonathon was a tiny bit better today but still a long way from being right. He managed a few mouthfuls of rice krispies and a glass of milk. We went to the AWGB seminar to collect the final piece of wood art that we'd bought yesterday (we brought the other two with us yesterday) but J stayed in the car while I popped in and picked it up and handed our lanyards in. I knew he was feeling rough when he let me drive his Audi.

Back at the hotel, I left Jonathon sleeping while I went for a walk. First stop Doxey Marshes Nature Reserve, a very pretty place.

My main aim was Stafford town centre and I got there via a walk alongside the River Sow. I had lunch in a local park overlooking a bowling green - I've definitely had better jacket potatoes and I've never seen them served with crisps before but there's a first time for everything.

Stafford was a strange place. The area by the river was quite busy but the town centre felt dead even for a Sunday lunchtime, despite having a lot of the big named shops there. Marks and Spencer and Primark (with others) were at one end of town, then there was quite a large "gap" between there and the High Street / Market Square where Boots and other big names were based. It was eerily quiet.

I got some bits and pieces from M&S to try and tempt Jonathon to eat something then walked back to the hotel (I'd done my daily steps by the time I got back).

I popped out later to the local Starbucks to get something for tea and some juice (makes a change from cups of tea). The only savoury thing they had that wasn't in bread was a chicken wrap (same as yesterday) so I had one of those again.

By this time, J was a bit brighter and managed to eat the fruit I'd brought from M&S and munch a couple of ginger biscuits with a cup of coffee.

Carole messaged to say she and Gareth had won a golf competition - Mixed Autumn Greensomes - so they had had a good day.

10 October

Up and out early to get my paper and Jonathon's milk before wandering around the estate again. The sunrise was quite dramatic (but short-lived) and it looked like the sun was eating into this industrial unit.

We headed up to Harrogate after breakfast. I drove the motorway part but Jonathon took over when we got outside Leeds because I was getting tired. When we got to the Hotel St. George, I was really glad he was driving because the car park was "cosy" and I wouldn't have been comfortable trying to park in such tight spaces. Needless to say J had no problem at all!

We were too early to check in so went to Pranzo for lunch. It was highly rated on TripAdvisor and lived up to that reputation - very yummy food. J managed a starter but it was quite large so he did well. He's definitely a bit better than yesterday so on the right track.

We bumped into Sarah (she used to work at The Dower House) later in the afternoon and told her about our less than friendly welcome by the receptionist. The receptionist wasn't rude, just quite abrupt and robotic. Sarah will no doubt feed our comments back to those who need to know. The room is quite "corporate" rather than quirky so not what we were expecting but it's comfy enough and has a couple of chairs as well as the beds etc. We were surprised to learn that if we want housekeeping to come in and clean we have to ask specifically otherwise it won't happen. I'm not really sure what we're paying lots of money for.

I went for a quick walk round Harrogate and popped into EE to talk about Mum and Dad's landline / broadband and how best to tackle them. Apparently it needs to be carried out on the phone not in the shop so that will save us a trip to the EE shop in York tomorrow.

11 October

This morning's walk was in Harrogate, taking in part of Valley Gardens (I'll probably go there again tomorrow because it's really close to the hotel).

Jonathon dropped me off at Mum and Dad's but didn't come in to make sure he didn't pass whatever he's had for the last few days onto them. Carole took Dad to the skin clinic and out for lunch while I caught up with the accounts and filing and then took Mum out for lunch. We got to Moorlands but there was a queue and Mum didn't fancy waiting so we went back to Knaresborough for a jacket potato at Hannah's.

I did a bit of gardening while Mum had her sleep then gave her a teach in on her new iPhone. For a first attempt, she did really well on the touch screen.

Jonathon had found a restaurant to try for an early dinner so we went to Vivido's. It was amazing - probably the best salmon pasta I've ever had. So yummy!

12 October

I wandered up to the Stray as part of my early morning walk today. It's a lovely, open, grassy space but there's not a huge amount to photograph!

After breakfast, I went to Knaresborough on the bus to see Mum and Dad. Today's aims were to help Mum with a Morrison's on line order, check her emails and make sure she was managing her new phone and to do some pruning in the garden. Both accomplished, the latter with Dad "supervising" from the sun room to make sure I got it right! Mum's doing really well with her phone, especially as she's not had a touch screen phone before.

I went for a walk alongside the River Nidd while Mum and Dad had their post fish and chips lunch nap then finished all the pruning I could reach and headed back to Harrogate.

Popped into Boots to have a chat with the pharmacist on the way back to see what she could recommend for my swollen / ezcema problem near my mouth that seems to happen every time I head north. She agrees that it appears to be a reaction to something - possibly the water. Vaseline with aloe vera being applied liberally.

As Jonathon and I only had a main course for dinner yesterday, we went back to Vivido for starter and dessert today - very tasty.

13 October

I knew I'd be sitting chatting (or in the car) today so I set off for a nice long walk at 6 a.m. I stuck to the residential streets for the first hour or so because it was too dark to go anywhere else but ventured further afield once it got a bit lighter. I found the pine forest / the walk between Valley Gardens and RHS Harlow Carr which was one aim for today. I'm not sure how I got to this little path or even if I could find it again but it had great views across the dales.

I went back to the hotel via the promenade / collonade in the Valley Gardens. It's very "Harrogate" and I could imagine Agatha Christie and her cronies walking along there. The rising sun lit up the Virginia Creeper beautifully.

I had an SOS from Mum about her new phone so called in to sort her out before we went off to see Angela and then Christine and Gordon. All in reasonably good form (other than Angie's not happy at work).

The walk from Christine's farm to the pub was really pretty - a beautful autumn day and quite warm (i.e. no jacket required).

From there we went to Pocklington to get some bits and pieces (and Jonathon to scour Oxfam for the odd CD he hasn't already got).

Back at the hotel and Jonathon went to Boots to get something for his cough. It was supposedly non-drowsy but he was asleep within 20 minutes of taking the tablets so a good job we'd finished being out for the day.

Julie and Ann had rescued one of the swans and one of the white geese from Priory Gardens (the ponds have hardly any water in them). There was such a backlash from some of the less kind people in the group that Julie has taken the birds back and is now refusing to help with any more rescues. Can't say I blame her. I've also taken myself out of the WhatsApp group.

The window on the right is one I pass every time I go up and down stairs to / from reception. One of many decorative features of the hotel.

14 October

I headed towards Bilton for my walk this morning. It was still dark when I set off (and for more than half the walk) but the sunrise was spectacular. I wouldn't have seen it in all its glory had I not lost the path and had to retrace my steps! The lovely fox bridge was somewhere along the way but I wouldn't like to try and remember where exactly.

Jonathon went up to the cheese shop after breakfast to get a thank you present for Peter and Jenny (and some for us) then we hit the road for the long drive back to Orpington.

The journey wasn't too bad and Oli seemed quite pleased to see us. I dropped the chutney and marmalade round to Daphne (from Christine as a thank you for the jars) while Jonathon delivered the cheese and "thank you"s to P&J.

15 October

Back to normal other than Oli decided to sleep on my bed instead of Jonathon's last night.

The sun was shining beautifully on the way to the gym. The class was tough - you'd think I'd been away for a month rather than a week.

I did most of my steps on the treadmill (the quickest way to get them done) to free up as much time of the day as possible.

By the end of the day, all the holiday washing was done, the garden umbrella was down and inside for the winter, the ironing was caught up with and I'd done a whole load of weeding so those parts of the garden look a lot tidier.

We were really pleased that we managed the umbrella on our own - the last few times Shreena and Mike have come round to help but Jonathon is now strong enough again.

16 October

Shreena's class seemed hard this morning but I survived! Did a few steps on the treadmill then went to get my paper and came home. I felt a bit groggy when I first got up so I did a Covid test (negative). Church after breakfast and shower.

I cooked butter chicken for lunch, Jonathon had seen some sauce packages recently and I used on of those. It was really tasty.

Went for a walk after lunch and met Jonathon at Lopeto Caffe in Priory Gardens. The River Cray and the ponds in PG were as low as I've ever seen them. The birds were all trying to fit into the bit of water that was still there but the swans were rescued and relocated to a safer place a few days ago. The concern was that they wouldn't be able to fly away from danger and there are dogs and foxes in the park. There were a few people who weren't happy about it but it was the best thing for the swans so they'll have to put up with it.

I did a bit of pruning in the front garden when we got home but didn't stay outside long. The nerines are adding a really lovely splash of colour in the back garden and the acers are starting to change colour. Alongside the sedum, that area of the garden is really pretty just now.

Had a chat with Christine but not much news since Thursday.

17 October

Ela's class to start the day and I feel like I'm getting back into the swing of things.

Freddie's flowers were delivered - really pretty, bright pink colours this week so they cheer up the kitchen.

Gilda came over and we went for a walk in Crofton Woods, Darrick & Newstead Woods and Tubbenden Meadows - the autumn colours were lovely.

We met up with Jonathon at Masala Dabbas for dinner. They've brought some of our old favourites back on to the menu so we were very happy. Gilda still had her lamb Hyderbadi biryani - it reminds her of her trips to India.

18 October

Focussed on Cardio in the gym this morning then spent 25 minutes queuing in the post office to post Dad's "resignation" letter to relieve him from being Mum's attorney.

Got the second veg bed weeded so that's all done for the time being.

We had lunch outside - the weather was unseasonably warm - and Oli took full advantage of our being outside. He regularly supervises me in the garden and is very heppy when we are both around and paying him the attention he thinks he deserves.

Tried to create a couple of posters for Christine but one of them didn't seem to work - the logo pixelated when it came to printing - to be sorted out tomorrow.

We went to Dartford theatre in the evening. Normally we would drive there (no direct trains) but there were protestors on the Dartford Crossing (QE2 bridge) so the roads were a complete nightmare so we tried the train instead. It worked OK but meant we were late home even though we left the 10CC concert before the end.

19 October

Oli and I found it hard to get up for the gym class this morning but off I went while he sulked. At least it was the class we make up (Flamingoes) rather than one of the harder ones. Ela is threatening to run an ad hoc class for us next Wednesday but at 7.45 a.m. rather than 7.00 a.m. so it will give me a bit more time to get up.

I had my hair cut. It looks a bit tidier but not a lot shorter.

Met up wth Gilda in the evening to go see The Choir of Man at the Arts Theatre in London. A fabulous show - poignant in parts, very lively in others, plenty of humour - definitely one to see again and I've suggested to Jonathon that he should try and photograph it if they're up for that.

20 October

The big news for today is that the Prime Minister, Liz Truss, resigned after less than 2 months in office. What a shambles! The Home Secretary resigned her post yesterday because of a stupid mistake. You couldn't trust them to run a bath. Apparently, the new leader of the Conservative Party, and therefore new PM, will be anounced within the next week.

In other news, Teresa called in sick so cleaning jobs had to be done after Ela's class this morning. It was a rainy day which made being inside a whole lot easier. Jonathon did the vacuuming while I cleaned.

21 October

Did a load of cardio in the gym then thought I'd have a nice relaxing time before going for a walk with Jo and Coco. However, Pietra (from swan watch) phoned in a tizzy. There are two opposing factions in the group - one that think the more vulnerable birds should be "rescued" and relocated and the other that think they should stay where they are or, at the very least if they are moved, this group should be consulted and give their approval. Typical "committee" type group. I tend to stay neutral. It would be a shame if the birds were predated by foxes or attacked by dogs or humans because the ponds are so low there is no safe passage for them to the islands but nature is nature and shouldn't be interfered with too much. Thankfully, the people from the two sides don't phone me and complain / shout at me etc. Instead, they take out their frustration on Pietra hence her stressed out self. I managed to wolf down some breakfast before Jo and Coco arrived.

We set off to go to Richmal Crompton Fields via Crofton Woods. We went a bit off piste and weren't entirely sure where we were at one point. Just then, we came across a lady and her dog. She was completely lost and had been wandering around in the wood for quite some time. We guided her out and left her in RCF - she could see her house from there. We got wet but it was only showery so not too bad. Coco got drenched,not least becasue she played in the stream. She seemed to have a lovely time and Jo and I had done our daily steps by the time we got home.

I didn't do much in the afternoon (still raining) but Jonathon and I went out to see Al Stewart and The Empty Pockets. The concert was rescheduled from 2021 ndn well worth the wait. The lead singer of the Empty Pockets, Erika, had a beautiful voice; Josh, the lead guitarist was incredible and Al Stewart was brilliant - so many great stories behind his songs.

22 October

A lovely Saturday! Gym then time to put my feet up, do my Jumbo crossword and have a pot of tea before eating lunch outside (yummy even though I say so myself!).

Leo Sayer's team confirmed J has a photo pass for Tuesday so I booked my train ticket for Southend and went to the station to collect it. The weather was lovely (18C in October - amazing) so got quite a bit of gardening done.

Jonathon went to Toulouse Lautrec to do some photographing and I had a night in with Oli and the TV.

23 October

Wet and rainy today (as forecast). Went to Shreena's class then did a stint on the treadmil.

Went to church (covid test negative despite my cough).

Had Skype call with Mum and Dad. Dad's a bit concerned about going into St. John's care home for respite care but they have an assessment visit tomorrow so we're all hoping that goes well.

We went to Cadogan Hall to enjoy an excellent convert by Beth Nielsen Chapman.

25 October

Gym then work - just about caught up after my two weeks off - just a couple of on-line training programmes to run through so they're for next week.

Good to see the poppies back in the trees in the High Street in readiness for Remembrance Sunday. Less good to see how many planes had been flying about in our area (the photo is of the sky opposite out house) - no idea where they were all coming from or going to but I don't hear them much.

Caught the train from work to Southend to enjoy another fantastic concert by Leo Sayer while Jonathon did the photos.

26 October

Delighted to wake up this morning and see that Leo Sayer (his team) had shared one of my mini videos from last night on his Facebook page.

Not quite as delighted, but still pleased, to discover the mouse in the humane trap so he/she was released back into the garden (hope it stays out there).

Ela ran a one-off class for us today - a lot harder than the "flamingoes" class that we do ourselves on Wednesdays. I won't be able to join most Wednesdays because it's one of my work days which is a shame if it becomes a regular class.

Had my Covid booster (Pfizer Bio) so hoping not to feel too grotty later. At least I had the energy to put all the stuff back in the mouse-free kitchen cupboards once I'd thoroughly disinfected them.

Shaun (my car) had his annual service and passed his MOT so he's officially roadworthy for another year.

We had dinner outside then I went for a stroll (not allowed to do anything too "strenuous" so took it very easy).

Surprisingly, Jonathon went down to Sainsbury's around 7.30 p.m. to get himself some cough medicine and was invited into the Health Centre for his Covid jab so he had his as well.

27 October

The shivering and shaking started about 9 p.m. last night - my usual reaction to Covid jabs! I went off t0 bed with electric blanket and wheat bag and soon warmed up but this morning I ached everywhere and had quite a bad headache. Pleased to say that the symptoms wore off during the day with only the tiredness left by the evening.

Obviously no gym today but I did go for a walk after we'd got back from Simon and Linda's. It was good to catch up with them and have cuddles with Maple and Rooster.

28 October

Dad was 88 today. I phoned to wish him happy birthday but he was out for lunch with Graeme and Anna the first time I tried. Managed to get hold of him later in the afternoon but he was very confused and not at all with it. He seems to struggle on the phone more than face to face and, in his defence, he'd only just woken up from his afternoon nap.

I was feeling a lot better when I woke up so went to the gym for a bit of Friday cardio.

Kirsty had organised a well-being walk so Jo, Coco and I went to join that. Unfortunately, Kirsty reacted badly to her flu jab so couldn't join us but Marcia (her mum), Gill (new person) and Charlie (her dog) all came along and we had a good stroll round Scadbury Park. Coco practised her tree climbing activities in case there were any squirrels to be chased.

Flushed with the success of having 5 of his photos in the local magazine, Jonathon went out to do two photo shoots in the evening while Oli and I had a quiet night in.

29 October

Mum is 85 today. C&P took her and Dad out to The Tiger for lunch which went very well. C said Dad is a lot more with it today which is positive.

I delivered my batch of "In... The Knoll", our local residents' association newsletter then went to the gym for Fay's class and a session on the treadmill.

It got up to 21C in the garden (amazing for October) so I spent some time enjoying the warm, sunny weather while doing my crossword then did some tidying up out there before Skype with Mum and Dad (finished off the tidying up afterwards).

Mum had somehow managed to lock herself out of her iphone so we tried to sort that out (unsuccessfully). We'll leave it overnight and see if it has had enough time to allow her to reinput her passcode then. If not, Carole or Gareth might have yet another job in trying to reset it for her.

Jonathon went off to Sutton to do some photography and I stayed in with Oli.

30 October

Delighted to report that Carole and Jonathon did magic today and got Mum's phone working again without having to reset it (phew!)

Went to the gym but cancelled Shreena's class last night so I could just do my own thing. Having a cough and doing stuff laying on the floor doesn't mix too well.

Also cancelled my attendance at church because singing is out of the question just now.

Had a lovely Autumn walk with Caroline and Pebby in the afternoon. Pebby was well camouflaged in the Autumn leaves.

No phone call with Christine today because she'd been helping at her village Halloween party and needed to go to bed!

31 October

Went to Ela's class and ended up singing Happy Birthday to Nick (I didn't realise it was his birthday). Did my steps on the treadmill because we had Hardy Tree Services coming today to clear a dead tree and a whole load of ivy and honeysuckle near the pond - it looked a lot better after they'd finished.

I got some weeding and leaf gathering done in the garden as well.

Spoke to Christine - she was very pleased with how well her children's party had gone.