A few days away

 Last time I posted was the end of August and the last day of Eat out to Help out. Well we have managed quite a bit of eating out over the past few weeks and despite an increased exercise regime I am still not losing my lockdown weight gain. Wedding anniversary, Ian’s Birthday and a few days away have had me over indulging.

We were invited to Tenby to stay with Rhiannon for a few days, we had a really lovely time and had not been to Tenby since Rhiannon & Jeremy got married 27 years ago! What a waste its such a lovely pretty place and mostly the weather was kind to us.

We left Marlow early doors and made it to Tenby late morning. Drizzle was setting in and Caldey Island was nowhere to be seen in the sea fret that was drifting in rom the sea. Undeterred we set off for a beach walk, made it to Giltar Point stopping to collect Cowie shells and Unicorn horn shells. Walking back was a bit different, the clouds came right in and the wind in our backs soon had us soaked and cold. It was very invigorating and a joy to be by the sea despite the wet. A large gin and a salmon supper soon had us right.

Tuesday was a sunny day, we did the beach again early doors and met with Sue and her 2 dogs for a trip round Caldey island. Beautiful scenery, blue sea and sunshine. Sadly we could not land on the Island due to covid restrictions, a good excuse to come back if we ever need one.

We had lunch on the terrace garden, very hot & sunny. Later that evening we had the best fish & chips ever, with a little glass or 2 of wine.

Thursday was our wedding anniversary and we all got the bus to Saundersfoot, meeting up with a couple of Rhiannon’s friends that we passed along the route. After a pre-lunch drink we tootled round to the Stone Crab on the Harbour where we indulged in a magnificent fish platter. Squid, Whitebait, mussels, lobster and 3 other types of fish with a few chips as well and some more wine of course. Delicious.

Bus back to Tenby and a little sit in the pub garden to round off the day.

Friday – feeling a bit of the effects of the overindulgence yesterday we walk the beach again early doors to blow the cobwebs away. There are very strong winds and it’s a dull type of day. We walked the north beach in the late afternoon and Jeremy BR and family came over early evening for drinks before they went out. Sue came round for dinner and we had a lovely Beef Bourgignon.

Saturday – morning beach walk followed by a well-earned breakfast sandwich on the harbour. We walked around the town and then spent the afternoon on the beach sunbathing. We bought some fish from the harbour fish shop and did our own fish platter which was added to by some fresh mackerel that Jeremy BR had caught just that morning. They were so beautiful to look at and to eat too.

Sunday – last of the beach exercise (we have certainly got our steps in this week) and then a drive home. M4 closed for 3 junctions had to do a detour, which was rather a nice drive, but I would have liked to be forewarned about it, got a bit cross over tired I think.

What a lovely few days we had, great company, great accommodation, lovely food and wine and oh that view.

Back in Marlow the summer returns. I get all the washing done and out on the line, sad I know but I love the smell of freshly sun dried washing. We are a bit tired so just read and make the most of the sunshine. Had a very good sleep.

Tuesday – catch up on the exercise (making up for the lack of gym) getting the steps in. Our pond is not good very muddy water for some reason, we are having to clean the pump every day, the fish are ok though.

Caught up with Richard S (nothing new there). Ian got a free flu jab, we have no idea why as he does not fall into any current category for one but hey don’t knock it. After that we went for a walk along the river as it was a lovely evening. 2 Military helicopters with missile launchers attached flew overhead – wonder where they were off to.

Speaking of air traffic, it has slightly increased but nothing at all like it used to be.

Friday was Ian’s birthday and we celebrated with a superb lunch t the Vanilla Pod. New front of house manager Calum is a great improvement. We did the Stay Inn later in the day and as I recall it was a lovely sunny day. Saturday night was a neighbour’s night. It must have been a success, as they didn’t go home until after MIDNIGHT. The fire pit helped keep the chill off and there was much laughter too. So much we had to apologise to the other neighbours the next day. Could have invited them as well as they fight with each other.

Sunday needless to say was a quiet one, still managed the exercise walk with Max though. Beautiful day, the fields are being ploughed and the warm brown earth changes the look of the landscape as the smell of autumn fills the air. Tinges of gold and red in the trees herald the coming season as does the change in the weather forecast next week.

Mr. F is still wearing shorts, as am I, he will not give in until October at the earliest. I will not be so brave. Urgh the though of heavy clothes, and no chance of an escape to warmer climes either. How am I going to cope?

Willow is doing well, getting a lot of sleep and eating well but skinny now he is an old man. Caught him holding down the net on the pond the other day so he could drink that water and then trying to blat the fish with his paw as they swam up to inspect him.

Here are some pics of Tenby.

Super massive Jellyfish

Here we go again.

September 2020.

Covid 19 returns - well it never went away, although the Daily mail is still saying we are in day 188 of lockdown. I have to read it for research purposes you understand

Covid 19 is on the rise again due (in my opinion and we all know that is the one that counts) to people going abroad, people not social distancing, people having parties, going to night clubs and flocking onto crowded beaches etc etc. Basically having a damn good time. Well folks it's coming back to haunt you, so we all have to pay the price for the galavanting. I am not saying that I have been whiter than white maybe a little grey around the edges I admit. So for those of you that did DIS the rules no whining that we are under tighter restrictions please.

This is happening a whole month earlier that I predicted (Must dust crystal ball).

The heavy stuff just for the record.

As from the 24th of September 202 new rules were enforced.

The rule of 6. No more than 6 people can meet up in or outdoors. In Pubs and restaurants too.

Pubs and restaurants to close doors at 10pm.

Face coverings to be worn at all times in enclosed public places unless seated for eating or drinking.

• HANDS - Wash your hands regularly and for at least 20 seconds.

• FACE - Cover your face in enclosed spaces, especially where social distancing may be difficult and where you will come into contact with people you do not normally meet.

• SPACE - Stay 2 metres apart where possible, or 1 metre with extra precautions in place.

• Businesses will need to display the official NHS QR code posters so that customers can ‘check-in’ at different premises using this option as an alternative to providing their contact details once the app is rolled out nationally (from 24 September).

• To help contain the virus, office workers who can work effectively from home should do so over the winter. Where an employer, in consultation with their employee, judges an employee can carry out their normal duties from home they should do so. Public sector employees working in essential services, including education settings, should continue to go into work where necessary. Anyone else who cannot work from home should go to their place of work. The risk of transmission can be substantially reduced if COVID-19 secure guidelines are followed closely. Extra consideration should be given to those people at higher risk

The number of new infections is rising daily; deaths are rising too but more slowly. Most of the new infections are within the age group 18-24. Saturday saw over 6000 new cases in a day. The R number is between 1.2 – 1.5 but could be higher in places that are in a higher restriction zone.

Areas in the UK that are on higher restrictions are 

• Birmingham

• Solihull

• Sandwell

• Pendle

• Oldham

• Blackburn with Darwen

• Bradford

• Rochdale

• Manchester

• Bolton

• Tameside

• Trafford

• Bury

• Preston

• Salford

• Leicester

• Kirklees

• Calderdale

• Durham

• Gateshead

• Newcastle

• Northumberland

• North Tyneside

• South Tyneside

• Sunderland

• Caerphilly County

• Rhondda Cynon Taf

• Glasgow City

• East Renfrewshire

• Renfrewshire

• East Dunbartonshire

• West Dunbartonshire

• North Lanarkshire

• South Lanarkshire

Further places are on the watch list this includes London.

The media is having another field day claiming that Christmas is cancelled and University students will be locked in their rooms for the festive period. Don't they spend most of the time in their rooms when they are home anyway?

There is no doubt that the spread is worse in the north of the country. There is talk of another lockdown but hopefully it will just be in local areas.

Getting a test done seems to be a problem again, but mainly in the areas where the spread is more prevalent, well that makes sense. 

Supermarkets are issuing limits on toilet rolls and flour etc as stockpiling has begun again. Surely some people must still have a ton of loo rolls and flour from the last time. 

Hopefully people will once again behave and we can return to a semi normal life soon.

Warning if there are more than 6 people in your household or if we get a lockdown Father Christmas won't be allowed down anyone’s chimney this year. Come to think of it I wonder how the Elves are managing with the social distancing?

We have been out and about in the past couple of weeks, all above board and socially distanced rest assured. I will update the diary as soon as possible but it’s a busy gardening time of year!

 

Stay safe for Santa’s sake. (you heard it here 1st)