Lockdown V2 is looming

Mainly this week we have been plagued with rain then some rain and perhaps a bit more rain. This morning Saturday 31st Oct it is monsoon weather here in Marlow. Gale force winds and torrential rain, apparently this is storm Aiden. Hello Aiden hurry up and pass by please. I can barely see across to winter hill from the study as the rain lashes against the window. Willow is snuggled up in his little cosy bed by my side, best place for him. However it is not cold and Ian is still wearing shorts, yesterday it was up to 17 degrees. Plants are still blooming in the garden and it is very colourful for this time of year, we have had a couple of frosts but no damage done. Because of the rain I am unable to get out and do any gardening, must get out before Wednesday as its green bin day and there is a lot of work to do. The Pandemic is affecting charities badly and our manager at Age concern is having to be “let go” as they cannot afford to pay her as there is no money coming in due to the pandemic. I had a visit to the osteopath on Tuesday as I have damaged a muscle which is affecting me quite badly it is very painful,it is getting better after some painful manipulation. She advised me to get a foam roller and do certain exercises. Foam rollers are implements of extreme torture it is used for self myofascial release. It does the trick to release the muscle at a pressure point but the intensity of pain is almost unbearable. We have ventured out a few times this week, had a trip to John Lewis to investigate a new imac, met with Sara for a coffee at Stubbings, had dinner out at Da Luca with Pauric and Coleen and did the scarecrow walk at Marlow Bottom followed by a tea and cake in the Tin Town café. As Halloween trick or Treat is cancelled this year Marlow bottom have come up with an ingenious idea for the kids (for the record I don’t like T or T as it is not a British thing and quite frankly I don’t understand small children having the bejesus frightened out of them with ghoulish behaviour.) anyway I digress, So the scarecrow trail was developed as an alternative. People have made the most amazing scarecrows and the kids get a map and follow the trail. When they find a scarecrow the parent (or guardian, grandparent etc) then gives them a treat. The kids loved it and I must admit the scarecrows were excellent. This was about the only day that we didn’t suffer the aforementioned rain. It was drizzly but 16 or so degrees so suitably attired we did part of the walk, couldn’t manage them all sadly. We also had a run out to the farm for eggs and were delighted to see the Reindeer now resplendent in their white winter coats. Now the bad news. Residents of Buckinghamshire have received a letter from Bucks county council asking us to adhere to tier 2 rules even though we are not in tier 2. Again this was met with outrage from some quarters but makes complete sense to me. My brother in Nottinghamshire has been moved into tier 3 directly from tier 1 but Notts was in tier 2 in other boroughs. Seems a bit harsh. Lancashire, South Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, Warrington, Liverpool, Manchester are all in tier 3. West Yorks and the North East are on the edge of tier 3. However this morning is has been reported that we may go into full country lockdown on Wednesday 4th November until the 1st of December. There are now notices in Marlow High Street warning of the rise in infection rates here and asking people to take care. I have heard of people not checking in on the track and trace app in case they get contacted. It depends on what you read or listen to, as the media still write conflicting reports. This morning we are told that England is at crunch point and are predicting 4 thousand deaths a day unless drastic action is taken immediately. Mortgage holidays and the furlough scheme ends tonight but different support measures have been put in place although they are not as generous as the current scheme. Tough times lie ahead of many people financially, health wise both physical and mental. I hope we have another good winter to help us get through this depressing and horrid time in our lives. I continue to mess up. Last week you may recall that I gave Sarah a bacon sandwich well I have been at it again. As I was putting away my ironing earlier in the week Willow must have wandered in to the wardrobe when I wasn’t looking, he loves a dark hidey-hole. Anyway we then went out for a few hours and could not find him upon our return. Entering the bedroom I encountered a whiff of an unpleasant aroma and a tiny squeak coming form the wardrobe. Poor little thing he’d been in there for hours and left me a little present. After scoffing down a good feed he took to his bead and slept for a long time but no harm done although I am still getting a few dark stares from him. Hmm they say these things come in 3’s so Ian had better look out this week. I must away now as the rugby will soon be on, this is the final of the six nations that was cancelled in March this year. It should be exciting as England Ireland and France are all with a chance of winning. The Evanses are coming round but we shall be socially distanced, Poor Willow will no doubt be traumatised with the shouting from the Welsh contingent. Dinners. Chicken Curry Liver, Leeks and bacon. Pork in Beer Fish pie At da Luca we shared a Frito Misto to start and then I had pasta calabrese with nduja spiced pork and Ian had the massive calzone. Tonight is steak night. Have a good week everyone and keep safe.

Apologies for the random order of the photos but blogger have changed things and I cant work out how to move things about or put captions on. The cat one is just to lighten things.. although thats an idea if I get bored. Snip snip.