6th November 2021
It’s been a long time since I posted not a lot really has changed. The Autumn has been magnificent, lovely and warm in fact some days have been hot. In October we could catch the warmth of the late afternoon sunshine in the garden. Ian has only just stopped wearing shorts it’s been that warm and sunny.
This week we have seen the weather turn much colder with early morning frosts followed by sunny blue-sky days. Leaves on the trees are turning red and gold now and as I look out over Winter Hill it is tinged with gold as the setting sun catches the trees.
This week we went to the Cotswolds for a day out. It was a great decision and the day was a crisp sunny autumn one, perfect for viewing the honey warm colours of the Slaughters and Bouton on the Water.
I am desperate to get into the garden and tidy up but having compressed a disc in my back I am very limited to what I can do. I even had to let Ian loose unsupervised with a pair of secateurs the other day. Seriously I am very thankful for his help as It is tempting to get out there, but I know I will be taking a step backwards if I do. This week has been relatively pain free as I had dry needling (form of acupuncture) done and it worked a treat in relaxing the muscles in my back.
Had a visit to Age concern to apologise for my lack of attendance there and to my delight one of the Friday ladies who I feared had not faired well during lockdown was there. She was just as lively and cheerful as always, I was so pleased to see her, and then to learn that next week she is 100 years old. You would never guess it and such a positive attitude.
In September we had a week in Aldeburgh with Jon and Sarah. It was lovely to be away and enjoy the delights of the town (mainly pubs and restaurants) but the cottage we had left a lot to be desired. Nevertheless, we did have a lovely time even though it was quite busy. We are used to winter and having the place to ourselves.
We also had a cracking sunny and hot October weekend in WSM it was like the height of summer. We won’t mention the fact that we struggled to negotiate our way back to number 26 even without the additional hindrance of alcohol. Lovely weekend.
Our running days look like they might be over, I might try again but having had another fall I am not sure it’s a good thing for me. Ian’s knee is still not right so sadly it looks like he will have to hang up his running shoes. We still enjoy a walk around our running circuit to keep up with the changes in the seasons.
There has been a terrible cold going around it has laid people up for a few weeks. Jeremy & Nic have suffered and so has Rhiannon. We had it but got off lightly I think that possibly it’s because we had our flu jabs before contracting it.
Covid still dominates our day to day living but we carry on as best as we can. There are no restrictions at the moment, but the majority feeling (Friends) is that we should all be wearing masks again. Having said that not many people in the shops are doing this.
Headlines yesterday were that infections rates were at an all-time high and JVT said a hard winter ahead. Booster jabs are very important. Today however one newspaper said infection rates are plummeting. Reports are varied and very confusing. This time last year we were in zones and partial lockdown so it’s nice to see that things have improved.
Even though infection rates are high, Hospitalisations and deaths remain low. Although cases are now rising again in older adults. Some of this may be due to parents going back to work and Granny and Grandpa looking after the kids or picking them up from school as the majority of school children remain unvaccinated.
Anti vaxers outside a school in Marlow were telling the kids that if they had the vaccine they would turn into fish. There will be a lot of fish about then!
We have our boosters booked now and they have brought forward the dates you are allowed to have them from 6 months to 5 months from the 2nd jab.
Still not enough people are getting vaccinated for us to reach a herd immunity state. For this 85% of the population need to be vaccinated and we are just about 67%.
Vax has been named as the word of 2021.
Costa Rica has made Covid jabs for children mandatory.
An anti-viral pill has been produced for the treatment of Covid and results so far are very positive.
The R number here is between 1 and 1.2. we’ve been locked down at that rate before. (Pre vaccines)
We are going back to Aldeburgh for a few days in a week or so and are both looking forward to that.
Willow is still with us despite getting thinner by the day. He still enjoys a good life and is happy and gets out and about. Sleeps most of the time in his various beds around the house.
Our new fireplace and stove are being fitted next week; we are looking forward to that especially as it is turning colder these nights and we are missing our fire.
Ooh the new bird box is up, although we are waiting for a cable extension to arrive before we can get it working. Hopefully we will have plenty of bird news and updates this year as we have changed the box and the camera. This too has not been without its trauma as a simple drilling of a hole through the wall turned into a nightmare job as the handyman decided to smash through the outside wall with a hammer. Leaving us with a massive hole and mess to patch up and make waterproof.
And here’s a bit of a food update.
Meatball Traybake.
Chicken Cassoulet.
Chilli Can Carne.
Sea trout.
Smoked haddock on a bed of cabbage with a poached egg.
Beef casserole.
Rib eye steak with red cabbage, roasted butternut squash and Parmentier potatoes.
Prawn stir fry
Veggie curry and Egg Curry.
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