Syliva, I am so very sorry for your loss, I know how it feels, my husband passed away in October and I miss him so much, I too wish they could let us know they are ok.  There are lots of people on here going through the same terrible time who will offer support.  Sending love to you Debbie xxxxxx

Hi debbie, how are you havnt heard off you in a while i feel ok at the moment health wise ,got to go the hospital next month  to see about my breathing me and the kids just having a quite xmas dinner we will go to the crem  to put flowers on my parents grave ,we will put some flowers in a vase for my hubby ,it is my hubbys birthday on the 27 dec  might go for a walk weather permiting  to a place called spike island my hubby used to like watching the mersey from there .  Take care  have a peaceful xmas  will be thinking of you  Syl x

Hi Syl,

Really sorry to read that you are suffering again with ill health and all the anxiety that goes with it. I hope the trip to the optician goes smoothly and that the headaches are not anything sinister at all.  Certainly I know from experience that 'stressing' just seems to lead to more cluster headaches.   If no happier after that appointment then to put your mind at rest perhaps you can ask for a second opinion.  When I was having trouble with my eye the local eye hospital was very thorough and again, like your gp, told me to report back if any double vision occurred so that could do a second check.  Thankfully it all cleared up within a month or two.  

Hope you manage/managed to enjoy your coach trip as it sounded very good.

I have had a busy few days with a trip to the Royal Albert Hall on Monday evening with a friend from the gym which was brilliant.  I had also been to the cinema in the morning and saw Military Wives which I thorough enjoyed too.  Over the weekend I spent the day in London with my camera and took a planned trip up to the Sky Garden. No sun but the views were still pretty amazing from the 35/36th floors.  I covered about 10 miles on foot (using the underground network inbetween) over about 7 hours and also visited the art/technology exhibition at Japan House (another free entry).

On Sunday I did a spot of babysitting for my son so he could take my grand-daughter to a birthday party(my daughter in law was out for the morning enjoying a spa/massage with a friend which had been a belated birthday gift for them both). My little grandson has got chicken pox but was so very good for me and then when no one was at the local playground we all went out for a short spell before having tea with them.  My son ran me home after the little ones were tucked up in bed and we had watched the final of Dancing on Ice.  

Other than my twfao work shifts on Wednesday and Thursday I have no other plans in place for a while so will have to get researching to see what I fancy doing.  Weather still leaves a lot to be desired and no point setting foot in the very soggy garden at the moment.  Would be lovely to have a bit of sunshine and less blustery weather.

Look after yourself and hope you are feeling much better soon.  Jules x 

Hi Jules, went to the optician she thinks I might need glasses to wear all the time as my left eye isn't as good as my right eye, will pop into spec savers on Saturday to get a pair the. numbness I had in my face has disappeared now ,so not sure what caused it,but I am still going to get them just in case it comes back if I use them and it disappears then it is my left eye that's trying to compensate ,I feel like a hypochondriac at the moment never been to the Dr's so much in my life lol.glad you enjoyed your trip the the royal Albert hall we went there once a long time ago now to see the BBC proms it was a good show , glad you enjoyed the pictures and your trip to London,I enjoyed my Tuesday afternoon out it was a place called rivington barn near Bolton ,a 2course meal there was a lovely Irish singer on I even had a dance ,and a jin and tonic in the middle of the afternoon (naughty but nice)  I really enjoyed it.I am at my daughter's tomorrow she is having a couple of her ceilings plastered have got to let him in,weather not bad here at the moment,but we have had some really strong winds my lawn is desperate for a cut but will have to wait a bit longer for a cut.I  am still waiting for the results of my M R I  scan that I had a fortnight ago on my ears, I am at the hospital Monday about my eyes as the optician said my left eye dosnt shut as quick as my right eye what ever that means will keep you posted on my ailments as there growing by the minute LOL have a lovely weekend  regards syl x

Hi Syl

Glad you had a lovely time out at Rivington Barn and the socialising would have probably done you the world of good too.

Hopefully not much longer to get your MRI results even though I expect they are snowed under with the workload just now with so much going around around the country/world.  Hope your hospital visit today regarding your eye problem went smoothly and always good to be referred by a good optician. Maybe the new glasses will also help.  I have worn glasses all the time from the age of 13 and have a yearly check up as both my parents had eye issues in later life.

A quiet weekend spent locally just with usual gym visits and a couple of walks to the local woods/lido and then the Artisan monthly market yesterday.  After a frosty start this morning I have been out walking again, this time to a house/gardens about 45 mins walk away.  Had a lovely cuppa and then sat in the walled garden for over an hour in the sunshine enjoying all the spring flowers and the gardeners at work before walking back home.  Made me feel a bit guilty as my own garden been somewhat neglected so came home and have been outside for an hour and managed to mow the lawn and tidy the edges.  The birds seem to appreciate it as have been down ever since.  Now enjoying lunch with the patio doors open.  Apparently more nice weather due from Wednesday so hopefully will begin to spend more time outside.  Think the robins have a nest site in my garage as one came down to greet me(or see me off lol) when I retrieved the lawn mower. Hopefully they will remain undisturbed now.

Take care and do let me know how you get on.  Jules x

Hi Jules, I haven't got my results yet, I have a appointment in April with one specialists and may with another,I am still having problems with the left side of my face which is worrying me,all my activities have stopped now so feel quite isolated at the moment,my son has done a shop for me this morning,but he didn't come in ,I did goto my local Tesco yesterday but I got told off by the kids lol so will have to do as I'm told from now on. I am still taking George out for his walks the last couple of days have been lovely,still chilly in a morning then it brightens up .glad your still able to go out and about, especially as the weather has turned nice ,it's awful at the moment seem as if the whole world is in lockdown ,my son brought me some flowers with my shop as I would still like to go the crematorium for mothers day I will go early when there is no one there,it would have been my 50 wedding anniversary on the21st Saturday so have bought some flowers,will put them in vase with his photo sad that he isn't here with me especially in these uncertain and worrying times ,don't know what is happening mothers day we were going out but that has had to be cancelled.take care and stay safe regards Syl x

Hi Syl

Must be difficult be stuck indoors with all your activities closed but better safe than sorry given the situation. Even though I am younger than the 70 age limit, I have chosen not to spend the planned day with my son and family for fear of passing anything I might be carrying as working in the shop I could be coming into contact with all sorts of bugs let alone the virus.  

I am sure this weekend will be sad and emotional for you but glad that you feel able to visit with flowers and remember those good times.  This is the first year without my own Mum to buy for which certainly seems a little strange but the care home where she lived is in lockdown in any event.  Have had Whats App calls with both my children this morning, gifts were posted bless them and my son left my pot plant at the front door as I was out when he passed by on Friday (I did not know he was coming!!).  The gym is of course now closed but they have set up online workouts and I completed the first one this morning before going for my usual morning walk.  Will continue to walk with 'social distancing' whilst it is allowed and I am well. If that changes will make the most of the back garden.  Have begun to weed it at last and got it mowed so feel a bit happier with that.

I am sure you will get the results though eventually but suspect they are snowed under.  Fingers crossed you will be able to keep your appointments and find out a bit more and that with time the issues with your face will improve.  With all the extra hand washing I had to visit the pharmacy to get some treatment cream which I am now applying three times a day. May well have to try wearing gloves more asa they are rather sore.  Thankfully my arthritis is not playing up too much and am hoping that keeping the 'at home' exercises up this will help.

Look after yourself.  Jules x

Hi Jules, glad your ok and still doing some. of your activities ,since we communicated last most of the country has gone into lock down, I havnt been out ,I did go to my locally co op for a few bits but I got shouted at by the kids so not been out since I am still taking George out , and doing the garden all this lovely weather and we can't go out to enjoy it.my daughter picked my glasses up for me from spec savers,to be honest Jules I haven't had them on ,as the numbness in my face  and the headache seem to have gone now, but if they come back I will use them to see if the glasses help . my first appointment at the hospital is 16 April I have no idea if it will be cancelled Wil! have to wait and see what happens, lovely day again so will look forward  to take George out  as there isn't much else to do all life as we know it seems to have come to a halt ,my son is working from home now but my daughter is still working as she works for a food  company,  stay safe regards syl x

Hi Syl

Trying for the third time to respond. Have problems with the internet connection (probably due to high winds).

I am at home too now.  Took the very hard decision to stay home.  Our shop remains open as there is a Post Office within it. However I only do 11 hrs a week and need to use public transport to get there so feel I am not essential.  This has been classed as unauthorised absence and thus I am on unpaid leave for the foreseeable future.  Strange times indeed but felt this was the right choice for me.

Managing to keep busy within house and the garden of course whilst the weather has been good.  Cold wind this morning so will need extra layers.  Am also managing to do the essential weekly shop and/or daily exercise slot.  Local community has pulled together and between us are keeping an eye on the elderly/vulnerable having set up checks and telephone calls/errands etc.

Fingers crossed this gets through.  Stay safe and well.  Jules x

Hi Jules,think it was sensible to leave work especially when you have to use public transport, I am not going out either my kids are shopping for me ,I am still taking George out ( thank god) don't know what I would do if I couldn't take George out, the weather has been ok have been in the garden pottering about and mowing my lawns ,it's the isalation that's the biggest problem especially when the things you enjoy have all closed ,not just for us but everyone ,it must be awful when your place of work has closed. and you have no money to live on especially the self employed who have got to wait till June to get any money .my appointment at the hospital is still going ahead as far as I know,will ring them nearer the time to see if it's still going ahead one of the kids have got to nip into boots tomorrow to pick my inhaler up that's another problem they are going to  have to pick my tablets up for me till all this blows over you do worry about them going out  and about for you. I'm always telling them to make sure they wash there hands just going to make my umpteenth cup of coffee and watch T V we will all have square eyes after this  has finished lol regards stay safe syl x

Hi Syl,

Hope you managing okay and that you and George are still enjoying the exercise slots we are allowed.  I did not go out over the weekend but exercised indoors with various on line tutorials which have now become a regular feature of my daily routine as well as the live links I have three times a week with the gym I normally go to.

Thank goodness we have had reasonable Spring weather (though it is wet here today) and I can get into the garden.  Feel very sorry for those who do not have outside space just now.  Over the weekend I had face time with both children/grandchildren at the same time so that was lovely and they are juggling work from  home/childcare for my son and daughter in law.  My daughter is still doing her shifts at the school for the key workers (lunch breaks and deep cleaning) though my son in law is now at home as the place he works closed after they could not get the s upplies they needed to continue to repair cars (he works in the assessment/quotes office).  

With the rain here I have just got back from a quick walk around the  block so that I could post a couple of birthday cards and now going to have a cuppa before joining in with the gym class and probable group chat afterwards.  Certainly helps to be able to chat with friends/family to get through each day as best we can.  I had never really gone on You Tube before but now they are streaming plays/musicals and ballet  and am noting down times so can plan watching at various points during the week.  It is an added bonus that this is free to view so decided to make a note of what I would save if I had actually gone in person to see such shows.  There will be a bit treat awaiting once we are through the other side of this.  

Stay safe and take care and what a godsend that you have family who can run errands for you.  I am on our road's volunteer telephone list should our vulnerable/elderly residents need anything; I can pick it up for them whilst using my exercise slot.  Best regards.  Jules x

Hi Jules, does seem weird at the moment with everything that is going on and everyone doing all sorts on line , was looking at something you can do on line to beat stress,bit weird not sure if it works or not.the weather has been lovely here fora good few days now so George has been getting his walks it's nice to be able to get out in the sunshine,seems funny that there's hardly any cars on the road and not many people knocking about,it's nice that you can keep up with the grandchildren on face time,I know my neighbours are doing the same with there grandchildren. have been out in the garden this week just mowing the lawn and tideing up ,everyone round me are doing lawns or jet washing there paths lol .my daughter finishes today but she will be payed 80 per sent of her income ,but my son is still working at the moment ,it's going to be funny this weekend with it being Easter not being able to go out,I just hope the public behave and do as there told as it makes things  things worse for the rest of us especially when they have forecast. nice weather one of my neighbours has been to the local Tesco and got me the local guardian,chat , and what's on T V so will sit and have a read of them later have a lovely Easter even though it will be a bit different this year stay safe   regards Syl x

Hi Jules, does seem weird at the moment with everything that is going on and everyone doing all sorts on line , was looking at something you can do on line to beat stress,bit weird not sure if it works or not.the weather has been lovely here fora good few days now so George has been getting his walks it's nice to be able to get out in the sunshine,seems funny that there's hardly any cars on the road and not many people knocking about,it's nice that you can keep up with the grandchildren on face time,I know my neighbours are doing the same with there grandchildren. have been out in the garden this week just mowing the lawn and tideing up ,everyone round me are doing lawns or jet washing there paths lol .my daughter finishes today but she will be payed 80 per sent of her income ,but my son is still working at the moment ,it's going to be funny this weekend with it being Easter not being able to go out,I just hope the public behave and do as there told as it makes things  things worse for the rest of us especially when they have forecast. nice weather one of my neighbours has been to the local Tesco and got me the local guardian,chat , and what's on T V so will sit and have a read of them later have a lovely Easter even though it will be a bit different this year stay safe   regards Syl x

Happy Easter Syl,  will chat again soon.  Jules xx

Hi Syl,

Well a very strange Easter Bank Holiday weekend which came and went pretty much like any other day to be honest.  Very grateful for the weather and being able to take my exercise each day (trying different routes locally to rings the changes haha. Have been logging my walks on my phone camera and then post on my social media page so others not quite so lucky amongst my friends and family get a change of view from their four walls. Spent a good deal of time in the garden and feel so lucky to have one and that the weather has so far been very kind to us.  Had offers from neighbours and my daughter in law to leave shopping outside for me but so far have been able to go myself as allowed to do essential shopping. If I need to top up it is only a 10min walk to the local shop so I fit that in at the end of my walk.

I think I have now got a routine going for this new normal and usually do my walk after breakfast as am always up early and it is very quiet so social distancing no problem.  Looks as though it will go on for a while longer yet but hopefully it is helping the NHS to cope.  So sad reading of all those who have passed prematurely due to Covid19.

Stay safe and hope your hospital appointment gets to go ahead as planned.  Take care.  Jules

Hi Jules, a lovely Friday morning here tried to e mail yesterday but couldn't get on the web site, not much happening here at the moment with not going out I did sneak out this morning just to take. the car for a run as I don't want the battery going flat ,while I was out I went to the hole in the wall to draw some money out .glad you can still go out even if its limited,at least you can go out to do a shop,I would love to go the the supermarket,or jump on a bus and go to M&S or go in Costa for a cappuccino simple things that we all take for granted, my hospital appointment was cancelled to a phone one which I had yesterday ,everything ok with my blood tests so everything good for now lol,I am doing my lawn later and taking George out as it has forecast rain late afternoon and tomorrow,it is awful listening to the news all the people dying not just here but all over the world,not being able to say goodbye and just close family at the funeral must be so sad for them that have to grieve on there own. let's hope things get better as the weeks go on stay safe regards syl x

Hi Syl,

Glad you were able to give the car a little run out.  I don't drive and have not been on public transport since I was last in work (19 March) and with the lockdown continuing suspect it will be a while longer yet.  It is strange watching the buses go by with only one or two people on board.  I feel very lucky to be able to go for a walk every day(it varies between 2 and 7 miles depending on what route I decide on) and the weather has been amazingly kind.  Did a fortnightly shop this morning as my daily exercise  but am still doing online gym classes spread throughout the day/week which helps pass the time when not outside in the garden.  Have certainly been lucky with the weather and enjoy reading outside when the wind drops.  Have re-done three flower beds and put up an archway towards the garage at the end of the garden to make a bit of a feature once I can get to a garden centre to buy plants.

Am spending a lot of time watching the birds which I find very relaxing and have just had delivered a new ground level water feature so am hoping to see who uses it ha ha.  

Had a lovely surprise yesterday when received a text from my son saying he had a special delivery.  I asked him what it was and he told me to open the front door!  He was parked up opposite and had left me some home made cookies made by my grand-daughter with the help of her Mum and a lock of hair from my little grandson's first( home) haircut. We had a social distancing chat and it was so nice to have a bit of a catch up rather than just texting.

I  have now had the BT sort out my internet/phone line which kept dropping out.  They have replaced all the cabling outside and re-set everything so fingers crossed all will be much better and I can get back to having uninterrupted face time with the family.

I must admit I did not think I would be spending the build up to retirement  on unpaid leave for two months.  Still hope to stay healthy and safe and then get out and about a bit more once things start to improve again.

Hope you and the children are keeping ok.  Take good care and stay safe.  Jules

Hi Jules, I to think it strange when I'm taking George out the roads are quite empty and hardly any body on the buses that pass buy, nothing has changed much from last week, the weather is still lovely I to have been in the garden,I had a lovely surprise last week I received a food parcel from the local parish council, there was all sorts in it even a reading book and a puzzle book ,I'm not sure where they got my name from ,but they delivered to quite a few  people where I live.it is nice to chat to family even if it is from a distance,must be awful not having family and friends  especially if your on your own and can't even go out,it doesn't sound as if we're going to come out of lock down for a while,I get fed up not being able to go out I'm sure it's worse for some at least we have a garden and family to talk to, glad your internet ok now ,my tablet was playing up the other day but it went ok after a few goes of fiddling with it one of my friends from my friendship group  rang me with the sad news one of our members had passed away with the virus,both her and her husband were in hospital he survived and out of hospital now so sad none of us could go the funeral either she was a lovely lady don't know how we will feel when we all meet up again.another nice weekend weather wise but no where to go stay safe regards Syl x

Hi Syl,

Well half way through another lockdown week and apart from one day have managed my daily exercise slot so still keeping relatively fit.  Whilst the weather was warm and sunny made the most of the garden too and have been enjoying watching the birds feed both from nature and the feeders.  The robin is popping into the kitchen most days now (a little bowl set up in the dry ha ha) and so the patio door always open when I am home and think it is getting used to being photographed.  The flowers are beginning to bloom nicely in both front and back gardens and have a really good display of lily of the valley this year.

Have had a week with lots of phone calls instead of messaging and so nice to hear everyone's voices for a change.  My daughter and family have used their exercise slot over the weekend to do a lot of work at the allotments and my son and daughter in law still working from home and enjoying time with the little ones whilst doing a bit of 'nursery' work with my grand-daughter. 

I officially retire at the end of next week and  now have a good routine going day to day which has been a great help.  With the rain returning yesterday (my goodness the garden welcomed it) and showery again today I have still gone out but the walks mainly along streets rather than the woods/parks.  Managed a short 3 mile street stroll this morning in the sunshine and then uploaded the route as usual onto my social network page.  My friends who are isolating completely at home appear to be enjoying my views (only taken on my phone as does not feel right to take my big camera at the moment).   Hope you and your family are staying safe and well.  Hopefully have attached a picture of my little visitor below.  Take good care.  Jules

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Lovely photo of the little robin Jules I have 2 that come in the garden but there not as friendly as yours ,had George out this afternoon took him out a little earlier as it forecast rain it did rain but not for long now the sun is out.it is supposed to be nice tomorrow so will spend a bit of time in the garden its awful not going out I miss going shopping and jumping on the bus to go into town,but if it means we can get out of lockdown sooner then it has to be done,even though some people are still going out when they shouldn't .are you looking forward to retirement ?must be funny retiring when most people are in lockdown and we are restricted to what we can do, have you booked any holidays for this year? I wasn't going any where this year,didn't feel like it but my friend has booked a coach trip for July not sure if she will go now if the company cancel at least she will get her money back . my daughter is doing a Sunday dinner for me and my son she will drop mine off then go round to drop my son's off it will be nice to have a Sunday dinner as I haven't had one for a while ,stay safe  regards syl x

Hi Syl,

Have definitely been grateful for decent weather on the whole.  Even if I do not get out for a walk I can enjoy the garden.  Beautiful again here today and have managed to do my now fortnightly supermarket shop. Still seems strange not using public transport and seeing them pass by with only one or two on board.  

I had a holiday booked with my daughter and family for Easter but obviously not taken.  We were hoping to enjoy a little self catering break during the school holidays in Lincolnshire.  They are currently in the process of trying to get money back.  I have  not seen them since my last visit to them in mid February but keeping in touch via WhatsApp and the occasional Zoom face time. Son and daughter in law still working from home and looking after two under fives.  My grand-daughter's 4th birthday at the end of the month so will just have to wait to see if it is via Face-time or we can actually be out and about a bit more by then. 

My main holiday booked last November is next month but very much doubt it will go ahead. When and if cancelled then another refund to sort out (I had a week to Lake Como arranged).  Still if the lockdown works and we are ok when it is eased/ended then I shall be grateful to catch up with family and friends.

I cook myself a roast most Sundays and then have several other meals out of the leftovers during the week.  Managed my longest walk ever on Saturday (10 miles) and then yesterday did some soup making and generally relaxed.

Today it was was back to the online gym sessions which are Mon to Fri at 11 a.m. and I am also doing a walk at home exercise programme via YouTube in the afternoons.  I am finding it helpful to have that to focus on and think this will be my new 'retirement' routine.  Nothing heard from my company but this Friday should theoretically be my last day (though I have been unpaid for 6 weeks anyway) so hopefully the necessary paperwork will come through the post.  When lockdown lifted I will go in and say my goodbyes properly but am really looking forward to being able to please myself on what I can do and when I can do it.  For now I am using my camera to record my walking memories and how the garden is changing and have joined a few on line groups as well as reading more than I had been doing.

Hope you enjoyed your Sunday dinner.  Take care and stay safe.  Jules x

Hi Jules, I enjoyed my Sunday dinner my son went to pick them up then dropped mine off think I'm doing my own this weekend glad you're keeping in touch with family via whatsapp and zoom ( never heard of that) I'm not on Facebook but I'm on Twitter,nice to know you're keeping up with your exercises,I'm afraid I'm not doing anything apart from talking George out for his daily walk I am taking him out at weekend as well which I don't usually do,I am eating more chocolate but I don't think that is such a good idea but it cheers me up a bit lol .weather been lovely again all week  tomorrow V E day the crescent I live in are having a street party social distancing of course most of the houses are decorated with union jacks every one is having sandwiches in there gardens and we are having music one of the neighbours has got a loud speaker  so we can all hear it,and maybe we can all have a dance,we are having a raffle and a game of bingo (not sure how it is all going to work)will have to wait and see it's forecast nice weather so it should be a fun afternoon. don't think anybody knows what is going to happen with holidays  this year my daughter was going to Rome this month that's been cancelled,she is supposed to be going Poland in July for a wedding not sure if that's going to happen now will have to wait and see what happens.I had a phone call off the hospital in stead of going in it was results for my MRI scan everything was fine  no problems they will send for me in a few month just to check my hearing and see if my tinnitus is ok good news for once have a nice week keep up with the exercises lol stay safe Syl x

Hi Syl,

Glad you enjoyed the meal dropped of by your son.  Will have made a change not having to cook.  We still have local takeaways/restaurants doing home deliveries but I have not bothered and my cooking routine is pretty much unchanged.  Will be nice one day to be able to meet with family and friends for a coffee but think it will be some time yet. Am keeping in regular contact with friends and family and phone calls definitely worth their weight in gold.  Zoom is a form of video conferencing (face time via laptop/tablet or phone despending on  your technology).  My son sends me a link and invites me and other family members to join and then we can all see each other and chat .  Lovely to see the family this way but we only do it occasionally as my family are still all working as well as home schooling.  OF course I h ave plenty of free time now to go walking locally and most days manage between 3 and 10 miles so have been grateful for the dry weather.  I go straight after an early breakfast most days and then back home for a break before my daily live gym session (through social networking site). Glad to have a good routine going as it seems this will be the way of life for a good few weeks.

Staying healthy is the biggest aim  and so far so good for me and the extended family. My aunt who will be 90 next month is doing okay too and her neighbours check on her regularly.  She lives in Cambridgeshire so too far away for me to  be any real help but we are chatting several times a week.  She is more frustrated that she cannot go out and do her own thing so is having to make do with improving her garden space and is still able to mow all three lawns as well as look after most of the gardening.  She says she paces herself!!

Hope you are still enjoying taking George out and keeping okay.  Take care. Jules x