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

Hi Syl, 

Well, almost half way through yet another week of strange times and life certainly feels pretty routine now. Again enjoying all my walks and photography and now that the birds are having their new offspring quite a lot of amusement to be had watching them in the garden.  

I had a lovely surprise on Sunday as my daughter and family took a ride (first use of the car for some considerable time) and popped down.  They bought their camping chairs and set up in my front garden having bought all their own refreshments.  I sat on my front door step and enjoyed an hour of social distancing. A boost for us all.  Unable to do the same with my son and family as my younger grandchildren just wont understand that they can have 'no contact' so they continue to be isolated but in touch my phone/messaging.  My children are all lucky in that their work continues and soon the older two grandchildren will be back at school whereas at the moment they only go when my daughter is working her shifts.

Fingers crossed it wont be too much longer before we can begin easing a bit more out of lockdown and enjoy some social times with our friends and family.  I have got face coverings ready for when I can return to travelling on public transport again......what a novelty that will be ha ha.

Stay safe and well and enjoying the lovely weather for as long as it lasts.  I am about to mow the lawn before it gets too hot as my neighbours already outside so wont be disturbing their sleep.  Have a wonderful display of red and white poppies this year and the bees nest occupants are buzzing happily around them already.  Needless to say the garden will welcome the rain when it comes.

Take care.  Jules x

Hi Jules, glad your keeping up with family especially your daughter making a surprise visit and you could sit with them and talk together, I haven't any proper visits with my kids they only drop food off talk for a few minutes then there gone, the weather has changed a bit this week ,had some really strong winds today managed to take George out today but I had to cut his walk short has I couldn't get my breath , the lock down has eased a bit still think we have a long way to go before we get back to anything like normal ,I will be last out of lockdown with my COPD it drives me mad sometimes not going out, don't know if people will cope if we have to isolate for a long time . my leg is still causing problems hope I don't have to ring the doctor again I finish my tablets next week .my daughter is doing a dinner this week there taking it in turn to fetch me meals on wheels LOL. I haven't cooked my self a Sunday dinner since hubby died. the weather has changed a bit here now it's supposed to rain here Saturday dull Sunday then sunshine for the rest of the week.enjoy the bank holiday  stay safe regards syl x

Hi Syl

Had a good bank holiday weekend. Several walks, face time for 40mins with my son and family and also met up with a friend who I used to work with for a 'socially distanced' chat whilst we walked and then sat at opposite ends of the park bench.  Makes a big difference being able to chat in person for a change rather than on the phone/text.

Did have some high winds and a couple of drops of rain (blink and you missed them) and now back to high temperatures and lots of sunshine.  You must be relieved to have your garden space whilst you are having to isolate.  I feel very lucky to still be able to be out and about and now can go out more than once a day if needed.  Still doing most of my exercise classes via live online links and have been very grateful for social media in recent weeks as helps keep family and friends well connected.

Hope your leg is feeling better as sounds that you may need to contact GP again when the tablets run out if no improvement.  

My children live too far away to provide a food delivery service so just as well I can make do for myself.  Will enjoy a roast dinner with them when we can be together again.

Have re-scheduled my summer break for September but will take a refund (as offered) if still unable to travel abroad by then.les

Am having a get together tomorrow in a close friend's front garden so something to look forward to.

Take good care and hopefully we will see a bit more easing of lockdown for everyone in the coming weeks. Stay safe.  Jules x

Hi Jules,glad your ok and keeping up with family,and enjoying some time keeping up with friends even if it is on a park bench, I have been to my daughter's this afternoon ( Friday) we sat in the garden and had sandwiches and scones which she made, the weather is hot at the moment had George out  but take him a bout 11 as its to hot after dinner.we have had hardly any rain now for months the gardens are bone dry I water my plants every other day I haven't got that many to water as I haven't been to the garden centre sat out side on Thursday with my friend we had a coffee and sat 6 foot apart but it was nice to have a natter , I'm afraid my leg is no better it was that painful last Sunday I was going to ring for a ambulance, the pain passed after about 10 minutes,so I rang 111 told them all my symptoms said it could be sciatica I have to take one tablet at night ,it's not as bad but it still doesn't feel right, I will the doctors Monday  and see what he says to be honest Jules I'm getting fed up with it all .my tv box has broke as well my son is coming tomorrow to see if he can fix it  take care  enjoy the sunshine regards syl x

Hi Syl,

Hope your visit to the docs today will help you get things sorted out.  Sounds as though the various ailments along with lockdown are getting you down somewhat.  Still it is good that you can get out with George before the heat gets too much for you both.

I too have caught up with a couple of friends with the usual social distancing in place. Tomorrow I will venture into town for the first time since lockdown.  Having finally got my P45 through in the post I am going into my ex workplace to clear my locker and hand in security bits and bobs.  They have not contacted me but I  just want to get the loose ends tied up so I can get on with enjoying retirement.  

My garden is very dry too though there has been a mention of a break from the heat by Wednesday so fingers crossed we see a little of the wet stuff .  Lawn is brown already and it is only just June!. I have not gone to the garden centre as do not class that as essential shopping yet,  Did my fortnightly supermarket shop this morning and it was lovely and quiet and no problems at all.  Hopefully it will not be too much longer before you may be able to go and do a bit more outside as I heard yesterday that they have now lifted the lockdown a little for those who have been shielding.  The lady I will see later this week falls into that category so we will have a cuppa at a distance or maybe a small stroll around the block whichever she prefers.

Hope your son managed to fix the tv box for you and that you will soon be feeling somewhat better. Take care.  Jules x

Hi Jules ,having trouble with my tablet so thought I would e mail you in case it breaks altogether my son has had a look at it  he said if it goes off again I might need a new one ,rang the Dr's again he seems to think it is sciatica  ,on more pain killers he said if it doesn't go he will send me for a scan it isn't as bad  as it was so maybe it will  ease a bit now I hope so ,the weather has broke now had rain now for a few days ,it is supposed to rain all weekend at least the garden will get a good soak.my son fixed my box it needed a new part so  he ordered it from amazon and he did it the following day. glad you have retired fully now did you get any presents from your work colleagues ? I have managed to take George out for his daily walk but not sure about the weekend as it has forecast rain all weekend ,my daughter doing a Sunday dinner this week  so that is something to look forward to there is more shops opening next week but everyone that goes on public transport has got to wear a mask now,I don't think I will be going  out to the shops for a while even though I would love to and hair dresses not opening till beginning of July my hair is desperate for a cut I have a Mobil  hair dresser that comes to mine she has done my hair for years ,she is hoping to  start again  at the end of June. enjoy your weekend stay safe  regards Syl x

Hi Syl,

Hope the extra pain relief has been helping.  Still predominantly dry here so the walks continue and have been enjoying time in the garden.  Apparently due to be wet from tomorrow so will have to take the brolly but continue with exercise.  

Glad your son was able to fix your box and lets home your tablet lasts a bit longer.  I mainly use a laptop and prefer full size keyboard (can't take the secretary out of me ha ha).  The tablet has hardly been used since I upgraded my phone at the beginning of the year.

As I retired during lockdown no leaving do and no 'good wishes' or gifts either.  Out of sight, out of mind.  Maybe once the new normal comes along a few of us will go for a meal who knows!!

My aunt turned 90 on Monday so lots of flowers/gifts sent and of course family phone calls.  She had been into her nearest big town on the bus last week and was the only passenger.  I have only worn a mask once so far and that was when I took my things back to work and had to use public transport.  No big deal. With the local shops all geared up for socials distancing thankfully no worries with going there. Went to the garden centre yesterday and got a few bedding plants and some seeds.  Have bulbs and water plants coming via Amazon in the next couple of weeks.  Strange to think I should have been going to Italy next week but will hopefully enjoy it when I get the chance to go and still something to look forward to.

Went to lunch with a couple of friends out in their back garden today and was so nice to have some social interaction and did a couple of online exercise classes plus 'walk a mile' at home when I go back.  Now putting my feet up after dinner and looking forward to Springwatch at 8.  Take care of yourself.  Jules x