Hi Jules, have took all my pain killers now up to now I have had only a bit of pain in my knee so at the moment it isn't to bad and manageable  I will try different things rather than mither the doctor who can only talk to you over the phone any way .   Glad you had a nice birthday with your family  and your grandson cooked  dinner for you what date is your birthday,my birthday is 1september my kids hav organised a few days away for us I don't even know where we're going as it's a surprise,to be honest Jules I told them I didn't want to go ,they got upset so I said I will go but I'm not looking forward to it. have been to my friend's again this week and shopping but still haven't ventured on a bus  yet ,even though where I live the virus is very low with only a few addmited to hospital in the last couple of week also my dementia group starts up again on the 9 September I'm still debating with my self wether to go  or not I know I can't stay in for ever and just go out  local will see how I feel  when the time  comes, weather not to good this week a lot of wind and rain managed to take George out though between the showers  might be going the garden centre with my daughter over the weekend if not weekend will be during the week as she is still furload enjoy your week stay safe regards Syl x

Hi Syl

Not too nice today, very heavy rain first thing and high winds.  Managed to meet friends for a coffee and my gym session but quite glad to get back indoors.

My birthday was the 16th August and felt lucky to be able to spend it with family.  Last week really went very quickly and my daughter, boys and the dog returned home on Friday.  So lovely to spend quality time with them.

I am sure once you are away with your children you will enjoy yourself especially have company again.  Possibly as you have been shielding for so long it will seem strange but hopefully being with them will be the best bit about it and as things begin opening up again you can resume a bit of a routine.  I look forward to hearing where they whisked you away too and at least you do not need to go on public transport if you dont want to.  As I dont drive, to go further afield I have to take transport but at the moment it is virtually empty most of the time.  I walk where I can which I still enjoy.  Am hoping to go to Kew Gardens tomorrow  which will be the first time since lockdown. Hoping the weather improves otherwise will put it off.

Hopefully your knee pain remains manageable.  I am hoping not to bother the GP with my hip and find the exercise helps and I worked in the garden quite a bit yesterday with no ill effects.  Managed to fill three bags of green waste which was collected today so can begin again!!

May have my son and children on Thursday morning and then going to the hairdressers on Friday before meeting a friend in the afternoon.  No plans as yet for the weekend so just take each day as it comes.

Take care.  Jules x

Hi Syl and hope you have had a lovely birthday today and that your trip away was a good one.

After the topsy turvy inclement weather last week, the last few days have been good again with sunny intervals and temperatues back into the low 20s.  Have made the most of it with some good walks and more photography. Local walk on Sunday and then popped on the underground to Hertfordshire yesterday and walked the three lakes, one of which is set within a nature reserve.  No problems social distancing and only needed the mask on the train. Was out about 5 hrs.  Today, after my gym session I did a spot of shopping and then had lunch in the garden as well as getting the lawn mowed and a couple of areas ready for autumn planting. About 3 o'clock got a cuppa and my book and finally came back indoors at 5.30 once the sun went off the garden.

Tomorrow I am going to Kew Gardens.  As a member I usually go quite as bit but because of Covid this will be my first trip since late February after having to postpone last week's planned trip due to high winds. Am really looking forward to it.

Trying to fill my week up as should have been on holiday and also would have been our 43rd wedding anniversary on the 3rd so keeping busy is the aim.  Will pop to the Crem  on Thursday now that I am not going away. Not sure where the time is going at the moment but, like you, am noticing the nights drawing in and usually have the patio doors closed by 8pm.

Fingers crossed that your knee pain is kept under control with the painkillers as and when needed.  Take care of yourself.  Best regards.  Jules x

Hi Jules. I'm back my surprise was a few days away at a safari park in Kent  called port lympne it was absolutely lovely we had our own lodge in its own gardens when you walked in there was a big window and threw the window  was a pride of lions ,we were that close I could have stroked them, but before that we spent a night in Windsor in a lovely hotel went to a restaurant for dinner who was at our table my hubby's brother and his wife,so shocked but what a lovely surprise for my 70 birthday weekend.i just wished my hubby was there to celebrate with me the kids had a cake made for me in the shape of a tiger which the restaurant produced while we were having dinner at the Safar park everyone clapped I was so embarrassed but at least the cake was delicious lol.back to reality now.clad your still enjoying your walks and going to your gym and you enjoyed Kew gardens weather not good here at the moment still taking George out for his walk my dementia group back on now ,I will go on Wednesday to see what it's like not sure I could where a mask for 2 hours  but will see how it goes , going over my neighbour's now for coffee have a lovely weekend stay Safe regards Syl x

Hi Syl,

Your going away 70th birthday surprise sounded wonderful and I bet all your fears disappeared once you were on your way.  Add to that you had special time with the family.  I love Windsor and will no doubt go back soon as a regular haunt with a couple of my friends as well as family.  I have not been to the safari park you stayed at but of course had heard of it.  If I drove I could take myself to these places!!

Quite a good weekend weatherwise so did more walks and some gardening.  Unbelievable that am now getting ready for Autumn work outside but really enjoying having the time to do it now.  Still filming the foxes as they play in the garden at night and a treat to watch the footage back each morning.  On Sunday I went to the local farmer's and just as I was about to leave got a message from my son to say they were on their way there too.  I waited and we had a lovely hour or so catching up (after walking the market again) as they had bought a picnic for the children and were able to purchase some street food for lunch.  Impromtu and very enjoyable.  Today I have spent much of the day in the gardens both front and back and also did my food shop.  Back to the gym tomorrow and looking forward to next week when I am going to stay with old friends (the first time since before last Christmas).  It feels good to be resuming such things.  Hope you get to your Dementia group on Wednesday.  Take care.  Jules x

Hi Jules ,got over my lovely surprise for my birthday now sounded if you had some nice surprises over the week with family and friends.it is nice to do something normal for a change with everything that is going on,at the moment where I live the virus is creeping up again which isn't good news.i went to my dementia group there was only 5 people with dementia and 5 volunteers the only thing we can do is colour talk or read it's really strange we all had visors on and we had to keep sanitising our hands and go out a different way to the way we came in. I also went my community centre this week it only opened 1 at September went with 3 friends for something to eat quite a few in but it was nice to have company and a chat,not sure about the social distancing  though and people weren't wearing masks when they serving food , when I told my son he doesn't want me to go again will have to see what my friend's think .but we're not going again now for a fortnight,not had George out this week as he has hurt his paw and it's got to heal up before he goes out again, I've missed him and taking him out as well.he keeps popping his head over the fence so I can stroke him and give him a treat lol .going over my friend's later for a coffee think I might be going out for dinner Sunday with the kids as it's forecast a nice weekend the pub we're hoping to go to has a lovely garden at the back so we can sit outside.have a lovely time visiting your friend and have a nice catch-up stay safe regards syl x

Hi Syl,

It must have been nice to at least manage a catch up with the Dementia and Community groups and sometimes hard to know what to do for the best of everyone involved.  It really does seem to be a case of taking it one day at a time and assessing your own situation so I can understand your son's concerns.

I have had not a bad week since I last wrote.  Usual walks, photography and watching my trail camera night recordings each morning as the foxes continue to travel through the garden on their nightly wanderings.  Had my three gym sessions but still struggling with getting the healthy eating back on track but at least managing the exercise side of things.  Booked my flu jab with the GP when they contacted me to arrange it (will be in early October).  Spent a lovely overnight stay with my friends who I had not seen since December 2019!  Such beautiful weather so mostly spent in their garden watching the red kites overhead and it honestly felt like I was on holiday getting a change of scene.  As a surprise they had booked an evening meal out at a local indian restaurant so another first for me since lockdown lifted.  All the usual protocols taken care of and felt really lovely to be able to relax and enjoy good company and beautiful food.

Hope you enjoyed the weekend and managed the Sunday Pub dinner.  Fingers crossed that George's paw gets better soon and that you can have company when you go for the walks soon.

No plans in place over the coming week but there are still things that can be done in the garden and whilst the weather continues to be so good I hope the get lots more walking in.  Look after yourself and enjoy the coming week.  Best regards. Jules x

Hi Jules ,glad your still watching the Foxes in your garden must be lovely watching them the only things to come in my garden are the hedgehog s but I love feeding them and watch them scurrying about looking for food.nice your keeping up with the gym sessions , there is no sign of my swimming aerobics starting yet apparently  the council are arguing over wether to open it yet as it wants repairs doing on it and that is where we have our friendship  group so I can't see us having tat any time soon.must have been lovely to see your friends after all this time,and have a nice meal with them as well I went to the drs Tuesday for my flu jab there was only me in which felt strange but at least it's done now been a lovely week weather wise ,I am taking George out again as his paw is a lot better now I did miss taking him for his daily walk and it gives me a bit of exercise as well covid virus is on the up again where I live I am not sure about going to my dementia group this week feel a bit apprehensive about going on a bus I've got a feeling it might close again will have to wait and see what happens. I'm not sure what's happening at the weekend regarding Sunday dinner I know it's forecast a nice weekend till the rain starts next week have a nice weekend regards Syl x

Hi Syl

Had a busy week socially and now trying to play catch up with mail.  You are lucky to get hedgehogs, I have not seen one in my garden for over 3 years now.  However  the night camera showed three foxes visiting last night plus a wood mouse alongside plenty of snails, slugs and crane flies.

Our local swimming pool has been open a while now but I am not a fan and usually only swim when on holiday!  A couple of my friends have been back and said protocols in place seem to be working well so they are happy to keep going at the moment.

Have an appointment with the GP for the flu jab at the beginning of October.  They are doing them all outside in the car park.

Glad George is better and you are able to go walking together again.  I see plenty of dog walkers when on my own walks and nice to pass the time of day with them.  Several walks with friends (socially distancing) this week and another planned for tomorrow morning with a coffee stop at some point.  Last night I met up with a friend and we went for a meal at her favourite Indian restaurant.  Only one other table occupied  and the food was lovely.

Have my daughter, two grandsons and the dog arriving for a sleepover tomorrow evening and will be good to have some proper time together.

Showery today but such a boost for the garden and I managed to mow the lawn before it set in.

HAve a good weekend and take care of yourself.  Jules x