Hi Jules ,my son and I did go out for Sunday roast it was lovely there wasn't many in as we booked for 12 30  so it was a nice time to go think this Sunday my daughter is doing a Sunday dinner as she hasn't done one for a couple of week, last Saturday my daughter took me to a garden centre called bents it a massive place they sell alsorts we had a walk round my daughter bought some plants for her hanging baskets we then booked a table in the cafe for coffee and something to eat really enjoyed it it's nice to do something different for a change, I'm afraid we are now in tier 3 with covid  deaths going up in the local hospital and quite a few people  being admitted  with it it's frightening really as a lot of the country are  now going into tier 3 . weather not good here have had a lot of rain not had George out today as it's not stopped raining all day,glad your roof is getting done that's one thing less to worry about especially with winter on its way, I also miss going out with hubby for something to eat we loved going out for lunch to our local pub sometimes we would have our tea out on a Saturday as well something I miss .fed the hedgehog s again tonight  don't think it will be long now before they hibernate it's usually about November but don't think it's cold enough yet have a lovely week stay safe regards Syl x

Hi Syl,

Nice that you were able to get out for a meal with your son and also that your daughter will be cooking a roast.  You must be so grateful that they are close enough to see them fairly regularly. 

I have continued to walk come rain or shine (few changes of clothes along the way ha ha).  Plenty of autumnal photos to add to the growing 'lockdown collection' but my online followers seem to appreciate my daily walk updates as they cannot all get out and about and with another full lockdown looming I hope to be able to keep on walking.  The gym closes again on Thursday but will once again provide sessions online so not all bad news.

My daughter in law is doing a socially distanced drop off this afternoon so that family birthday gifts can be passed on.  Both her and my eldest grandson have birthdays this month so will not be able to celebrate in the normal way.  As part of my daughter's bubble this time round I will at least get to see them once or twice hopefully.  The most important thing is to protect those around us and our wonderful health service.

Very windy for my walk this morning but thankfully dry and mild.  Apparently cooler weather forecast so may have to put the fire on.  Seems to be strange to not need it yet and even managed to mow the lawn for probably the last time. Goodness knows what our husbands would have made of everything that is going on.  My hubby would not have liked to have been kept at home that's for sure; he loved his job so much and was shattered when his health meant he had to give it up and could no longer travel  in the course of his work.  All seems a long while ago now but then on other days, just as if it were yesterday.  Still onwards and upwards and doing him proud I hope.

Take care and stay safe.  Wishing you a pleasant weekend.  I am hoping it will be a dry one so can potter outside.  Best regards.  Jules x

Hi Jules, just had George out nice day here dispite all the rain we had during the week nice day tomorrow then back to rain.glad your keeping up with your walks  it is nice to get out especially in these awful times were all in lockdown now my daughter has been furloughed again till at least 2 of December,but my son is still working from home haven't seen my friend's now for a couple of week we txt one another but it's not the same as talking face to face .I don't know what my hubby would have thought of it all either I have a feeling he wouldn't have abided by the rules he because he had his own garage e would have carried on as usual .I know how you feel about things feeling like yesterday and sometimes they feel like a life time ago we must all have the same feeling when we lose someone we love . I have had to come off the tablets I was on for my knee pain as they can cause problems for your kidneys so I'm on cocodamol and voltarol cream at the moment I'm in agony as soon as I get out of bed  for at least 30 minutes with the pain it's awful then it starts to ache,I'm not sure if I can continue with the pain  will have ring the drs again it it continues. not sure what I'm doing at the weekend not that we can do much at the moment lol  enjoy your week stay safe  regards Syl x

Hi Syl,

Mild and dry here but had to stay in to take in some of my ' Christmas shopping.  Having said that I managed 2hrs of gardening and was able to leave the patio doors open.  Very lucky for this time of year.  A walk planned with a friend later in the week and my daughter and the boys popping down to do our 'bubble visit' at the weekend so looking forward to some company.

I do find the Volterol gel works very well on my hip  and so easy to use.  I was told to keep up the exercise as much as possible and still manage the occasional 8mile stroll but mainly between 3 and 5 miles several times a week.  Long may that last as loving the Autumnal colour.  Online gym sessions three times a week whilst in lockdown again but thankful for my exercise slots outside as love the fresh air and taking my camera to record day to day.  Garden birds have been busy stripping my hawthorn of berries and I have just taken the next couple of months delivery of bulk wild bird feed so that should keep them happy as the weather is bound to cool down eventually.

Did my supermarket shop for the next fortnight on Monday and was back home by 9 a.m.  Very quiet and have found this is the best day to go at the moment.  Just heard that at my old workplace all but 3 staff have been placed on furlough though how three people can cope with a two floor store I don't know.  Pretty pleased that I no longer have the stress of working that's for sure.

Finished a book today so will sort out another from my secondhand pile (came via my daughter;s neighbour who was having a clear out and as nearly all crime or thrillers right up my street).

Hope you had a reasonable weekend given the circumstances and that perhaps you have some plans for the coming one.  Being able to spend time gardening has helped the time pass quite nicely.  Stay safe and if that pain gets too much it sounds as though a call to the docs would be sensible.

Take care.  Jules x

Hi Jules,glad you have been doing a bit of Christmas shopping and keeping up with your exercise classes even if there on line have managed to do my lawn today ,think it might be the last cut now till spring the green bins stop at the end of the month and don't start again till march I think.  I'm glad your still enjoying your walks weather permitting it is nice to get out in the fresh air especially while we're all still in lockdown . my daughter did a lovely Sunday dinner last Sunday not sure what is happening this weekend I have a feeling we might be seeing to our selves this week, how is your roof is it ok now ? I am having my windows done at the end of the month ,he came last week to measure them I'm not having them all done just the front ones,and my pateo doors at the back hopefully it will be done over the weekend .I rang the drs again Monday about the pain in my knee she has put me on a stronger dose of cocodamol hope these work as I don't know what the next step is the trouble is you can't even see a Dr at the moment  because of this virus.havnt heard anything about my friendship group think it will be next year before we start up again have spoke to a few of them every one seems to be ok at the moment seems a long time  since I saw any of them let's hope things are different next year if this vaccine works have a lovely week with you family stay safe regards syl x

Hi Syl,

You were very lucky to get another mowing in.  My grass is far too soggy so it will no doubt be Spring before we know it and it will be lush for the winter season!

Have continued with my daily walks and managed a couple of socially distanced walks too  so not bad at all.  Camera being kept busy and many of my on line clubs are seeing the results.  One of them was set up during the first lockdown and they are  now releasing a calendar for next year which I shall buy as a memory of new 'virtual friends' made during these strange times.

Hope the new painkillers help you manage the painful knee.  Our GP has been open throughout and though I have not needed to attend I know they are seeing patients when it is absolutely necessary and clinics have continued.

My daughter and the two boys popped down on Saturday for the day and it was lovely to see them.  All being well I will go up for my eldest grandson's birthday at the end of the month.  However there has been a death in my son in law'sfamily and I may need to have the boys whilst they attend the funeral so am on stand by.  Date to be confirmed as have to await results of post mortem.  Not the easiest of times.

No plans for the coming weekend but will definitely go walking locally so my exercise routine continues.  Take good care of yourself and hope you will have a good week.  Jules x

Hi Syl,

To  be honest I think it is only being able to get out each day for walks that makes the current situation more bearable.  It is a bit of a struggle to keep my weight down as food is also a comfort.

Luckily so far have been out every day this week and th camera is a constant companion even if I am just walking along the streets.  Very lucky to have a variety of parks locally so try and take a diferent route each day.

Already seeing houses decorated for the Christmas season ahead but I will not being doing anything much as should be away.  I only get a real tree if I am entertaining so will save on this expense this year.

There have been a couple of chilly nights here so perhaps your hedgehogs have started their hibernation and hopefully you will see them again in the Spring.

I am lucky to still be seeing a few friends for one to one socially distanced walks and usually have a couple of catch ups a week.  Another booked for tomorrow and then seeing daughter and family at the weekend.  You are right that it is so much nicer face to face and somehow the conversation flows more easily too.  If  you are online chat or on the phone you always remember something once you say goodbye!

I am pleased you managed to get some advice re the knee pain and do hope that the recommendations will make it a little easier for you.  My hip pain is variable but do fine the pain relief gel works quite well at the moment and I do not always need it every day.

Hope you had a good weekend and that the coming week goes well for you.  Take care of yourself and fingers crossed the weather holds so  you and George can enjoy your walks.  Stay safe. Jules x

Hi Jules,just came back from a lovely walk with my son and his dog went to a place called spike island it's only 10 minutes drive  from where we are it is at the side of the river Jersey and you can see the new Runcorn bridge it also has a canal that is full of swans ducks geese and pidgeons ,I took somebird food with me so they all had a good  feed there is a cafe there that was closed years ago but was pleased to see it open again so we sat outside and had a coffee,came home and took George out for his walk luckily the weather is not bad today  bit cold but at least it's dry.i know what you mean about decorations both my neibours have got decorations up I haven't had a tree up since hubby died it's not the same now especially since I haven't got grandchildren. think I am at my son's for Xmas  with my daughter and her partner not sure if he wants me to stay over will see what's happening nearer the time.hope you enjoy time with your daughter and family it is nice to spend time with loved ones we are it tier 2 next week so I can have coffee with my friend but only outside very complicated with everyone in different tiers I'm hoping the weather ok at the weekend as I am having my windows done not all of them just my front ones and my pateo doors as well he is going to finish off Sunday .my knee hasn't been to bad this week what I have to do is take a cocodamol when I wake up about 6  rub some voltarol on my knee  then do some leg stretches before I get out of bed at 7 I can't believe I have to do all that before I get up but I don't mind if it stops that awful pain not sure what I'm doing  for Sunday lunch this week have a nice week stay safe regards Syl x

Hi Syl,

Your walk to spike island sounded lovely and nothing like a walk with family and nature to help how you feel.  I really should put some wild bird food in my bag/pocket when I go on my walks. Often thing to do it and nearly always forget!!

Our road has put notices up stating that people could decorate outside for Christmas and that they will have a 'ringing of bells' on the doorstep on Christmas Eve as part of the community spirit which has grown throughout the covid lockdowns this year.    As much as I love all things Christmas, as did my hubby, I do not decorate outiside (though have lights in my little back garden tree.  I wont be at  home for the bell ringing either so will have to let them know in case they think I am being miserable.

My daughter picked me up and the weekend and I spent time with them celebrating my eldest grandson'sbirthday.  Special treat of a takeaway  meal on Saturday night and then on the Sunday we had a lovely long walk which also let the boys and my son in law take out their large model off road cars for lots of fun and it created quite a  lot of remarks as people walked past.  I took loads of pictures to put on my social page and also had some family shots as we passed my camera around to capture some memories.  We also had another walk taking their dog out.  All this and then topped off with birthday cake before I headed home.   I will see them on Thursday as am having boys and dog whilst daughter and son in law go to family funeral and then the next time will be for my Christmas break.

No rain here over the weekend so hope it was the same for you and that your windows/patio door replacement went will.  Bet they look lovely.  I had the ground floor windows done 5 years ago and hope to get the next level done next Spring(at least they will match then!!).

Glad you have a regime for helping with the knee pain and hope it works well for you.  Better to start the day without pain if you can.  Take care, stay safe and all the best for the coming week.

Best regards. Jules.x