Hi Jules, what a lovely thing to do with your neighbors  ringing bells  even though your not there are you staying at one of the kids over Xmas ? .I have just had George out it's cold but at least it's dry even though it's rained this morning just thinking what I can have for my dinner now .bet you had a lovely time at your grandsons birthday especially having a take away meal it's nice to do something different for a change  it's nice to get out in the fresh air as well I don't know what I would do if I couldn't take George out for his walk. I have got a hospital phone call on Monday it's only for a check up to see how my COPD  is doing ,then on the 16 of December I have to go to the hospital  for a earing check it's good there keeping a check on people , I haven't had my windows done yet I got the dates wrong it's this weekend 5 th was so disappointed  hope the weather is ok so they can make a start they are going to finish Sunday .I'm doing my own dinner this Sunday as my son is seeing his partner and my daughter and her partner are having Sunday lunch at a local pub haven't ventured into town yet or been on a bus even though I would love to im a bit apprehensive at the moment  will see how it goes in a couple  of weeks have a lovely week stay safe regards Syl x

Hi Syl,

I think the Christmas Eve bell ringing idea is aimed at being nationwide and have heard about in on the tv and on social media too. Another round of well deserved thanks to all those serving our community on the front line and the scientists for bring some hope in the way of a vaccine.

I hope to be with my daughter, son in law and the two eldest grandchildren for the festive season as we have a social bubble.  We all need to stay well and hope the weather allows easy travel! I also had a good weekend with them to enjoy the low key 12th birthday celebrations.

Foggy and frosty this morning and had to break the ice on the birds water baths.  Still getting out most days but today I am waiting in for a delivery and then having a zoom meeting booked for this afternoon so apart from a trip to the letter box am based indoors.  Always seems to make the day longer when I do not get out for a few hours.  Back at the gym tomorrow and then hoping for a bit of sunshine to do some more photography.

I have steered clear of the main town shops as expect it is pretty busy with Christmas shoppers and glad all mine is done.  My next trip in will probably be the week before Christmas as have to go for my Mammogram so hope to tie this in with a catch up with a friend (preferably over lunch if possible) and we can exchange our gifts too.

Stay safe and well.  Jules x

Hi Jules just come in from taking George out nice and sunny this morning awful week though rain and dull most of the time ,we have had nothing but rain latley everyone you talk to is fed up with the weather and of course the covid I haven't been to my local town either as my friend has been ,she said it was packed with Christmas shoppers ,it's not worth the risk at the moment even though I would love to go and have a walk round the shops, I had my phone call from the hospital they just asked how I was doing with my COPD there going to send me some leaflets about the latest treatments and useful phone numbers,I'm at the hospital Wednesday for a hearing check my son is going to drop me off but I will get the bus back will be weird getting on a bus won't know what to do it's been that long since I was on one glad your still enjoying the gym our swimming baths is still not open I've got a feeling it won't open again as it what s modernising that means my friendship group will have to find somewhere else as well glad your meeting a friend for lunch it's nice to meet people for a catch up . hopefully my windows will be finished tomorrow Saturday they couldn't finish them last week as they had trouble fitting my front one last week by the time it was done it was going dark so they had to leave the rest,I'm keeping my fingers crossed it will all be done tomorrow,I have done most of my shopping now posted my cards just got to deliver my neighborhood now my son doing Sunday dinner this week . enjoy your week stay safe regards Syl x

Hi Syl,

Weather has been pretty gloomy here the past few days and though I have still been out for walks they cannot be quite so long and I miss being able to enjoy outside space.  Still have grabbd sunny intervals when I can and the garden has seen a bit of attention despite the soggy lawn!!  On the plus side it is milder so not so many layers needed.  We go into Tier 3 today so Christmas meet up with my friend next week will be brief, conducted in the park instead over over a glass of something nice, so a little disappointing but it is what it is and we are grown up and sensible.  I will still have to go into town on Monday as have my Mammogram appointment to attend.

Hope your hearing appointment goes well and glad the hospital has been in touch regarding possible treatments to help your COPD.  We had some family news reach us from the Isle of Man during the last week and my brother in law's wife has just been diagnosed with breast cancer.  Unfortunately she had not bothered to attend her last mammogram appointment lwhich may have given an earlier warning.  She found a lump and eventually went to the doctors when obviously she was fast tracked and the scan/biopsy shows two largish lumps .  She is now awaiting to hear what treatment programme wil lbe followed with both chemo and masectomy possibilities but was good to know there was no spread to lymph glands so far. 

Our gym continues as allowed to stay open  and with great cleaning regimens and restricted numbers (and now masks being worn where possible) I am attending three times a week as before right up until 22nd.  Certainly find it helps the joints to keep active and have not been having to take painkillers for the last few weeks which is great.

On Monday had my hair cut and highlights popped in to cheer myself up for the festive season and last week also joined in Christmas jumper day for a local homeless charity arranged through the gym.

I just now need to make arrangements to socially distance meet up with my son and family  which we hope to do at the local farmer's market/artisan fair this weekend.  They have a one way system in place and masks are worn with numbers restricted.  The last one ran so well and everyone obeyed the rules which makes it good for everyone.Just have to cross fingers for the weather so we are not huddled under brollys.

Well it is just gone 8 a.m. so am going out to feed the birds and top up their water and then hope to get out before the promised rain arrives.  Essential shopping to do for the  last time before Christmas.

Hope you and the family can make the most of the Christmas period and spend some time together. Stay safe and take care.  Jules x

Hi Jules the weather here pretty gloomy as well had a lot of rain my back lawn is sodden and quite muddy hope it drys out otherwise I will be walking in mud to feed the birds .had my appointment at the hospital just did a hearing test which was ok then I had to see the specialist he srinched my right ear so he could look at my ear drum don't need to go back now for 6 month,my son dropped me off so caught the bus into town went spec savers for batteries for my hearing aid had a walk round the market while I was there had a coffee then caught the bus back it felt lovely to do something normal for a change.tomorrow Saturday I am going to a Christmas market in a car park at a local pub with a few of my friend's hopefully everyone will social distance (but I have my doubts ) will have to see what happens.i know how you feel about having your haircut I had mine done last week with my colour  added as well at least if we go into another lock down after Christmas we will look nice for it lol.hope you enjoyed the Christmas market with your son I love walking round the market s especially at this time of year unfortunately most have been cancelled where I live but it's the safest thing to do for now one of my friend's is undergoing treatment for breast cancer she had a sore breast for a few weeks  went for a test and they found a lump on the other side of where it was sore so you never know  till you get checked she has got to have 5 days of chemo then they think she will be clear I am going to ring her later to see how she is doing.have booked a Sunday dinner at our local pub think we are going to book for boxing Day as well not sure yet have a lovely week stay safe regards Syl x

Hi Syl,

Just thought I would send best wishes for Christmas before I join my 'bubble'.  Unfortunately with the new Tier 4 I wont be able to see all the family but very grateful to be able to see some of them and not be on my own.

Have kept away from the shops other than to pick up bread/milk etc and even though I had to go into town for my Mammogram yesterday there were not many people about and social distancing.mask hopefully helped.  A few doorstep drop-offs all managed safely and let's hope 2021 will  bring brighter news.

Managed a four mile walk this morning; dry and cloudy but some photographs to check through and post on my social media page for those that cannot be out and about so easily.  This helps keep me focussed and the foxes are still passing through the garden at night.  When I got home I was surprised to find a blackbird eating the ivy berries.  Have not had one in the garden for a very long time.

Stay safe, well and hope you enjoy time with your children over the festive period.  Jules x

Hi Syl,

Hope you had a good Christmas.  Mine went well and caught up with both children and families, one in person and the other via zoom on the computer.  Thank goodness for technology.

Sorry to hear that you took a tumble; so easily done and hope the pain soon clears up.  Also hope the eletricity gremlins have departed and that your new TV will arrive in the New Year.

Now back to what has become normal routine with daily walks and housework.  Will be glad when I can get back into the garden again when the weather improves.  Already have spring bulbs sprouting but expect they will slow down now that it is  beginning to get a little chilly.  Some beautiful days over Christmas and we got out regularly to take the family dog on nice walks locally.  We also were able to take the boys to an exciting drive through Christmas experience at Silverstone which ended with a Drive in Movie.  It was great to forget the virus for a few days and enjoy the festivities.

Take care of yourself and wishing you all the very best for 2021..

Jules xx

Hi Jules. Glad Christmas is over spent it at my son's stayed over till boxing day few argument s including the dog it never stopped barking all day , getting on every ones nerves had a nice peace ful day on boxing Day on my own.we got together on the 27th as it was my hubby s birthday the kids did a buffet which was very nice glad it's over now let's hope 2021 is better for everyone .glad your enjoyed time with your family and had some nice walks it's been really cold here plenty of frosty days we even had a sprinkling of snow one day but it didn't last long .I am in tier 4 now so a lot of shops shut I am still going to the local supermarket but not much else not sure when I will get the vaccine think it will  be a while yet before it's  rolled out to us all it's not good news with this new vairent  it seems to spread a lot quicker will have to wait and hope  the vaccine  works .at least we can look forward to spring and lighter nights coming  once January  is out of the way. must have been a nice experience for your grandsons at Silverstone and then a movie something to remember for them lovely sunny day here had George out it's cold but it's nice to get in the fresh air stay safe all the best for 2021 regards Syl x

Hi  Syl,

Happy New Year.  First you joined us in Tier 4 and now we are back to a third lockdown.  All very challenging for everyone concerned.

Glad you were able to spend time with the children on what would have been your hubby's birthday.

I spent a reflective day on the 3rd (6th anniversary of hubby's death) and was able to lay flowers at his final resting place.  I then walked for a good few miles at the local 'lido' and grabbed a takeaway coffee/cake.

Not too nice here today with  cloud and drizzle so have not been out other than in the garden to retrieve the night camera, fill the feeders and change the bird's bathing water.  Glad to have a decent view from the armchair that's for sure.   Will probably spend the afternoon doing online exercise class and catching up on some programmes I have missed recently..

My grandaughter will now have to be home schooled whilst my son and daughter in law work from home in shift patterns as before though her little brother can still attend Nursery three days per week so that helps a little. My daughter, son in law and my eldest two grandsons are in their routine.  Daughter works in a school so is in for key workers children which means her  youngest boy also going into his school. Eldest grandson has remote 'live' learning at home and my son in law still currently working as long as the parts keep coming in (he is admin/ estimator at a crash repair garage).

So back to my daily exercise slot for the foreseeable future and looking forward to better weather so can spend longer in the garden.

Take care of yourself and stay safe.  Jules x