Dear Chrissie, so nice to hear from you and yes we were happier than today's children but they k ow no difference so what is there to compare.  Alfie and Ella are sad they can't come here again but we will see them soon.  If I can I may get the train down again and leave hubby home alone.  I've had a quote for new blinds in the conservatory this morning, think they may have to be my Christmas present!  I had forgotten how much I enjoyed swimming but it's so mind relaxing and the warm sauna after is bliss, so one booked for 2pm.  It's my  birthday in a week and I was hoping to go out with friends but that's not looking promising either, I have just heard that the Midland police have said they will raid people's homes on Christmas day if they have Granny there against the rules, you would think they would have better things to do.  I've just been out in the muddy wet garden to feed the birds, it has not stopped raining for days and days, it's like Noahs ark here.  So take care of your lovely self, love the Northern talk, it was difficult for me as I was from Essex and when Norman and I were courting he took me to see wee Bobby Thompson, everyone was in fit's of laughter, me not so much as I hadn't got a bloody clue what he was saying!!

Take care, love Carol x x

Guess what, its raining again.  I saw my spare Norman raking the leaves up, I'm so fed up of this he says through my window, he likes to be busy and struggles in this weather, Debbie is having a camera down her throat today, as she has basically become a hermit during lockdown I have no idea what is wrong, so I ask him to keep me updated.  Anne rang me, the womb cancer is contained so a radical hysterectomy and they think all will be well, some good news.  I messaged Jean but no reply, it worries me that she is now deteriorating at a fast rate.  I asked hubby did he want steak pie for tea, have we got one he says, no I reply!  So we're off for a trip to M & S to get one, plus some custard tarts.  Hope you're all OK, love Carol x 

Dear Carol and Billy,

Helping others is good for us, we gain just as much as those we help.  I so feel for you with your restrictions becoming stricter, ours are easing.  Case number here are quite good at this stage, regionally we have no cases, and Melbourne had a couple of days with no cases at all but most days it's under 5.  They are predicting that the "ring of steel" as they call it, around Melbourne will open from the 8th November.  So it may not be too long before I can visit Bree.  As hard as the restrictions are I personally think they have helped lower the spread of the virus.  At least you have the gym to go to.  They weren't open here, I think the best you could do here was a personal trainer, just the 2 of you outdoors.  
It does seem so unfair that you can't visit Jean, when she would need the companionship.  Hopefully she won't have got the virus on top of everything else.  Hopefully you won't have either.  I love the comment from Norman about your slippers looking "Mumsy".  I was looking at fabrics online and called Deana in to look, she commented that most of them were granma's.  I just looked at her.
Would have been lovely at the pool with the granddad and his granddaughter in the pool, something that once was so normal but really noteworthy in these times.   It does sound divine a wood cabin on the lake.  It can be so hard to recognise people at the pool, with googles, and not dressed how we usually see them.  I can't imagine they would stop Norman's treatment because his veins are getting bad.  

Billy,
Glad to hear your cancer count is going down, hopefully your BP will settle back to what it should be before too long, and they'll get the drugs all working to do what they are supposed to do.  It's great to hear Bren is still improving.  Sounds good, putting Christmas trimmings on you. 

Still not a lot happening here, despite restrictions easing.  I had a Dr's appointment to get a new script for my BP tablets,  waited in the car till they were ready for me, temperature check before I get too far in the door.  I guess it's progress, the last consultation was on the phone, and I had to pick up the script later.  I have had my hair cut though, short, feels so much better.  And will be much cooler when Summer finally gets here,  We have had a couple of nice days, even today wasn't too bad temperature wise, although there were a few showers.  Have done a few errands for Deana, going to the post office, and a couple of flower deliveries.  We are keep well though, just bored.  I took my good sewing machine in to the repaired/serviced, and I'm hoping to do some sewing when it's back.  The cheap one I bought was ok to make masks but would rather my good one to make some clothes.  I have bought a couple of patterns that I want to make.  I had to buy a new battery for my car too, with it barely going anywhere it just wouldn't start one day.  I was so cross too, as I had gone out and started it, then realised I'd forgotten to grab something so turned it off, came inside grabbed what I'd forgotten, then back out to the car and there was just nothing.  I wasn't going anywhere till it had a new one.

Take care, love to all.  Sue xx

Deear Carol,
So sorry to Jean is so ill now.  Cancer is cruel.  Swimming pools have not long opened here and only allowing a max of 20 people at a time, you actually have to book to use it and you can only stay an hour max.  No classes for aqua balance or aerobics.  I used to do the balance class.  They say we had some of the toughest restrictions in the world and while  it was slow to improve (and people weren't doing what they were supposed to) it has improved so much here,  Today only 1 new case, and only a couple of new cases each day in Victoria and none in regional VIctoria.  THey do expect ongoing new cases (hoping for very low numbers though) until such time as a vaccine is ready for use.
I want to make myself a jumpsuit, and can't find one that fits, so decided I'd make one that does fit.  Biggest problem is getting material I like.  I've tried a few on and didn't think it looked too bad.  My problem is i'm bigger in the hip area so to get that to fit the bust is always too big and usually gapes round the arms.  When I was first married I used to make quite a few things for myself.
Doesn't seem like too much is happening for Halloween here, some houses have a wonderful display but don't think they will be doing trick or treating with the social distancing rules.  Eli won't be dressing up for it, although they had Book Week at Daycare last week and he looked fabulous dressed in a dinosaur costume one day as a tiger another and pirate on the Friday.  He loved the dinosaur and tiger costume the best.  He apparantly went into daycare with his hands up as claws and roaring.  He's a boy and like noise.  Did they same to me when he came home. 
It would be 6 months since I've seen my girlfriend Deb (she lives in Melbourne, alone) but we've had some marathon telephone conversations, 6 hours one Friday night.  It's different but we still stay in touch.
It's so unfair that Joe has scared Mary that much that she barely leaves home will he still enjoys his golf.
Deana, Nick and Eli have gone to Geelong today, Eli desparately needs shoes,, he is growing so fast and not much to choose from here unless you spend an absolute fortune, so they are making a day of it with some shopping then visiting Nick brother and family.  Eli was looking forward to seeing his counsin's Quinn and Louis.  Not sure they will be back for tea so I'm going to make a chicken Biriyani which I love, and Deana isn't keen on, Nick would probable eat it although he isn't that keen on rice.

Have a good weekend and take care.  Love to all.  Sue xx

Dear Sue, thank you for the lovely chatty message, it has cheered me up no end as this morning we are all going back into a four week lockdown which is devastating, even my gym will shut, so instead of keeping fit and mentally healthy the government are shutting us in again despite it not working the first time round.  So now I won't see my family until next year again I could cry but am trying to stay stable for Norman.  It means we can't even have a drive out into the country, we were going to go to the Bolton Arms for lunch for my birthday as it is a beautiful drive there through Richmond and Leyburn and heading towards villages which live independently and that has now all gone.  We had no trick or treat last night, I did buy sweets but no one came.  Faye was taking Ella out in her social bubble but the weather was pretty bad.  Eli sounds like Harry, he loved dressing up for book day and Lisa had some wonderful costumes,  Alfie did it but he's more sensitive and took some persuading. I used to make costumes for my girls and also when I ran the ballet school we put a concert on each year, so twenty odd outfits for the show, it's a good job I sowed.  I love jump suits and have a couple, there is a big sale on in Phase 8 and I keep stopping myself from buying them as I'm not going anywhere.  Still nothing from Mary, I keep ringing her but I really don't feel the same connection at the moment as I feel abandoned by her.  I don't think Jean will be with us much longer and that is truly depressing me, it's in my minds eye and I keep seeing her thin little. Body, it's heartbreaking, her family and grandchildren love her so much.  If she dies during this new lockdown it means I won't be able to go to her funeral, it's so cruel.  Well the sun has just come out for the first time in weeks so I'm off to get dressed and buy the Sunday papers, much love to you Sue, Carol xx

Dear Carol,
Hoping your four week lockdown will work.  Are you allowed to go for a walk at least?  We were allowed to walk for up to an hour outdoors with one other person.  What a shame you won't be able to go out for lunch on your birthday.  A few people out and about here dressed in Halloween costumes, but they didn't seem to be knocking on doors as in previous years.  My biriyani was delicious, I really enjoyed it, although a very late tea as I misread the recipe, but worth the extra wait, and I have leftovers.  
I hope things improve between you and Mary, such a shame, especially now, when so many can't see family, you really need the support and companionship of friends.  
Our weather has somewhat improved, days are reasonably pleasant, but sitting here tonight I'm almost tempted to put the heating on, it's still quite cool at night
I had a phone call earlier from one of the Rotary members, we are having a meal out on Wednesday, at one of the local hotels, only 8 of us can meet (only 10 allowed per area in any cafe/restaurant/hotel), but I am really looking forward to it.  They are doing a couple over two or three nights.
A lot of people have a long weekend as it's the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday.  Nick doesn't go back to work till Wednesday.  
How is Norman? keeping as well as he can I hope.

Take care, lots of love.  Sue xx

Hi Carol, I haven't deserted you , the private message is not working for me !! So here we go again, Lockdown 2 ! At least the children are still allowed to go to school, I have mixed feelings about that. 

I am off to the pub for lunch today, my last hurrah for a while. So sorry to read that Jean is so poorly, my heart breaks for her family, and for you to be losing your friend. Difficult times for you all. 

Hello to all on Carols lovely thread, I follow all of your journies and feel as if I know you, I have hidden myself away since losing my husband but maybe now is a good time to come in from the dark and join you. 

Love to you all  

Chris. Xx

Oh Chris, please do as we are down to the last of the cavalry!  I face timed Harry yesterday but he was in the pub with Mummy and dad having lunch so we called back.  Poor Lisa is now in an air bnb and can't go home as the house is still not liveable, they are hoping that as they are already living there that another week will be allowed. This is all because the sink was in the wrong place, I did mention it when they showed me the plans but of course I had no idea what I was talking about!!  Sarah has just gone and I am trying desperately to keep her as she helps me so much, but this stupid government thinks they are saving me by removing my cleaner, my swimming which has got my blood pressure down and not seeing any friends, all the things that keep me sane are being taken away again.  I feel so sad for those alone and that is you Chris just when you need all of the above, taken away again.  I'm swimming at 2pm and for the next two days before they shut again.  Norman has just said that there is no one better than me to be locked down with as he loves me,  how lovely is that?  Sue, I love your updates from Aus land and don't desert us.  It does sound like you have it under control there with strict conditions, ours have only been strict if you are a law abiding citizen if you belong to a Protest group you can do as you wish, XR here comes a new member (only joking).  Well off for a swim, take care, love Carol x x

Hi Carol and Chris,
Welcome Chris, glad to see you've come out of hiding and joined us.  The more the merrier.
I'm with you about children still being allowed to attend school, although do feel for parents if they are home.  Ours are finally all back at school in Australia, after being home schooled for 3 months at least.  
Carol, A glorious day here about 30 degrees and still pleasant even now, I still have the front door open, but it turns again tomorrow and we only have half that and rain.  Deana and Nick invited a couple of their friends for tea tonight, I was lovely seeing others at home and a nice bbq for tea.  
Hopefully Lisa will be able to continue where they are at present, so much easier to stay than keep moving until their house is ready.  Is your government going so far as to keep Sarah from coming to help you.  If you had home-help here you still kept it, with extra rules and wearing masks (which would be uncomfortable at best).  At least Norman's comment was lovely.  The virus does seem to be under control at this stage, we've had no new cases for 4 days now, which is wonderful and only 49 still with the virus in Victoria now and getting lower daily.  Like you we had protestors here also, objecting to restrictions and wearing masks but most seem to abide by the rules at least outdoors.

So looking forward to going out for tea Wednesday evening, I think the last time was back in Feb/Mar.  It's where Neil and I used to go every week, and I haven't been back there without him, so will seem strange.  I have Eli tomorrow also, which will be nice, I didn't have him last week as Nick had the week off.  It was very strange watching the Melbourne Cup with no-one attending the venue, at least they won't have a massive clean-up tomorrow.  I didn't pick the winner, which is nothing new.

Welcome again Chris.
That care, love to all.  Sue xx