I rang Lisa to find out if Tugs was anywhere near Richmond and she sounded upset, Eddie the cat had gone missing having had a spat with Zippy the day before, he'll be home I assure her he's nit stupid as he knows which side his bread is buttered on.  Anyway we finally drove to meet him for 3.30pm, put your big coat on I instruct hubby, but no he knew best and his car coat would do.  It was baltic and we sat on a bench drinking coffee and tea in the wind and he was shaking with cold, I sat there and thought why are men so bloody minded even when it's not good for them.  So Tugs loved the flat and will discuss it today with Lisa, the phone pinged, Eddie had arrived safe and sound, smiles all round.  We sent a photo of us three me looking like Nanook of the North, hubby blue..in the face.  So I'm off again to see the cottage.  Hubby has just said he can't remember how to alter the oven clock, in the scheme of things it's not high on my list!  Carol x

My dear carol and friends.

I've noticed that you really like to have a good dig at the male of the species now and again, some of us like to think we know what is best for us even when we're wrong.   I'm glad you got out and about and had a good time even though you were cold , hope you showed Norman how to adjust the cooker.

Love your daily blogs really puts a smile on my face.. love Billy xxxx

Dear Billy, you know we love you really, it's why we marry you!  The cough is worse but he's not complaining as as usual he knows I was right, it was bloody freezing!!!  I was just thinking about you earlier as hadn't heard from you but there again everyone has gone quiet I think we're fed up with nothing happening but it's been nice gadding about as hubby has just said.  So the cooker wouldn't work without the time set, so my spare Norman has been in, switched the power off and on and bam the tea is now in the oven, so thank goodness for men.  Love you all. Carol xx 

They've bought the flat!!  I'm excited beyond words and said they had made my year, but it's only March says Tugs, well there's not a lot happening here I say.  They got Harry to face time me to tell me, he's very excited as well.  I face timed Alfie as well and he chatted away about choosing his options at school, he is on the gifted excellent curriculum at school because he is so clever.  He wanted a baseball cap with a peak so I've just ordered him one because he has done so well.  We agreed we will go to Winston rocks when they come and I said I'll buy a blow up dinghy for them both to float in.  So see you tomorrow.  Carol x 

First phone call of the day, Pauline has died.  Margaret rings me but I'm mowing the lawn so miss her call.  Hubby opens the kitchen window and looks depressed, I hadn't even told him the news so ask what's wrong, he hates seeing me mow the lawn as he feels useless, oh get over yourself I say back its been 12 years, you can help me with cleaning the garden umbrella, I know he won't and he doesn't.  He's fed up, sad and not doing well on his golf leg which he hasn't worn for months.  Margaret comes down and we tell him about Pauline, how sad he says but makes us coffee and we sit in the sun and reminisce about Pauline and David.  When she goes I carry on sweeping up, washing cushions as I just need to stay busy and not think too much.  So sorry guys but life seems sad today.  See you soon.  Love Carol 

I've kept busy to not  think too much.  I took a card to Pauline's house and Craig her son came to the door, he manages yachts all over the world for the owners but he looked like a little boy lost and his face crumpled as I told him how wonderful his Mam had been through our fifty year friendship.  I hadn't spoken to Chris as she was too upset too talk so I popped round with some beautiful pink roses and left them saying I was thinking of her, it took me back to losing Jean in November and it's just awful.  She rang me and said Pauline had looked like a little bird at the end, neglect, neglect on the part of her surgery.  All year she had known she wasn't well, they took blood tests and did nothing, she had to book a private scan and pay for  herself to be told she had advanced ovarian cancer.  She lasted four weeks, they should hang their heads in shame, pandemic or  not all lives matter.  So on a lighter note my friends are coming for cake and bucks fizz, although it is freezing after two days of sun we are sitting in my conservatory, with the door open, we've all been jabbed and I need the company as I'm grieving the loss of a wonderful, Mam, grandma, friend, charity worker and the best friend you could ever wish for.  Carol x 

Dear carol so sorry about your friend,yes it always hurts and takes ages to ease the pain and the thoughts of them,

I've been busy last few days bought some wheelchair ramps and set them up on our back steps then found out our metal table and chairs and deckchairs,and took brenda out there yesterday, she was looking around for hours really enjoyed herself, for first time in 7years she wanted out this morning as well but she was soon shaking with cold, but betermined to have another look around,I told her as soon as its warm again she can sit out again, thares a toilet just inside back door so should be ok.

We just found out one of our son has left hospital and staying in care home permanent ,he was run off the road on a motorbike along time ago had brain injury and other problems,he got pneumonia hence going in hospital where he got covid.  He's about 7 years younger than me (I started young) actually from bren's first marriage her husband was killed in a factory accident and her eldest son (two years younger than me)worked with me I went to pick him up one day,he wasn't quite ready and invited me in, straight away I new brenda was the one for me, she just took some persuading.

Take care and keep safe

Love Billy xxxx

I have just been to my village church for the Good Friday service and it was the most soul destroying 3/4 of an hour I have spent in my life.  No heating, no cushions, no flowers, no candles, no choir I could go on but you would be destroyed listening to it.  What have they done to our Souls and our beliefs, does Boris go to Church, I doubt it as he would not leave us in this state.  How is it helping anyone to cope when even religion is banned?  Hubby has made me hot tea and given me cake for sustenance, I need it!!  So the girls came yesterday, this was the chat on what's app befure they came, Flo, I'll bring cake chocolate  or salted caramel, me, I'll eat anything, Dorothy me too, where do you live Carol (she's been many times before bless her) Christine, I'm gluten free so can't eat it, Flo says she'll buy gluten free, Christine replies she'll bring her own and so it goes on until I chip in with "Cake Gate" the only place it's going is in my cake hole she says.  Anyway then Christine says she'll wear a mask as she had a pre op for cataracts, do we mind, just come I shout back, wear whatever you want. So hubby gets all the messages relayed to him, I'm going out he states.  Anyway we had a brilliant afternoon, champagne, cake, coffee and three hours of chat, well Dorothy said very little but still enjoyed it she said.  So they all left, I cleared up and the doorbell rang, it was Maureen's daughter with Phoebe Rose, a bouquet of roses, lilies and dahlias and a card saying thank you for the travel cot and high chair that I gave them, I can't believe I am handing down my grandchildren's cast offs I tell her, thank you so much they are gorgeous and so is Phoebe Rose.   Billy and Chriss, the warm wishes are much appreciated and Billy so nice to hear how you met Bren and some back history on your family.  Chris us virtual buddies cheer each other up and I can't believe you're still reading my ramblings.  Love to you all,  Carol x 

We've had a lovely day out driving in Middleton in Teesdale and stopping at Eggleston Gardens as I thought the coffee shop might be open and it was, so we sat looking at the beautiful dales where we could see for miles as the sun came out, I took a photo of hubby looking handsome in his shades and blue jumper and sent it to our daughters saying we had escaped.  They have all just face timed, Harry had received his hat and loved it, Alfie had his on and it was perfect so a good job done by this grandma.  We've eaten so much cake and chocolate that we've not had tea, I've had two large glasses of rose' wine and feel very chilled, apart from my spare Norman drilling and sawing as he is building a new shed, so I got my Bluetooth ear buds and sat with them in drinking wine and reading the paper, bliss.  So happy Easter to you all, Carol x