over70isolation

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Day 460  Daily posts suspended

Whitty warns long Covid will increase, particularly among the young

Monday Week will bring the end to all restrictions, according to the pundits. That will be Day 472. If freedom is restored on that day the daily log will be suspended. Perhaps restarted if the pandemic takes off again later in the year.

Au revoir

[over70isolation]

Day 459

England ODI squad in isolation after virus outbreak

S had a check up at the Eye Centre. Is always a long wait while the tests are conducted and until the consultant is free to make his judgements. Today it was a 4 hour interegnum. I wasn’t allowed into the centre because of the covid rules so it was a wait in the coffee shop and the car. But, during the time S had been given some laser treatment to clear the foggy membrane in the left eye. Brave girl.

We had booked a visit to Wisley to see the new trial beds, etc and got there two hours late. Part of the trial beds are stunning displays of wild flowers. Absolutley wonderful.

There is also more formal planting

Still a lot more to see and we’ll return later in the month.

[over70isolation]

Day 458  What happened?

England eyes freedom: PM Johnson to set out lockdown easing

What happened?

[over70isolation]

Day 457  Arthritic misery

Javid manages expectations of the lifting of restrictions

A quiet morning dominated by the pain and misery of the arthritic flare up. My whole body is inflamed. Just quietly trying to imagine it gone.

Took a walk around Shere in the afternoon which helped lift the spirits. It always does - it’s one of my favourite walks. 

[over70isolation]

Day 456  Adonis inmates

UK doctors want some COVID-19 measures retained after July 19

A Zoom meeting to tap into the Adonis Village AGM. Turned out to be 4 and a half hours of agressive shouting and posturing. Could only have been 4 people who disrupted the whole affair with their personal grievances. Though it’s the same 4 who break all the rules and cause mayhem for their neighbours. They will not accept the generally accepted rules and flout the local bylaws with their unapproved building projects and disruption. 

It was a real example of sociopathic behaviour. Completely disgraceful to have to witness. We are starting to question whether we should sell up and get our money out. We’d be better off spending our travel time in the UK. As and when the covid restrictioopns allow we’ll take one more visit and work out if it’s to go or stay.

Got out in the afternoon for fresh air and to reconnect with the joys of nature. An antedote to the poison from the morning.

[over70isolation]

Day 455  LY65 KUO

Number of foreign tourists to Spain jumps in May as restrictions eased

Found a used Kia Sportage on line that fitted our low mileage, reasonable age and price criteria at Runnymeded Motors. Off we toddled to see Terry and to view the car. All looks good, apart from a couple of minor wrinles that can be sorted so we took it out for a test drive. Nothing about the way it goes to put us off and it was back to Terry to haggle over the price. A bit disappointed with the initial offer for the Rav 4 trade in but we pushed that up to an acceptable amount and we agreed a deal. Looking forward to picking up the car next Wednesday in good time for our trip to Cornwall.

[over70isolation]

Day 454  Ascot

Gluing back the bits in a post-COVID myriad of human divides

Another golf day cancelled because of the arthritic pain. Took a walk with S in Ascot. Parked by the racecourse and walked through the long entry tunnel to the centre of the track. Lovely little coffee stall greeted us before we set off around the inner perimeter of the course. 

[over70isolation]

Day 453  Brighton

Cronyism row over Covid tests: Companies with political contacts had their virus-screening bids marked as 'fast track', leaked email shows

We just fancied a trip to the coast, so it was off to Brighton for the day. Parked, as usual, by Hove Town Hall then a walk into town along the promenade. Stopped off at the West Beach Cafe, beside the BA ride in the sky, for some lunch. Into town to finish off the lunch with a coffee and cake at the cafe at the top of Dukes Lane. Happens to be directly outside the Toast store, a favourite of S. Whilst I had a wander around town S bought herself a new summer dress.

More tea on the way back to car park in the cinema caoffee shop before the walk back to the car.

Lovely day out. 

[over70isolation]

Day 452  South Hill Park

No recent rises in Covid-19 infections in younger high school pupils

S wanted to recce South Hill park where she is walking on Thursday. An interesting mix of theatre, art centre, gardens and parkland. I’ve never been a fan of Bracknell but this place is quite special. They even offer art and craft classes which could be an option from September onwards.

[over70isolation]

Day 451  Rain stopped play

Portugal to quarantine unvaccinated British tourists for 14 days

The I&O team arrived to make the repairs to our roof felt. But last night’s and this morning’s rain scuppered that plan. Delayed until drier weather is upon us.

Instead I got them to look at the oven housing and to slightly widen the space at the top and on one side. Thought that would do the trick and allow the oven to be pushed all the way in to the gap. But no, the rear of the oven is now hitting against the gas pipe to the hob and preventing a tight fit. So, back to the gas fitter to see if he can move the gas pipe to create some more room for the oven. He won’t be happy with that.

[over70isolation]

Day 450 High Beeches

Cheating aide Gina Coladangelo quits £15,000 Department of Health board role after lover Matt Hancock resigned as minister and left his wife over affair

Took a trip to High Beeches, near Crawley, one of the Historic Houses sites. No evidence of a house but lovely gardens. Not formal gardens but a hillside of walks through the trees, azaleas, rhoddies, specimen shrubs and wild flower meadows. The weather was unkind to us and it started to rain as we enterred the gardens. Spolied what should have been a lovely afternoon.

[over70isolation]

Day 449  Blank

Jeremy Hunt: Now or never to fix social care

Nothing to report

[over70isolation]

Day 448 New oven & hob

Shapps insists new green list offers `a little bit of relief´ for travel firms

The gas fitter, Kyle, arrived to fit the new oven and hob. All very stressful - will they fit properly, will there be a mess, will he damage the woodwork, etc. As it turned out it all worked out well apart from a couple of snags to be fixed. The hob was only millimeters away from not fitting properly and need the edges sealed to the granite. The oven fits, but need the top of the gap in the woodwork to be enlarged to enable it to fit perfectly. Not big jobs. Kyle will be back next week to fix the hob and to take away the old oven. Just too heavy for me to shift with him.

Having renovated the woodwork and now installed the new cooking units the kitchen looks much better for it’s makeover.

S had been out shopping while the fitter was here. She returned with a surprise for me - a mimulus ringens or Allegheny Monkey-Flower. Really delicate white and purple flowers and a scent like vanilla. So lovely. Second part of the surprise was one of Clandon’s fruit scones - the best that you will ever find.

[over70isolation]

Day 447  Too much pain

Stay vigilant to avoid Covid outbreaks at staycation hotspots, warns scientist

Golf was a disaster. Just too much pain in the leg and in the hands.

Home to an afternoon of phone calls about the funding of the pool project. 

[over70isolation]

Day 446 Haircut

Travel agents demand answers over why sector has been `sacrificed´ amid pandemic

Very excited today. Went and got a haircut - in a barber’s shop!

[over70isolation]

Day 445  His luck was in

'Please keep your distance!': England star Declan Rice handed face-mask as he chats with his Czech West Ham team-mates after Wembley win... just days after Mount and Chilwell were forced to self-isolate due to contact with Covid-positive Gilmour

Golf in the morning. Lost my match but I could not believe the luck of my oppo who twice chipped in with shots that hit the pin hard and droppoed. Both times the ball should have been sailing over the green. That’s golf.

Then waited in for the delivery of our new oven and hob. Now foe the next stage - to get them fitted - hopefully on Friday.

[over70isolation]

Day 444  Weald & Downlands

UK health minister says looking at removing self-isolation for double-vaccinated

We had a day out with H&C at the Weald and Dowlands Museum where ancient country building are rebuilt after being relocated from their original locations. We were a little cheated. The rain was fairly constant, but light at times. The main square, a main attraction, was shut to allow filming of a new BBc comedy show. Then a number of the other large house were off limits with packs of children being lectured to. H&C seem to love the place and have often visited. Me? Less than impressed. Though we were allowed to stand and gawp at the “Repair Shop”. A large old building where the BBC film a programme of that name. People bring along relics and possesions in need of repair. All very tearful as grandads old ships compass is lovingly brought back to life. 

Then off to lunch at “the Fox Goes Free”, a pub nearby. Decent food and good company. 

As ever, I could not resist the pie - this time a turkey, sage and cranberry concoction. Very tasty too.