shhDRink me

 We thought it was getting better. We thought - okay, we can deal with the prostate cancer radiation therapy because other stuff is getting back to normal and anyway, we have France to look forward to. Then the train to London was cancelled, then the holiday was too. Right, so we re-book for this time next year. We can staycation and give P time to recuperate. Booked for Keswick and did d,b+b so no need to do track-and-trace. Loved it, although 4 course dinner every night did expand the waistline.  And Storm Alex flooded the part of France we had planned to visit. So far so good. Then tiers were introduced regionally but we were brave and had our first Caffe Nero since March. So tonight Boris stood at his lectern and now there will be a national lockdown, starting Thursday. Not like it was in March. The schools will be open, work if can not do so from home, but non-essential shops will be closed as well as all sorts of other things. Perhaps the Market will have to close again,...

Is life returning to normal? or are we all just getting bored/confused/fed up with being told what to do? Is it still 2 metres or 1 metre plus?Can two or more households meet indoors (providing social distancing is adhered to) or is that Scotland? Do we wear face coverings when we go out of our front door or is it only if we go indoors (like shops, transport or pubs)? How many people are now pragmatists and just shrug their shoulders? We had a visit from two friends. They came in, had tea and cake made by me, with our plates and cups, sat in a standard room in which distancing is a challenge. Then shook hands, hugged and waved goodbye. Seven days and counting. (Well, now 5 and counting...) Second Market and not as chaotic. Constant drip, drip and sold most things. Some orders for next week. Just need to stop our cashier from being so obsessive about totalling.... Plot has lots of blackcurrants, everything growing madly because of the rain/warm/sunshine. Someone has found A a...

Totally exhausted! Market was very busy, chaotic at times but nice to see customers again. Everyone seems well and no stories of illness. Biggest excitement  was a raid on a hidden cannabis farm - and in such a respectable village! I think the card reader is on its way to comprehension, thank goodness it is someone else's problem! Sold all baking and over £90 of jars. I can't imagine next week being as profitable. So better consider what to bake and have I've got enough eggs..... Sarah sent here latest play on Sidelines. Typical wordweave. P bravely went into Liverpool and it wasn't very busy at all. Went to Matta's and A said ' oh, while you're there....' so he came back with a full rucksack! The Masked Forager. Sun has returned and the wind has dropped. Temperature is rising and it just might be nice, the next few days.

Had an appointment with nurse yesterday. Took readings and she did another while I was there. It is coming down, so have to carry on and she will phone me next Monday, 10am and I will give her all the readings. Then she will do an average and see what the doctors says. Pp is moving out of A's home. Might not be forever, but who knows..... Lockdown easing, some pubs opened at the week-end and have had to close again as some customers had tested positive for COVID 19. Tuesday and the orders are starting to come in for the Market on Saturday. Some people don't want to pay the extra for free range eggs. A decision to revue once we get back to normal markets maybe... Made nectarine and loganberry jam, lemon cheese, flaky pastry. Had salad for tea and bread and butter pudding (made with hot cross buns and raw milk from Appleby Farm. Tudor course on FutureLearn started this week

Did first bp this morning, 147/104. Top one fine, bottom one not so good. See how it goes. Staying-in-day. Did some ironing, pottered round the garden tidying up a bit. Need to pick rest of logans before the rain ruins them. If the drizzle stops, might be able to pick them tomorrow. Tea was out of the freezer - bellypork and rice, mushroom stroganoff and paprika chips. Started re-reading the Rivers of London books. I am constantly amazed at the details I forget between readings. I know, I shouldn't be. I am getting older and have read many books so how could I  remember every detail? I suppose this is why we don't send books to the charity shops. Of course, this also means we still need a large house and the idea of down sizing is an anathema. Evening bp is 175/105 Even worse.....

Gardener's World day, the only dependable telly, really. Went to have bp checked. Still high, but might only be white coat syndrome so back on Monday. In the meantime, she recommended I get a home testing machine to take bp morning and evening. As had to pick up script, got one from the chemist. Went to farm for stakes for indoor cucumbers. P went to A's with cafetiere and some brandy butter cookies. She is off today, in bed with migraine. Ordered apron from Nisbets. Orders are trickling in for next Saturday, as people see the posters advertising the Market. Made Damson jam, just a couple of jars, but it makes some room in the freezer. Yesterdays Zingy Tomato+Mint sauce is quite good. Just need to label. The weather is rubbish. Raining on and off, wind knocking the tomatoes over again.  P says I don't water them enough - don't want them rotting at the roots. Stannie has replied to the email, so all okay there. Sarah sent Mo's new address so have sent a c...

Now it is Wednesday and feeling better. A and J came yesterday with flowers and fruit and some broad beans, which we had for tea - yum! A had sent some tea and brought some more with her. It has hawthorn berries, I think, which helps reduce high blood pressure. Promised to keep it by me and sip it over time. Took a tablet with my Ovaltine and slept okay. P pulled a muscle trying to put J in the car. Still aching today, took a pill. Went shopping this morning, Asda, Boots (for Aveeno for J) Aldi. Then called in at the farm shop P had noticed at China Farm. Like the milk farm shop with honesty box. Sells rare breed sausages (various types) and apple juice.  All local. Jill called this afternoon with marmalade cake and mini rose. (Shows I'm not often out of sorts!) Had coffee on the patio and saw the wren in and out of their nest. Said she had met A and J yesterday when they were coming here. Everyone seems fine. David may be considering his options, with work uncertain. Pp is ...