shhDRink me

 Travelling in a car, the driver passes a clothe to the passenger.  Do you a) pass it back              b) say 'What the...?              c) wipe it over the dashboard and put it in the door pocket. Today we went to Speke Hall for the first time since 2019. The sun came out and it was wonderful to walk around the Bund and the gardens. There was only a small queue so we also went round the House. A typical NT lunch and then we decided to go to Parkgate for an ice cream. Often, parking is dodgy but there was a place and quite near the shop. Licking a posh cornet, looking across to Wales. A good day.  Who knows what the future holds, but today we have been together 49 years. Not a bad score. (Oh, and the questions? It depends how long the passenger has known the driver......)

 So-called 'Freedom Day' has been delayed. Are we surprised?  I don't think so. Delta variant cases are on the rise, there have been deaths (mostly from unvaccinated people) and there is concern for another wave. Disappointment will abound but there is good news for those who have organised weddings and funerals - they can go ahead as if all restrictions had been lifted. (Not sure how that affects the funeral tea we are catering for next Tuesday, though.) Solstice will be a quiet affair again but Nature will carry on as usual, uncaring of the affairs of mankind.  Unless, of course, the virus was designed by Her to make us all stop and think holistically. Just a thought.  

 Things said in a car - 1. Music on, Grandpa. 2. Are we nearly there? 3. Get off the phone!

 The weather has been wet, wet, wet. Impossible to garden and plants are looking sad. Today has improved, the sun is out after drizzling all morning and making it a quiet Market. We all gathered at Jill's for cake and candles for David's 35th. José is getting really good at blowing out candles. Those who wanted to, hugged.  Coffee is planned for Wednesday - indoors! Plants from Helen are hardening off in the compound, ready for the plot. A. plans to go tomorrow to check on the weeds, brambles and other growth.  Stannie/Tony died 10th but only heard on the 13th. He was 91y.  Life moves on.

We have had a holiday!  We went with A and J to Laugharne (Wales) for a week's self-catering at the Dylan Resort. It was fab, an old-fashioned holiday of kite-flying, sand castles, paddling and shell collecting. There were cream teas, fish and chips and ice cream. Lots of walking, laughing and appreciation for the fabulous views.  Even a castle! The only downside was the 4 - 5 hour journey to get there (and back again!). Next Monday will be the next phase of the governments 'road map'. We can meet indoors (rule of six) and outdoors in groups of up to 30. Cinemas and museums, theatres and soft play centres will also be able to open. B and B's  and hotels and hospitality in general will give a resounding cheer as they will be allowed to serve food and drink inside.  There will be other guidelines to do with care homes and personal contact (ie hugging!) but details will come slowly over this week. Media people are still talking in cliches - back to normal, the new norma...

 We have passed Easter and the racing season is before us. Aintree starts today and P is there, on the door to the weighing room, the weather cold, windy, having taken his own food (soup and sandwiches), drink and umbrella.  He will be shattered tonight. Tomorrow will be worse. By Saturday he will be able to stand for longer, but then, that is the last day for awhile. He will have enjoyed it, the contact with other humans (and hopefully no contact with the horses) that has been missing for months. The banter, camaraderie. Humans reminding each other they are human. Tomorrow I am meeting Jill again for coffee, so we can remind each other we too, are human. 

 Yesterday the sky was blue, sun shone all day as I baked, wrapped and labeled all the new things I decided to produce this week (instead of the 'usual') so that what came home was 'different'. I could hear the films on television - first a nod to christianity (King of Kings) then the pagan (Harry Potter). A balance. But still the sky stayed clear, dark clouds failed to gather and 3o/clock came and went.  Today the Market was quite busy, all the sausage rolls went (and most of everything else) and the few things that came home were new. Better. Not a grumpy day at all.