Covid-19, working and holidays.

 

Dear family, friends and followers.

Well, what I can I say?

It has been a manic couple of months for me and us as a family. To be honest, I have no idea where the times has gone since my last post. Life took over and posting, I have to say was not at the top of my priority list.

Both daughters and their partners have had Covid-19. Thankfully they all came out the other side completely fine. They all had it differently. Both the girls, had it worse than the lads. The main thing is they were alright. Our main concern was for Becky, because she is pregnant and we did not know how Covid-19 would impact on her or the baby, because she was only able to have one jab. Covid-19 has left her tired and so rest is going to be important for her, but both her and the little one are fine.

Our garden mooring, continues to grow and improve, with more work to be done over the Autumn and Winter months. We have also been very busy working in the Arm.

We have been helping to install new security fencing around our car park area.

The decision to replace the old wooden fencing came about, after we had a theft at the Arm and our resident tree surgeon had her chipper stolen. The thieves had the nerve to break down the wooden fencing and then wheeled her chipper out of the Arm over a steep bank. The new fencing has gone up really well and we have had great fun helping to put it up.

Next task, was to dismantle an old rotten picnic table and use the good oak table top to make a new planter. 

The one planter grew to three, as we recycled other timber on site. We then had the job of filling the planters with top soil, which was delivered in large builders bags. I think I now have arms like Popeye. During the Autumn, we will plant bulbs for Spring colour and then next Summer some bedding plants will go in. It will brighten up the visitor moorings no end.

 

We have been out for a weeks cruise with family. They hired from the local hire company Kate Boats for their first boating holiday and our first family holiday all together, which was going to be very special. We met them there on the Saturday and during the afternoon, we all set off together for a week of fun, laughter, tears and mishaps.

The aim of the holiday, was to spend some quality time with our family and for me to get some wonderful time with my girls. As we only had a week, the plan was to get them at least to Braunston and anything else was a bonus. We were not going to hurry and as it turned out, because the canal was so busy, we were glad we had set no firm targets. 

On day tow, our eldest grandson had his first boating accident, as he slipped with the well deck and hit his ribs and leg on one of the side benches. He was trying to help me, with topping up their boat with water and he over stretched and slipped. Thankfully, he was was not hurt too badly, but did have bruises to show for his bang. On the double locks, we breasted the boats up, meaning there were more hands to work the locks. A part of any holiday, there was time to eat out. We had two pub meals and due to the pandemic, we took every precaution. Our first meal was at The Old Plough in Braunston. We had wanted to go to The Boat House, but they were not doing food, due to Covid-19 and staff shortages. Our second meal out was at The Blue Lias pub on our way home. The family, now appreciate what we do everyday when we are out cruising. Each evening, we would moor up and enjoy dinner together. I would do some of the preparation and cooking on our boat and then transport it onto Charlotte (hire boat). By the end of each day, we were all suitably tired. We were tired, because we had not been boating for some 18 months and for them it was more physical exercise than they were used to and for them a change of air. They got to experience two tunnels and two lots of staircase locks, because we did Bascote and Watford Locks. Yes we got further than Braunston, which was surprising, because the cut was so incredibly busy, all the way to Braunston. There ere wall to wall boats moored and on the move. It seems Covid-19 had made people take a staycation and the hire companies had certainly done well, with people experiencing boating for the first time, when normally they would holiday abroad. We had a toilet emergency on the way to Crick and had to call out one of the Kate Boat engineers, when it was realised that there was no fixing it ourselves. We moored at Crick and the engineer was quick to come out, he was with the family in three quarters of an hour. The pipe work on the toilet had become blocked. I will not bore you with the details, but it seems it was not the families fault. With the job completed, we decided we would not reach Welford and so Keith helped the family wind the boat at Yelvertoft. Yes he had to go all that way to wind, because the Braunston winding hole was too shallow. 

Back in Crick and moored for the night, we all settled down to a family meal with laughter and some board games for the boys. Our homeward journey was a bimble. We wanted to stop off an allow them all the experience the countryside and just enjoy what we have always enjoyed about boating life. Our final evening on the Friday we stopped off for fish and chips at Sydenham. Pete's Plaice next door to the Fusilier Inn. Oh my word, the food was wonderful, but the portion sizes were huge. We definitely recommend the food and the prices are very reasonable. Definitely going there again, but will go for small portions. One small portion of chips is plenty for two people. On the Saturday morning our holiday with the family came to an end at 9am, which was when the hire boat had to be back. We waved our special little family off as we wished them a safe journey home. 

We came home to our mooring and cleaned the boat and stowed everything away for the Winter, because we will not be going out again this year. We are waiting for a surgeons letter, to say that they will see Keith and get his Hernia sorted out. Keith was in a lot of pain during the holiday, but was determined not to allow it to spoil the holiday. We were supposed to be going out again this month for an event, but have changed our minds. We have no idea, who long we will have to wait for the hospital to contact us, but we know there are no appointments at the moment. With the boat now in Winter mode, I will be turning my attention to getting boat jobs done and the garden sorted out. 

I hope that you are all keep well and safe.

I will pop back again soon xx

Happy Birthday Mum.

 

A Very Special Heavenly Birthday to my Mum. 

As you walk amongst the Angels, you will always be missed on earth.

May the winds of heaven whisper in your ear, how much you are missed your by family and friends ❤❤❤. 

I will always think of you, until we meet again xxx

A painting day.

 

Hello family, friends and followers.

It has turned into a glorious day, after a cloudy start which suited me just fine, because today was fence painting day. 

Yesterday Keith cut some off the bottom edge of our small bunker door and whilst it was off he painted it Forest Green. 

I then went on to paint both bunkers Dark Brown. 

This morning I finished off painting the larger bunker, then we both painted the fencing around our pontoon and finally I finished off with painting the garden edging and giving the bench a much needed coat of Forest Green paint. 

It looks nice and fresh now. I love painting, but painting the fence is not at the top of my to do list normally, because it can be brain numbing. Anyway it is all done for another year. I may add a second coat to the bench tomorrow morning, but we shall see. 

Time for a sit down 🙂.

Pop back soon xxx

Del Boy wishes Gareth Southgate GOODLUCK it’s coming home England footba...

IT'S COMING HOME! GARETH SOUTHGATE GETS A CALL FROM DEL BOY

Isn't it funny.

 

Dear family, friends and family.

This past couple of days have been emotionally fuelled, by the fact that no matter how much you try you cannot please all of the people all of the time. I am pleased to report that my daughter, who has been battling Covid-19 is getting better and can now taste things and actually did some work, as she is working from home. It is such a relief that she and her partner, have not had the virus really bad, although she was poorly. Covid-19 is deadly serious and no one should be taking any risks with their health. In our area the numbers are rising. Figures for this week show that we have 371.49 per 100,000 people and still rising. Masks, space and continue to wash your hands and do the right thing.

Today, I have pottered in the garden. 

I have been pondering which part I am going to tackle next and have decided that the bed closest to the patio area is in need of some attention and the bug hotel needs some attention. All I need now is some get up and go. For some reason, my get up and go had gotten up and gone. This may have something to do with how emotional have felt this past few days. I am hoping once I start a new project, it will spark something in me to make me feel 100% again. But I have a feeling that I need to address my emotions to get my mojo back. Anyway, the garden is looking pretty good. 

I am in the process of deciding what to plant along the bed which is at the top of our terrace staging. I want it to be low maintenance and yet looking lovely all year round. I also need to be able to cut the hedge, so I cannot have anything too high. It is another work in progress. 

The title of my post 'Isn't it funny' is because when not pottering in the garden or chatting to the neighbours, I have been working on the family tree. My family is so fragmented, I actually wonder sometimes why I am doing this. I am ever thankful that I have my girls, their partners and our grandsons in our lives, because the older members of the family who are still with us are not in our lives and sadly are never likely to be. I then think, I am doing the family tree, because I want to learn about the members of the family who were never mentioned or hardly seen. I only met grandad on my mum's side once and that was briefly and I can never recall meeting grandad on my dad's side. I knew both my nan and grandmother or so I thought, because whilst digging with the help of a friend, I have discovered that one of them was not as white as the driven snow and this in fact shocked me, because what she did, I would never have through possible of her. When I read the newspaper clipping, I had to see the funny side, but could not condone her behaviour and she was punished for her crimes. All I can however see is a grey haired, sweet old lady. They do say that you can dig up all sorts of things, including finding a few skeletons hiding in the cupboard. I have been learning such a lot about both families, which will be passed on to my children and grandchildren. We should all know our family history, whether it be good or bad. I know that family was hardly ever spoken about and photographs have come to light of great great- grandparents, which I knew nothing about, but have learnt a lot by doing their family history. If you want to learn about your family tree, please do talk to your family, if they will talk about it. I am learning the hard way to find out about my family, but I am getting there slowly. I am thinking about doing my DNA, because some parts of the family are proving hard to learn about. I am hoping the DNA test may provide me with some answers. 

Have any of you done your DNA? 

Are you doing your family tree?

There must always be an air of caution, that if you do not want to know about any skeletons, then maybe it is not for you. 

Doing my tree, has bought me new family members. I have discovered new cousins and an uncle who was never spoken about, although I knew of him. There is always a plus to a minus. 

Have a wonderful weekend.

Pop back soon xxx

Thank You.

Dear family, friends and followers.

At the time of typing, I can say we are still negative and we do not expect that to change after our families brush with Covid-19.

Thank you so much for your lovely message, they have meant a lot. Again as I type this posting youngest daughter Steph is getting better. She has a nasty cough, which is making her breathless, but she say's she is improving. Dan her partner, seems to be having a milder case of this dreadful virus, which is a blessing. As a mother, it has made me feel quite helpless, because I could not be there to help them, but hopefully they are over the worst. 

This country of ours is expected to drop all restrictions on the 19th July. I am seriously wondering if this is the right decision? I realise that at some point, we need to get on with our lives and as some have said we need to learn to live with this, just like living with the flu. But this is not the flu and it has been a real killer. 

Today we are thanking our 73 year old NHS for all their hard work and wishing them a happy birthday, and I just hope we are not heading towards inflicting yet more work on them, with the virus getting out of hand again. It is amazing to think that our NHS is 73 years old. How incredibly lucky are we to have this wonderful service? I am incredibly humble and thankful for their help over the years. They saved my husband in 2014 and they helped to bring my children into the world over the years. They were there when my daughter and mother died and looked after them to the end. It is so easy to take what we have for granted. The Queen has awarded the George Cross to the National Health Services of the UK and it has been hard earned, especially over this past 18 months. I say and very sincere "Thank You" to everyone who works within the NHS.

Because Keith and I have been self-isolating, we have not really been out in the garden, although we can. Because we have a footpath alongside our mooring, which the public can use, we have chosen to stay inside for most of the time. Keith has done his walking up and down the pontoon, which he has to do for his back pain. I have been out late in the day to empty the cassette, take on water and get rid of rubbish, making sure we have kept away from the other moorers here, even though we know we are negative. I may venture into the garden later to do some dead heading and to check for weeds, because have had a lot of rain and thunderstorm this past few days. The rain was very much welcomed, but the weeds I can do without. I am looking forward to getting back out there and joining in with work in the Arm, because we have new fencing to put up and the gardens will require attention. The one thing being in self-isolation has got me to do and that is to get rid of my sewing and mending pile, so there is always a plus to a minus. I have shortened some dungarees, mended some shorts after they split, repaired Keith's old shirts and mended a boat flag. I actually fancy getting some material and making a quilt, so I may just have to have a nosey on Ebay for some fabric. 

Does anyone know anything about Fibromyalgia? 

The reason I ask, is because I have some of the symptoms. I have read the stuff online, but want to hear from anyone going through it, before I bother the GP, who I know is over run at the moment. I suffer with Costochondritis and have done for a few years, which I control with medication, but these other problems have come along and it is looking like Fibromyalgia. I would be interested to hear about it from someone who suffers.

Pop back soon xxx
 

Covid-19 comes a calling :-(

 

Dear family, friends and followers.

I am hoping that this posting finds you all keeping well?

The title of this post, tells you everything, but what took place to get to this point. Last Sunday 27th June, we had a much anticipated visit from our family and grandsons. We had all be so careful over this past 18 months and on the run up to their visit. 

The day arrived and I had been very busy baking, tidying and getting everything ready for the visit, which had been over two years in the waiting. We last saw them all in June 2019 at Foxton and so this was going to be so special. They all arrived not long after 11.30am and we enjoyed a walk around the Arm, chatter and laughter before lunch. I laid out a buffet lunch for us all, which we enjoyed on our patio. After lunch we then walked over to the common, so the grandsons could play and we could have a game of kick about. The family visit was over way too soon, when they left to go home just after 5pm. It was wonderful to see my girls, and to enjoy the company of everyone again. We are going on a boating holiday at the end of August, and the get together gave us a chance to talk about our hopes and plans.

Monday morning dawned and all was well for us all. I got on with some gardening and tidying up from the weekend. It was not until Tuesday, that Steph my youngest daughter began to feel unwell. Both she and Dan her partner did lateral flow tests and they were both negative. Then on Wednesday she rang me to say she was still feeling unwell and that her lateral flow test had shown a faint positive line, so they were both going to get a PCR test. All of us then did the lateral flow tests and we all came back negative. Poor Steph continued to go down hill and was feeling very poorly with flu-like symptoms and no sense of taste of smell. Thursday and it is confirmed she has Covid-19, which means we must all go into self-isolation. We had already done so on the Wednesday. Dan was still testing negative with his PCR and lateral flow tests, but as of this morning (Saturday) that has changed. Dan's lateral flow test, showed a faint positive test and he is now feeling poorly. The rest of us are still negative. Steph went over, and over where she had been on the run up to their visit and the only thing that singles her out for the virus is she visited a BP garage toilet on the way to us. They had been out on the Saturday, but none of their friends from then are poorly. So it looks like she caught the virus from a garage toilet. It just goes to show that not everyone is keeping up the hygiene rules through this virus. Keith and I are doing tests every couple of days as is Becky and her family, but none of us expects to get ill, because we were outside throughout their visit and did not have close contact. Steph only became contagious the following day from her visit. 

This virus knows no bounds and so first of all please get vaccinated when called and secondly take every precaution you can to stop this thing getting you. Where we are at the moment, we have some of the highest numbers in the country, because the virus is attacking the 11 to 25 year olds. The university students here are all isolating, because it has hit their campus and many of them have not been vaccinated yet. It does make me wonder if fully opening up on the 19th July is a good idea. I know we have to learn to live with this thing, but until everyone has been vaccinated, the numbers will continue to rise. 

Stay safe. Pop back soon xx