Today is a YMCA day with no performing chaps just me and the mop.

Yes no wellies, and not looking like a navvi with grubby hands mucky face and sweaty brow.
Had me a YMCA day (YES MOPING CLEANING AND ) NOTHING. Even the curtains got in on the act.
So started to decide what I'm going to do this week, but sun gone and I wasn't looking like a road digger, so carried on with dusting and cleaning, even my crystal butterfly mirror that  is my bling mirror from favorite shop Tylers got a flick with a duster. 

Years ago when the M1 was being built, there were lots of Irish navies working on the stretch in Leicestershire.
The town on a Friday used to be full of them coming from there site caravans, straight into Burtons and John Colliers the Tailors. They would chuck their battered ripped and dusty suits away, and don a brand new suit for the weekend, to hit the pubs and dance halls, mainly Town hall and Essolda. That was the regime for months while the stretch of the M1 was being built, a few stragglers met local girls and never returned to the M1 or the island of Shamrock, Mum used to say to my older sisters watch them smiling iris men, they will charm the pants off you. 

Last night whilst looking on fb , saw the advert for one of our favourite places to eat The Golden Fleece, advertising Sunday lunch deliveries so Viv Steve and me will give it a go, anything to help this local run place keep in business.

This used to be an old haunt of a lot of old friends including Phil Krause a friend who worked there. It's had many changes of owners or managers of later years, but one the original landlords Amon who's son Mick and his wife took it over recently and are making it a vibe place to go and to eat with sometimes evening social nights.
We have opted for roast beef and pudding, hope it goes well for them to keep them afloat while lock down is engulfing us.

Spoke again to Viv, she is still not too good but hopefully by the weekend be feeling a little better fingers crossed.
I will be checking into work tomorrow, collecting the blessed laptop, also my supervision with Zulf , not sure you can call it that because we generally get distracted to one thing and another but more about that when I get to do it.

Caught up with telephone calls to friends, its so important in these times but wish that everyone did the same, although text is good, when your on your own to hear a voice is music to the ears.  I was feeling a bit flat this afternoon, think its because all last week there was planning working and physical graft distracting me.
Now I have to wait because can't do the things myself which hate immensely, so in the mean time will take up the walking that broke up the day and venture out in the mornings. I am going to start breaking down the shed wood and maybe burning as much as I can in the evenings, hopefully neighbors won't complain, so next shopping trip is get me some fire starting stuff.
Thinking if it gets out of hand local fire brigade could be a welcome sight. 

                        Woops how did that get in here!

I remember at the Day hospital where I worked, we always cooked a full English before the patients started arriving always on Christmas Eve, we were half way through cooking the massive banquet for us nurses, physio's and OT's, when 8 burley fire men rushed in. We had had very sensitive smoke alarms fitted, and low and be hold, a sight for sore eyes as they appeared.......as you can all imagine we invited them to stay for breakfast, which they gratefully accepted our invitation, and we gratefully enjoyed the start to Christmas eve merriments. who said its all about the uniform....... And Santa.

Adjusted the twinklies on the little stubbie tree on the newly yet to form seating area, whilst peeping over the fence saw Marie my friend  over the road. We had a chat over the fence and she revealed some sad news, one of our colleagues that had been relocated from out patients onto the wards, had contracted Cov19, last week 2 patients had died on the ward, unfortunately none of the nurses had the full head screen protection only paper masks aprons and gloves. who said we are all protected total BULL s......

Listening to the news again, will we be still in lock down who knows and if so, we will have to just put up with it, too many people are still dying and all these precautions have to stay in place for all our own good. Don't like it but better dead bored, than dead. Just put my dinner on left overs with garlic mushrooms and yes will be having a glass of red.

Routines are all up in the air, not on a jet plane as the song goes but out there and lost in space. We all have daily routines even the couch potato's are feeling it because its forced not chosen.
Now the weather has changed who are going to put the paca macks on, the neighbors who I very rarely see from up the hill walk so smug, leaving their two plus 1 cars on the drive  and smile look at us in our new walking boots we are supreme, they hardly speak other times .....
Well lets see the smiles when its peeing it down they wont be so smug then, but us plebs who were never used to all the motor accessories, just good old shanksies pony in all weathers, we will be noble in our drown rat look and laugh in the face of the peeps with their noses pressed up against the raindrops on their window panes, with the look of arrrr what do we do now are new walking boots will get wet, how can we cope.
 Do I sound a bit bitter, I suppose I do because somehow its the ordinary people still trudging on I am in awe of and admire so much, like my colleagues, I am lucky working from home, owing to my immune and age, I appreciate the care and consideration they have given me.
                        

               WE ARE NOT ALL IN THE SAME BOAT

                          

              BUT WE ARE ALL IN THE SAME STORM

 KEEP SAFE

Anyone who has time for drama, is not gardening enough. OK

A weed is a plant that's totally in the wrong place but intends to stay......Well I am not a bloody weed but feel this last week attending to Tin Pan Alley, I have become a weed not a rose a stubborn rootified weed.

My project Tin Pan Alley if you remember is what my oldest friend  Sylvia ( Akha)  Mrs Bucket christened my garden, this became a mission that either would kill me or cure me, and I have been on many of those journeys this past 10 years, up to now have survived twice the Big C, cared for a husband, and widowed, so think I have the badge of honor for endurance, so Tin Pan Alley is not going to beat me, should start singing or playing music if this is really Tin Pan Alley, but will not treat everyone to that experience LOL.

I have worked all week digging clearing and on all fours for this blessed pleasure, but am now beginning to fall in love, with the prospect of enjoying this space with future friends, in evenings with a few glasses of wine and for the men batches of cans, some nice food and exciting chat, on how we survived the lockdown, hopefully that's not premature and it don't sneak up on me.
I have missed all my friends tremendously and felt their absence so much.

Steve has been a brick with safe distancing walks, helping with the knocking down shed, and the lovely chats to Viv in the garden have been lovely too. And what wouldn't  we all have done without our Bingo nights without Dan our saviour.

This lockdown I seem to have tried to tackle jobs that so needed a man about the house, so its a daunting fact you ignore these jobs or you keep on top of them, sadly  ignoring them seemed the better option. and I am now paying the price for my folly. 
 

But not to be put off I have persevered, and hopefully it will look ok when done, well done as much as I can possibly can but enough about the trials and boring trivial actions of my lockdown for a while at least. 

Last night I made a tasty Tortilla, for me and Steve love cooking and as I have mentioned got out of the habit of late, as I really enjoy cooking for people, earlier had prepared myself a pear, melon basil tomato and prawn salad, with home made lemon and tarragon dressing, it was delish, that's when I thought get a Tortilla done too. Tonight its my fav spag bog all  home made  sauce natural ingredients with herbs tomato's garlic and red wine, and mince from the best butcher in town, so that's on the menu at Des Res Tin Pan Alley. 
 Watched catch up of Corro, it maybe institutionalized, but do I care not a flea's chance. That Geof in it at the Mo is driving me and others insane with his devious ways, but so want Jasmine to thrash him, but in reality it shows how you can be snared into a relation ship and see no escape. I have lots of friends who now after being widowed or divorced, choose to stay single but with a companion, I think the older generation prefer this, no drama's no times to fall out, always maybe seeing the best at all times and if for reasons a storm brew's, just take yourself back home to your retreat, share a bed but have the option of slipping into another room, or back to your own abode, you see no room for the tell tale signs of boredom,  LOL.

The only shops open at the moment are things to do while not wanting to do anything, if that makes sense, I wonder how many kitchens, bedrooms, lounges, oh and dreaded TIN PAN ALLEYS have been on peeps agenda's, I bet some blokes are really having it bad, all the time in the world now boy's to finish all those job's you've started.

   
Right break time for my super, be back in a few mouthfuls of fooood. Back now decided to go for a quick walk as it was much later than normal, peeped over Steves fence and had a sneaky look at all the garden stuff Sylvia has given him to plant, and the little cherry tree I gave him,

 I felt a few spots of rain so just a couple of times round by the stream walk which is pleasant, but enough I think for me today. So eaten my Spag Bog, and going to have a glass of red wine, a cheeky bottle hiding in the old shed, love my personal delivery of my Vino every few months but won't be seeing some for some time now. The bottles label looks a bit scabby due to the wine sheds condition, but trust me it will go down a treat.

Mossie and myself who have mentioned I think, his mum and dad were my Chemo buddies, and think they are the most wonderful couple in the world, well he and me have sunk a few bottles in the past and needlessly to say, put the whole world to right on those nights.

Canal boat diaries on now, love the waterways, wish I could afford  a gorgeous barge I think I will call her  (Come on  IRENE), why Irene because she was an old friend of mine and special, and always at our friends night club Lynroy's we always danced our hearts out to this, hated the song but loved Irene, Ralph her husband used to mend the locks on the water ways, he was a manager of seven trent waterways. It would be lovely to moor up or have your own little place, I would have a dog with a scarf and call him chip, ahhr well that's another imaginary moment.

Many years ago when we were kids, Sylvia and all the other kids down our street , used to go to the bridge over the canal at the Bull in the hollow, we would be there all day swimming and jumping off the bridge, imagine you couldn't do it now with all the pollution, we didn't know about that we were young daring and this was fun to be had and boy we did have fun.
Kids today will never know grazed knees, being stung by nettles and using Doc leafs to cool the welts on your skin, they don't come with Nintendo.

 Now for that glass of wine and in my Jamie Oliver glasses that were in the shed for years from the rescue rubble, it will be most enjoyable, and well deserved.

Van der Valk as just started now loved this in the 70s looks like its going to be good, hope so.
Might call it a day now because will be up early if weather permitting, to get my hands on soil, Gods own earth and paying for it WTF, oh hopefully going to get some sleepers for edging and slate and pebbles for the new theme. Its all coming together folks......the garden fun party place, will invite you all.......On my blog of course when its a wrap, hopefully we'll all be able to do this again soon in real life.... not that I'll have a swimming pool, well maybe a paddling pool for the big kids

Fact of Life after Monday and Tuesday even the callender say's WTF

Wednesday came and it's on its way out again, had a very productive day, started with phone calls to my lovely patients and families. I really miss the contact with them, anyway after  the phone contacts, pondered on my friends description of my garden as Tin Pan Alley, this I might add could be taken as an offence but my friend Mrs Bucket, she does know we all call her that is a perfectionist, and we think the world of her.

She has an immaculate garden and is thinking of entering the local Gardens in Bloom, she did win 3 years on the trot where she lived in a very pretty village, digressing again. So looking out the French door's I did have to agree it was looking like Tin Pan Alley, the garden hose was snaked all over the lawn, paint pots left out, cans of lager stacked near the wall ( You all getting the picture) moss and weeds growing between the slabs.......
                                      

So I said to myself roll the sleeves up and crack on with this task.
Crouching on all floors, that was not dignified look, ass in the air, not a bad arse, I do like my arse it hasn't sagged so (tick)  but on all floors really, I began scraping gouging and removing the moss and weeds with vigor, so much that I actually enjoyed it so much nearly forgot to go and wish Viv a happy Bfday. It was nice to sit with my dear friend but not to be able to hug or give a big kiss was so hard for me.

We made good of the time together as we always do, luckily I buy all my birthday pressies for friends after Christmas, so spend half as much but get some lovely gifts for all, so in the present climate was a good job because wouldn't have managed to get her something nice.

After leaving Vivs I carried on with the all four position on the slabs, would love to say, after a night on the tiles or the walk of shame, but Nooooo. Eventually got all the cracks cleared so will now be ready for dry cement to be strewn and swept into them.

Tomorrow is another task at Tin Pan Alley, the clearing the shed that has stood for over 41 years, and resembles the wonky house from Wizard of Oz, I have often had visions of it being swept away like that house, in a gust of wind but obviously never wanted to give in and stayed put, but the time has come to say goodbye to old faithful, many a child has hid in there playing truant, or hide n seek over the years and in some ways I will be sad when it goes, how an earth can I get sentimental over a bloody shed but I am (stop it you fool).
                                     

 Clearing 41 years of crap out the shed to day was again quite satisfying, After a time decided to walk round to Viv's to take her Mels wheel chair, so she can use it if necessary for her next hospital appointment. We had a good chat and sat nicely in the sunshine, this is so difficult these days for us, as it is for all. But are fab plans that we were going to do are on hold and to be honest if anyone deserves a break its Viv, but it will be all the more fabuluuuuuus when we do kick are shoes off and do what we do best, not waste a minute of living.

Been out clapping again tonight and thinking how people are doing there bit, I have the pretty hair bands that the lovely Barbara has made, I have given some to my colleagues, the rest are going to the LRI, every little helps so thank you Barbara.

Will be clearing the rubble tomorrow, with a little help from my friend.
 Had the window cleaner round today distancing all the time but you can always guarantee a bit of gossip so yes that's whats been missing in my life, everyone is being nice so made a change a bit of nudge nudge wink wink Love it, well all done now cus having a Gin, just seen lovely Irene on FB with a gin, but she will be in Portugal in the pretty village of Ericia, so cheers Irene chin chin,,,,,,,,night all

Monday must be a Man, it comes too quickly...Just saying

Up to now Monday has been like any other Monday. Had to nip to work to take my work laptop in for repair. Obviously all the nurse's are spaced out in base ( not in the head) but seating, I so miss being in the thick of it but doing my bit regards helping keeping my patients out of hospital, not with COV 19, but with  management of their mental health, and supporting their corer's, I know they appreciate the chats and contact it gives both a sense of normality, which is very difficult when suffering with Dementia, or Alzheimer's at the best of times.

                         Trust me this was how it was in the old day's in Mental Institutions
                                                  Oh well carry on regardless nurse

Bit of R n R

Steve and I did our walking out counting steps leave that to Steve and his App, there was a bit of a purpose today, Mel had always never been a man frightened about anything, and dying was on the list , he died at home with Viv and I with him, he so desperately hung on for Steve to get back from Japan, saying in his final day's when does Steve's flight land marking it off in his book, but always checking the book was it today he was landing.
He did manage a few words on the phone the day before, but he could hardly hear, and both Viv and I knew that was when Mel realized he wouldn't make it back and began to slip away. They always used to say they were brothers just from different mothers. Must move on as this is bringing that day back, he was dignified and the old Melvin back in charge doing it his way with pride and leaving this world and the people around him, with love and a sense of over whelming love for the man that was still in there, that had been lost for many years.


Any way he always said chuck my ashes at Maxwell's that will do me, so that's what we did today, just a few the rest will go to Spain, and  then on a nice bush that's when this is all over, intend to get one and put in the soil as he loved the view out of our window.

Cooked Salmon with peppers and cherry tomato's for tea, caught up with my friend who fingers crossed maybe joining us in our team if she is excepted for the post.
Sarah is one of the kindest souls I know and love her dearly. We have shared over the years at work, lots of triumphs and total disasters, but mainly lots of situations that have stayed with all of us, probably for life, so lets hope she gets to join this old war horse for the last chapter of her working life and continue to do what we do best, be the best Mental Health team ever.


Have prepared tomorrows meal, not done this before so  hope it works out, its Chicken and herb balls they look quite zippy so think with some rice and Basil leaves will be tasty.

 Talking to Sarah, has bought back a lot of lovely memories, she hopes I will include some of the antics and stories in my blog which she is reading. The lunchtime stories I used to divulge always managed to make them laugh as they were so colourful and oh so bloody funny. I have asked her to think of some that I may have forgot, she did remind me of a few.

Like the one when Viv, FUNNY, Viv seemed to be involved in a few, we were at Lincoln at the Christmas market, the day had been long and it was time to catch the coach home, There were Porte loo's but the queues were horrendous, we both have problems just crossing our legs, so we managed to find a walled lane, it was dark and thick with fog a real pea souper. We couldn't see a hand in front of us. We found a recess in the wall and proceeded to pull our knickers down and have a pee. I t was such a relief, all of a sudden a light went on and we looked down and we were in some ones porch peeing on a welcome home mat. Needless to say we legged it, just one of the situations we got ourselves in. I promise you there will be more.

Just a short blog I think today, well not sure if it is just seem to type away, so going to settle down and read a friends blog Claire's, if anything she is responsible for getting me on this path of discovery I will call it. Because I have not got a ruddy clue where it will take me or just drop me off at that BUS stop I bang on about... Nighty Night all.

Saturday's these day's is just pants

It certainly doesn't feels like the weekend, its another day any day someday WTF day again, I am missing my build up to the weekend, perusing around the shops seeking out some must have stuff, and the thought of later maybe meeting with friends or family. This lock down is like a saga, ups and downs, high's and low's. Yesterday was cold today is dull even putting the lippy on is not doing it for me at all.

 Never been one to have a  duvet day but feeling more and more like bag of crisps any kind of chocolate and sofa day.
Viv wasn't feeling it either today two good days and now a bit of  chemo catching up day, so no joint safe distancing bingo special later. Tomorrow maybe better and if it is commence the project of the NHS scarecrow display.
 Just been asked if anyone has knitting needles, and if they can knit, I can but no patterns or fancy stuff just scarf like things that if my memory serves me well, tuned out a bit wonky and holes in it....so don't think I will be volunteering for that project. Think I will just start batch cooking different kind of meals for a change; and for my distraction techniques..

The night came and went, no big Bingo win, marking two cards is a challenge but had Steve's help, and tried myself a couple of cans of Ros'e, as everyone was asked to share a picture of the Sat tipple,  quite nice for a summer drink, not a lover off beer, I like drinks, of Rioja, Chianti, Presecco, or GIN of any kind.
Not sure what is on the menu today! maybe continue with my Mountaineering course and Abseiling, which I enrolled earlier on in lock down, I am now at advanced stage, you know the one climbing the walls and abseiling out the bedroom window, but  I think now I could improve my CV with the experience I have gained, could be a future change of career.

 Lock down is here now for at least another few weeks and maybe more, do so want it to be at an end soon, its going to be tough when it is, some Bistro's business's or people will not survive, if the Virus don't get them mental health problems related to all of this will be immense. Hopefully some good will raise it's head, and as humans we will be more tolerant, caring, and appreciate other peoples company, through friendships old and new, and the fact they have cared and showed their true colours. Some may have tucked their caring side away, not purposely,  like a crumpled old flag, but they are  now flying high and proud and joining the wer'e in it together that's our Watsapp group round here , others just pulled the curtains too, and put two fingers up to the rest of us that were and probably struggling. Well my take on that is we are here to stay, and grow even more compassionate than before.

Having a roast dinner today hopefully Yorkshire puddings will appear as well, I think I mentioned in a previous post how I am missing the Sunday roast, Viv,Steve and myself have gathered at one and others houses for this tradition for the past year, and Steve at my house for years, and like Viv we miss it, it's nice to share food and a meal to chat, I think the continentals have the best approach to mingling, and that's cooking eating and sitting down for hours talking whilst sharing a meal.

 I love when my son and his friends throw a mingling party, be it a BBq or celebration party or just the fact its a day and night to get together. They are so different from our gatherings, we tend to stick to the familiar folk we know in our little groups( not my style) by the way , but they all just get in there and mix.......love it. There is no age barrier either, everyone is a potential story to be heard so chatting to strangers is delightful and an opportunity to get to know also as my son will tell them....Don't give them you're address they rock up, hence trips arranged to BARI in Italy, Switzerland, and Naples.
The parties always involves a good dose of Salsa music no chart topping stuff just good dancing stuff, I take great pride to tell all my son gets his dancing moves he learnt from me, as I from my mum who also loved to dance. And one time the HAKA was performed there which was to celebrate one of the friends gaining her doctorate, it was quite moving the actual thought that went into this to make it special,  with the help of the Kiwi friend as the tutor.( Yes we got that address too).

 Visitor today Marie, safe distancing cuppa tea catch up which is so nice and makes a break hearing another voice sitting one end of garden wrapped up from wind. Marie is a long friend and neighbor no she isn't tall.ha ha, and is a colleague HCSW at the same hospital as I work. We moved in to our newly built homes over 40 years ago and have watched our children grow from babies to adults, and between the lot they have made real good people,  and didn't get into trouble ( not that we knew) apart from Nik's love of fire we thought he might become a fire fighter, as he did used to start a few camp fires . Beach picture

We had quite a few great holidays all together in the Dales and Cornwall. Derbyshire was walking and drinking in old pubs, Cornwall was about surfing, and by the way yes I could and did fit in a wet suit. The holidays were fun and lasted around a good 20 Years seems a life time away. The kids loved it and so did the grown ups, congregating in Pete and Viv's awning as his was the largest, we would surf at Lusty glades, or Watergate bay, and on the last evening of the holiday, join the seasonal surfers from all over the globe and build the biggest bonfire it was magical as there were maybe 5 families all together. It was handy also having the family living in St.Ives as later the Kids will still visit, they say they were the holidays they remember the most. Nights again at the the camp sites were a regular thing of BBq the mackerel that had been caught that day fishing, with music and laughter in abundance lovely memories.
 

Not a lot happened Sunday, apart from my lovely roast dinner thank you Steve, somehow got lost in the any day syndrome. My mobile phone contract runs out next month and trying to do a savvy deal over the phone was long and drawn out for maybe over an hour.

After an exhausting sorted deal, they needed my NHS code to get the deal put through DAMN need to get a new one, so all was not achieved but they have saved all info so should be ok to do late BUM. So will resume a fresh Blogg later's