Then there's the slowly moving on, which inevitably does happen and feelings of loss grief and realisation that I wont see my friend again, not sure that's sunk in yet but it will.
Iv'e had a few days where the distraction of friends visiting as my own lockdown came to an end, Claire came to stay with me for a few days which was a welcome and utterly needed the company.
A few planned things like a meal around Steve's in the evening which was nice and to sit in the garden for a few drinks before we ate, was nice as the sun was still out and just being able to sit chat and enjoy the evening sun.
The next day a walk was planned Claire Steve and myself, started out on our not so planned route but started and it evolved, we walked through Hathern along to Zouch then through to Normanton on Soar, where we had the first pit stop at the Plough, glad we could sit and have a nice cool drink and a bowl of chips, pit stops have been the thing that has been missing in earlier lock down walks so this was so nice.
The pub's at the side of the river soar and again was not overly sunny but warm and pleasant. a few paddle boarders paddled by, something I would love to do but not sure if the balance now would be good enough to do it. The chips they were good though and a nice accompaniment with our drinks.
We stayed and chatted for about an hour and then set off on our walk again, unfortunately if we had doubled back we could have crossed over to the other side of the river and walked back to Loughborough by the river, alas we took the high road back.
It was quite warm and the country lanes were on a steady incline very winding, I have gone along these route hundreds of times and it never seemed that long but when you are in a car everything seems quicker, well another pit stop or pee stop was needed, Claire and I into a field, Steve dipping in the bushes, you men our so lucky in this department.
Well onwards we go the sun dotting out in between the clouds getting warmer, but a nice breeze helping to make a long walk pleasant. We walked on towards Stanford pretty little village where again it has grown from a few farms and cottages, to now a well sort after place to live with farms converting to renovating projects for living, and their land being sold off for building plots.
Not against this progress but it does drive the villages being less for locals, and locals being priced out of the property market to the more well off able to move in and prices hike up. Shame but it happens all over the country.
Well now loughborough was insight, and the Brush works were visible, many years this firm was a big employer for people in loughborough. People also moved and located to the area to work at the Brush, like Steve he came from a little village of North Alerton, which he constantly reminds us when cock ups happen, which my late husband always joked about, he too was an outsider coming and travelling to work at the Brush from Nottingham, that's where I first met them over 45 years ago.
The Brush was a town within a town, with its own bank, medical centre, large restaurant which in them days was fondly called the canteen. 5.000 people clocked in I remember even now my clocking in number was 5024. I worked there till I left to have my first child Rebekah, in those days a woman didn't have the same rights as now, there was no reduction in working days or hours, it was full time or no returning to your place of work, and no maternity leave, how things change.
So again pointing out the buildings to Claire where we all worked, the converted car park where its spaces were a bone of contention on who got them, think the stories that back handers were involved. now all built on sad to see such a once large industrial place that people had some one in their family who worked there no longer there only remnants of the past, and other units there now.
Well another pit stop on the horizon after leaving the old Brush behind, we now descend onto another pub beside water, the Boat Inn, maybe among of one of the last old pubs left in the town. We sat had a few more glasses of what ever and stayed there for another hour.
Onwards and upwards now homeward bound, think we were all getting hungry now so I was glad I had knocked up a chicken dinner with all sorts in not sure, mashed potato to accompany in the morning because after our walk would not have fancied preparing a meal, GOOD THINKING YVONNE or planning.
Our walk now was over all 16k of it as Steve and Claire had their steps recorders on, not quite really bothered about recording what I do cus don't want more guilt heaving on myself for lack of doing exercise, but I know I should do more Steve and Claire do an awful lot but, kinda skips round my thoughts or inclination, shouldn't moan then about how I look or why I don't fit into size 10, all my own fault.......you do kinda feel a bit of a frump though and out of place with fitter folk,
Well after a quick freshen up more eating and drinking and the evening was quite enjoyable, it was nice having company, Steve is always remarking to folk how I hate being on my own, well all I can say in my defence, is you like your hobby of exercise, I like my hobby of people and I know which I prefer again hands down my MINGLING HOBBY...LOL
Friday and Claire left a little sad cus it was nice having someone to get up to get breakfast for, and say goodnight to last thing. She always sleeps well and eats well when here so I must be an ok hostess, she will be off to Croatia at the weekend so good holibobs to you Claire enjoy.
Later Friday Phil arrived at Steve's he hasn't been over even though he relocated not far from here to Melton, he has been shielding his mum. We went to yet another pub the local where we sat outside till later as it chilled down, a few of the crowd were there and later was invited to Jo and Cols anniversary at their place. By the end of the night I was regretting not eating food before going out out...not popping out, I was bloody Hank Marvin STARVING. so just a bag of crisps for super but couldn't sleep so got out of bed, and didn't return to have a kip till 6am,
The weather is a bit of a mixed bag warm sunny raining wind ,sun again and repeat repeat you know how it goes. Just going to chill I think now, covered Mels wheel chair which I had fetched from Viv's, and managed to cover it before the rain, but damm missed the garden cushions, oh well they will dry at some point. I miss sitting in my lovely garden it just isn't the same on your own, it seems such a shame the lovely blooms and colours are not enjoyed by far more people. This virus has something to answer for, my lovely garden not having the lovely glances and being boastful my bloody handy work and hard work not enjoyed by others, oh maybe next year although that's not promised.
Well once again will give you the tour of my labour of lockdown garden, please enjoy, safe distance controls at all times its free enjoy.
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