November 30th

And here we are at the end of yet another month. Another month of restrictions, doubts, fears and life I’m sad to say, we are slowly growing to accept. One where we check our pockets and bags for masks and sanitiser before leaving home. Where you make a wide berth on the footpath rather than brush passed someone. Also where you no longer worry if the house is a bit messy cos hey no ones coming round!!

Today we walked into St Ives for the market. I wanted some plants and that was really about it. We didn’t check the forecast before leaving figuring we were just in for another dreary day. Wrong! I’d just picked up the plants when it started to rain. Neither of us had a hat or umbrella so it was a soggy walk home. 

I got the sweater for Rufus finished, not a great photo as the light was so bad. I sent a photo to him he was very happy. I’m now working on a scarf for Laurie. Children are funny with their requests, I felt sure Laurie would want a sweater too but no just a scarf. 

Yesterday we took a FaceTime call from Gus who asked if I would listen to him read - he started school in September so I wasn’t expecting too much, but got a real shock when he sat and sounded out, then read each sentence of his reader. To say I was impressed would be an understatement, long may his enthusiasm last. Jess also read her book too me and again the change in pace and fluidity was remarkable. We are so happy that all the grandchildren have a love of books and the elder three a passion for maths (not sure where that comes from).  I know both sets of parents struggled with the home schooling but to be honest it doesn’t seem to have caused too much harm. I also think that they gained in some respect by learning practical skills and spending more one on one time with both parent rather than predominantly their mothers. 

It looks to be a reasonable day tomorrow so we shall be heading off out. Then I planned on making some mince pies and a panforte as the cake tin is empty again!

November 29th

Let’s go for a walk. You will need boots it certain to be muddy. 

Marsh Lane lakes is our destination (aka Hemingford pits)

Did you enjoy that? We walked 2.5 miles so not too far. Better than sitting in the sofa all day right?!

November 27/28th

 

Misty and murky I think you would describe the weather for the last two days. Not that we cared. We were off out bright and early for a decent ramble. I can’t tell you how great it was to be out and not worry about breaking any rules. I must confess we did sneak out separately for short walks just to get some air a few times towards the end of confinement. To be honest it was more for mental health than anything else. How people stay indoors all day everyday I can’t imagine. We just aren’t indoor people by any stretch of the imagination. 

So where did we walk?  We decided to head over to the guided busway and take a walk around Fen Drayton Lakes. It was a bit muddy in parts but peaceful and quiet with maybe a handful of people the whole time we were out. It’s easy to social distance when walking around here as there are plenty of walks for all and at times you may not see another soul. 

Today, Saturday I had to go into Cambridge for a long overdue eye test. I’d been putting it off due to Covid worries but in actuality it was fine. In fact no change again to my prescription which is great news. I was surprised how busy the town was considering the shops are currently closed. Some of the bigger shops were open for click and collect and returns, the market was doing a good trade and some of the coffee shops doing takeaway and that was about it. We didn’t hang about. Called in to Tesco at Bar Hill on the way home for a grocery shop, it was busy, too busy, uncomfortably busy, just too many people. I think after a month of relatively few people it was just overwhelming. Still we are stocked up now and I will just buy locally if we need anything. The new village shop opens next week, quite exciting. It’s being completely refurbished and is a Budgens franchise so it will be good to have a well stocked shop at hopefully reasonable prices. 

It’s hard to believe that we are at the end of November. Autumn seems to have felt very short. Perhaps it was the run of good weather in October and the fact that there are still lots of leaves on the trees. I’m not really ready for winter and cold, we have had a few heavy frosts this week which made me search out some gloves and even a hat yesterday. I’m not normally a woolly hat person. 

If you are on social media, have you noticed how many people have started decorating for Christmas?  I can’t do it, it’s far to early. When do you start decorating? We usually do the tree  the week before Christmas, around the 16-18th. I do like candles (all year) and fairy lights (winter) and lots of winter foliage so that is my concession to starting early. 

Time to get my knitting out, the back and front of Ru’s sweater is completed and I’m halfway up the first sleeve. Take care xx

November 26th

Last day of quarantine. A beautiful day. I went to the shop via the river, it was just too nice to stay in. Especially as the forecast tomorrow has us in thick fog all day. 

So tier two, are we surprised, no I guess not. What makes me sad is that I took a FaceTime call from Gus this morning asking could we pick them up from school once lockdown was finished. I guess the answer to that one now is no. We will have to content ourselves with meeting outside for however long this goes on for. My heart aches for the fact of missing out on so much time with these little ones. Spending just an hour or two in their company means so much. Time we will never get back. 

My days have been alternating between knitting, puzzling and reading. I’ve now finished all three of the Yorkshire Shepherdess books and am now onto the new Philippa Gregory- Dark Tides. The sweater for Rufus is coming along I should get the front completed this evening. The puzzles is frustrating me at the moment, so many similar pieces!!

I have also cleaned all the brass and copper this week. A job I put off but once done I’m thankful for making the effort. Talking of thankful, happy thanksgiving to all who celebrate, please have a safe day xx

November 23rd

 

Because it makes me feel good

New Puzzle to start

One just finished

Frosty start

Back completed 

Baking just because I felt like it - cinnamon cookies for Peter and a gingerbread which is so good! I fiddled with the recipe adding ground almonds as part of the flour, it works well. 

A chink of light at the end of the tunnel? Boris is talking tonight, Macron tomorrow night. Christmas will it happen? Will another lockdown be the price we pay for a family get together? Is the risk worth it? My heart aches at the thought of my girls not being able to see each other, the cousins not getting together. It will be a year since they were together come Christmas, three visits cancelled due to Covid. It’s so hard especially as we have been able to visit admittedly with quarantine each time, but with school/quarantine it’s just not been possible.