Life!

Although we didn't know it at the time, we were heading for the great Coronavirus pandemic when life changed for everyone across the globe.  At the time of writing this blog we are still in it, and we do not know what the "new normal" life will be like.  I have decided to do a separate blog for this strange time as it was so different from "Life".  Whether I shall return to "Life" or start another new chapter after it is all over, I do not know yet. I was back in London for about 3 weeks before my next Devon visit.  I went to the Dentist to get my broken tooth fixed.  They suggested a temporary fix and a consultation with their root canal specialist with a view to clearing out the low level infection that had been present for many years under the tooth and then have a crown.  I had the fix first - £350.  I was very pleased with it.  It turned out that it was just the cosmetic bit of the filling that had broken off, and the filling itself was intact, so

21 - 23 February 2020.  Based at Llechwen Hall Hotel , Pontypridd The day after returning from Devon I rang a handbell peal of Yorkshire with Steve, Muffie and Pete - I was fine all the way to the end and went haywire in the last half lead (again!). I must try to do something about that - or am I just getting old. It was really lovely to ring with Pete and Muffie again - all sorts of little things reminded me of the old days ringing with them. Dashed around in the afternoon - went to to Macken to get Monica's meat which I had offered to collect, bought lots of nuts and dates for Dinos to say thank you for mending our cuckoo clock again (it had given up the ghost after one too many hard pulls on the chain by Harry!) and got some flowers for Monica. Monica was having Suki for the weekend, so I took her up there about 5 pm and helped Monica move a bath panel upstairs. Back home for an hour's sit down in front of Tipping Point then off to Barnes with Mike to score a QP of Double No

Thurs 13th Set off at 10.30 and arrived about 2. Reasonable journey. Listened to fourth protocol by John le carre all the way. Lost huge chunk of tooth on fruit pastille. Tempted to doze after a cup of tea but snapped out of it and ironed the guest bedding whilst watching tipping point and pointless. Took nearly 2 hours! Also cleaned the fridge - huge improvement. Practiced on Abel for hour and a half in the evening before watching death in paradise with one glass of wine. Fri 14th Had a nice relaxed start. Went up on the moor. Very windy and wetter than I had anticipated. I should have worn my waterproof trousers and I should have taken my walking stick as it was slippery in places. Suki walked for a short while and then I carried her in the backpack along to the summit at the end of the ridge and then down to the tramway. She walked all the way back to the car from there and seemed quite happy. Quite a long walk for her. Went to Trago and got a bin and some new taps. Weather

The day after we got back from Devon, Amanda and the kids went off to visit friends for a few days and then to stay with Carolyn, so we had some peace and quiet for a while. I got a lot of admin done - it is that time of the year when I have to get accounts and other stuff ready for Barnes AGM, and collect in subs from Southern Middx members, and collect in the forms from the Middx towers and from the other district secretaries and update the database, as well as sending out new member packs.  I seemed to be behind with it all as there hadn't been much chance to get started up until then. On the Sunday it was the Chiswick Ringers lunch at Monica's - and because Suki was having surgery the next day she was "nil by mouth" so we left her at home as we thought it was kinder (and safer!).  First one she has missed - she is usually the guest of honour!  I walked some of the way home afterwards - my step count had been hopeless so far this year and I needed to do somethin

I took Amanda and the kids to Devon for a few days.  Suki had to sit in the back between the two child seats!  She was quite good and soon settled down to sleep.  We stopped off at Leigh Delamere services for a break (about half way) both there and back.  The weather was appalling - Storm Brendan lashed the county for most of the 4 days were were there.  Luckily we arrived at the house before it hit hard - I was really glad not to have been driving in it.  The kids were soon playing with the sticker books Jayne had got for them, and with the monopoly set which didn't have a board but it didn't seem to matter as the draughts and snakes and ladders board seemed to do the job for Harry! We went for a very wet and muddy walk in Parke on the first day. The next day was the one bright sunny day so we crammed everything in to it.  We went for a walk on the moor and then went to House of Marbles for a cream tea - a first for the kids.  Amanda and I had the two scone ver

Started the year with a walk I had organised for Maryanne, Mary and Steve taken from the Thames Valley and Chilterns book - no 8 Windsor and Eton.  It was supposed to start in Windsor but parking is difficult and not free, so with some advice from Madeleine, who is local, I arranged for us to park in the free car park by Eton Wick library.  It was a nice flat walk, easy to follow with good views of Windsor Castle and Eton college.  One of the paths was closed and we had to divert through Eton which added a bit to the distance and time.  The weather was kind to us - dry and mild if a bit grey. 5.8 miles.  3 hours I had booked a table at The Palmer Arms a mile away in Dorney, as the pub in Eton Wick had mixed reviews.  The Palmer Arms was excellent - lovely food and a nice ambience.  All four of us had the roasted lamb rump. Amanda and the kids returned the next day.  Sam had gone back to Majorca on Boxing Day, but Amanda and kids stayed with us for the whole of January which wa