Itchy fingers

Dear Marmite

I was standing in an outside queue at Tescos in Wolverton; my local, and I thought to myself, it is time to blog. It sort of came over me so here it is. After I got home, I made a stew that would feed any army, peanut butter cookies to have with coffee, liver pate and a bran cake to keep me going in ever possible sense! So now it is time to put my fingers to the keyboard and send my good wishes over the airwaves.

Today started at -1c and it feels like it hasn't go much warmer through the day. Now there is intermittent rain and while I was standing outside with my trolley awaiting my time to shop it actually hailed. The wind was knife-cutting icy and the hail hit me at right-angles. Another disappointment with the world, I thought. Why did it have to do that to me when I am standing outside and with no escape.

Once inside Tescos, the atmosphere was calm but the shelves were mostly empty of important things.  There was no flour, no eggs, no alcohol free beer and no pasta. There were pizzas in the cold cabinet piled up to the ceiling and enough gin varieties to satisfy an expat! Pasta sauces lined the shelves but no canned tomatoes. Me thinks the shelf stocking isn't quite in line with needs - mine in particular.

The staff were especially upbeat and seemed to be coping with the reduced hours and limitations. Everyone looked happy-ish despite the situation. I was told that I could come on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between 9 and 10am as a priority being a senior citizen. There are net benefits of being old!!

Today was day 8 of forced isolation. I did a workout suggested to me by a friend. So I huffed and puffed my way through sit-ups, squats, bottom wobbles and bouncy breasts for about thirty minutes. All quite fun and possibly entertaining should anyone care to be a voyeur. I survived and will look for something else tomorrow to ring the changes in my routine.

After that, I invented a new game of table tennis without a table but involving moving the furniture back. There is now a mark on the wall as a result of my enthusiasm for diving for the ball. I have now got the metal straws out of the drawer an I am working on developing a game of blow - ping pong using the coffee table. Watch this space!

Yesterday, my friend and I cycled to Castlethorpe which boasts being a settlement since 400BC. It was a really varied ride that included me getting lost and cycling down the side of a field because the GPS on Google lagged and gave me the right directions a little too late for me to stay on track.

So as you see, Marms, I am filling my time with constructive things. I despair about getting the bathrooms being sorted though. That project is on hold, as are my plans to get out and visit people and places. C'est la vie!

Passing more time

Loving you as always.. Keep sending me selfies!

Love

XXX

SNAFU

Dear Marmite

Life goes on of sorts over here in a relatively sunny place. I woke up happy this morning knowing that Halfords was open and that I could get my tyre repaired. We got down to the store with a deflated wheel and I waited in a long, queue of three participants well spread out in the car park.

The set up was well thought out. One man stood at the front of the store behind a barrier and served people while other Halfords workers ran around behind the scenes picking things up for the customers. All very efficient. I got a new inner tube fitted and cheerfully returned home eager to get on my bike.

Yesterday and the day before we had walked the country lanes and discovered new bits of the northern edges of Milton Keynes that I previously hadn't even imagined. The Buckingham canal which is currrently just a dry ditch is being restored. Those navvies back in the 1700s must have had a tough job digging miles of waterways without the aid of equipment used today. It was a place I wouldn't have been able to cycle so I didn't mind that excursion for this reason.

What a beautiful place England is in the spring. My only disappointment was that my bike wasn't able to take me further afield. Now I had a fully functioning bike, I could't wait.

And so back to today. My bike complete with new inner tube on the front wheel was fit and ready to go. We set off for Bradwell Abbey and Loughton Park. Unfortunately, the cycle ride turned into a walk with a bike because my front wheel got another puncture! SNAFU, I thought. Bugger - what are the chances of two bike rides and two punctures?

The long walk back was depressing but Halfords were more than happy to do the job a second time. While it was being repaired the shop assistant told me that they had been very busy and that there were lots of people about. He was worried that people weren't following instructions to stay indoors.

However, Tescos have gone one step further with their restrictions. We drove into the carpark and were told only one of us could shop and the queue to get into the shop was a fifteen minutes wait. I hate queuing so we went without the few things we needed.

On the tow paths and country lanes people stand aside to keep a distance. My experience of the lockdown hasn't been too bad. If you were around, Marms, you would be getting lots of fuss because I do have time on my hands. You might also have got lots more walks as well so swings and roundabouts.

The media and people I know back here in the UK applaud the action that Singapore is taking. The British Government lacks resolve and direction by comparison. We could learn so much from a former colony that now leads the world in so many ways. I miss Singapore.

On the upside, I am safe. I have a roof over my head. I have one mostly functioning bathroom and not a workman in sight. There are worse ways to be.

Stay safe and be good.

Sending you especially big hugs.

Love

XXX

Lockdown Day 2

Dear Marmite

I know that in Singapore you are in a safe place. If you were here with me you would be among the most desired as people with dogs have greater freedom to roam. Consider yourself an A-list celebrity and not only because you have been a male model for Amazon UK.

Yesterday morning I woke up to read the news in the Guardian that Boris had proclaimed a lockdown of sorts. We are allowed to visit shops for necessities, do one bit of exercise in the great outdoors each day but we must stay 2 metres apart and not gather in groups of more than 2.

My biggest disappointment with this new regime was that I have a puncture in my front tyre of my bike. I spent yesterday prevaricating - what to do? A completely working bike is essential to me but is it considered essential in Boris' book? Today I am looking online to get an inner tube and repair kit. I can't be without wheels for another 19 days even though I did manage to fall off on Sunday's little jaunt.

Yes Marms, another tumble. I was cycling up a steep path and ran out of gears to change down so I fell off onto the grass and rolled elegantly down the slope. No damage done - except to my pride. Perhaps a bit of training in martial arts will help with future tumbles. I have plently of time on my hands!!

Yesterday, after hearing the news things didn't really change my plans for the day - coffee and then more coffee -  but I did feel a need to timetable activities to keep myself active. So instead of rolling around the bedroom floor, I rolled around the living room floor to do my daily stretches. You used to help me with the stretches, Marmite. Remember how you took part of the yoga mat for your down dogs?

Having strectched, I had to pop to the shops - via a canal walk - to pick up essentials, namely more coffee... and then I did a bit of drawing in the afternoon. Yesterday I went for a walk to watch the sun go down before eating an evening meal. The day  got nicely filled.

An afternoon with an 4B and a sheet of paper

As I have a friend living with me for the short term, I have a games opponent. We have Chess, various strategy games and cards to keep us occupied. So far my chess skills have proved lacking... I wonder what the next 19 days will bring... watch this space.

Must go. I have so much to do... really I do

Love you loads and sending you socially- distanced hugs over the airwaves...

Love

XXX

The New Norm

Dear Marmite

A very British scone with cream and jam in Oxford

Things are so different now here in the UK. You are in a better place for sure. The big virus that fills people's minds with terror in their waking moments has affected the very essense of their behaviour and not for the better.

Last night I popped down to the local supermarket to buy stuff I needed. The shelves were empty. No bread along the entire double-sided aisle was my first surprise. What topped that was the fact that there wasn't a bottle of tonic to be seen. I realise I am living in an area of high gin consumption. There is no other explanation.

I admit to a moment of panic myself when I found only three bags of high strength ground coffee left on the shelf. I grabbed all three. Naughty me. When I got to the checkout the lady serving me told me I could only have two. I handed one back and apologised. I had promised myself I wouldn't get drawn into hoarding and in my way, I was as bad as the rest.

What happened next shocked me. The lady told me how much abuse she had suffered all day from previous customers. Why are people so rude? At a time like this we should be pulling togther and sharing. I am ashamed to be British if this is an  acceptable norm. What happened to, "Keep calm and carry on"?

Cycling?

Prior to this, my life pottering around has been quite a joy. On Wednesday in a fine, miserable rain/mist I cycled with my friend along the Grand Union Canal from Wolverton to Campbell Park and then back to Wolverton along the cycle paths. It was muddy and inevitably slippy. I noticed that none of the bollards posed a threat - Diane, you would be safe here. The posts are most compliant. If I were not allowed out and instead confined to quarters, I think I would be climbing up the walls.

On Thursday, I popped over to an empty Oxford. The Park and Ride was empty, the streets were deserted, many of the shops were closed and of course none of the museums were operating. What a joy - a town without crowds. There is an upside to this new norm.

I am sure that pangolins are also seeing the positives. We saw one once Marms, when we were walking along the Pang Sua Canal early in the morning. It was all alone and heading back into a jungle that no longer exists. Such a beautiful creature does not deserve the fate the Chinese have dealt it by eating it as a delicacy.

As a dog, I expect you thank your lucky stars you live in Singapore where dogs don't get eaten. The size you are would make you a prime target, perish the thought. You have lived to a ripe old age surrounded by love. Long may it last.

Love you soooo much

XXX

Revisiting the Past

Dear Marmite

While much of Britain is self-isolating and preparing for a siege from the Coronavirus, I went to Leighton Buzzard to tend my mother's grave. Next to her plot are other family members who died long before I was thought of but I tidied up their graves as well. The cemetery looked well-cared for with spring flowers beautifully planted around the entrance. Well done LB!

As I had a friend with me, we popped into Leighton Buzzard High Street for a bit of sightseeing. The last time I visited the High Street, I was with Moe a couple or more Christmases ago and it still is quite quaint.  After all, Leighton Buzzard is now described on road signs as Historical Leighton Buzzard. This sign must make it a tourist attraction beyond a mooring place for narrow boats on the Grand Union Canal.  It hasn't changed in all the years I have known it. I pointed out the new part and realised that even the new part is old as it was built before I left the town when I was 18.

Later, I bought cheeses from an old school friend's farm shop and then headed for Dunstable Downs to the place where we scattered Dad's ashes in 2002. The skies were appropriately gothic and overcast and the land gloriously green from all the rain. My parents used to take the girls up Dunstable Downs when they were little and buy them an ice cream. There was a van there even on a breezy cold day. Things don't change.

The cobwebs were well and truly swept away as we walked along the top to the promontory while down below it was quite warm and incredibly well-sheltered from the cutting wind.

My walk down memory lane continued with a trip to the Three Locks and a drink in the pub by the canal. The locks were busy and we ended up chatting to a couple heading south through the locks. They have their narrow boat as a permanent home - a romantic existence chugging up and down the Grand Union is quite appealing. The locks are hard work though and while the man stood with his hand on the tiller, the wife did the slog of unlocking the gates and locking them up again when the boat passed through. She had to do this 6 times in all. Where would men be without women, eh Marms?

Unsurprisingly, it rained but not before all the outdoor stuff was done. We sat by the warmth of a real fire set in an old-fashioned hearth. How important it is to connect to our past, I really like how much of the old gets protected and even though MK is just a bit over 50, there are villages absorbed into the fabric of the city and houses with thatch on close to modern boxes.

Memories... ah, memories.. I wonder what the next 50 years will bring.

Remembering you always...

Love

XXX

A friend in need

Dear Marmite

I am so sorry that it has taken me such a long time to write to you again. You are always in my thoughts and the video call from you was lovely. I don't really have an excuse for not putting fingers to keyboard all week.

My girls 1993

I have to say in my defence that this is the first week I haven't had workmen around every day and also I haven't had to wait for parcel deliveries. This has meant freedom of sorts.

Sammi and the boys came down from St Andrews to visit at the weekend. We did lots of stuff. On Sunday we met up with Danielle and Richard at Bedford Oasis. This is a leisure pool with slides and a wave machine. We did this for my grandsons, though even in that environment we turned our swim into a competition as to who could go down the fast slide the quickest.

I plead old age. My fastest was 11.2 mph which looks rather pathetic against Sammi and Richard getting over 17. Not only did I concede defeat on the slide. I also had my nose rubbed in the dirt with canasta. I am losing my touch, Marms...

Grandsons

The mob

After saying goodbye to family, I travelled up to Lincolnshire on Monday to pick up a friend who is now staying with me. The net benefit of having friends to stay is that there are more hands to sort out the house so now most of the pictures are up as well. Despite having a toilet in the living room and a spare bath in one of the bedrooms, the place is shaping up nicely. I thoroughly recommend having a live-in handyman!

In the garden, the rotten fence was broken up and is ready to go to the dump when it dries out. The two trees I planted are sprouting leaves and it is time to plant some veggies in the frames I bought. The garden is a long way from looking cared for but I have made a start.

I have also been out on my bike and for all my friends who have accompanied me on cycle rides before - the answer is YES - I did go rather a long way and NO, I didn't think it was too far but my friend did... I know how familar this is. My only excuse is that I am genetically inclined to do this... it is a family trait. I can't help it.

Another benefit of not having workmen around is that I have popped over to Stevenage to visit friends. I lived in Stevenage before going to Singapore so it is a bit like home for me. I always associate my visits there with evenings of laughter. I wasn't disappointed. I am still smiling today. While I was there, Danielle gave me a photo album from 1993. I haven't seen these photos for 24 years... Wow  - nostalgia rules.

So as you can see Marms I am beginning to settle to a normal life in a house that has now taken shape and feels like home. I have also started looking for a long term home as well.

Even though you are not with me, there are things around the place that remind me of you. I'll never forget you, I promise.

Love you loads... still

XXX

Open for Business

Dear Marmite

Today is the day!! My kitchen will be fully functioning by the end of today after a few hiccups and clitches along the way. Last night I even managed to cook for a friend after smearing the dust into the nether regions before lighting the gas ring. It was all rather last minute as the workmen were still around when I was wanting to get going. At least I am not suffering any ill affects from home cooking so things are looking up.

This one is in place of Cock and Bull, Rachel

I got up this morning and put some stuff that was previously on my living room floor into drawers. Wow, that felt good. Now I still have three toilets, a shower tray and glass panel for the shower to find better places for than behind the sofa. Although, part of me has considered the benefits of having multiple loos in the same place - just like they did in ancient Rome. Do you think this could be a trendsetter, Marms?

In the garden I have pulled apart two rotting fence panels and they are sitting on the patio area in bits. It was cathartic going at the wood with a hammer - almost as good as hitting a tennis ball.

The border got dug last Monday while the weather was dry and I have planted two fruit trees. The apple has already got green shoots that weren't there two days ago so this is promising.

I have my fingers crossed that the heating system will be fully functioning very soon indeed. Probably just about the time when I won't need it blasting out to stop me freezing.

So as you can see Marms, it looks like I am almost ready to welcome  my friends from across the globe to a warm and cosy place in Wolverton. Wolverton is an old town that developed along with the railways and it has many references to that in its buildings and infrastructure. It was absorbed into Milton Keynes, the new city famous for concrete cows and cycle paths.

Besides, my place is surrounded by countryside so good for walking in. ( Marmite ignore the walking bit... I don't intend to give you nightmares.) If you are thinking of a holiday, what better place could there be!

I still miss you every day and think what you would make of my new life here. Shadow will be moving in soon so I'll have a dog to kick once more!!

Love you

XXX