Lockdown 3: An Elder’s Perspective

Hello Everybody. Total Guide to have requested I do a follow-up blog to my earlier ones during the first lockdown and I am happy to oblige. I will not be posting weekly this time but I will aim to update from time to time.

I hope you are all keeping safe and well. Who would have thought coming up to a year ago we would be in Lockdown 3 to combat a worldwide pandemic.

In August last year we welcomed another darling granddaughter, Phoebe, to the family. Hubby and I were involved from D Day (Delivery Day) as we had a frantic phone call to go to Poole as soon as possible as my daughter Liz (MD of Total Guide) had gone into labour two weeks early. We threw everything into the car and made it down to Poole in just under two hours. That night our precious little Phoebe arrived and dear little Florence was so thrilled to have a baby sister. 

We spent four memorable days with them and were able to return in September for Florence's 3rd birthday. In early October they managed to come and stay with us before the Tier System kicked in. 

Thank goodness for Skype and FaceTime which has kept us in constant touch and able to see the changes in the granddaughters especially little Phoebe who is definitely now so different from the last time I held her in my arms.

In October, another beautiful baby arrived; Charlotte Pippa Coumbe - Liz's sister-in-law Sarah and her husband James' gorgeous addition to the Hutchings/Coumbe family. We can't wait until the time arrives when we can have a family get together with the new arrivals.

Arrangements were constantly changing for Christmas and in the end hubby and I spent it on our own. Two days before we had a lovely surprise, a socially distanced garden visit from our beloved son Duncan and his wonderful wife Fatima. They even supplied Christmas Carol music to enhance their visit LOL. We nearly didn't answer the door as we thought it was The Round Table or something similar and we didn't think they could maintain a social distance. After knocking away for some time we eventually answered the door and there stood Duncan and Fatima! 

We had a good Christmas Day with lots of champagne and food and in the evening we all got together for a great Zoom family quiz with the Hutchings and Ledgers. One of the highlights for me was my dear son-in-law Ross's questions on The Guinness Book of World Records - so bizarre and which nobody had the faintest idea what the answers were but it caused great hilarity and wonderful memories.

It was with great sadness we heard of Captain Sir Tom Moore`s death last week. A truly great and inspirational man. We joined in the Nationwide clap on 3rd February to honour him. I think the song of the pandemic is his duet with Michael Ball of `You'll Never Walk Alone`.

Hubby and I had our vaccines on 2nd February at the Swindon Steam Museum. We were so impressed with their efficiency and I must say that after receiving the jab I felt quite emotional. Signs look good for a speedy roll-out for all.

I've been enjoying some fantastic TV during this lockdown, including the BBC's The Serpent and I am hugely anticipating the return of Line of Duty due out in March. Will we ever learn the identity of H? Also, the mesmerizing (for some but not all) Grayson Perry's Art Club is returning to Channel 4 in the Spring. I have also been devouring many books especially those recommended by Richard and Judy's Book Club. Blood Orange by Harriet Tyce is one of my favourites - a real page turner.

My greatest wish when lockdown ends is to meet up with all the family for visits, hugs and outings. Also on my wish list is to go with friends this summer to a luxury Cotswold Hotel and have an afternoon champagne cream tea in their garden.

Well the spring flowers are sprouting, the days are getting longer and reunions are on the horizon. 

Take care.

Stay safe and keep well. 

Love Patricia.