Isn't that the task for all of us right now? Yes, we can now meet just the 1 chum at a distance outside – which is a definite plus point – but there is no sign of Corona and lockdown being relegated to the past as yet.
So it was a week of not just trying to find small pleasures, but now, having them pop up all over the place much more naturally. Compared to the first few weeks which felt much harder to adjust to and process, and where I was constantly looking for stuff to do within the house, now it's become quite a good routine. Regular calls with chums & family, 3 trips out of the house each week for a walk and finding the 'nice bit' about pretty much everything more easily maybe than I would have done 2 months ago.
Richmond Park without cars and bikes continues to be a complete joy. No fear of people coming too close, and such beautiful wide open spaces, with just the deer for company. And luckily, no 'Fenton' moments with Scrumpy so far, despite her having to share the little brook this week with a stalking heron. Luckily he didn't seem as keen on belting up the waterway and chasing her stick as she was..
And the furry battle of Ocean the cat from next door vs Scrumpy & Mojo continues – check out that feline arrogance on the safe side of the window 20 foot above Scrumps… What's so nice though is that I sent that picture straight on to our neighbour Thor to show him his cat – and as he's now had to go back to Luxembourg to work, leaving the family here as only he has a work permit there and they are afraid to get stuck on the wrong side of a border – he loved us keeping in touch. Before corona, I didn't even have his number. Bits of these changing times are definitely for the better.
And this Wed was our 9th wedding anniversary. Sure, so we were meant to be having a fantastic trip to Peru, up in a lovely looking hotel on the edge of Machu Picchu, about to visit one site that's been on my list for aaaages. And of course were here instead. But in all honesty, holidays are so out of the realm of possibility that actually making the most of the day here was just as good, even if in a different way.
We headed out for a lovely picnic, complete with Mr H's masterpiece of a sausage, bacon & egg pie, and accompanied by a whole flock of sheep and their growing lambies. And then he even made his first ever batch of wobbly giant scones… Slathered in jam & cream, what's not to like??
Topped it off with a Zoom last night with Nurse & Sophia. And thanks to a quick delivery from Amazon, it was complete with pisco sours so it ALMOST felt like we were really in Peru… But we're all in the same boat and if we all make it out of this, that will be a waaaaaay better feeling than any holiday could ever deliver.
Much love – and be careful out there lovely people x x x