I've restarted my weekly blog posts that I stopped in June when we reached the UK. There was just too much stuff to deal with, it was hectic trying to leave Dubai. Our rent was up, there were no routes to the UK as Dubai was now on the red list, we had to organise our furniture to be shipped, find temporary accommodation, checking several times a day for flights, finally flying via Amsterdam on June 3rd and booking a 10 day mandatory hotel stay.
We then had to go to Northern Ireland to collect the dog and then deal with the container arrival debacle (I'm getting constant emails asking me for feedback)
Furniture in and unpacked. Cat and dog settled. Lots of family and friend visits.
We're still avoiding indoor spaces as much as possible and wearing a mask and social distancing around family and friends. I did get hugged without warning the other week as I came out of a village shop, still wearing my mask, when a woman from the kids old primary school that I hadn't seen for 15+ years, just hugged me.
The weather is getting cooler now and we're noticing how much earlier it gets dark. We've had equal sunrise and sunset for the past 10 years as well as 24 hour sun, that at most times has been unbearable to be out in, so we're outside as much as possible, with blankets and/or sat in the shed if it's raining.
240 Saturday Up at 4am, just couldn't sleep. I spent the day cooking and baking, getting ready for next week.
241 Sunday Child 2, his wife and our grandchild arrived for a roast lunch, we ate in the garden and were outside most of the day. The neighbour popped round early evening with her 18 month old. Everything from our grandchild at the moment is 'Granny/Grandad' so I ended up putting them to bed. DIL was most impressed I was out the room in 20 mins and child fast asleep.
242 Monday A lazy morning, waffles and pancakes for breakfast then into Worcester for coffee, some shopping and playing in the water fountains by the river. We had a BBQ when we got home and they left around 8pm. Peter and I just collapsed on the sofa.
We keep a constant eye on the dog around our grandchild, we will allow NO exceptions.
243 Tuesday 20 min memory time that the kitchen fitter was arriving and I was dressed and tidied the house. We then took the dog for a walk and Peter sorted through his golf gear ready for tomorrow whilst I watched the soaps, blogged and ate sweets. In the afternoon I rearranged the attic/storage space.
The cat was unaware I'd spotted her stalking me.
244 Wednesday Peter off to play golf, he dropped me and the dog in town, had coffee and walked home. Afternoon spent helping child 4 with obtaining his deeds and I wrote letters, blogged and watched TV.
245 Thursday Spent the day with Here to Help at a local secondary school as a volunteer processing LFT's as part of the Return to School. I've got another day booked in Droitwich next week. I've also been offered some paid work.
246 Friday Off to Gloucester to visit child 1, we did some shopping and had coffee and cake out.
There's an issue with her neighbours about parking and noise, they've made numerous complaints and written letters. Our daughter has been in her home for 12 years, so why now? We had an encounter with an extremely unpleasant neighbour. I'll be writing more in a post.
Well done for volunteering. The cat on the fence is so cute, our neighbours have a similar cat and he goes on the fence, much to the annoyance of our dog. :))
ReplyDeletewe get the odd squirrel that likes to walk the fence also
DeleteIt sounds like you've had a busy time of it. I hope you are settled back in the UK now.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely time you had with Child 2 and his wife.
I hope you have got on OK at the local school helping with the tests. Such a great thing to do.
Oh dear! What a shame about the neighbours complaining about the parking and noise.
the neighbours backed down when I pointed out we were parents and wished her the hope that she never had to go through a situation like this
DeleteBet that's hard doing all the lateral flow tests. Good for you volunteering. Hope some more paid work comes through too.
ReplyDeleteHope you get Child 1's neighbours sorted and off the case.
oh I won't be letting this go with the neighbours
DeleteLove the cat photobombing your selfie! Sorry to hear your daughter's neighbours are being obnoxious. Hope your volunteering at school is not stressful. And well done indeed for making your grandchild sleep in 20 minutes.
ReplyDeleteI was quite impressed with myself with the off to sleep so quickly
DeleteI had a similar moment of being hugged without warning bumping into someone outside Sophie’s old school. It surprises me that people aren’t more hesitant about hugging people especially it’s not a close friend or family member. Lovely to be outside as much as possible. I’m impressed by getting your grandchild off to sleep in 20 minutes too – wish our bedtimes were as quick! Sorry to hear that you’re having difficulty with child 1’s neighbours. Hope things improve. #project365
ReplyDeletethings are looking better this week at daughters home, thank you
DeleteWell done on the volunteering. Sounds like a lovely week with the family my two love playing in water fountains. You will have to teach me that 20 minute trick too. Hope that you sorted out your daughters neighbours!
ReplyDeletedaughters neighbours are being sorted by social services now, just a shame the home management didn't get onto it sooner
DeleteThe cat stalking you made me smile!
ReplyDeleteGood on you for volunteering. I think I would have if I now didn't have the baby.
Oh I would have been annoyed if something hugged me!
the cat provides hours of entertainment
DeleteI wasn't good with hugs before the pandemic! I've noticed the changes to sunrise and sunset, winter is coming! #project365
ReplyDeletewinter is on the way for sure, it's getting darker much earlier
DeleteI'm not sure how I would feel about someone just randomly hugging me. I wasn't one for hugging before it feels even stranger now. I didn't know you could volunteer for processing LFT's, I'm sure the team need lots of help. I really hope the neighbours aren't causing issues any more. You really don't need the added stress! #365
ReplyDeletethe issue with the neighbours has been handed over to social services to deal with
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