May 2021 – Another Step On The Roadmap

Saturday 1 May

Happy Easter to Hayam and all Coptic Christians, for this is their time to celebrate the religious feast. A bit better day than yesterday, thank goodness. A bird dropped the biggest pile of cargo on the footpath, the only blessing is that it missed the windows. We went to Glasshoughton Shopping Outlet for some shoes for Paul and were amazed at the amount of traffic and people. If it weren’t for the face masks and queues outside certain shops and food outlets, it was just like a normal Saturday pre-Covid. Two Wood pigeons on the garden fence when we arrived home. They looked like two old men who had just had a Sunday roast with a couple of beers and were a bit tipsy, and too full to move. One deer on the field, lazing and grazing. Rod and Joyce had a walk round Rawcliffe Lake and came across a gorgeous little gaggle of Ducklings. Saturday night TV is rubbish.

Sunday 2 May

A lovely start to the day and not too cold. Just the one deer out there gently grazing. I opened the window wide and a Bumble Bee nearly bumbled in, but he was happy to fly off when I shooed him away. We had a bike ride down Heworth Green, through a crowded Minster concourse, over Lendal Bridge and down by the river. You could see that York was busy with tourists again, and it was just the same down by Rowntree Park and over the Millenium Bridge. There was even a group of re-enactment warriors practicing moves on the river bank by Terry Avenue. It was ok when the sun was out, but every now and then a black cloud and a few spots of rain cooled things down. My washing was dry anyway. It looks as if John, Ann and Rusty have had a lovely trip in the caravan, judging by the photos. The Pheasant was sitting on Kathy’s fence; he should be ok, I think they are vegetarians. Line of Duty finale tonight and I’ve never seen a single episode.

Monday 3 May

It’s a cool start with a promise of typical ‘orrible Bank Holiday weather. Three deer on the field, drifting and grazing. I walked round to the post box and then to Janet’s whilst it was still fine, and Paul had a bike ride. Why are the lids on new jars of Beetroot so difficult to remove? It took two of us, me holding and Paul twisting. It was a day for cleaning and ironing and then Ian rang and the three of us had a lovely chat. It looks like a nice day in the South West judging by the photos Gill sent from their walk. Donkey rides £3.50, and all the donkey gets is hay! Wind, rain and more rain here. Ellie’s Granny who is 91 is in hospital with Angina, I hope all goes well for her. I was enchanted by Amar Latif on BBC 4 doing River Walks. It was so interesting to have a glimpse of what life is like from the perspective of a blind person.

Tuesday 4 May

Is it really May? There’s a cold wind blowing the blossom and it’s so thick it looks like pink snow. I remember visiting Kirkham Abbey as a student, the blossom from the Cherry Trees in the Cloisters was ankle deep and we rushed in like big kids, throwing it around as if it was snow. Even our 3D Lecturer joined in, rolling around on the ground. Bill and Melinda Gates are to divorce. I hope he keeps up his philanthropic works without her behind him, pushing him on. Grab the camera, there's a deer in David's garden wondering what to eat next! There has been a terrible train crash in Mexico when an overhead rail pass collapsed whilst a train was crossing. At least 23 people have died so far and 65 more are in hospital. Paul met Colin and they walked down to the station for a coffee and a sandwich. At least they were out of the wind and dry. I had a nice, refreshing swim in the afternoon. Maureen was in the pool; it was nice to see her.

Wednesday 5 May

After a really good day yesterday, the last thing I expected was to wake up in excruciating pain as my knees locked and swelled right up. They call it a ‘flare’. I could barely walk again, but I was determined to change the bedlinen and take advantage of the sunshine to do some washing. The Pheasant seems to have acquired a mate; goodness knows where she came from, but they were happily pottering over the field together this morning. Finland is making noises about leaving the EU. Paul is a saint, he looked after me all day and made tea in the evening. I know I’m lucky.

Thursday 6 May

Sun shining on the field, two deer and Mr and Mrs Pheasant, what a lovely morning despite the cold wind blowing pink blossom all over both lawns. Paul took me to the hairdresser as I can’t drive yet, but the great pain has gone. It’s just my knee giving way when I least expect it. Ellie has got an appointment for her first jab, great stuff. It looks like Nepal is suffering even more than India with the rising Covid deaths and now there are reported cases in the Base Camp on Mount Everest. I cannot believe Macron. Fancy sending patrol boats to Jersey and threatening to cut off their electricity because of the new fishing agreement. That’s thanks to your pals in the EU Macron, and you don’t get the best from a nut if you bash it with a sledgehammer. I was on the phone to dad when I noticed the wind had got up and was blowing petals around like a snowstorm. Then there was a pattering noise and when I looked again it was a hailstorm, and they were bouncing off the garden. The rainbow ten minutes later finished off the drama. Police and Crime Commissioners’ election* in York and Tina said it was really slow going at her Polling station.

Friday 7 May

A peaceful start to the day and all is well with the deer on the field. I think it’s a bit warmer too. I’m walking better already, in fact I’m probably better than Paul with his bad back which I massaged before we went to the supermarket. It was a nice quiet shop, but as I set off on my bike later to go to East Parade, the heavens opened so I went in the car. We read a lot after lunch, and I finished my book. I couldn’t watch Ian Wright’s Home Truths on BBC2 last night, but I am so glad he has made the programme. We all think that children live perfect little lives, with wonderful parents, when in fact some of the parents are perfect monsters in a number of ways, not always obvious. Children are so precious and what happens to them in their early years shapes the rest of their lives. Their futures are worth fighting for. The Local Elections have produced some very unkind results for Labour, including the loss of Hartlepool to the Tories. Is this Corbyn’s legacy? Tina’s final toll for the P&CC* election was 195 votes cast in 15 hours.

Saturday 8 May

Rain and yet more rain and I was so cosy in bed I could have stayed there all day. Ellie and Phil set off for a four hour ferry crossing to Tiree after spending the night in Oban. Happy holiday. We drove up to Clifton Moor to look at beds and ended up buying one in Carpetright. Then we read a lot, what else do you do on a wet Saturday in May in lockdown? Maria and Ian bought their tickets to come up to York in a couple of weeks and low, the train companies announced serious faults with the new trains. That means cancellations and disruption for the foreseeable future. Fred sounded a bit weary when I rang him. A child’s pink balloon bounced across the field which startled the deer, and we haven’t seen them since. It was so lovely to chat to the family, even if it is on a screen.

Sunday 9 May

A quiet day all round. It was warm for a change, despite the lack of sunshine and the only sound was of distant birds singing their songs. Nicola Sturgeon is beaming with success following the Scottish election results, whilst Alex Salmond is putting a brave face on the fact that the Albion Party only gained 2.5% of the votes and did not win any seats. Poor Keir Starmer is facing the reality that Labour had too many losses. I think he now realises the sheer size of the problem he has in shaping up the Labour Party. Paul had a good bike ride, but I risked no more than a trip to the Co-op for some bread. Paul said it was busy in town, but locally it was a quiet, peaceful Sunday. The Heron flew over on its way home for tea. Debris from the Chinese Long March 5B rocket landed in the Indian Ocean. Maria had a super day as a volunteer at a Vaccination centre, where she helped more than 500 people. Lovely photos from Phil and Ellie in Tiree.

Monday 10 May

I cycled into town after my swim, for one or two things. It was busy enough for a Monday with people enjoying a coffee in the sunshine. We get more European the further away we come from the EU. Saw Daphne and Malc in M&S, she didn’t go swimming because of pains in her arms and I think she’s overdoing it. The blossom is changing places with Lilac, Rhododendrons and lots of other flowering bushes coming into bloom. There’s a new (the last, I think) series of G.F. Newman’s ‘The Corrupted’ on BBC Radio 4. Featuring Toby Jones as a self made man, it’s a really intense storyline of corruption and deception. The Goldfinches are back! They’ve come to gorge on the Dandelion seed heads as I hoped they would. Dawn has a real bird feeding station, and Chrissie sent me a photo of a dazed looking fledgling. I’m reading about Robert Maxwell whose mantra was that 'he was good at getting it done'. Isn’t that what Boris says? There are a lot of similarities between them. It had been a lovely morning, but by two o’clock there was thunder and squally showers. Keir Starmer has been criticised for his Opposition Cabinet reshuffle. It’s going to get even tougher for him until they all settle down again. Three deer on the field grazing in the long shadows of sunset.

Tuesday 11 May

Helen H’s first proper day in her new job, good luck sweetheart, hope all goes well. It’s bright but cool, more like April than May. The deer are still out there this morning. Reports are coming in of a shooting at a school in Kazan in Russia. Why are children so often the targets in these crazed outbursts? We rob them of childhood at every turn. Nipped up to the Range for a final photo album and I can finish sorting the photos. It said it would rain this afternoon, but the thunder and hailstorm were a little unexpected. I was contacted by Catrin from the Today prog. for a feature they are doing on Thursday for World Diary Day in conjunction with the Mass Observation Study at Sussex University.

Wednesday 12 May

Lovely swim, we’re all so happy to be back in the pool. The sun was shining as I drove home, there’s a lot more people/traffic going to work now. Maria had no side effects following yesterday’s jab. Wore the chinos and top for the first time, that I bought for our visit to London last Easter to see Ian and Maria’s new flat. Still haven’t seen the flat. Just the pheasants and Mrs Deer on the field, wonder when she will have her bambino. Cycled to the surgery for a blood test, lovely nurse. Phil and Ellie cooked fresh scallops and crab sitting on the beach in Tiree. Oh dear, Israel is in a State of Emergency, the EU in a state of turmoil and a young boy of 9 was killed when he was struck by lightning. Looking forward to Monday. It’s a day too late for Paul’s birthday but we can have a wonderful family celebration the following weekend.

Thursday 13 May

Lovely sunshine morning. Mrs Deer is looking very big now as she gently grazes. Paul’s back is still bad, but we’ve got 5 weeks to wait for the new bed. Julia says the Swallows have arrived in Thornton le Dale. Looked out of the kitchen window and suddenly there was Mrs Deer with her bambino. Oh, what a thrill. Cycled to the Post Office in East Parade, the wind was behind me and I raced along. Got my prescription, but it was incomplete I’m still in medication nightmare. Lots of lovely bird song, even the Barn Owl chipped in until a Sparrow Hawk bombed down the garden and scattered them all. Ellie & Phil saw Ben Fogle on Tiree with a film crew. I cut down the dying remains of the Daffodils, it’s sad to see them go. Loved the photos of the Puffins that Phil took.

Friday 14 May

Disappointed that my diary entry was not on the Today programme, but the whole segment was pulled due to an escalation in the crisis in Israel, and the increased threat from the Indian variant of Covid. How did we allow it into the country? Took my prescription request to the Surgery but couldn’t make an appointment. Well stuff you, it was your request not mine. My stress levels were lowered by the sight of Mrs Deer and her Bambino, skipping and hopping behind her. It’s so small and so joyful. We cut the lawns after lunch; the grass was a bit too wet really, but it looks better for it. Paul’s back is no better.

Saturday 15 May

Message from Sharley in Australia, she heard me on the Today programme this morning. Then a text from Moira who also heard the recording at 7.48am (thank you Moira). It had been edited sadly, but still it was on. Found some new exercises related to posture that I like, so I bookmarked the video. Deaths from the Indian variant are on the rise in this country. Can’t help but notice that the trees on the A64 going to Malton are mostly in leaf. Not just green either, but plenty of Copper leaved trees; they look gorgeous lining the road. Malton was quiet, but we got what we wanted and got home just before the rain. I’ve had enough of being messed about with medication and written a letter of complaint to the Practice Manager of our Group Surgery. It’s a year since we did our ‘Moo’ videos for Belper.

Sunday 16 May

Happy birthday my gorgeous husband and to my lovely cousin Tony as well. Happy days. There were plenty of cards to open and my present, the rest will come next week with our family weekend get together. Ian rang to wish his Dad happy birthday. Dropped my letter off at the Surgery as we went out for our bike ride. From East Parade we went down Sixth Avenue and joined the cycle track by the chickens, then out onto James Street, across Lawrence Street then we made our way down to the river. We ended up on Bishopthorpe Road where I made a booking at the Sicilian Bistro, Trinacria, for Friday evening. Lots of may blossom on the hedgerows now. I just started to garden when it rained. Back from Tiree, Phil rang to wish his dad happy birthday.

Monday 17 May

Back in the pool for a lovely swim, home for breakfast and to get ready to go to Denise and Mark’s for our little Art group. I arrived at the same time as Moira with Daisy, and it was wonderful to be back. We had coffee and chatted, then Mark made us gorgeous chips for lunch, and we chatted, in fact we spent so much time catching up that not a brush was lifted, nor a stroke painted. Paul’s back is still bad, he had two bike rides today to get some exercise. My prescription was not completed as I had put it in too early according to the surgery!? So why didn’t they let me know instead of leaving me panicking? Three deer roaming the field. Audrey won’t be swimming for a while as they need to take two suspicious moles off her back. The days are drawing out as the mornings get lighter and it doesn’t get dark until well after nine.

Tuesday 18 May

I rang the surgery bang on the dot of 8am for an appointment, listened to the angry voicemail message about Covid, pressed the prescribed buttons and waited. The call back came when I was in the toilet, which may be convenient for them, but not me. It was a nice sunny day and Paul cycled down to the Castle Snooker Hall to meet Colin and enjoy a few games. I did a bit of shopping and then sat in the sunshine and had my lunch, it was so peaceful in the back garden. A GP rang about 3pm, I couldn’t understand most of what he said, and I think he’s done me another prescription! Hayam sent a video about the Egyptian Government’s plans to go boldly into the future. They will build a new administrative capital city and trade centre, incorporating the tallest building in the world. That's the way to do it. In a brilliant finale, Hugo won All That Glitters.

Wednesday 19 May

Managed to get my swim, breakfast and the washing out before the new bed arrived. Busy day after that, clearing and cleaning up, but it’s a good job done, and I want everything to be nice for the family at the weekend. Fred took his car for its MOT, I just can’t believe it is three years old. Where did that go? I fell asleep and my washing got wet. The Clematis Montana Grandiflora is in flower, great big white flower heads draped across the hedge. What a load of fuss about Red, Green and Amber countries to travel to. If the headless chickens would only stand still, everything would become so much clearer. Covid seems to have robbed an awful lot of people of common sense. Stay at home! Rod reported on the Mallard. She hatched 11 ducklings which were escorted through his neighbour's garage on their way to the lake. Two had to be rescued from a drain that they fell into, then after a rest in another neighbour's garden they all made it safely to the lake. Thursday 20 May

Got the washing out early, which is just as well because it poured with rain from lunchtime, and it was cold too. The Pheasant hopped over the hedge into the garden this morning. I hate charity bags coming through the door, but it’s even worse when you fill the bag, and they don’t collect it. I took mine to the shop in Fourth Avenue to get rid of it. I was astonished to get letter from the Surgery asking me to make an appointment for an annual check-up! Gill and John are in their caravan in Cornwall and the weather is foul. Winds of 60 mph which was rocking the caravan. Some people in tents have left the site, I think their tents had been flattened. Loved Innocent on ITV. Great plot, wonderful acting and what a twist at the end.

Friday 21 May

The new bed was worth every penny, it is so comfortable that I didn’t want to get up! The forecast said light rain showers, but it’s a bit more persistent than that. However, the rain has really brought the trees on, and everywhere is looking so green and lush. Phil, Ellie, Ian and Maria, plus Grace all arrived just as we were finishing lunch and suddenly the house was filled with happy voices and people. After the hugs we settled down to Paul opening his birthday presents and we all sat and talked and talked whilst it rained and rained outside. Trinacria was an excellent choice for our evening meal. Great food, excellent service and a lovely atmosphere; it deserves its popularity. Full and happy, Paul and I went home and took Gracie for a walk whilst the others stopped at the Walnut Tree for a quick one, or two.

Saturday 22 May

Not the best of days, but at least the rain was just an odd spit and spot. We all piled into the cars and set off for Temple Newsam. Judging by the traffic headed towards the coast, it was the best idea, but it was still surprisingly difficult to get parked once we arrived. I think everyone just wanted to get out for our first weekend of freedom. After a quick stop for refreshments, we went to explore the grounds. Ellie had never been before and even the spectacular Rhododendrons were new to Maria. We started by the house where Laburnum has been trained over four long arches so that the flowers hang in beautiful lemon tresses. Grace had a good run round on the grass before we wandered down the paths past the

towering Rhododendron bushes, Azaleas and the Ha-Ha, round by the lake and up to the Rose Garden. There is a huge hothouse full of wonderful plants and really tall Geraniums that have been espaliered up the walls. Back to Thompson’s on the A64 for Fish and Chips and rest. Time for photos of the holiday in Tiree. Caught the end of the Eurovision Song Contest which Italy won and the UK came last with null point. What a load of razzamatazz and some jolly ugly dresses.

Sunday 23 May

Happy Birthday Gemma, glad you like your card. I hope you are able to celebrate in France? It was sad seeing everyone get in the car and waving goodbye, but we loved every second of their company. Even Grace was settled, she never barks. Then it was the inevitable washing, but with the strong wind, it wasn’t long before that was all sorted. The house felt so quiet and empty afterwards.

Monday 24 May

A nice early swim followed by Art with Denise and Moira with the added bonus of lunch and Mark’s chips. I love Mondays. I was shocked to read that there has been a volcanic eruption in the Congo with many people killed and injured. The President of Belarus had a Ryanair plane diverted because he said there was a bomb threat, but then Roman Protasevich, a dissident journalist was removed from the flight under arrest. Covid numbers in Scotland are on the rise. A Bullfinch was tucking into Dandelion seed heads on the lawn, and later a Goldfinch joined him.

Tuesday 25 May

It’s still cold and miserable, but there was one deer outside the window and the Sparrows are back at the nesting box. That cheered me up. That and the Blackbird nesting in the hedge. We cycled over to the new estate just off Bad Bargain Lane, carried on down the cycle track to James Street and over to Alligator in Fishergate for some Camargue rice. We just got home before it rained. Denise has her results back at long last. The operation caught and stopped the Cancer. No further treatment needed. What a relief. Watching The Pact on BBC1 and I’m not sure if I like it, even though the scenery and the acting are marvellous.

Wednesday 26 May

It was still raining as I went to the pool. I hope it cheers up soon, this is supposed to be May. No Global warming here! We went to the Range and then up to Dunelm in search of Vertical blinds, but there was very little available. We ended up doing a simple repair job. The sun finally came out, hooray! Paul has an appointment at the chiropractor again today. He seems to be a bit better and is certainly catching up with his sleep on this new bed. Gill and John are still on their South West Coastal Walk, last spotted at Lynton. Well done, that’s a real achievement under your belts, I'm just sorry that the weather has turned for you. The Royal Navy has appointed its first female Admiral. The barometer has gone into Set Fair! The Flower Moon was the biggest Supermoon of the year and I was really impressed with Dahlia’s photo over Filey bay. You can just see a pinprick of light from Flamborough Head Lighthouse.

Thursday 27 May

I opened the window to the sound of a Skylark serenading Mrs Deer, and at last the sun was shining. Knaresborough was really busy with tourists, but we managed to find a nice place down by the river and shared a lovely lunch with Rod and Joyce. Paul didn’t want to overdo it, so we drove home, leaving R&J to have a nice walk along the river. It was lovely and peaceful in the garden and I sat on the bench reading until the sun moved on, then went into the summer house. I even rang Dad from there. Switzerland backed out of trade deals with the EU because they demanded too much. Macron doesn’t want the Brits in France because of the Indian variant. Fair enough, but quite frankly we’re far safer on this side of the Channel thank you.

Friday 28 May

There was a Hot Air Balloon hanging very low as I drove to Yearsley for my swim. The grass on the field is quite long now so that we don’t always see the deer until they stand up. Two surprised me this morning, and they were not friends. One chased the other off, then carried on grazing as if nothing had happened. The traffic on the A64 was almost back to pre-Covid Bank Holiday getaway madness. Dominic Cummings is brewing up a real storm with his exposé of the early days of the pandemic. There is probably a lot of truth, mixed in with an unhealthy dose of vengeance and spite. We recorded Friday Night Dinner: 10 Years and A Lovely Bit of Squirrel, so we can watch it at our leisure.

Saturday 29 May

Sunshine! Hooray! And the temperature is going up at last. We did our daily exercises, then drove to Selby and had a spot of lunch; it was nice in the sunshine. I fell in love with a table in a shop window and now I can’t get it out of my head trouble is, I don’t know what the shop is called. The traffic going to Scarborough must have been heavy because there was still a traffic jam at the big roundabout as we approached at 3pm. Fortunately, we could turn left and get out of it. Sat in the summer house and read in the sunshine, so calm and peaceful. Laughed and cried as I watched Friday Night Dinner. Farewell Paul Ritter, dear man; thank you for the laughter. Watched as a Heron flew lazily out into the evening sky.

Sunday 30 May

Cool misty start, but lovely once it got going. Looked up in time to see a huge Kite flying over. Boris and Carrie have wed in secret; good luck to them. We got on our bikes and cycled down towards the hospital, then down Marygate to the river and over the footbridge. It is so nice now that it’s been spruced up and is wheelchair and bike friendly, and there was an attractive display of Ox-eye daisies on the bank. Our progress was cut off at both Ouse Bridge and Skeldergate Bridge, but we persevered and rode up the river to the Millenium Bridge, crossed and back down the other side. The Hawthorn is in blossom everywhere, as is the Horse Chestnut with their wonderful candelabra flower heads in white and in pink. It was nice to sit in the summer house and read in peace and quiet. Congratulations to Gill and John who have completed their walk of the South West Coastal Path, and the sun came out for them. Done in stages it was a final distance of 630 miles and lots of photos and happy memories.

Monday 31 May

Another cool start, but it soon turned sunny and warm. I can only just see the deer on the field now, and every now and then, a little head as bambino hops along behind Mum. Bank Holidays have passed us by, so we carried on as normal. I joined Denise, Moira and Mark for our little Art group and Paul mowed the lawns. Sat in the summer house and read and dozed for a while when I got home, it was so pleasant. I was sickened to learn that people in India are being duped into buying fake medicines and oxygen canisters, and consequently dying. Who would do such a thing to a nation already suffering? What kind of people are they? Love Catsy, an artist in the same ilk as Banksy. He paints black cats on walls, fences etc all over Wokingham. Now that kind of graffiti I like.