Sunday evening ramblings

Last week was not feeling it. I guess it was to be expected, being at home almost all the time is tiring in many ways, not least emotionally. Work is relentless but I finished marking for a colleague's course and that I consider a success. I think I am coming down with the lurgy, which is a bit of surprise considering that the only people I meet are those I live with. Maybe it is just passing tiredness.

Last week, Sam moved back to his own flat. It is currently empty but one of his flatmates will be back soon and I guess they'll form a new family group. I'll miss Sam, it was nice having him back and I am glad he came to stay with us for lockdown because I didn't like the idea of him all being on his own in a flat far far away. Well, not that far, it is in easy cycling distance. Of course I can go and see Sam anytime he works his shifts at the local Spar (we always need more milk or bread), although he is not allowed to serve family or friends. Still, I we can say hello through the tall perspex shield and smile behind our face coverings.

Although last week is not one I care to remember forever, the weekend was a pleasant surprise. We all did our own thing, and mostly without fighting. Richard bottled his freshly brewed beer and we should be ok for drinks for the duration of the lock-down. We had a Sunday family Zoom with Richard's brother and sister and their children and pets, which was fun. We ate far too much good food. I didn't venture outside all weekend, just pottered around the house and the back garden.

I like to do my weekend chores first and I did them on Friday night, while listening to an audiobook. A good story makes scrubbing the bathtub more pleasant and before you know it, all is sparkling and smells fresh. I sometimes feel like locking the bathroom from the outside so that it stays clean for just a bit longer but unfortunately, we do not have any locks on any of our inside doors and I would not want to encourage open defecation in the garden.

I spent many hours sticking together two pdf patterns and cutting fabric for two new garments, one the Friday pattern co. Raglan Blouse, the other the Blank Slate Patterns Blanc t-shirt (this is a free pattern, when you join the company FB group). The raglan blouse is so very simple, I finished sewing it already but I didn't feel like a photo shoot because my hair is crazy, my chin wobbly and it was raining, too.

I am on a bit of an Chief Inspector Armand Gamache binge at the moment. Last Thursday, I finished book 13 (Glass Houses), which I found very stressful, it was that tense. I actually increased the narration speed so that I could get through the particularly tense parts more quickly... I felt like I was cheating but couldn't bear the slow pace. I then powered my way through book 14 (Kindom of the Blind), which was almost relaxing after the rollercoaster that was book 13. I had to buy extra credits on Audible but I don't mind that because I am not spending much money at the moment.

Today would have been my granny's 100th Birthday! I miss her.

Do you watch "The secret life of the zoo"? If not, you should. It is oddly relaxing to see the animals at Chester Zoo go about their business. I am currently watching series 7. I am not sure if I fit the brief of the target audience but I do love it. My family thinks I am bonkers but sometimes the little ones join me for a few minutes. There are creatures in the zoo that I didn't know existed! It is on Channel 4 if you are interested.

And that's what I am going to do now, watch an episode and knit the collar of my warm wooly jumper. Just a few more rounds to do.

Our lock-down continues and I don't think this will change anytime soon. And so we'll continue to enjoy each other's company while missing that of friends.

Have a good week, wherever you are xx