another week in lock-down

Another week has passed and I barely noticed. Weather-wise, it was a mixed bag of sun, rain, wind and a bit of everything. Life is also a bit of a mixed bag but then it often is. I can finally see the end of the tunnel with work, three more teaching weeks ahead and then I am done teaching until September. Not done working, mind you. Some news outlets have speculated if universities will open again in September, and if students will get value for money. This really vexes me, universities remain open and we are working harder than ever to make the student experience a great one. I applaud my colleagues who had from one day to the other shift to online teaching and reorganise the entire exam diet, and successfully doing so. I teach primarily online and I can assure anyone that online learning is as rewarding as on campus learning, with the added benefit of flexibility. Online teaching is so much more than a recorded lecture! Of course there is more to studying at university than learning, I get that but to suggest that myself and many academic, professional and administrative colleagues watch Netflix all day long is just outrageous. 

With that out of my system I can now move on to more joyful things. I scrubbed our bathroom and shower room yesterday, which pleases me ever so much. I find it most satisfying to have sparkling clean facilities. I spent some time scrubbing grout with bicarbonate of soda and a toothbrush while listening to an audiobook, entirely lost to the world. It is probably not everybody's cup of tea but I found it relaxing. I might become a cleaner later in life, when I am done teaching. I also scrubbed my favourite yellow armchair with a diluted white vinegar, a drop of dishwash liquid and a sprinkle of bicarbonate of soda. It looks like new but smells a bit like salad dressing. 

Last week I took Alistair to a routine hospital appointment and was surprised that not all staff were wearing masks and there were no masks for patients. We had our own but I would have thought in a hospital setting, there would be a bit more caution. I couldn't say if it is complacency or something else. From where I stand, we are really not in a different situation than 10 weeks ago, cases could go up very quickly again. And so we remain cautious and follow the guidelines. It is not too arduous but if I can be entirely honest, the times when I wish my family to the backside of the moon are increasing in number. I am sure they feel exactly the same. 

As a special reward for being a brave young man (some blood letting was involved), I finally organised a phone for Alistair. It was on the cards anyway, with him starting secondary school. As is tradition for first phones in our family, he inherited someone's old phone and that person got a new one. I was the "lucky one" this time. I wouldn't have minded keeping my 2016 model but getting a new phone for child who treats technology with little respect seems just not right. I also bought waterproof and shockproof cases for both James' and Alistair's phones because they are careless. James shattered the screen of his phone to smithereens just this week. It cost £40 to replace! Their phones look like armoured devices but they don't mind. 

Alistair is visiting his new secondary school next week. Under normal circumstances he would have two full days of visits but as it is, he gets a morning with only a small group of children, I think eight at the time. He will also be visiting primary school for one last time, to collect his stuff and to say goodbye to teachers and the five children in his group. Again, visits are staggered and there are six children per group and time slot. It sounds like an exiting week for my wee man. As always, he is non-plussed. 

We had a phone vet appointment for our elderly cat, Pippin. She has a little lump on her flank, which as been getting bigger. The vet thinks it is probably a benign cyst but thinks it need to be dealt with. The option is biopsy and possibly excision, or excision. We decided on having the lump removed without biopsy first, this way, she only has one procedure. I am so glad I took out insurance for both cats two years go, veterinary bills can be eye-watering.

I went for a three hour walk on Sunday late morning, meeting a friend for a dog walk and chat. We meet online regularly through work but haven't had a chance for a not-work chat since the beginning of lock-down. It was lovely. She also gave me one of her home grown cucumber plants, and one she came across in the shops which she couldn't resist. They are two types of pickling cucumber. The best in my view. I'll pot them up shortly and move the into the front porch, which doubles as a green house. Judging by the rapid growth of the tomato plants, they'll do well in the porch. 

Sam is looking for a new place to live. His two temporary flatmates are moving out once moving restrictions are lifted and sooner than expected. He just can't afford the full rent until the old flatmates return to university. Fingers crossed he finds somewhere nice with a nice flatmate or two. Viewings are virtual at the moment.

On Thursday, there will be another review of the lockdown measures in Scotland. It appears that "our" basic reproduction number is moving in the right direction and I remain appreciative for a firm and clear message from our devolved Scottish government. Maybe phase 2 will be announced, one phase closer to a haircut. 

I have a single quincelet on my baby quince tree. It is late flowering and suitable for our climate but unfortunately, we had a big storm when the tree was in full bloom. I hope the quincelet develops into one mighty big quince. 

On that happy note, I am signing off for the day. I have three new books waiting and I feel like reading for a couple of hours before bedtime. Thank you for visiting. I myself am a bit behind visiting your blogs and I am grateful you still stop by despite me neglecting your writing. Have a good week!