of minor and medium misfortunes
Oh boy, another one of those weeks. Nothing major, just a string of minor and medium misfortunes.
It started with Alistair feeling a bit poorly on Tuesday night, sore throat and headache. We kept him of school on Wednesday. As the day progressed, he developed a high fever and there was no other option than to arrange for a Covid-19 test and start self-isolation. After schools returned here in Scotland, testing went up dramatically. It is of course no surprise that children get sick when they return back to school and mingle. It happens every year but this year is a little different. A child with a cold is immediately looked at with suspicion and I imagine the stigma of being the index case of a cluster of Covid-19 cases is not to be underestimated. What I am trying to say is that testing centres were completely overwhelmed. Of course this was entirely predictable and measures to increase capacity should have been in place.
It was a bit of a palaver. At first, we were offered a test in Stirling, some 25 miles from home. By the time we had finished wondering why we couldn't use the local testing centre, all appointments there were gone and we were offered one in Dunoon. Now, as the crow flies this is not so far away but it is on the Cowal peninsula and to get there, there is the choice of the land route, some 70 miles or a shorter drive and a ferry trip. Neither seemed appealing but with no other option, Richard took Alistair to Dunoon. The drive through test centre was closed. I am not even joking. Along the way, he needed petrol, had to buy a ferry ticket (£45) and then needed to find out why appointments were arranged for a closed drive through test centre. Self-isolation flies out of the (car) window under those circumstances. A no doubt tedious phone call later, he was given a new appointment at Glasgow International Airport, which is not actually in Glasgow but in Prestwick, some 35 miles from home (our local international airport goes by the name Glasgow Airport). Essentially, Richard and Alistair spent most of Thursday in the car. But we mustn't complain, we heard of someone who has been given an appointment in Belfast, which of course on the map is not all that distant (relatively speaking) but there is the small matter of the Irish Sea to consider. I wonder if a map stuck to the desk in the call centre work stations might be useful?
I felt a bit useless because I sat at home working and waiting for updates. I also felt the sudden urge of going for a wander around the neighbourhood and even shopping, which of course was out of the question as we all had to self-isolate. Sam had to cancel his work shifts because he was visiting.
While Richard was driving around the West of Scotland, torrential rains flooded our road. The water rushed into the gardens of the row of houses below us (we are on a hill), quite possibly into the houses but I don't know. Such a shame. I noticed some neighbours trying to unblock to drains and I saw one woman carrying buckets of water from her garden up to the flooded road, emptying it there. Cleary she had not thought this through. Of course with that much water all was entirely futile but luckily, once the rains stopped, the water cleared soon enough. I hope there was not too much damage. I didn't go out to help because we couldn't leave the house not because I am a terrible neighbour.
On Friday I had a really long (3 hours) and really uncomfortable student conduct meeting over Zoom. I felt unsettled for the rest of the day, hoping that our conclusions and decisions regarding penalties were appropriate under the circumstances. I hope the next case will be less stressful (although it is of course always stressful to an extent because there is a lot at stakes). Alistair was still poorly and also developed a hacking cough but at least the fever had broken.
Self isolation meant an online grocery shop. The shopping was left in our porch and as luck has it, a large part was missing. A quick called reassured us that the driver would be back with the rest but this didn't happen and we had to place another order, to be delivered on Sunday. Of course there was no risk of starvation, it was just a nuisance.
Richard and I had to cancel a first dinner date with friends. We were looking forward to this but it can be rescheduled.
Finally, I broke Richard's favourite mug. He isn't not the kind of person who gets attached to such things but for some reason, he really loved that mug. We got it a few years ago as a thank you for looking after our friend's cats. I ordered him a new one from the pottery where the broken one was made. Each mug is hand painted and I hope the replacement comes close to the cherished broken one. With a bit of luck it will be here for his birthday.
On Saturday we were all quite anxious to get results, one way or other. We tried not to get on each others nerves too much but although our house is big, it seemed difficult to avoid one another. The normal turnaround times for testing from drive through centres is 24 hours but with such high demand, it took almost exactly 50 hours. I am sure you are as pleased as we were to learn that the test was negative.
Sunday felt so much better. I went for a run and then a blackberry scouting walk. I was listening to a new book (Moonflower Murder by Anthony Horowitz) and I knitted the first sleeve of my Love Note jumper. I watched This Farming Live on the BBC iPlayer and I sat on the sofa as night was drawing in and watched bats flying past the window. Sam went to work and then back to his flat. Richard took his brand new bike for a spin. James went outside to play. Annie was baking and studying and Alistair was playing on the computer. He is still coughing like a chainsmoker but he has been fever free since Friday afternoon and is cleared to go back to school. We are keeping him off because he is still coughing like a chainsmoker. I am quite worried about his social integration, having missed so many days during this first crucial period at a new school can't be good.
As of today, the kids will need to wear masks now at school when they are moving around the building and maybe there will be less germ swapping. Fingers crossed.
So in summary, all is well now. I am looking forward to an entirely boring and normal week. Thank you for visiting xx
How stressful for you all, but thankfully a good result. What strange times we live in these days, the new normal. We're just coming out of winter in Australia, and none of us have been sick so far, when usually some sort of sickness will do the rounds. My daughter has been back at school since the middle of term 2, so I wonder if it's all the hand washing they're doing. I guess we'll never know. Best of luck for the school year ahead.
ReplyDeleteI felt stressed just reading this! What a runaround. I am so glad the test was negative, and I hope you all have a better week!
ReplyDeleteMy goodness, scary times just trying to get a test. All is well that ends well or so the saying goes. Glad everything was OK in the end.
ReplyDeleteHow exhausting it all sounds! I felt your stress in the words of your post and was so glad to reach the result of negative! Your post became lighter after that and your words conveyed your relief! Hope things go smoother now!
ReplyDeleteWhat a rigmarole, but at least there was good news at the end.
ReplyDeleteReturn to school has been deferred into next week, and it will be staggered with different age groups reporting back at different times. By the end of next week, they should all be back, and then we wait. All beyond the youngest grades will be forced to mask. Some have chosen the online learning option.
Thanks for the laugh: "there is the small matter of the Irish Sea to consider."
Oh boy what a week. I am so sorry that you had to go through all of that. It is the English schools returning this coming week, I expect there will be the same issues with testing centres here too! It is great that we have such wonderful joined up thinking isn't it. I do hope that you have an easeful week this week.
ReplyDeleteWhat a week, but I'm glad to hear that Alistair's test came back negative. What a palaver though. Eleanor's boyfriend had to have a test and couldn't get to a test centre as he doesn't drive so they sent him a test to take at home, it took much longer to get the results back though. Fingers crossed for a less stressful week.
ReplyDeleteGoodness what a palaver to get tested, and a humdinger of a week, I'm sorry. I hope Alistair is all better very soon. Hurray for a brand new bike, I bet that's fun. I was watching bats outside of the window here yesterday as well, they were so close to the house, it was amazing. I hope you have a good week and that Alistair settles into school well. Look after yourself my friend. CJ xx
ReplyDeleteJust exhausting! So sorry for you, despite the reassuring outcome. We had a stressful wait (also for a negative, via track and test) in July. And today we start our 14 day quarantine, imposed half way through our stay in France. It isn't a problem for us and we will do it conscientiously - but it's mad. We isolated ourselves completely this year - four weeks reading/dyeing/spinning in a field, no socialising at all because we didn't trust our lovely French neighbours to keep their distance! They don't quite get it, probably because no-one has heard of any local cases...It seems very concentrated in the towns in France.
ReplyDeleteOh my! Getting tested proved quite the challenge, although it must have been a relief to receive a negative result. I hope Alistair is feeling much better now. X
ReplyDeleteOh my, your poor family, having to go through all that and the worry and stress of it all. I'm so glad his test was negative! It is such a scary time. I hope September is good for all of us. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
ReplyDeleteGlad test was negative. Hope you have your normal week wish.
ReplyDeleteWhat a way to end not only the week but the month of August, Christina with such distress. That was surely a run around for testing, but glad results were negative and glad to read that Alistair is doing better as playing on the computer is a good sign (I think). Your cancelled dinner date while disappointing will be so much more enjoyed when it does occur. I have Anthony Horowitz's Moonflower Murders on a hold at the local library as it's not available yet. He's a favorite of mine as well.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness Christina, I am so happy to hear that Alistair's test came back negative! I know everyone was relieved to hear the news. I have to say that I hope this past week has been totally uneventful and boring for you. Sounds like its much needed. I hope you have a nice and relaxing upcoming weekend! I also hope Alistair is feeling much better and back to normal. Take care.
ReplyDeleteYour kitty is adorable by the way!
ReplyDeleteWow what a week. In those circumstances boring would be good. Yay! I have the internet again and have been able to catch up on your late summer posts. I have put up some pics of our new home now that we have moved in. Here's to a better week Christina. Jo xx
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Bless you all with that crazy week. When I was sick a few months back I was so disappointed when my antibody test came back negative, I just wanted to have it and be done. But still I know deep down that would not have been good. Glad you are all doing better, ab le to get out even with masks and staying safe. Have a better week.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a horrible stressful week for you all Christina. I hope this week is better x
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