Snow!!

First snow of the year! just a light dusting really, not much on the fround and it is melting on the road, but the gritters have been out overnight. We get the gritter because it is on a bus route, only a small local bus but i suppose they have to be careful.  Vin reckons he is staying in mostly today, he did go out for the paper earlier and bought an extra one, is he preparing for a long lock i9n or being snowbound.? Doesn't happen here, very rarely anyway, I can only remember being snowed in about once when we couldn't get to school and the road out of our village was blocked. 

We are well stocked up anyway, Vin went to Tesco on Wednesday so we have good provisions, and Jessie won't go short ! Vin has just come up and said he was in the garden getting the firewood and Jack was in the garden, and sat down in the snowy bit. i said he will be getting piles! Do cats get piles i wonder, nasty thought!!

Jessie doesn't go out in the snow or anything else for that matter, she is a rare sight in the garden but will go out in the summer if Vin is out there. She is a housey cat and likes her creature comforts!Head cook and bottle washer, and a darned good job he made of it too!

The lovely Jessie in her "garden"

 

All Over Bar The...

Nothing really, no shouting this year. We had a lovely Christmas with our jane smuggled in the house, it was so lovely to see her after all this time.  I think it is about Feb/March since we saw her last. A long long time anyway. We had a great Christmas dinner, Jane and I had a sort of meat loaf type dish with all of the trimmings and Vin got a veggie stack with goats cheese in the centre and also all of the trimmings. He cooked it all on his own and did a terrific job. Boxing day we had a buffet that is sort of our tradition and this year our Jane was awake for it too which was nice because she missed it last year as she wouldn't waake up! She had been on a lot of night shifts though and was clearly very tired.  Chocolate brownies for our pudding which went down a treat too.

Vin has gone off to Tesco this morning as has Jane too in Manchester, hope it isn't too busy he has gone with a new mask today he says. The dreaded Covid numbers are rising still with over 78,000 dead now which is terrible. There is to be another announcement about the tiers fairly soon too no doubt putting some of the regions into deeper ones. We seem to be ok here in liverpool and are in tier 2 whereas in manchester they are tier 3.

Jane rung up a short while ago to say she was out shopping, and had been to Home and Bargains to get some things and spotted a large pan of the type she wanted, it is a Hairy Bikers range one and is guaranteed for ten years,  which is brilliant. It was only 9.99 which is half the price of the ones she was looking at in Argos. Smashing, I like a bargain. Gave her a bit of money to go back with as I usually do, so hope that would help. 

Jessie is doing her normal things, don't think she missed us yesterday when  we were taking her backi she was asleep on her blanket when we got back.  She was very affectionate towards Vin last night though rubbing his hand and nuzzling him.  Aaah!!

 Jessie's new toy! plus the "garden" that Jane bought for her as a present!

Plus, Vin and Jessie have a visitor. Little Jack from next door ho seems to like our house!

It's Christmas!

Christmas Day here at home and all is very well here. Not a bad day, not a white Christmas but not rainy either. 

 Vin is downstairs getting the things ready for our meal bless him, and Iam on here having a look to see what is going on. Answer not a lot really, most people seem to be having a quiet christmas, mainly because of the Covid which is causing trouble all over the country. Somebody not a millionmiles away from meis eating a bag of fruit pastilles and saying they are her five a day! She has just given me a black one and I had completely forgotten just how tasty they are. Lovely. 

I got a bag of Christmas tree shortbreads and the most beautifulpicture of the Manchester Bee in a gorgeous black frame with LOVE at the bottom. Love it, just so lovely. Vin got a cat calendar and a small bottle of wine and a box of mints which he likes from next doors. 

Our neighbours on one side were turned back from their time share in Scotland because their rules stated that all leisure complexes had to close, so they came back on Tuesday. The ones the other side were going to Scotland but that had to be cancelled so they had to stop at home. First time in a long time we have had everyone at home for Christmas along the road. Not that you would know, nobody comes out much at all. 

Jessie was on the bed earlier just before Christmas, she got a great toy from her Daddy  with a bouncy mouse on it and a ball which rolls round a sort of polo mint. She likes the paper wrapping too!

Best seat in the house!

Covid...Covid!!!

The virus is rampaging in the South west, London and the East of the country. News broke on Saturday that the london area were going into tier 4 which is the highest tier. Apparently there is  new varient of the covid 19 which is spreading more rapidly and causing more trouble. There were pictures in the papers of people in London crowding out the shopping areas around regent Street . You could hardly get an inch between them and many without masks on so it really isn't any wonder.  Some people will never learn!

Christmas is going to be very different for so many this year. There are many countries that are now closing borders  the French will not let our lorries in there and a lot of flights have been cancelled to other countries. Can't blame them really.

Here in our house things are as normal thankfully, our next door neighbours on one side have gone to Scotland just missing the deadline, but it doesn't look like the ones the other side are going up there as they usually do. We are going nowhere exept to pick up our Jane hopefully on Wednesday. She hasn't been home since March so it will be a treat for us to get a visit. I think she is mostly coming home to see our Jessie though if truth were told!

No signs of a white christmas this year though, mostly overcast and rainy. So far it has been a very wet winter no frost to speak of just one or two mornings really.  Jessie is staying inside though but the little cats from next door are in the garden and Jack the boy one is waiting by the back door, he does come in occasionally when Jessie is upstairs, not when she is down or she would be frightened. He is a gorgeous fluffy ginger and white cat, with the most enormous tail you have ever seen! Love him, he is such a personality.

 This was a present last year, Vin has just wrpped her one for this year but won't tell me what it is!

White Christmas? NON!

More like a wet Christmas. Rainy and overcast today here, no sign of the wintry weather that you tend to expect at this time of the year. All due to global warming i suppose. 

Not a lot about Brexit at the moment, more about Covid on the news at the present, each area is in its pwn zone we are in tier two whereas manchester is in tier three still. London is again in tier three and there are differences in Wales Scotland and also Northern Ireland. It is all very confusing not a lot of people seem to know what is going on. We are just having the normal quietish one with our little family. Will probably see our Jane on Wednesday maybe which will be lovely. Put a face to the voice on the end of a phone. 

At the moment in our village there are 130 Gurkas based  at the camp. Apparently they are here for training and have been seen here in the village in groups, seems they have been here in our country since January so away from their families since then. Hope they are comfortable.

Jessie is again having a nice comfy time on her blanket. Staying close to her daddy. He took a card down to her one time owners, with a little description of what she is doing. Better watch out there will be a jane about soon!

 Waiting for my Christmas dinner!

Wednesday So It's...

Tesco day in our house. Vin has taken himself off to Tesco to get the weekend shopping and what we need for the rest of the week. he shops very well  and manages to get enough stock for the week. 

Quite cold and dark today, rapidly getting towards the shortest day on the 21st, and sunset today is at ten to four according to the forecast yesterday, so once lunchtime is over that is the best of the day really.  Jessie is definitely in Wintry mood, she will find a nice warm spot and plonk herself down on the blanket or in front of the heater in the middle room. Vin was asked by our next door neighbour to keep an eye on her two cats Jack and Millie. they are a lovely pair of cats and he enjoys playing with jack who often comes into our garden to see what he is doing. 

Yesterday we  sprnt the afternoon doing the christmas cards for this year.  A lot of ones that i used to do have gone now, used to send some to relatives in Manchester but ssadly most of them have passed on now, they were mainly ones my mum used to send to but they have gone, also people who have moved or  we have lost touch with. Still sent a fair number,  and there were the neighbours ones also.  We seem to be getting our normal ones this year but the price of stamps is putting some off.  Stamps are going up again the cost of a first class one up by nine pence which is a bit steep.  Won't be sending any of those!

Jessie is waking her daddy up nice and early  for feeding. She has her own little routine and it seems to follow the same pattern.  Up early then go to sleep again somewhere!

 Do Not disturb!!

It's Beginning To look a Lot like...

Mark the podiatrist has just been, went at 11.o'clock, and said he would see us again in two weeks. this is the day after boxing Day!, when it comes round it comes round very quickly. Next time he comes it will all be over.  All the preparation for one day in the year.

Of course as soon as the doorbell went the cat disappeared fled upstairs like lightning but he did see her go past him this time, for a change, he usually only the rear end of her at the top of the stairs!
Today started out horribly, very dark and wet and the  skies lookinmg like they would be like that all day. However it has cleared up now and is looking much brighter, not exactly the normal wintry weather that you expect at this time of the year though.

Still no sign of a Brexit deal on the cards just yet but the deadline is getting much closer for that now. not that it will affect us very much really but i can see how the farmers and the fishermen are worried. The other news of the day is the roll-out of the vaccine. It is being done in designated areas, some care homes, and apparently some doctor's surgeries but I assume they would be the larger group ones. 

Jessie hasn't come out yet, I assume she is settled under Jane's bed.

 I'm off to my isolation .

Another Weekend Looming!

Two weeks today it will be Christmas Day! Unbelievable it has come round so quickly really despite the fact that the year has in total been so isolating and boring!

Vin went off to Tesco yesterday to get the weekly shopping because wednesday we were waiting on deliveries, one of coal which came mid morning and the other with the post from M&S something I had ordered. Both came as expected so that was good. He came back with a lovely wreath for the front door, we always have one on the tiop half which has little windows so didn't want one too big. trouble finding one that wasn't too expensive, some of the garden centres ones are very dear, but Tesco to the rescue theirs was £6  very reasonable and it looks good too.

Today is another quiet day . Just had to stop to listen to the radio playing "Driving home for Christmas" by Chris Rea, I love that record, it is the embodiment of christmas for me. Lovely!

Jessie is doing normal jessie things, Vin has his usual little conversations with her. She talks with him answering in loud miaows.

 

Vaccine!

Yesterday saw the first vaccinations carried out, the first one on a ninety year old grandmother who wanted to know what all the fuss is about. Trouble is there are limited stocks and so many people to give it to, so no easing of regulations yet and not for a whiloe yet anyway. Can't see it getting round to us any time soon. Seems they are starting with the elderly in care homes and the workers there, and frontline workers meaning nurses and doctors i suppose, and the normal general public coming quite low on the list. Just have to be patient.

Rained pretty much all day yesterday, today it is clearer but quite cold as you would expect for December. Not been a bad winter so far, some places have had snow, the high grounds and hills, and also some areas like Norfolk.  We do not get much snow here, it has to be quite bad for us to get snow here on the coast. The gritter lorry has been out a few nights though when frost was expected but not too bad yet. 

Vin is waiting in this morning for a delivery of coal from the coal lorry. Not coal exactly but super therm which he says is good and hot. We are using some of our heating allowance from the government to pay for that. Also waiting for some christmas cards coming from M&S via the post office. I had put an order to them last week for two items the other arrived yesterday via DPD and half due from the post office. No idea why they did that but no matter. 

Vin has just come up to say he is pottering around as he does, been playing with the cat as he does. Sleeping a lot as cats do, and keeping nice and warm by the heaters. 

Laid back Jessie!

 

Christmassy!

Beginning to look a lot like Christmas, all of our decorations are up and most of the neighbours have theirs up too so the road is looking nice now.  Loads of Christmas music on the radio and also a lot of supplements in the papers showing what delights we can look forward too for the viewing period over the holiday. Answer not a lot really. because of the virus situation there is not a lot of original viewing to be had really.  One or two highlights but on the whole a lot of repeats rehashed! maybe next year will be better.

Vin went off to crosby yesterday and got some things in for christmas, and our Jane had a shopping spree. She used some of our Argos vouchers from the shopping scanning that Vin does when he comes back from his shopping. she bought a new kettle, toaster and microwave from russel Hobbs, in a lovely red colour.  She is planning to store them at her friends house who has a bit of room for her. 

this morning Vin has spent ages doing a paarcel to send to Ann in Australia. Recently found that she has moved to a new place which is closer to town for her apparently.  Vin did the google earth view and it looks quite nice where she has gone so hope the parcel arrives there in good time. 

Vin thinks jessie is showing signs of kidney related to age problems. he is keeping an eye on her.  She seems ok to me and actually spent ages up here with vin while he was wrapping Ann's gifts. Being nosey!

Colder Today!

At least i think it is,but there again I'm always cold anyway. :) Vin doesn't he is presently out in the back garden putting up some lovely little red berries on the fence for Christmas. Brave soul he is. Yesterday he went off to Formby to get his M.O.T. done and it passed with flying coloursso he was pleased about that. Jane had hers done last week too and hers did when she had replaced a rear light then it was redone and it passed too so she was pleased as well. 

Poor girl has done four nights this week so not expecting to hear from her until at least tomorrow. She will indeed be very tired I should think. 

Shopping done on wednesday as usual and he bought some things for Christmas. It all helps to ease the load, the last thing you want is to to have to get everything at the last minute. The more you can get beforehand the better. 

Jessie was funny yesterday. When Vin went off to get his m.o.t. done she jumped down from the sofa where she usually sits next to him and sat on the carpet in front of the middle room door, and there she stayed till he came back an hour later! There's loyalty for you indeed.

 

"T'Is The Season To Be Jolly"

It is in our house at the moment. All the decorations have been doneThe three trees done, one in the front room in the bay window, one in the middle room where we sit mostly and the third in the extension where our dining table is.Then we have assorted Christmas things around the different rooms and Vin puts lovely lights up everywhere at the windows. Nothing too overdone, just nice and festive.  That was done on Monday and Tuesday and Vin said according to his diary that we have done them four days earlier than last year so we will get a bit longer from them this year. 

Jessie wasn't bothered with what was going on, some of our other cats would have been chasing things round the floor but not this one, she just carries on as normal. My podiatry man came yesterdaqy because he was off on Monday, and she scampered upstairs as soon as the doorbell went, the only bit of her he has seen in months has been her tail disappearing up the stairs.  I had an appointment at the harmotology clinic next Monday his usual day so he said the toe would be fine for two weeks. However, about an hour or so after he went the phone went  and it was Aintree cancelling the appointment and deferring it till later.! Typical that is, they don't ring just before he came but after!

Some good news in the offing this morning, apparently they are about to introduce a vaccine against the Covid in the next few days, which is brilliant news really after all these months of Lockdown. A bit too late for the High Street though, news yesterday of Debenhams closing down lus a number of associated stores that are in the same group, like Topshop, Burtons etc. Oh dear, the main shopping areas have really been hit badly, and of course all of the resulting jobs. 

More good news yesterday for our jane was that she heard that her mortgage has been approved so it is all going ahead with her house sale. It is a lovely house, three bedrooms and just opposite the one that she had seen last December, same little close which is nice because she wants a cat or maybe two.  Hope she wn't turn into a cat lady!!

Thus a lot going on at the moment.Not that any of that affects our Jessie! She has enjoyed the fires that her daddy makes so she can recline in front of them!

Waiting for Christmas presents!
              

Busy Day For Vin!

It being Wednesday the plan was to go to Tesco as usual, but he had arranged for new tyres to be fitted for the front of his car . he was going to get the tyres done then go to Tesco afterwards. However, best laid plans!  He had orderedtwo new sofa cushions quite a bit ago, and lo and behold there was an email to saay that they would be delivered this morning. ASnother one today to say that they would be arriving between 11.15 and 12 O'clock. The plan was for them to be left in the wheelie bin in the front garden but the bins haven't been emptied yet!! Oh dear!

He has just rung up to say that he'd left the car and walked over to Tesco to get the basic things and would collect his car after that. I hope he isn't rushing about too much. Another phone call to say that he had the tyres done and was nipping back into Tesco for the heavy stuff, that being the cat litter!  Busy boy!

Jane called yesterday too on her way to Didsbury to get some bits of shopping. She had had an email to say that her mortgage had been approved subject to valuation. So that is another little step.  So looking forward to seeing her again , should be home for Christmas if all goes well. 

Jessie is round and about Vin said she was downstairs listening to the radio. Realy?  it does appear that she like radio two, and if we go out it is generally left on for her to keep her company. 

Best seat in the house!

 

Once Again A Monday!

 Another Monday creeps up on us. getting very near to december now which means Christmas is coming up. 

We were up early and going by breakfast time this morning because mark the podiatry man was due. we had a week off last time so it has been two weeks since he has been. Jessie of course disappeared upstairs  as soon as the vacuum appeared, we have never had a cat that hasn't run off when the vacuum got going.  He didn't actually see her backside this morning, she is presently under Jane's bed having a sleep. very stressful!  He was all done and dusted by about half past ten . Coming back next Tuesday he is off on Monday.  We came upstairs to order our Christmas Brownies from the Gower Cottage company in Wales. Our Jane found them on their website, normally I ordered them from QVC and have done for some years now, but Jane spotted that they were four pounds cheaper on their own website so no brainer really. 17.99 with them and £22 with QVC so that saves four pounds! Well done Jane. 

Vin was going to go to Crosby after mark had been but decided not to because we have enough in till wednesday when he goes to tesco so we don't really need anything. He speent yesterday in the garden getting rid of a load of stuff from the bushes etc.,  this was to get the green bin full because that won't be emptied again until march. He is arranging about his tyres as well so not bad going this morning. 

Jessie as I said has done her usual disappearing act but no doubt will come downlater when we are both downstairs for coffee. It was funny on Saturday Jack from next door had his nose at the cat flap and she was on the inside looking out. A bit of hissing later and she belted into the middle room and into her box. This is a box that jane had sent some shortbread in and quite a large box. vin cut a hole in the end and another at the other end. Jessie has really taken to this and goes in quite often. Jane is threatening to bring some tinsel to decorate it for christmas!

Boo!

The Weekend!

Doesn't really mean very much when you have stopped working. It is merely an extension of the days that go by. Just an ordinary week this week apart from going to Aintree on Tuesday for a blood test.  that is a "virtual" appointment which means you don't even have to turnup, no phone call or anything. You don't exist really and there is no need for you to be there! The way of modern medicine. 

Nothing organised for today, not a nice day actually it is very overcast and drizzly so Vin is doing the bedding and getting that on in the wash. He has just fitted a new battery in my watch which had stopped. He ordered some batteries from a firm he uses yesterday before three o'clock and lo and behold they were on the mat this morning! that's good going by anybodies standards. Well done that firm.

Jessie was up quite early this morning came up for a cuddle from her daddy and then went off. When I got up to go to the bathroom that was the signal for Vin to go down to feed her, but he also got himself half a mug of tea so he was quite happy. Trouble was this was realy early so the xxconsequenses of that was that we slept in a bit this morning. No matter though we aren't going anywhere today.

 This basket has long gone now and jessie is about twice the size. She now has a blanket which is on his sofa so she can be by his side! 

An Outing!!

No not really! We had a phone call from the renal department at Aintree late last week to ask if we could go for a blood test so that is where we went on tuesday. no appointment time so it was a case of just go. That is where we went then, got there quickly the traffic was very light, and he parked in front of the elective care building.i waited outside while he went in for the form which had to be printed off then he came down to get me. Up to the blood sucking area and  surprisingly there was nobody waiting so went straight inside. Vin had gone off to wait by the car in case he had to move it, he didn't , then I went down to find him waiting by the lift. 

Normally after going there and leaving at the right time we would have gone for a Costa but since we cannot do that, you can't drink inside yet so there not being any pleasure in having a take out sitting in the car we went straight home for our Tassimo instead. Very nice it was too. 

Little Jessie was in the middle room waiting for us when we got home miaowing. She is a lovely miaower, miaows away at vin all the time. You'd swear they were having a conversation. She was very odd yesterday actually, couldn't settle down as she usually does, she was prowling around in and out of the middle room, then in and out of the kitchen, we thought she was going up for a rest as she usually does but she would reappear again in the middle room. Very odd. Did settle down as the evening wore on and spent the evening n her blanket by Vin's side on his sofa. Her favourite place of all.

Today is Tesco day and vin has gone off to get the week's shopping in. He says he doesn't browse much any more, just gets what is necessary and what is on the list. Very grey and overcast this morning,looks like rain really, and quite blowy. Well it is November after all!

 All back to normal now!

Another Week Rolls Along!

Monday again and another week rolls along. Nothing much doing this week except for a blood test which we are going to have done tomorrow. Also there is a "virtual" appointment on Thursday with the renal dept., not exactly sure what this entails  just go with the flow I suppose. Only trouble is that the blood test is supposed to be done a week before this but they only contacted me on Thursday last so that won't work. Oh well not my fault.

Supposed to be breezy today and rain is forecast but not too bad actually. it was nice not to have to get up with the lark for the podiatry man this morning. We are having a week off this week and he is coming next week so leaving it for two weeks to see how it gets on. Onwards and upwards. 

Covid still proving a big problem the prime minister is again in self isolation because he has been in contact with another member of parliament who has been tested positive.  Jane was saying that yesterday they had an awful lot of covid patients to x-ray so that doesn't look god.  Huge march in Liverpool on Saturday against the lockdown some people just never learn do they!

Jessie is living her little life as normal. She didn't wake her daddy up this morning  he went ddown to feed her when he got up to get acup of tea earlier. Then when he went down to get our coffee she was on the back of his sofa looking out of the window. Wonder what they look at out there, probably the birds flying past.

One of her favourite spots. He did say that he has a chat to her when he went down. She tends to reply with the odd miaow and can be quite vocal. Must be an odd conversation!

Friday!

This friday dawns bright and sunny for a change. Currently playing is "What a wonderful world" on the radio, a great tune and seems to suite the day somehow. Not the present climate though with all the lockdown and the virus problems still but there it is. 

News this morning that Peter Sutcliffe otherwise The Yorkshire Ripper has died, he was taken into hospital some days ago with a heart attack and caught Covid while he was there.  One of the most notorious criminals of the last century along with Hindley and Brady  and Harold Shipman all of whom have now gone. he was 74 and had been in prison for a long time.  Wonder who will miss him?

Vin is doing some bulb planting I think, he did some yesterday with little jack from next door helping him, and enjoying a ride in his wheelbarrow! Vin was talking to our neighbour about our frog that got into the house the other night and apparently jack has brought about six of them into her house, from the land at the back of our properties. I am glad our Jessie doesn't bring things in, in fact she rarely goes outside really, we have not had a huge amount of things brought in over the years, the odd mouse or bird but not really a lot. Thank goodness.

Just a lovely Autumn photo reminds me of the holidays in New England seems such a long time ago and such a gorgeous place to go at this time of the year.

Vin has just brought jessie upstairs to see me and I got a bit of a head stroke and a tickle of the chin before she started to struggle. She is certainly a one person catty that one and his name begins with V !!

Another Tesco Day!

Wednesday again and it is off to Tesco for Vin. These days of so much uncertainty he started going there on a Wednesday becuse it proved to be the quietest day to go there. So armed with his list off he went this morning.  It isn't a bad day today actually a bit grey and overcast but not blowy or windy at all just coolish. It is the season of  heaters and fires Vin has been doing fires for a while now, he gets lovely logs from a number of places which are really good. Nothing like a real fire to lift the spirits just looking at them warms you up.

Today is the 11th of the 11th month so is the proper remembrance day and there have been ceremonies held in London  all very different this year because of the times we are in. So much social distancing, gosh how things have changed.  No standing near anyone, no handshakes and no hugging any more. very odd seems like our whole way of life has changed. 

Jessie was on Jane's bed when I came up to use the computer this morning and Vin said she will keep you company! Didn't last long though, as soon as he said goodbye on his way out she jumped down off the bed and toddled off downstairs!

 I'm off, not stopping with you and the radio!

Hop-a-Long!

Firstly a tale of Jeremy Fisher! There we were latish last night watching a programme of Ambulance when Vin suddenly jumped up , and lo and behold there was a little froggy jumping around our middle room!! Lord knows where it had come from. He tried to catch it but it wasn't half jumping around, they can really cover some area very fast can frogs. He did manage to get it under a plastic lid and slid a piece of card under and then he took it to the plot of land at the back of our house to let it go. he said it landed quite safely, and hopped off somewhere. He still doesn't know how it got in, Jessie is not a cat for bringing things in, think if she saw a mouse she'd run back in the house scared to bits!  It is a real mystery, no doors open in this weather and no windows open sso it is a real puzzle.

Mark the nice podiatry man came this morning a bit late for him, he didn't arrive until around a quarter to eleven , he normally comes between half nine and quarter past ten but no matter, we weren't going anywhere.  He did a bit of trimming and put another type of dressing on and said he would leave it two weeks this time, so we have a week off next Monday.  That's a step forward anyway. 

Our Jessie appeared while the frog was leaping about, just after actually, but wasn't bothered at all, she was probably wondering why her daddy was hopping about the room as well. truth is it did take some catching!

 This is her laid back look! What on earth is he doing.? Stupid humans!

 

Another Day At The Fun Factory!

Well it is Friday again and really it is the same old same old.  Nothing unexpected today and again nowhere to go since the lockdown number two has begun in our area. 

The USA election runs on as it has been doing for some days now, with Joe Biden looking like the winner so far. he only needs about seventeen votes to get in. trump is jumping up and down throwing his toys out of the pram and threatening to sue for fraud saying there are wrongdoings concerning the postal votes. Don't think he would be saying that if he was winning somehow. What a country, said on the news this morning that they have had 240,000 deaths from the virus but the scenes that are shown portray crowds gathering in thousands to demonstrate and march many not wearing masks. Peculiar country indeed. 

Here the furlough scheme has been extended until next march that will be a year of that. Not sure whether that will help since there are jobs going all over the place. Yesterday Sainsbury's announced they were laying of thousands of jobs, from their stores and closing down some Argos shops to have them within the Sainsbury's shops. Even M&S announced massive losses, and John Lewis also. Our shopping habits as a country appear to have changed completely and there is now a massive turn towards mail order or interner buying. Must say we have done that ourselves, quite a lot of our shopping except for groceries has been done online. 

Jessie is carrying on and keeping calm as usual. Her friend Jack came in the house yesterday and before he could stop him ran upstairs. Vin chased after him and saw them at the top of the stairs, one on the top step and the other outside Jane's room. Not hissing or anything, just looking at each other. Vin reckons she is getting used to him. Mmmm not sure about that, but they weren't fighting or anything.  Firework night last night and there were fireworks going off but she wasn't bothered by those, just doorbells. vey odd !

 Nice little cosy spot.. by a roaring fire!

Wednesday..Tesco Day!

The 4th of November already, and no sign yet of the pandemic clearing up. Liverpool is still extremely high in the ratings of the most number of cases with the intensive care beds under great strain, especially in the town.  The other item of note is the USA elections which are taking place or rather have taken place. Seems to be neck and neck between Joe Biden and Donald Trump. Goodness knows what they see in trump, he has done some stupid things but they appear to like him. Boris Johnson may be a git of a twit but he is our Boris and certainly would rather have him than the Trump!

Vin has just gone off to Tesco for the weekly shop, to get our normal things for the week. He has gone armed with his list which doesn't really vary much but necessary for him. No doubt that cat food etc., is at the top of his list, jessie taking priority. Only kidding! He does a really excellent job of getting our houshold things up to date Bless him.

Weather is nice today, bright skies and sunshine although it is cool, just as the forecasters predicted yesterday. For the last couple of weeks it has been very wet,  and also blowy so a lot of leaves are off the trees now. Typical bonfire night weather crisp and dry, but fireworks are a no go this year because of the virus, public gatherings are forbidden and a lot of the council displays forbidden. You do wonder what Christmas is going to be like this year. A mail order one probably!

Jessie is asleep downstairs after being on the bed at a very dark point sometime this morning, she was up the middle of the bed and I was stroking her, then she got fed up with that and and disappeared down to the end of the bed to lie on Vin's feet. 

 You wake up and there is a little face staring at you! very off putting really. Vin just turns over until she gets impatient and then starts to stroke his cheek to get him up!

Another Week Another Dollar !

As they say! This is another round of Lockdown with businesses closed and the hospitality and leisure sector being closed again. feel for the hotel over the road who have had problems for a while now with openings and closings. They just seem to get going and then wham another round hits them. Shame really. 

Seems to be a month of it this time, and not looking good for Christmas. I think it will be a mail order ne this year. Vin said this morning that the number of delivery vans around has increased somewhat, expect that will increase as the month goes on. 

Mark came as usual this morning at about a quarter past ten did the dressing and was gone by around half past. Little Jessie disappeared upstairs when she heard the sound of the vacuum and has just come out of her hidey hole under Jane's bed I have just glimpsed the back end of her going out of the doorway. Think she heard her Daddy who was up here getting changed so has followed him downstairs. talk about loyalty. 

Maybe it is the lure of the food bowl that is the attraction? or maybe not, she does tend to follow him around quite a lot.

Dobbies!!

Vin has taken himself off to Dobbies this morning, mainly because he has vouchers that he wants to use before they run out.  He is armed with a list of the things that we usually buy from there and have run out of anyway. He has just rung up to say he is there so we shall see how he gets on. He says that he is going to spy out the lay of the land so to speak for maybe a visit later on. it is an absolute age since we have been there, we generally used to go each month to get our free coffees and would generally spend about twenty pounds or so while we were there.  Wonder how much he will spend today. 

Jane went ack to work last night after her eye op last Thursday so she had a week or so to recover. Hope it all went well for her. She always rings up before she goes, and said that she had booked a survey for the house she is hoping to buy  in Heaton Mersey. So things appear to be moving in the right direction there. fingers crossed!

It is a hge step forward though and she has never got as far as that before so do hope it goes well.

 Spot the catty! It gets you on the way up or failing that it will get you on the way down!

mID-wEEK aGAIN!She didn't do a running away thing this morning because Vin was at the door ready for the arrival of the parcel. She still hates the doorbell so if he can get there before it rings the better. Aaah poor little cat, wonder what it is about doorbells. Speaking about poor little cats, a little one has gone missing from the house next to where jane lives has gone astray. he is called Beau and Jane thinks he is lovely, she often said how he would walk alongside her and rub her ankles. Very fluffy tabby cat, hope he comes back soon but it has been a week now. We had a beautiful cat called Rusty who once went missing for a month, we used to go out every evening looking for her and it appeared that we must have been

Wednesday again! How the weeks are flying past, and still not much of a sign f any ease in the lockdown much.A lot of people disobeying the rules judging by the photos in the papers, but also a lot of people staying in to avoid going out to avoid crowds or being with groups of people. Very wise!

Vin has gone off to Tesco this morning after getting up earlyish to be ready for a parcel arriving from Joh lewis. It is a bauble for the bauble swap I do each year with the Delia  group. Not as many doing it as there used to be but I like the bauble swap, we have a tree in the extension which has all of mine on it and I always enjoy looking at them. Mine is off to Australia this year a lady who lives in Sydney so it will be winging its way there soon. 

He has gone off to Tesco armed with his list, no doubt that Jessies things are on the top of it! 

There is a little cat missing from the house next door to where our Jane lives it is a fluffy tabby one who she often saw when coming home from a shift. It would rub her ankles and follow her. Hope he turns up soon, he is chipped so that is good. Come home Beau.  Don't think our Jessie would ever go missing she likes her home and her Daddy too much! She is mostly a house cat anyway really.

No I aint going anywhere.  Like my home comforts too much!

And Another Week!

Begins! Monday brings the visit from my podiatry man  mark who is trying hard to fix the offending toe which seems to be going on forever.  Anyway that was redressed and with another dressing on it so ready to go. See you again next week he says and off he goes. 

Jane is recovering slowly from her eye operation last Thursday. At first she was suffering from a bad sore throat which is very uncomfortable also from the eye which was sore. The photos she sent showed a bloodshot eye but it is Vin thinks looking a tiny bit better each day.  She is eating a bit better now though and even ordered an Indian takeaway the other night for a decent meal because she was hungry. She loves her food does our Jaane :)

Jessie  did her usual disappearing act when mark pressed the doorbell, and is currently residing under jane's bed in the middleroom where she feels safe.  Iwas descending the stairs as she was racing up them. Not quite collided but my word she can't half run when she wants to!!

 Love this ne of the two of them. Jessie up close and personal with her best friend!!

Thursday Op Day!

Not for me for a change but today it is our Jane who is having an operation on her eye. She has had problems with it for years and two lots of botox on it byut they didn't work. She was wearing a prism on her glass which was supposed to help but didn't so the next level was an op to correct a muscle that was causing the problem.  Today is the day for it, and she has just rung up at a quarter past eleven before going in for eleven thirty. 

She had been on pins this week firstly because she had a Covid test on Monday so she was waiting for the result of that which came back yesterday afternoon as negative so that was fine to go ahead. Then there was the trouble over Manchester because they were in talks about going into lockdown so that would have had an effect. Possibly with elective operations cancelled etc., thankfully it isn't starting till tomorrow so that was good timing and a good bit of luck for her. 

Enjoy your sleep Jane one thing is you do get a good sleep under the anaesthetic.!

Horrible weather today, Vin said it was pouring down and also blowy when he went down for the papers, also it i getting quite cool now but it is going on to the middle end of October so not surprising really. 

Jessie woke her Daddy up at some ungodly hour this morning and balancedon his body while he carried on sleeping. he said she was there for about an hour.  There's loyalty for you! Then she jumped off and went away only to return later to wake him up properly. not soft that cat!!

He wakes up to see this face looking at him  just before she jumps off again! 

Tuesday!

 Tuesday again and still arguments over the Covid lockdown. Big time arguments in manchester over going or not into tier three of manchester like Liverpool. We here are in the highest tier,  the Pub/kitchen over the road is closed for two weeks, again, but everything else seems to be going in the village. 

We are just staying in out of the way really, as we have been doing all year, who would ever have thought at the beginning of the year it would still be going on. Most thought once the first wave had passed it would be back to normal but it seems we are having a second wave which is causing trouble.  Jane in Manchester is on tenterhooks because she is having an eye op on Thursday  and has had the pre=op and went yesterday for the swab, so is nw waiting to see what happens.

Nothing going on here today, village is quiet, oh forgot today is putting out bins day, that is going on! Wow an event!

Jessie is still living her life as usual  she loves the box that Vin cut holes in for her to play with, and was asleep in that for ages last night as we were watching television  with her tail poking out of one end. looked lovely!

Jessie on the prowl!!

All Growed Up!

Our Jane is now all growed up! she has finally after a lot of searching bought herself a house! Well done Jane. it is a really nice semi-detached in the same avenue that she had viewed a house just before christmas and was heartbroken abut just missing out on. This one is The opposite that one, with three bedrooms, off road parking and a nice manageable garden.  Hope this ne goes smoothly for her. 

She was on nights last night so won't be ringing for a while anyway, and tomorrow she is planning to go into town to get her hair cut she is having a procedure done on her eye on Thursday, for which she had had the pre-op and is hoping that it will go ahead as planned. 

The Covid still seems to be raising its ugly head again with large areas of the country once again in a form of lockdown. liverpool is one, but after seeing the videos of the crowds on the middle of the city centre on monday night revelling and crowding it isn't surprising. Also london has notched up a gear and it looks like manchester will be following soon. The nightinglae hospital has been put on alert again from the 26th Oct  because of the rising numbers. It is all very confusing with different areas in the different levels or tiers as they call them. 

 Meanwhile back at the ranchlife goes on for our jessie. As long as she is shopped for, watered and has her daddy she is very happy!

Bloodwork!

Yesterday was quite a busy day for us. up early to  be ready for Mark the podiatry man who came at around a quarter to ten and out by about a quarter pastish. He is very efficient, vary pleasant and in and out and done nice and quickly. then it was get ready for an appointment at Aintree at the Haemotology clinic . This was a refferal from the renal clinic after some blood test that i had done which showed the levels of haemoglobin were low and they were wondering why. 

Clinic is at the back of the hospital in the rear of the car park so Vin dropped me off and we went to book in. he left me there  and went to park the car. Not easy, no spaces so he had to go further away, then he joined me again. We seemed to wait ages then eventually went in to see the Dr., he took many details, asked a lot of questions and did suggest a bone marrow teast to see what is going on with the bone marrow. Trouble with that is that they cannot do anything even if they did find something he said so we said we would wait and see what happens.   Apparently in some people the levels fluctuate anyway so we thought that was the best plan. Just leave alone and wait! Home by about one o'clock and had a lovely cup of coffee that Vin got ready. 

Other exciting news yesterday was that our Jane has put an offer in on a house she went to see on Sunday. It is opposite the one that she really wanted before Christmas but didn't get. This one has the advantage of an extra bedroom with a bathroom downstairs but does have a toilet upstairs so that is good. I think it is a lovely little house on at £230,000 which is within her budget, so fingers crossed at the moment. She is in a good position because she is a first time buyer with no chain so that is good for the seller. Hope she gets this one she has saved so hard, worked all hours to get overtime to save, and she deserves it. Fingers crossed and all the toes I have left crossed too. 

Mark the podiatry man did get a quick glimpse of our Jessie when he arrived, the doorbell didn't go but as soon as she heard the voices in the hall she sprung down fromthe sofa and scooted off upstairs to her usual safe place under jane's bed. !

I'll come out later when it is nice and safe!

Thursday!

Very odd today, I keep thinkng it is a different day suppose it is because of going out on Tuesday and the podiatry man on Monday. highlight of our week these days really. Sad isn't it. We don't really wfeel like going out anywhere because of this dratted virus. Curtailed our little trips to Dobbies and to Costa, used to like those but it is all so different these days. Social distancing, nobody really to watch in the cafes and everyone in those dreaded masks. Do not know how on earth our jane wears them all day I've had enugh after about an hour. Terrible for steaming up the glasses!

Tuesday was a trip to litherland to get the blood test done which ended up fine actually so no trouble. Too early to go aanywhere else afterwardsso came home for our coffee from the trusty Tassimo machine. What a good system that is, I normally have a skinny Macchiato and Vin varies what he has, sometimes a chai latte sometimes an Americano and sometimes a flavoured latte. He likes the ne with caramel or maybe a hazelnut. Not for me really, but he loves them.

Just heard on the news that a record number of baby bats have had to be rescued from falling out of their roosts because of the warmer climate apparently. they try to get out of the roost to get cooler and are not ready so fall out and so need rescuing.! think it is a slow news day!!

Our Jessie doesn't need rescuing, she leads a very normal and quiet existence really. As long as she has her food and her nice safe places she is very happy.

Look at me all nice and comfy safe and warm. What more could a nice little catty want? 

Up Early Again!

Up early again today like yesterday, this time for a blood test at litherland. Vin decided to ring up to see if we were booked in since the last time we went they had no trace of us. same again apparently according to the person he spoke to, but we decided to go anyway and it appeared that we were ok.  Sat and waited round the corner and the lovely lady called me in.  All done and finished in a few minutes, and on our way home. 

Drew up outside the house and  there was a van outside with a delivery for us from Bullens, strange because we had a phone call from them yesterday they had not got the prescription  so did not leave a delivery time. yet there it was today. The delivery man had left them over the road at the pharmacy, so Vin went over to collect it. We got back in the house to find our Jessie at the top of the stairs looking worried. it is the doorbell effect, she clearly had run up out of the way. Aaah poor little thing, don't know what she is worried about nobody chases her or gets at her in any way whatsoever, her Daddy wouldn't let them! Still she runs off. 

Awful weather today, very dark when we woke up and overcast. now it is absolutely pouring down and very wet indeed.  The poor blokes who have been working on the scaffolding next door had arrived to take it all down, just about got it done before it really started raining badly.  The little man who is doing the fence between us and next door isn't there today. No wonder.

 Don't  think it will be long before the fire will be going again jessie. Definitely a change in the weather, we noticed the fields on the way to litherland very flooded and soggy looking, and reports of flooding all over the country on the trffic  reports. keep out of the wet jessie!

Busyish Monday!

Up early as usual this morning because the podiatry man generally comes early at about half past nine. He was a bit later today and didn't come till about  half past ten, but he works quickly as normal, and was off by eleven. 

Our front fence is being painted by a little man arranged by our neighbour whose fence it is. A wrought iron fence between our front gardens, and he is at the moment scraping down the old paint.  next week we have an appointment on the monday morning at Aintree for the haemotology unit which is a referral from the renal people about my blood levels.  No idea what that is about really but we shall see when we get there.

Tomorrow we have another appointment for a repeat blood test at Litherland town hall from the surgery over the road.  Wish people would leave me alone really but there we are. 

Jessie of course did her usual disappearing act under our jane's bed right over in the corner, and despite having the radio on I don't think she has moved yet. Funny that, she doesn't like the doorbell or the vacuum but  doesn't mind the radio or television unless of course there is a doorbell on it.

Was that a doorbell I heard? If it was i amoff! 

Vin Vac !

Vin went off for his flu jab this morning at a quarter past ten. not a long way to go only over the road to the chemist, who is now doing the fly vaccinations from his pharmacy. He was back fairly qui8ckly having had it done and having had to stay for five minutes afterwards because sometimes people have a reaction to it.  He doesn't so he came back when he got the all clear. Full of information about the vaccine that is used.  Apparently it is egg based so if you are allergic to eggs you cannot have it. Wonder if they have a vegan type one?

He also rang up about my blood test at Litherland town hall, that is arranged for Tuesday morning and he is to collect the form this afternoon. 

This afternoon also our Jane has an interview with the mortgage advisor in manchester, arranged by the estate agent who will not allow a viewing unless you do that. very odd but maybe it is a way of weeding out people who cannot afford the payments etc., that is at four o'clock so i hope that goes well for her. She has seen a nice house that is on the same road as the one she had viewed before Christmas but just missedout on because her offer was lower than the one she offered.  buying a house seems to be a minefield, hope this one goes well and she can get her catty!

 Jessie is enjoying peace and quiet at the moment. She doesn't go out visiting and is mainly self-isolating near to where her Daddy is.

Sad News!

Just having our breakfast today and the phone went. Vin hurried off to answer it and wasn't baack for a while so I knew it wasn't a rubbish call. It was a friend from down the road to say that her husband had died on Monday. He was a man that I spent years sharing a car with on our journey to our school in Kirkby. A real shame.

Jane has just rung up for a chat and said that the Estate Agent who are doing the arrangements for the house she has seen say that they will only do viewings if she deals with their mrtgage advisor. Her advisor says that it is a bit naughty but not illegal, unless they force you to go with them . She has made an appointment for Friday at four so will see what happens . It is a nice house near to one that she had fallen in love with before Christmas but just lost out on by a few thousand. She has a great deosit saved, done really well Bless her. 

Our Jessie woke her Daddy up at some ungodly hour this morning while it was still dark but he terned over and she gave up. Came back later miaowing so he got up then to feed her. talk about as cute as a cartload of monkey's!

Having a little rest now after all that hard work!

 

Brrrr!

It is like somebody has turned the thermostat down today. really cold this morning. We were up and at em early to prepare for the podiatry man the very nice Mark who arrived about ten to ten this morning. he is very regular actually, normally around half past nine or thereabouts.  Sometimes a bit earlier but more often than not a bit later. 

Jessie of course does her usual disapearing act when the vacuum cleaner gets going. Normally upstairs under Jane's bed which is her preferred spot.  She has a little safety spot where she goes off to when she is threatened by things like the doorbell or the vacuum! Or maybe a big marauding cat like Jack from next door. 

Start of another boring week really, nothing exciting to go to or visit. Even our little visit to Costa last week was low key with staff in masks and distancing, nowhere near as interesting as it used to be.  Tables wiped before you go in and wiped down when you have left, makes you feel like a leper!  Not much people watching because there is no-one there to watch!

All the news at the moment is of the students especially around some of the large University towns like manchester and Liverpool. Must admit I do feel for them, there was all the trouble over the exams, now they have made it to their universities and they are locked in because many of them have tested positive for the virus. Pictures on the news about students posting notices on their windows asking for food etc., good job they have parents some of them were seen to have driven miles to take food supplies to sons and daughters. Aaah!

 Is it safe yet? I might come out if it is. Everyone gone and all quiet again?

Numbers Rising Again!

Fears of a second wave are proving right at the moment,  students going to University and the result of that is certainly affecting some areas. Round here manchester and Liverpool seem to be badly hit with a lot of students from both universities being badly hit. Some of them are talking about online tutoring, don't know how that would work, can't see it happening for the practical courses anyway. They have had a tugh year, these present students, with the trouble over their A level exams it can't haave been easy.

Weather supposed to be coler this week with more Autumn touches. The trees are beginning to look a bit more colourful anyway and dropping leaves, but they were doing that in the summer with all of the dry weather. Next door have a load of scoffolding on the back of their house. not for them it is actually for the house adjoining theirs. Very sporadic work on it though, but as Vin says they are probably working on a couple of jobs at the same time. 

We are not planning to go out anywhere at the moment, with the rules to stay in where possible, and the fact that places are very much reduced, it would have been nice to go to Dobbies one of our little haunts, but maybe not at the moment. The free coffees do not tempt us at present either. 

Jessie is used to us being at home and is very attached to her daddy, as long as he is around she is happy. Blissfully aware thatanything is going on, and no masks toworry about. nice life really. 

Nice comfy place to sleep and a warm Daddy's lap to settle on and she is hapy!

 

Lockdown Again!

Sort of a lockdown. Kind of puts you off going out anywhere really, unless it seems if you are a student attending University. Pictures in the papers this morning of parties of young ones behaving as they used to before the virus happened. One photograph of a queue outside the Sainsbury's in Fallowfield which is not far from where our jane lives. Are they paqnic buying? Who knows.  Wouldn't like to be in the store with all that lot though!

Podiatry man yesterday morning, and Jessie did her usual trick of disappearing when the doorbell went. He still hasn't seen her yet.  He probably thinks we are a pair of soft old bats with an imaginary pet!! Today is an ordinary day with no appointments going on, although I did get a phone call from the surgery to go for another blood test in two weeks and to ring up in the middle of next week to get an appointment at litherland again. that's not a problem  at least it is easier to get to than Aintree. 

The Hotel over the road was opened yesterday. I was trying to look at a menu this morning but doesn't really seem to be one, not yet anyway at least not one I can read. Vin says he's seen one and it looks very expensive. There were some people milling around last night so  some interest anyhow. today  there are new rules that they must close at ten so that won't help. It all looks very nice anyway, they have had a big refurbishment and now looking very different from how it used to.

Jessie was up on the bed very early this morning,  then went off. came back later when she really did want feeding.

I am hiding but will come out when really hngry then he will feed me!

More Blood !

Another blood test today, this time for the village surgery over the road. Seems that it couldn't be done at the hospital where i went for another one on Tuesday because the computers are not linked up! make it a l;ot easier if it was! The surgery told us to go to Litherand but when we thought about it we didn't know whether it was the Town hall or the Sefton Road one. So Vin rang up the sefton road one and was told we were not on the list so it must be the other one. Off we went to the Town Haall. Quite busy, everybody in masks, a sea of blue masks all over, horrible things they steam your glasses up, but needsmust i suppose. Waited a while then it appeared that we were not on their computer, but we had the letter, and Vin explained that he had rung up first and was told we were on their list so he put us on. Waited a while socially distancing of course then went in. Done and dusted in a few minutes and off home.

Just  got a phone call from somebody asking if i had been for my blood test? Sort of like Big Brother!

Jrssie was waiting in the middle room when we got home she probably has had a sleep and now wants more food!

 Always ready for a tasty little morsel! Or two!

Oooh An Outing!!

I needed to get a blood test done at Aintree for the renal people so off we went there yesterday. Parked outside the front of the elective care building and Vin got me up to the right floor, we both had temps taken, both fine then went along to the test. Both the regular girls on duty so got done quickly. Vin had left me to go and move the car if necessary  but it appeared that no-one was looking at them so he came back inside to the lifts. By this time I had come out from the lfts to find Vin standing there, just like last time. Touch of deja vu! Since it was a reasonable time we went along the by-pass and ended up at Costa in Freshfield and went in for our first Costa since March!!! Unbelievable. Tables all spread out,  and someone cleaning them down everytime a person leaves. Very nice coffees, I had my flat white, and Vin had a latte with hazelnut flavour syrup and soya milk. We enjoyed those. 

Home then to get changed and our lunch etc.,

Today he has gone off to Formby to get his hair cut if possible, and then on to Tesco. He has just rung up to say he had got it done. So that is good.  Now gone off to Tesco  to get the weekly shopping.

Jessie is behaving as normall trying to trip me up on  the stairs. Her little joke. 

I'll get you sometime.