As I write this, I’m on my first official day of furlough. I’m currently looking at an email I’ve received from a PR offering instructions on how to brush your teeth. I mean, I appreciate it’s a challenging time but…
(Joking aside, my sister is a dental nurse/hygiene specialist and if I didn’t know, I’d be in trouble. And well, she’s bigger than I am. If at 41 I can’t clean them by now…. I’m not telling her).
I’ve been for a loooooong walk down by the canal, watching swans huddle together for warmth, a couple of geese hiss at people hovering near their little brood, and sparrows swoop down to where the swans had been grooming themselves and nab spare feathers for their nests. Quiet contemplation next to calm waters and plenty of green.
After last night, I kind of needed it. I mean, that was a shit show wasn’t it? And has given permission for those who need/have been pressurised into for fear of losing their jobs/hate the lockdown to go back to work. The trams are rammed full, buses more crowded than they’ve been in weeks.
Add to that things like the conga that happened at the weekend – yes, lets celebrate 75 years since a big victory in war, by huffing and puffing into each other’s aerated droplets of saliva, not knowing (thanks to the lack of testing) who’s carrying COVID and who isn’t. If that doesn’t make you anxious in any way shape or form, or fearful of another spike in deaths, then I want some of what you’re taking, thank you.
But forgive me, if I still stay at home, while I am afforded the option. I’m beyond angry, beyond frustrated, and incredulous at those who still think the government is doing a good job.
Pushing that to the back of my mind, this week hasn’t been so bad. It’s been busy, somewhat frenetic as I tried to get as much stuff done before furlough kicked in, as I could. I had the long weekend off, only indulging in time on my laptop for Women on Tap, which moved its events online, including a cider tasting, with Cider Women, and a panel discussion on beer after the pandemic.
I discovered that Halo Top offer deliveries via Deliveroo. So when my hormones got the better of me, and I needed something sweet, I had it delivered to my door in minutes (even if it was a little on the expensive side, and I’ll stick with snaffling them in my Tesco shop next time).
Both my sister and my dad (separate visits, and at a distance obvs) stopped by to drop off yeast, my sister including salad cream (I’d tried to buy it three times and nobody had any) along with a very belated Christmas gift. I do love a dino.
I was reminded that it’s five years since I created a dessert based on the Aviation cocktail. Which was a timely reminder as this week I’ll be spending time revisiting old recipes adding graphics, and pinning them to Pinterest, along with SEO and a bit of a tart up. I’m presuming you’ve noticed the new theme – and there’s more to come.
Oh and the cats seem to be getting used to us being around almost permanently, though they are still not averse to swiftly staking claim to your seat, and obviously looking so adorably at once both cute and smug, that you can’t take it back.
For now, I’ll let sleeping cats lie and perch awkwardly on the footstool.