Day plods after day, broadly undifferentiated. Not always. This morning when I woke I had forgotten the difference that Sunday makes. I thought it was Monday. But no, Sunday is clean sheets and boiled egg.
We tried the pub lunch. The outside table in a stiff breeze. But the cheery kids had no masks, no gloves, stood too close! We are not prepared to set at nought all these weeks of effort for the dubious pleasure of some double fried chips (touched by our hands – and how many others!)
As far as I can see my generation have on the whole has arrived at broadly the same conclusion. Marigold is cutting her own hair and watching Zoom church at midnight! and Harriet and Leo stay sequestered behind their double glazing, cracking one window a half inch in 33C…
Phyllis blames the bloody Chinese and thinks people are whining too much about the government! I fight lamely back but lack any ammunition.
Diarmaid writes his warm but apocalyptic poems and lies low, sticking to the tried and tested routine.
Fred and Joan, denied their week with the grandkids, their trip to the South of France, have just booked a few days near Stroud in October. Laurie Lee country. I encouraged her to look for views to die for! (Hopefully not…) Joan is still enjoying the cooking (pomegranate molasses this week!) and Fred is just relieved the sport is back.
Martin has made a few trips to his office recently but has grown to rather like working from home. We share Tesco deliveries and trade goodies: two home made biscuits for a surfeit of strawberries. His cleaner returned to work this week.
Donna and Peter are having a bit of a tough time, what with his breathing problems. They know too much too, being doctors. But they are hoping to make it to Cornwall in September – if she can still manage to lift the mobility scooter into the boot! She says she has developed more patience than she thought possible.
Ellen endures her lonely isolation. Working from home is hard when you are on the spectrum. Mum’s in Ireland – 14 days quarantine if she goes home, so she’s staying put. Flatmate Pyotr is moving out at the end of the month – to a flat with a garden in Kingston.
Up in Liverpool Jill and Derek have replaced their nearly-launched firstborn with a cute Cockapoo. Even harder work. The Big Win celebrations went on for days. They bought a flag!
Jean is still hoping her trip to Japan will happen next year. Jim is happy to be back on the golf course. “You think you’re going to be bored – but the days just pass”, she says. But Lizzie isn’t waiting around. There’s only more cases because they’re doing more tests. She’s fed up with her husband and daughter quoting statistics at her. She’s off to the South of France next week, quarantine or not. She thought of booking a flight to Rome just to see the Titian…
Claudia is finding it hard to keep her mask in place. It keeps slipping down her nose. I make her a gaffer-taped pipe cleaner special.
Tom spent an hour and a half at the dentist on Friday. His face is still bruised and swollen. He says it doesn’t hurt. He’s heading back to France on Monday too. The Ardeche. Middle of nowhere, so quarantine not an issue.
Ruth and Sam are looking forward to the kids going to the other grandparents for a few days. They managed a nice day trip to Chester yesterday. Darren’s birthday went well last week. Double Digits! Sally has a new catchphrase – ‘eh lass’!
Keith is working flat out. Insolvency work is the place to be just now! Finally finding time for a quick trip up to family in the Northeast. Eye test HQ… Iris is due to come off furlough in September as the school needs her qualifications. The hens have had some ups and downs. Anne is just bored all the time now. Errol’s GCSEs next Thursday! 39% of A Levels downgraded! Disgraceful! Where is Boris?
Flora has finally found a Project to give her existence some meaning. I thought it might be a photo book. But no, it’s a real scrapbook. Aiming to chart the 70 years of her old school friend’s life. Asking for my help…
Sophie sent us a mysterious list. 5.21 North of Overton…5.24 Arborfield Garrison… 5.30 Chelsea. But the Red Arrows VJDay flypast got cancelled. Low visibility. “If there was a war on they’d be out flying!” she said. Today she’s just heard that The Globe Tours are restarting! Says she’ll let the younger folk go back to work first, but is looking forward to having the space actor-free for once!
Cathy managed to print some labels for Josie using her old laptop. I’ve given Mike permission now to go and help her install the gizmo on the new one. Think even the gallivanting queen is pretty safe just now.
As for Josie herself, she couldn’t wait to get back to normal. Galleries booked, trips planned with pals, exhibitions! Live theatre! Sitting in the auditorium in the dark with headphones! I’d rather watch my live theatre on TV.
Mary was relieved to hear that we were still lying low. She thought everyone was following Josie’s pattern. I assured her most of us weren’t.
Kaleb sent us some pictures of the dry lightning in northern California last night. Fire season growing closer. Beth is knitting. Has taught herself purl stitch. Poncho squares just need crocheting together. Another new skill to master. I wonder how the zoom game party went? Kaleb feared their hosts had made the mistake of inviting too many people! Mayhem!
Corrie and family are stuck on the M4 trying to get to their holiday rental in Tenby! Client’s property. Georgian house, sleeps 8, backs onto beach.
Heard the story yesterday about Clemency’s Annus Horribilis! Her beauty shining through despite. ‘Morgen’ would haul me back – I hope. Good luck Clemmie. Choose Life. You’re young.
Paperwork from Dignity in Dying. Election to their board. Previously unconvinced GP and Hospice Director standing. We’ll get there.
Gary used to look yearningly at our garden from outside. Thinks it’s a Major Asset. Joining the Board! Hurrah!
Just heard from Cathy. She is so pleased Gary is joining the Board! She’s been stuck up in Scotland from the start. Just visiting London for her eye treatment. Coming back again in September for more. Feeling out of touch – but I tell her she’s in the best place.
Finally heard from Maureen up in the lakes. Has waited nearly six months for her cancer op. At last heard the news today: no spread! Tremendous! Just the issue of that dratted TB to ponder now. Told her to stay put. London much overrated when you can use Lorton village shop!
Monique from the gym emailed. How was I? Told her I had no plans to return just now. Boasted though about walking 100 miles in June!
Robert emailed. Worrying about how the kids at the school might be doing. How could we help? I agreed. Said let’s try and plan something. Whatever it is. Something.
It had dawned on Jane that this was going to be going on and on and on. Time to create something to look forward to in the winter. She’s booked a holiday cottage in October at the edge of Dartmoor. Like Joan she urged me to follow suit. So I did. 4 Days in Ramsgate with a Sea View for Mike’s birthday!
The state itself may be unsteady, but the boomers are doing what they always do best. Just buggering on buggering on…
19 August 2020
Riverview Songs 