Sad News and Glad News

 

My Mum, Ellen. Rest in Peace

The sad news is my Mum died on 18^th September. Jeremy and I arrived in the Isle of Man the evening before and arranged to visit Mum’s care home the following afternoon. Unfortunately, Mum died just 10 minutes before we arrived. Two hospice nurses were with her, so she was not alone. 

BBQ with Andy and Moyra

My sisters and I were able to fulfil Mum’s wishes for a service in St Mary’s Church followed by cremation. The service was well attended by family, friends and carers. Afterwards, there were refreshments at the Falcon Hotel, Port Erin. In true IOM style the wake continued until closing time.

Fingal's Cave, Staffa near Mull

 

The glad news is that the USA has opened its borders to UK citizens. We hope to spend Christmas and New Year with Simon, Erin, Nina and Ramona in California. Emily, Ben, Ellie and Sophie hope to do the same. If it happens, this will be the first time we have all been together.

Reaxing above the beach, Mull

 

So, what have we been doing since the last blog in June. We were away for most of July. It was great to catch up with friends and family. On our way north to the Isle of Mull, we stayed the night with Jeremy’s brother, Ritchie and sister-in-law, Catherine. The next day we had a lovely BBQ lunch with our friends in Durham, Andy and Moyra, before spending the night with Jeremy’s brother, Gavin and sister-in-law, Eileen. I think it had been almost two years since we last saw them.

Ben, Kathy, Em, Jeremy, Sophie, Ellie in Mull

We spent three weeks in Mull in three different places. The first week we were in the family cottage in Tobermory. When Em, Ben and the girls arrived, we moved into Ritchie and Catherine’s cottage until nephew James and his family arrived. Our last move was to the Wee House in the garden of the family cottage. As the Wee House has no facilities, we shared the kitchen and bathroom in the cottage with Em, Ben and the girls.

Puffins on Lunga near Mull

The weather was very good. We had many beach days and I swam in the sea five times in one week, which is a 50 year record!

Two of a kind!

 

Em celebrated her 40^th birthday with 10 family members. We had a meal at Macgochans followed by tea and cake in the cottage and later, champagne in the garden.

Dolphins in Loch Tuath, Mull

On the way home, Jeremy and I stayed at a Premier Inn near Chorley. My friend, Pat and her son Lloyd, cooked a three course dinner for us. We could hardly move afterwards. It was good to catch up with human and animal news.

Sea eagle, Mull

On our return to England, almost all Covid 19 restrictions had been lifted in England and everything opened up. Most shops asked people to wear masks indoors and these were still required in health settings. For us, August was a quieter month. We did some long walks and had a day out on the river on Sea Rose.  Em, Ben and the girls went away sailing for two weeks.

Kathy and Jeremy several hours before our dunking

At the end of August, Jeremy and I drove Em and Ben’s car to Tollesbury Marina in Essex. After a lovely lunch at the marina, they drove home and we moved on to Sea Rose. Our mission (which we chose to accept) was to sail Sea Rose back to her mooring on the River Deben in Suffolk. When we checked the weather forecast, strong northerly winds were going to blow for a week!

Kathy, Barb and Jeremy in Woodbridge, Suffolk

We cast off in the dark at 5.30 the next morning and sounded our way out of the tidal marina to the deeper River Blackwater. We motorsailed north and anchored for the night in the River Stour. On Bank Holiday Monday (the next day) we tied up to the free daytime pontoon at Ha’penny Quay, Harwich. We decided to have a day in the River Orwell and found the anchorage at Butterman’s Bay. A dinghy ride took us to Pin Mill, where we had a walk and lunch at the Butt and Oyster. The north wind continued to blow.

Milner Tower, Port Erin, Isle of Man

Once the tide was right for the River Deben we set off on a wet and windy motorsail north past Felixstowe. We were about half way when the engine cut out. We had the sails up but could make no progress north against the wind and the tide. In quite rough conditions, we emptied the deep, cockpit locker and found the spare diesel can. The gauge told us there was some diesel in the tank, but presumably not enough for the heeling we were doing from one side to the other. Once the diesel was in the tank, after a few coughs, the engine started and we made it to the mooring in the Deben

Nephew Ryan's gate. Isle of Man

Not long after this, early in September, our sailing friends, Rob and Barb, whom we’d last seen in Australia, came to stay with us for two nights. It was great to see them and catch up with their news. Naturally, we took them for a sail up the river on Sea Rose. It was a beautiful day. What could go wrong? We were all at the mooring ready to go. The engine would not start. Most of the stern bunk was taken apart to give access to the engine, where Jeremy found a wire was not connected to the starter motor. How lucky had we been, just a few days before, that the wire had not dropped off then? 

Jeremy in front of Peel Castle, Isle of Man

We had a gentle sail, lunch at The Anchor in Woodbridge, and a gentle sail back to the mooring. Jeremy and I were going ashore first in the dinghy so that I could bring the car down to the quay. I was in the dinghy first. Jeremy stepped in and capsized the dinghy, which was still tied to Sea Rose. We were both drifting downstream fully clothed and wearing life jackets. I inflated mine. I rescued my rucksack and Jeremy retrieved a container. By some miracle the dinghy had not turned turtle and returned to an upright position, so the outboard motor did not submerge. 

 Rob rescued two wet and embarrassed world sailors and took us back to Sea Rose. Eventually, we all returned safely to our house, where Jeremy and I could at last change out of our soggy clothes. Our damaged pride was nothing compared to the loss of two mobile phones and a Kindle. The SIM cards were saved but the phones were drowned. Why didn’t we have them in waterproof bags? Their replacement cost much more than the bags.

In the same week, we had an overnight visit from our niece, Juliette. We rounded off the week with a sponsored cycle ride in aid of the Suffolk Historic Churches Trust.

The next week Mum was seriously ill and we went to the Isle of Man. After her funeral, we returned home. I felt I needed to get away for a while, so we went to Mull for two weeks and stayed in the cottage. It was very wet, but we still managed to go walking most days. The autumn colours were fabulous and the views when the clouds lifted were spectacular. Peace and quiet returned and I began to feel much better, apart from the bouts of dizziness that I’m still experiencing.

Scallastle Forest Walk, Mull

We hope that all our readers have a Happy Christmas and a healthy New Year. Perhaps 2022 will see the re-opening of Australia to all international travellers. We’ll let you know.

On the Water Again

  

Shiny hull

Sadly, not on Sal Darago. Australia’s borders remain well and truly closed. However, we have access to the next best thing – Em and Ben’s 32ft Southerly called Searose. Jeremy and I spent several days cleaning her inside and out, finishing off with a thorough wax and polish. 

Kathy and Jeremy sail again!

 Recreational boating was allowed with your household, support bubble or one other person. The weather improved, the sun shone and Searose was launched and ready for a trip to her mooring on 30^th March.

Searose afloat

 She sprang a leak. Water was finding a way in through the log fitting. Much discussion followed. It was decided that Searose would be tied to the drying jetty at Ramsholt. Ben and Jeremy would return when the tide went out and replace the log with a similar one Jeremy happened to have in our shed at home. (Now I know why yachties never throw anything out!) Later on, the plan was successfully executed and Searose was tied to her mooring just before 3.00am.

Decorating the spare bedroom

 April was dry and cold – too cold for sailing, so we turned our attention to decorating the spare bedroom and the hall, landing and stairs. I had an appointment at the dentists for a filling and my dentist said I should talk to my GP about an itchy rash on my face. It turned out to be shingles. I was able to take a course of antiviral tablets and the rash did not spread. Some people have said this was an extreme measure to take to get out of the decorating!

Outdoor birthday with Em and Ben

 On 12^th April, pubs and restaurants were allowed to open their gardens to socially distanced groups of up to six. We had a rare, warmish day towards the end of April so we joined Em, Ben and the girls for a pub meal at The Ramsholt followed by a motor sail up and down the river. This was the first meal together since Christmas Day.

Ellie, Sophie and Kathy

 I had video calls with my sisters and with Mum as we tried to find a way for me to visit the Isle of Man. Their borders had been closed to all but their own residents and key workers. Compassionate visits were only allowed to plan and attend funerals. Then the IOM Government announced that they would allow family members to visit from 1^st May under strict conditions. Breaching the conditions meant a hefty fine or three months in prison!

Ellie and bear

 I had to self-isolate for 7 days on arrival and take two Covid PCR tests. The accommodation had to have its own entrance/exit, bathroom and kitchen. Prices ranged from £500 to £720 for one week. Eventually, it was decided that I could use my sister, Pat’s house while she was in the UK visiting her daughter. I could also have the use of her car. I booked my flights.

Kathy isolating

 Jeremy and I had our second Covid jabs on 30^th April. I had been feeling dizzy at times for several months, so I contacted my GP. He didn’t think the injection or the shingles had caused the dizziness but agreed I should have a health check. Blood was taken, an ECG was arranged and I measured my blood pressure over 5 days. All the blood tests and the ECG were normal but the blood pressure was, unexpectedly, too high. I start taking tablets when I return from the IOM.

Sunny Port Erin

 Home improvements and gardening continued into May. The fences and sheds were painted. Seeds were germinating in the greenhouse but nothing was happening to the ones sown outside, except for the weeds and wildflowers.

Mum and Kathy reunited

 We were able to celebrate my birthday with a family meal in the garden of our local pub. Afterwards we had cake and champagne in our garden. Ellie and I shared a birthday outing to Colchester Zoo with Em, Ben and Sophie. We could visit all the outside areas. This was the first time I had encountered crowds since October 2020.

Mum out in the sunshine

 Ellie’s birthday came after the easing of more restrictions. We could meet indoors in groups of 6 or with one other family. We had cake and tea indoors but kept the windows open to be on the safe side.

Kathy, Gaynor and Keith

 I am writing this in the IOM and I have seen my Mum at long last. On 24^th May the IOM reduced the isolation period to 48 hours. Two Covid tests were still required to avoid 21 days of isolation. Both Covid tests came back negative. Hurray and Boo! I can go anywhere EXCEPT health and social care settings, including care homes until 10 days have passed. Fortunately, because of Mum’s health status, I was granted an exemption and was able to visit and take her out. I owe a big thank-you to my niece, Gaynor who assisted on my first visit. It was an emotional reunion.

Now where do we put a ton of gravel?

 Strict Covid-safe measures are in place at Mum’s care home. Masks must be worn. A form has to be filled in for every visit. Hands must be sanitised and temperature taken and recorded.

Tidy garden

 Meanwhile, Jeremy has had root canal treatment at the dentist’s and is now waiting for a crown. He is looking after Em and Ben’s dog, Tess, while the family is away sailing during half term.

We hope all our readers are keeping safe and well and we wish you a pleasant summer.

Lockdown Continues. A new grandchild is born.

 

Ramona Lily

The best news of February was the safe arrival of Ramona Lily in California. She is our fourth granddaughter and our second American grandchild. We were sad that we could not visit to help Simon and Erin and almost two year old Nina. Fortunately, both parents took maternity/paternity leave from work so they were able to cope.

Playing in the snowdrifts

February in the UK began in much the same way as January ended as lockdown restrictions continued. Winter struck with a vengeance with the temperature dipping to an incredible minus 23C in the north of Scotland. Even here in warmer Suffolk, we had several days when the wind chill factor was minus 8C.

Happy faces

 Ellie and Sophie loved the snow and wasted no time in building an igloo and snow bridges in their garden. They brought their sledge to our house and delighted in being dragged along by Jeremy. The lanes nearby were so full of snow and ice that we could sledge on the road as there was little or no traffic.

Pushing granny is hard work

 Just as the snow fell our local hospital invited me for a dermatology appointment. I was unsure about going and had to consider the weather and the large numbers of Covid patients in my “risk assessment”! I had been referred last October and who knows when my next appointment would be if I didn’t go? So, I went, taking extra warm clothes, a hot drink and a snack in case I became stuck in a snowdrift. All went well. The roads were practically empty, the hospital carpark deserted and only a handful of people were in the dermatology department. 

Waiting for a Covid jab

 The skin lesion that had developed in Australia had dropped off before Christmas, leaving a barely visible scar. It was decided that I should monitor the site for six months and report back to the hospital if the lesion came back.

Jeremy’s brothers and sisters-in-law had their first vaccinations against Covid. Within a week or two, we received text messages and emails from the local GP group and booked our places. We had our first Covid jabs on 12^th February.

St Valentine's Day meal at home

 Towards the end of February, Boris announced the Government’s roadmap out of lockdown. All schools and colleges would reopen on 8^th March. There were cheers from parents, grandparents and children alike.

Storytime

 Yesterday, we had our last day of homeschooling. It has been a challenging 8 weeks with many ups and downs as we all adjusted to our new relationships with each other. We are looking forward to being just grandparents again.

After the snow....floods

 Meanwhile, home maintenance continues. Jeremy has recycled our neighbour’s old fence and it now replaces our rather tatty and disintegrating back fence. The garden is looking tidier although there is still quite a bit to do. Perhaps we’ll decorate our spare bedroom. 

Swing ball in the park

 I’m hoping the Isle of Man Government will let me visit my Mum and sisters after 30^th April, when I’ve had my second Covid injection. As for travelling abroad, if all goes well with the cautious lifting of lockdown, this will be allowed no earlier than 17^th May. We’re not making any plans….yet.

Lockdown Returns

The government announced in late December that a mutation of coronavirus had been identified in London and the south east. It was spreading more rapidly than the original virus. London went into lockdown. There must be no mixing of households and people should not travel outside of the area. The announcement arrived quite close to Christmas. Many families had made arrangements to be together in different parts of the country; some were already in their holiday homes. For the rest of England, the five days of mixing were reduced to one.

  

Floods cut off some of our walks

Just two days into the school holidays, our granddaughter, Ellie, had a raised temperature and didn’t feel very well. Ben took Ellie and Sophie to a testing centre where they were tested for Covid 19. After a couple of worrying days, the results came back negative. Great relief all round!

It's definitely looking like Christmas

 We spent Christmas Day with Em, Ben, Ellie and Sophie. It was wonderful to be together again as an extended family. The girls were bubbling with excitement as they showed us the presents they had received from Santa. Any remaining gifts were soon opened and proudly shown around. Em and Ben prepared and served a super, traditional Christmas lunch. We were full to bursting afterwards.

After a family walk in the forest, it was soon time for us to eat again. We were very sad to leave for home at 4.00pm. Our house seemed eerily quiet.

Christmas Eve supper for two

 Full national lockdown number 3 started on Boxing Day. Covid numbers began to surge and Suffolk’s numbers were increasing faster than the national average. Boris Johnson insisted that schools would open for the new term. Em and Ben were wary and asked if we could help out two days a week if schools had to close.

The new term started. High schools were having a staggered return. Ellie and Sophie’s school had a professional development day, but the girls were both ready for school on Tuesday when they went to bed. At 8.00pm that night, Boris Johnson announced that schools must close with immediate effect and learning must go on-line.

Christmas Day present opening

 We formed a childcare bubble. Em spent the rest of her holiday from work home-schooling. We stepped in on week 2. The girls were dropped off at our house on Tuesday and Wednesday at 8.00am and we returned them to their parents at 6.00pm. We gave them breakfast, lunch and supper in addition to teaching one-to-one and taking daily exercise. The girls’ school was very helpful, providing videos and links to worksheets at very short notice.

Cosy childcare bubble

 We continue to feel blessed that out local and wider families are all well. My Mum, who is a care home resident, has had her first vaccination against Covid. The Isle of Man is in lockdown again, after 6 months of no Covid cases. Their borders remain closed to visitors.

Our non-school days here in Suffolk pass quietly; the only excursion out of the village is a once a week visit to the nearest Co-op. Milk and meat deliveries continue and occasional Tesco deliveries. Jeremy had to risk a visit to the dentist.

Home school exercise

 We walk locally most days and have added cycling to our routine. I am trying to learn Spanish again.

The first snowdrops have appeared in the garden so spring is on the way.

Snowy Suffolk

 Take care everyone. Hasta la vista!