Confined to Home

Confined to home

20 March 2020

Yesterday was quite warm with wall to wall sunshine 

In Keswick the car park was full

Across Derwent Water the road under Cat Bells was chaos with people scrambling for parking spots, even thought hey were on double yellow lines> At one spot a tight hairpin bend a scuffle broke out between two drivers, while being watched by parking officials. eventually they both left their car and set out to ascend Cat Bells. leaving their card obstructing the road; on return they would find that both had received parking fines worth £80 each for obstruction

The queue up Cat Bells looked like the ascent of Everest with walkers shoulder to shoulder. Disregarding the instructions to keep a distance of a minimum of two metres between persons 

 

21 March

Last night all places of entertainment were closed on the orders of the Prime Minister.

That is not much of a problem for us we are not socialites - not now 

We have taken stock of our food supply. In normal times we could last for a month and in the past we have had to, when snow has closed to road and so far we haven't run that stock down What we will need is bread, milk (although we have a small amount of dried milk powder but i don't like that on my cereals), fresh veg and possibly some fish

The sun is shining so we changed the duvet cover and put it in the washer. That is now blown dry, folded and placed in the airing cupboard so we had a blow in the wind while we hung out the washing and collected it

All the TV programmes are changed so what they will have on is a guess for now. One of tonight's shows is running without a live audience > She how the comedians go on with no audience participation

 

22 March 2020

We are told people over 70 yo should not mix. Keep apart, their will be special times set apart for the elderly  and vulnerable "Use these times to stay safe" or use home delivery

The weather was fine and dry, so we decided to change the quilt cover, late in the afternoon a strong wind had built up.

Collecting the quilt cover from the line a gust of wind pulled the line away from me, I felt a pull on my shoulder, not the joint but the muscles, during the evening the pain had become annoying, o I gave it a rub with pain relief cream  

 

23 March

Son work for the County Council Highways. They were sent home await instructions, other duties will be found

He tries to get registered for home deliveries; all the slots are full for the next two weeks

I write to 'Morrisons' we have been customers since they opened their first supermarket in Bradford in the 1960's. They dont do home deliveries in our area. Can they send goods by parcel carrier, I will pay for the extra carriage? At present I am unable to drive, it is four miles to the nearest shop, the bus stop is half a mile away, my wife in is a wheel chair.

Reply: No we dont deliver in your area

The pain in my arm was still there and the other arm now had a twinge, more cream to both arms

 

24 March

We attempted to get accepted onto a home delivery service. All slots were full.

Morrisions where we have been shopping for over 50 years dont deliver in our area. Could they deliver via an national carrier service? I am willing to pay the extra costs. We are 5 miles from the nearest shops my wife is in a wheelchair

No they dont deliver.

The village shops are all well stocked, there are no queues

 

25 March

I feel lethargic This morning, but my arms feel much better

 

26 March

My legs are aching the massage cream took the ache out

 

27 March

I woke with severe pains in arms and legs, I required help to get dressed.

Called the doctors surgery

Nurse called with some tablets and took some blood samples

You have Polymyalgia,  rheumatica, you immune system has broken down

You must strictly keep clear from any contact with people from outside.

 

28 March

We have to get settled into a routine.

Still get up early. Son goes to the village shops after breakfast,

His lady friend has stepped in to help, she works for a contract cleaning firm and often works in shops before they open. She will collect items and deliver them home sons car door is left open with money in an envelope she leaves to goods & takes the money.

A neighbour asked if we had managed to get all the shopping. We were short of a few tomatoes, front door bell rang. A packet of tomatoes had been left

Do we need Morrisons?

 

29 March

Everything seems to be in place now

We can settle down to doing our crafts, writing, and general management of our home

 

2 April

Out tonight at 20:00 clapping to show appreciation for the health workers

Pam says to keep warm. We opened the porch door I stood in a sheltered spot behind the open door

Well at least we have joined in and taken part

 

5 April

Son supervisor called When was he returning to work. He explained about our age and my medical problems "I have to stay home"

 

8 April

Call from the doctors

The recent blood tests show an improvement, keep to the present dose until 30 April when they will take a further blood tests.

 

Personnel called what was the situation. He explained and gave to name of my illness and the tablets.

Following enquiries they sent out email: Son has to stay at home until further notice > If the want him to work they must find him a job to do at home   

 

9 April

Tablets for 4 weeks have been sent to the local chemists for me

Clapping again tonight - I did think of taking the ornamental Swiss cow bells > Pan says 'No' to that

 

10 April

Just follow a settled? Routine

Breakfast (take 4 tablets); wash up: read emails/ reply to them: on writers cafe; Add to previous writings Lunch: work on unfinished projects Diner: watch TV/ play games on tablet

 

12 April

It is now over two weeks since we contacted Morrisons about deliveries

They have now said that we can ring the local manager and give them an order, which will be delivered by courier.

However the only available phone number is to a contact centre

 

15 April

I have  brought my box of watercolour pencils out and a drawing pad

I have sorted out two pictures - a photo of a boat on a grass patch on Workington harbour side; and,

A picture in a book about the Grossglocknerhochalpenstrass - it is an old wooden farm on a hillside overlooking a valley - a difficult subject with a few spindly trees, rough ground and the old wooden buildings.

Warm sunshine today I had 30 mins sitting out in the sun - with hat and coat on

 

16 April

Another warm sunny day had another half hour in the sun; followed by a short ride on our exercise bike

 

20 April

Feeling out of sorts.

No energy; arms & legs stiff perhaps too much exercising yesterday

 

21 April

Unable to concentrate on writing today

Interference from others make drinks, fetch this take that...

Got a bit of drawing done > now at the stage of building up the background

 

23 April

Concentrating on drawing > It is turning out better than I expected

Sat in the afternoon sun

 

24 April

They went to the supermarket. Found it quiet with no queues
Chris had a word with the manager; they have an individual home delivery service.

We should have been given a new phone number by head office - it is only for people who have to stay isolated

 

 

 

 

Blood test 30 April _ The see what they say

Reviews

[Coyote Poetry]

The coronavirus world. I will be happy when we can do the simple things. I have never stop working. I am a over night pharmacy manager. Last week. Two other manager had the virus. I had to work extra. I am iffy for this new shot. I hope you are doing well and staying safe.
Coyote

[Wild Rose]

Thanks, Coyote. sounds like good work you are going there

We wii have our second jab on Friday

I haven't written much on here>>> we don't go out and I have been writing my story Birth of an empire > and the chapters are too long to post on here
Here's hoping that you can keep well
Pete

[Coyote Poetry]

Hello Pete and you are welcome. Have some fun and be safe.

[barleygirl]

When I moved to a place near wilderness ten years ago, I wondered about deliveries, too. Even before I was housebound & long before covid, I found that ordering online is much easier -- no carrying groceries to & from truck when I can barely walk. We've got a great selection of online vendors to get things from. I get frozen meats & meals in an ice chest with dry ice from many different vendors. I have a close-by vendor (SF -- 3 hrs north) that overnights a box of fresh produce, often much fresher than what's found in these dinky country stores where stock is 3 weeks old. I hope you get your situation figured out on this score. Sorry you're struggling, but to tell the truth, your hindrances sound about like my own, so we're warriors in brotherhood as we get thru our tough assignments! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Wild Rose]

I was confined to home as they locked us down > Son was sent home from work "Sheilding (me mainly) & Pam" (Both over 80)
Chris went to the local shop(s) (3) All fresh produce daily > though the indian shop keeper had his back store and home full of nonperishable goods
We used to live further out of town before moving here > we were often cut off - once for four weeks
So Pam keeps a good stock in & We had taken another 2 weeks
I did imagine you as being out in the wilds > I see a rough track with trees; a garden fence with a "Wild garden" (pity you can't tend it )
I have a home nurse to take blood samples (monthly) just now
Love Pete

[barleygirl]

Thanks for sharing! Always wishing you the best!

[Wild Rose]

Nine months gone bye
We have had two COVD vaccinations & my novel is almost done Deliberations about moving home > Travelling in a stagecoach > (1800)
Smugglers > engagements - you lady runs away from her father followed by her mum - Mill floor colaps - Think they are going to refurbish the mill


Oh and the sun is shining outside

[wordman]

i guess reality is that we will never be the same

[Wild Rose]

I think the world will change BUT wgich way
Back in time?
Or to one where we are even more remote with video conferencing. more mail order, Thghter travel restrictions with health checks; more working from home

[wordman]

well it`s getting close to the tribulation if we`re not already in it

[alanwgraham]

It's well worth recording the everyday routine, perhaps even more so in these extraordinary times. What we don't know about, looking back, is the everyday lives of us ordinary folk. I hope your aches improve.
Regards,
Alan

[Wild Rose]

Thanks for the wishes
I started the diary to (sort of) see how we went on - also a daily appointment just a daily aim - instead of sitting watching the TV
I dragged my watercolour pencils out & a colouring pad - looked for some pictures to draw/paint
Water colour pencils _ you do the drawing, then carefully damp the area with a fine paintbrush - the colours blend on the page
Wet the page & you get a deeper tone

[alanwgraham]

That's a great idea. I paint too but haven't done much for a while. I am working on a Corona related story just now that in quite excited about. It should be posted later today so keep an eye open take care.
Alan

[Einstein Noodle]

oh my Wild One! one's attitude always the best medicine of all eh!? your schedule is along the same lines as mine .. day by day ... but i don't quite have the degree of pain issues .. nor is it a problem to go into town when i need to ... which is seldom ... i take great joy in small things ... like ... getting out of bed ;) tho the back and legs have to go through their own adjustment period .. and i may need a motrin to get over the hump ... i have my own time as it is very early when i usually get up ... love my coffee (two cups) enjoy reading and writing e-mails and my time here at the Cafe' ... i relate completely sir ... wishing you uplifted spirits .. and healing unlooked for .. blessings my friend to you and yours!
E.

[Wild Rose]

Thank you Einstein for your encouraging words.
I have had time to take stock, instaed of thinking about my aches & pains.
Things they ask "Put a numerical value on the pain"
"Well it is like the day following a 12 hour bike time trial race, the back of my legs hurt to descend the stairs, I had to come down backwards, it didn't hurt so much that way - I can put a numerical value, I can only relate to what I have felt in the past"
Pleased to say they are improving can move my arms 'almost' as normal

Yes we do seem to have a similar routine, But oh how many oldies just sit around
Ten years since a paramedic told me not to rised our exercise bike (not at your age) then a cardiac specialist said to keep on riding

Look at the 100 year old doing 100 laps of his garden in daily bits

Keep yourself safe

[Einstein Noodle]

you two Wild One ..so sorry for the afflictions you bare .. :(((((((((((((((((

[Wild Rose]

As they say "These things are sent to try us"

It does seem worse than the 'Asian Flue' (1957)

[Intothemilkyway]

Life is full of ups and downs. But this time it's really a downtime. But we will get through this all together and it will be better. And we will remember this as only a bad memory.
We just got to hang in there and do our best to keep our minds healthy and sane.
Better days are on the way my dear friend.
Rest assured for it.

[Wild Rose]

Thank you my friend
Pleased to say that the tablets are working slowly

Just have to keep safe
you take care yourself