Genevieve's Blog begun March 21st 2020...

To be continued...

Welcome to page five.

Tuesday June 30

Another rainy day today, and another pallet in the front garden! This time it’s paving stones to finish the bottom patio, but dad won’t shift them in the wet weather, so they will have to wait until tomorrow.
In the morning I watched some more ‘Black Adder’ on Netflix, and in the afternoon I listened to some more Miranda Hart which is very funny.
At 4 o’clock dad’s friend Patrick arrived with plans for mum and dad’s new en-suite bathroom. He talked through the plans and prices with us. For tea dad cooked liver and bacon which was very tasty!
After tea we watched 'Inside the factory' about chocolate digestives, and then Alan Bennet's 'talking heads'.

Wednesday July 1st

Pinch, punch, first day of the month! It’s sunny today so we’ll go out later on - mum has to work so it will just be dad and me. After breakfast I watched some more ‘Black Adder’ while dad went to see Laure the optician to get his eyes tested. He came back with five different pairs of glasses, and mum and I had to choose the best pair. We chose a trendy blue metal pair and dad was relieved because they were his favourite choice too!
After lunch dad and I walked to the Long Pond to meet Stuart, Harry and Mark, the Probation Service manager. We looked at what the service users could do and there’s lots of weeding, strimming and lawn mowing to be done, and benches to paint with wood preserver. Then we walked to the Round Pond (which we always called the Duck Pond as kids) and there is lots of weeding and tree pruning to do there as well. They can also have a bonfire which the guys always enjoy!
For tea dad cooked a chilli with rice which is one of my favourites. We watched the end of ‘Talking Heads’ and then dad’s favourite ‘The Repair Shop’. After that I had a bath and went to bed.

Thursday July 2nd

The bin-men arrived at 8.30 this morning! Dad was up but scurrying around to catch them before they left. The weather’s not great today and dad’s got some work to do this morning, so I watched ‘Black Adder’ again. Mum and I helped dad choose his new glasses last night, so he has to see Laure and let her know which style he wants. They will take 2-3 weeks until they’re ready.
I have ordered ‘Monty Python Sings’ on CD and it should arrive by Thursday of next week.
We’re having sausage and mash for tea so dad and I go to see Richard for the sausages, and to the Co-op for a French stick and other stuff for lunch. After lunch it started to rain so I did some painting then listened to some more Miranda Hart.
While dad cooked tea we watched ‘Talking Heads’ with Kristen Scott Thomas as an antiques dealer, which I quite liked. After that we watched ‘You are what you wear’ with Rylan Clark-Neal, but none of the outfits appealed to me!

Friday July 3rd

In the morning dad and I transplanted the sunflowers into the border as they are getting rather big. Let’s hope for some sunny days again now!
In the early afternoon dad and I met Christina at Deli di Luca. We got a take-away coffee and took it to the church as dad needed to take some pictures of wall plaques for some research he's doing. We sat quietly in the church and drank our coffee and it was very peaceful. Later on mum and I went to Morrisons for the weekly shop and to the pet shop in Oxted for some more fish food.
In the early evening we Skype’d Longfield and most of the guys came on the screen, including Gary, Jamie, George, Shirley, Alan and Michael. It was Louise’s 40th birthday today, and they all celebrated it with a big party spread. Louise was sleeping it off so we didn’t see her, but it was nice to see Sara, Edem and Jean on duty. It’s good to catch up with them all, as I miss them.
For tea, mum and I had salmon, mange tout and new potatoes, and dad had steak and chips - a good Friday night supper!

Saturday July 4th

I slept in a bit today. After my bath and hair wash we Skype’d Sam and Lucy. I was excited to see them and show them my hair. They really liked both mine and mums. We had the usual catch-up and told them we were going to have a Rendezvous take away this evening. They have a very good Indian take away just across the road from their flat - we must try it sometime!
For lunch we had cheese on toast with the remaining chilli from the other night. It was a good combination.
It was wet and windy after lunch, so dad and I did Friday’s blog then mum and I watched ‘The Secret Garden’ on Netflix until we had to walk up the road for the take away. We were a bit late so Maria said to put the meals in a hot oven for 3-4 minutes. Mum had fish pie and dad and I had boeuf bourguignon which was yummy!
After tea mum and I watched Toby Jones as Neil Baldwin in ‘Marvelous’ which had a real feel-good ending. Dad watched ‘Doctor No’ as they’ve started a new Bond season on ITV3.

Sunday July 5th

Bath first thing, then some gardening with mum and dad. We are starting to clear the space that will be Rosie’s outside run. Mum and I set to with clippers on the convolvulus and straggly branches invading from next door. Dad is measuring the chicken run for where he will put the new door in.
We had bought some Cosmos from Morrisons and mum weeds the border where we will plant them. The sun has come out so dad and I have a coffee on the bottom patio.
Lunch is asparagus soup and chicken in French bread, then back to gardening.
Dad has moved one of the new stones into the hole on the bottom patio. He had to get grey instead of buff but they’ll look ok.
For Sunday roast we are having lamb. Dad peels the spuds while we watch ‘Countryfile’. They say the weather should be good tomorrow, but then get a bit choppy later in the week.
In the evening we watched ‘Luminaries’ before turning in.

Monday July 6th

It’s bright and sunny today so we might get out and about. Dad and I go to the Co-op for milk, fruit tea bags, French stick and chicken for tonight’s curry. By the time we get back it’s clouded over so I watched ‘Spaced’ with Simon Pegg and Nick Frost which was quite funny.
Just before lunch the sun came out again, so we had soup and French bread in the garden which was very nice. After lunch I listened to some Miranda Hart and dad did some weeding in the garden. Later on, dad and I went to the churchyard for a walk. The grass around the gravestones is really long as ‘lockdown’ has meant no gardening around the church.
On the way back we noticed that Anne and Neale from the Grasshopper have put lots of pub tables on the Green. It looks really weird and dad thinks they must have done a deal with the Council. If the tables are ok for anyone to use it could help to bring visitors back.
Dad cooked his sweet chicken curry for tea which was very yummy!
After tea we watched the first episode of BBC1’s new drama ‘The Secrets She Keeps’ which I liked. A little while later I had my bath and went to bed.

Tuesday July 7th

It’s another bright sunny day today so we are doing the blog on the bottom patio. It’s very quiet apart from bird song which is nice. Dad and I went up to the town for a coffee. We were going to Deli di Luca but dad could see it was pretty full, and noticed they had put tables and chairs outside the Rendezvous again, so we went there. We had a really nice coffee with a malt biscuit on the side, and I treated dad!
On the way back we went to the Co-op for salad stuff for lunch.
Back home there was a thump on the door and dad’s order for corner plates for ‘Project Rosie’ had arrived. Only the strap hinges for the gates to buy now and we can get started! Dad says we will go to Screwfix tomorrow to get these and some kneepads for him as it will involve a lot of kneeling!
Just before tea Aiden and Shard arrived from ‘Oakland Electrical and Gas’ as they are going to re-build the central heating system with a new boiler if the price is right...  Aiden says our boiler is a dinosaur, but it has done us proud for over 35 years!
After they had gone, mum cooked faggots for tea with lots of lovely gravy, marrow and new potatoes. Dad had peas because he can’t stand marrow! After tea we watched the second episode of ‘The Secrets She Keeps’, then bath and bed - night, night…

Wednesday July 8th

It’s raining today. I’m going with dad to Screwfix to buy some knee pads as dad will have lots of kneeling to do when he starts on ‘Project Rosie’. We have to wait outside in the rain for our ‘click and collect’ slot, which is a bit slow, but they are cheery enough when we get served. On the way home we drop in at a shop called ‘Squires’ which sells tools, ironmongery and timber. Dad is after some strap-hinges for the doors on Rosie’s run. Success! And they are only 79p each! We now have all the bits to build her outside run, so waiting for good weather…
Lunch is soup and a sandwich, then I watched some more of ‘Still Game’. It’s a bit daft, but quite funny. Dad and I brave the showers and grab some essentials from the Co-op, then mum and I watch ‘Wimbledon highlights’ with Sue Barker while dad makes a start on the tea. We are having chicken asparagus bake tonight, one of my favourites.
After tea we watched ‘Talking Heads’ with Maxine Peake, then Masterchef. Another day over, see you tomorrow!

Thursday July 9th

Another gloomy day today, but after breakfast dad and I will go to Champion Timber in Edenbridge to buy hardwood bench slats to repair our little garden seat.
The chicken wire has arrived, soon we have all the bits for ‘Project Rosie’ which we’ll start tomorrow, weather permitting!
After lunch (soup and sandwiches) it’s drizzling again so I watched another episode of ‘Still Game’ and did some painting.
Dad had bought a cauliflower for tea, but realised it was very small, so we had to buy another one… so it’s cauliflower cheese for tea with baby tomatoes on the top! We watched Antiques Road Trip while dad made the tea, then ‘Talking Heads’ with Monica Dolan as ‘Lorna’. We finished off with ‘Celebrity Master Chef’ and the news, then bath and bed.
Hoping for some sunshine tomorrow…

Friday July 10th

It’s fairly sunny today, so a day in the garden. Dad and I start with the blog on the bottom patio, then I listened to Monty Python’s ‘Life of Brian’ which always makes me laugh, while dad made a start on ‘Project Rosie’. He will put some struts in the back wall of her run to support a door leading outside. Lots of sawing, drilling and a little cursing and the first stage is done, she has a door to the outside run!
We had cold meat and salad for lunch and it was getting pretty hot as we sat under the umbrella on the top patio. We are in for some good weather over the next few days according to dad.
In the afternoon mum and I went for a walk to Farley Common which was deserted, no dog families and no walkers. When we got back dad was still hard at work, so I watched ‘Still Game’ while mum made moussaka with the rest of the Sunday roast lamb. It was very yummy!
We watched ‘A Question Of Sport’ with Sue Barker, followed by ‘Celebrity Master Chef’.

Saturday July 11th

Another sunny day today. I had a bath and hair wash first thing, then we Skype’d Sam and Lucy. It was nice to see them and catch up on all the news. They are both busy at work, and enjoying the weekend break.
Dad has started on the fence and big gate for Rosie’s outside run. The gate has to be wide enough for the wheelbarrow as the compost tumbler is in her run!
After lunch mum and I went to Morrisons for the weekly shop (and to top up dad’s wine cellar!).
At 5 o’clock dad’s friend Jo came over to cut his hair as barbers are now allowed to open again provided they wear appropriate PPE. As it was sunny she cut dad’s hair in the garden and chatted to mum and me. She’s very nice and friendly. Dad looks less like a tramp now!
For tea dad made keema curry with mince and peas which was very nice and spicy.

Sunday July 12th

Warm and sunny again today and mum and I will do some gardening. Dad thinks he will finish ‘Project Rosie’ today and made an early start before I was up.
After breakfast I sat on the top patio and listened to ‘Monty Python Sings’ which I recently ordered from Amazon - it was very funny.
For lunch we had cold meats and salad then mum and I got stuck into clearing the centre border by Rosie’s hen-house. We have some dahlias we can plant there, but there’s lots of weeding and digging to do first.
By 5 o’clock dad had finished Rosie’s outside run so we opened the little door to let her out in it. She was a bit hesitant at first but mum coaxed her out with some corn. When she got out there she started scratching away happily and wandered around her new run checking it all out. There’s heaps of space and mum and dad will get another couple of chickens to join her next spring.
By then it was ‘wine o’clock’, so we had a drink outside before mum started on the roast. We are having roast chicken with cauliflower cheese for tea. We watched ‘Countryfile’ and ‘Antiques Roadshow’ with Fiona Bruce over tea.
After that we tidied up and watched ‘Luminaries’ then the news before bed.

Monday July 13th

It’s sunny again today so shorts and a teeshirt. Dad and I are off to Champion in Edenbridge for some green stain for Rosie’s run and the garden bench. Dad buys some Ronseal which says “it does what it says on the tin”. When we get back mum asks if it’s ‘pet-friendly’. There’s some really small writing on the end of the tin that gives hazard warnings and it turns out that the stuff could kill you stone dead at 50 metres! It’s the only green preservative that dad could find so he’ll have to paint the run early one morning and confine Rosie to barracks for two days - her own personal lockdown!
Dad and I get some bits for tea and he’ll use up the rest of last night’s chicken for a sweet curry with courgette and peppers.
After lunch I listened to ‘Black Adder Extras’ in the garden, while dad was busy clearing the path round Rosie’s hen-house.
Mum finished work around 5 o’clock and she and I went for a fat-busting walk to Farley Common.
After our yummy tea we watched ’The Secrets She Keeps’ on BBC1. It’s getting quite dark as Aggie has just stolen Maggie’s baby boy…
Time then for bath and bed.

Tuesday July 14th

Mum and I are off to Tunbridge Wells today as mum needs to buy a new mobile. We’ll take face masks with us as we have to get used to wearing them as it’s soon going to be a government order. The shopping centre is pretty deserted and there are lots of closed shops. We had to wait in a queue outside the shop until we were called in. Mum bought the phone but had to book an appointment for tomorrow to get all her data transferred.
In the late afternoon, mum and I went out for our walk while dad made a start on the tea. We’re having Spaghetti Bolognese tonight, so lots of vegetable chopping.
After tea we watched ‘Holby City’ and ‘Secrets She Keeps’ which just gets darker and darker, but it’s very gripping. After that it’s bath and bed, night night!

Wednesday July 15th

Mum and I are off to Tunbridge Wells again today to pick up mum’s new mobile. Dad is going with his friends Harry and Anne to Gary and Antoinette’s house in Biggin Hill to show them how to use a radio mic on Skype for Anne’s Yoga class on Friday.
When we got back it was time for lunch. Dad had already eaten, so mum and I had the leftover curry on toast with baked beans.
After lunch dad and I wrote Tuesday’s blog, then I watched another episode of ‘Still Game’ in which Jilly’s husband Kieth fell out of the window and died - we mustn’t forget this is a comedy…
For tea dad is cooking chicken and asparagus bake with a potato crust - yummy!
After tea we watched ‘Celebrity Masterchef’ and ‘The Repair Shop’ followed by the News. Then I had my bath and hit the hay. zzzzz

Thursday July 16th

It’s supposed to be sunny today, but not at the moment, even though it’s quite warm. Dad is keen to get going again on tidying the woodland path beside Rosie’s run. It’s all overgrown with dad’s most hated plants, holly and ivy. When it warmed up I helped him clear the ivy - he cut it back and dragged it out then I cut it up and put it in the green bin. We then swept up and replaced the rockery edging stones beside the path. Another job completed, long overdue!
We had a salad lunch with mum, then I watched ‘Black Adder’s Christmas Carol’ as it had clouded over.
For tea, dad is cooking liver and bacon, but first mum and I went for a walk. As we passed Liz and Dudley’s house, we bumped into David Jinks, one of dad’s slightly eccentric friends who writes poetry and acts in community plays. He works as a gardener, and is currently working for them. We chatted to him until mum said we had to go because he can talk the hind leg off a donkey!
The liver and bacon was delicious, then we watched ‘There she goes’ - a rather dark comedy drama about a young autistic girl called Rosie and her long suffering family. Her mother is played by Jessica Hynes and her dad by David Tennant. We then watched ‘Celebrity Masterchef’ and The News before my bath and bed.

Friday July 17th

It’s a sunny morning and we’ll Skype my friends at Longfield today, we think around 11 o’clock. When dad rang Velma to check it was all ok, she said they couldn’t Skype that morning as they were all being Covid tested. They were due to go out after lunch, so Velma said could we Skype at 5 o’clock instead. Dad explained all of this to me, but I got anxious and tearful at having to wait so long. Dad got me involved in other things that took my mind off it and then I sat in the sunshine and listened to the last disc of my ‘Black Adder’ boxed set while dad tidied up the side patio to take photographs of his caustic dipping tank that he wants to get rid of.
In the afternoon, Sara arrived from the house with Gary in the minibus, to deliver my next month’s supply of meds. We had a good chat and caught up with news from the house, but after they had gone, I got all anxious again, as there was still an hour to wait before our Skype call. Dad and I went out for a walk to kill some time, and we had a coffee and a ‘rocky road’ each at Deli di Luca.
On the way back we went to see Steph at the butchers to buy a piece of steak for dad’s tea as mum and I are having fish cakes tonight.
At long last 5 o’clock arrived and we made the Skype call. It was good to see the guys at my house in Longfield and to hear about Jamie’s lockdown barbecue for his birthday.
I think I nearly drove mum and dad barmy today and I must try and be more patient…

Saturday July 18th

After breakfast we Skyped Sam and Lucy, but could only talk to Sam as Lucy was having a lie-in after a tiring week at work. We caught up on all their news, and told Sam about building the new outside run for Rosie. As we were Skyping in the garden, Sam could just see it behind us.
To make a change, we had bacon sandwiches for lunch - you can’t beat a bacon sarnie with brown sauce!
At the Co-op dad picked up some homous, crisps and olives to have as nibbles tonight as our friends Liz and Dudley are coming over for early evening drinks. We are going to have a take-away from Napoli for tea. Before Liz and Dudley arrived I helped dad put the nibbles into bowls and cut up some carrot and celery sticks for the dips. We had a good evening and Liz was pleased to see Rosie’s new run.
When it was time, mum and I went up to Napoli to collect our take-away - a sea-food platter for mum, salmon for me and Sicilian sausage in creamy pasta for dad. Delicious!

Sunday July 19th

The weather is a bit grubby so we don’t have much planned for today. I watched ‘Spaced’ on Netflix then pottered about with my craft stuff. Dad was working on his music studio so I listened to some music with him. After lunch I listened to another disc of ‘Miranda Hart’, she’s very funny. I must check to see what else she’s produced. As it’s Sunday, we’re having roast lamb for tea. Dad will do the roast potatoes with saffron, but mum will do the rest. We watched the end of ‘Tombraider’ followed by ’The Durrells’ then ‘Luminaries’.

Monday July 20th

It’s a bright sunny day and dad and I are meeting Stuart on the Green to fix the new ‘Talking Town Heritage Trail’ plaques on Churchill, General Wolfe and the gatepost of ‘Breaches’ for Alice Hargreaves. Dad cleaned off the paint and applied the glue. When the plaques were positioned dad wound round the edges with tape to stop them sliding off before they were set. While we waited for the glue to dry, we had a coffee outside the Grasshopper pub. Neale the landlord came and chatted to us. It’s a bit strange as everyone is ‘socially distancing’ yet still enjoying a drink on the Green.
We had a nice lunch of French stick, olives and humous with mum, then I listened to the final disc of ‘Miranda’ while dad went to talk to our neighbour Sara about being one of the voices of the next ‘Talking Town Heritage Trail ‘ site he’s working on which will be ‘The Workhouse’.
When dad got back, I asked him to help me make a bird feeder that is on the latest activity sheet sent from my day centre ‘SEC’ in Gravesend. We used a small plastic drinks bottle which dad melted holes into then threaded a wooden spoon through for the seed to dribble onto and the feeding birds to sit on. We hung it in the oak tree by the bottom patio. Mum had finished work and we picked the first crop of wineberries in Rosie’s outside run, before enjoying a gin and tonic on the top patio.
Dad made his sweet chicken curry for tea which was yummy as usual!

Tuesday July 21st

Another sunny day, so dad and I went for a walk up to town and stopped for coffee at Rendezvous. Dad had a plain croissant and I had a pain au chocolat which was very nice. I treated dad and it’s good fun watching the world go by.
After lunch I sat in the sun and listened to Gryff Rhys Jones’ ‘To The Baltic With Bob’ which was very funny.
Dad has found 2 more talking books from Miranda Hart which are really cheap if bought through ‘Audible’ -  Amazon’s audio books outlet. I will join Audible as a member for £7.99 a month, giving me one free audio book each month, regardless of price - quite a bargain!.
Mum cooked moussaka for tea using up the rest of Sunday’s roast lamb and it was very nice. After tea we watched the last episode of ‘Secrets She Keeps’ which was quite gripping.

Please go to page six to read more...