10/11 weekend

This weekend,the weather changed, is has gone colder, the young neighbours were around and about and I find that reassuring.

They got me some shopping , we are trying to avoid using cash and I am transferring to their accounts, even for small amounts. I continue to clean the ground floor doors light switches, floors. It is good to help, everyone in the house is helping we all find things to help each other. I make cake and pass them round the neighbours.

I still have no central heating and don't think I will get help until the crisis is over, but I have hot water and a borrowed heater so I have more than many.

I had a call on Saturday night with my brother and my nephew, very unusual, but nice  I think many of us are changing our behaviour.

We managed another three way sister chat :)

I have a long chat with my son in P  in Taiwan, he sounds remarkably upbeat, and enjoying his beautiful balcony with all the new furniture, herbs, and fairy lights


I have worked out a daily plan, with 12 one hour slots, with ideas of what to do each hour. I rather like having a routine.


All shall be well and all shall be well and all manner of things shall be well ...and so it is.

9 Dress up day.

It was another beautiful morning, I have added to my morning rituals; wiping down the clothes rope; and I will only use my own clothes pegs,

I share with another three flats, so I have to think about that.

I did a telephone counselling session with a woman who is is struggling she is looking after family who are very ill, with covid19  another client works in NHS and is on the front line ,taking care of our most vulnerable people. I feel so privileged to be able to listen and support them.

I put on my working clothes , make up and a spray of Chanel, made me feel good. I will do more of that, it is so easy to stay in Jammie 's and dressing gowns.


I striped my beds and got all the laundry washed and dried very quickly in the March sunshine, which was very warm today. As it was so nice I decided to bring out all my summer clothes and launder them , and managed to get them all done too.

My neighbours got me some non essential shopping , nail varnish remover, Nivea, Marigold gloves, so kind of them all  : later in the day some other neighbours were out shopping and saw some pasta, they know I was hoping to get some, and bought me a packet, generous spirits abound.

Another friend brought me some music that I was looking for ; handed it in through my window, he was out for his cycle ride ,we had a nice distance chat,then off he went. I am so grateful that I am on the ground floor. I see all the neighbours coming and going , they wave and chat ,it's great.

Last night  as I joined it the "clap for our NHS" folk all over Britain, stood on balconies front steps opened windows and applauded the fantastic people who put their lives on the line for others, they truly are Hero 's It was very emotional and amazing to be part of the gratitude five minutes, people banged pots and let off fireworks.

I heard today that our Prime Minister has the corona virus, such a shame. I am not a fan of his, but I feel sad that anyone is ill.

I had a long chat with my Sister which was good fun.  Heard from M who is not having such a good time of it, also R, she is struggling.


I am amazed that I always have things to do, I don't miss work yet, but I suspect that I will in time.

I miss hugs and touch and the presence of my family, but glad to be able to use modern technology to keep in touch.

An eighteen year old girl Holly who has struggled all her life with illness, died in Liverpool, she was well known in Liverpool and loved. We all wore something Pink today, the day of her funeral, it was her mother's wish as sadly no one could go to her funeral.


Peace to the North
Peace to the South
Peace to the East
Peace to the West
Peace be without
Peace be within

Peace Peace Peace.

8. uplifting things and tough things.

I wakened early and the sun was shining the birds were singing and for a wee while I forgot about the  crisis.

I made tea, opened the windows,  thought about the day , what would it bring.


Ullet Road was very quite , again, empty busses going up the road, ; fair play to the drivers, and the people who have to go out to work

A young friend M  text me to say she was going to Tesco and  did I need anything. The only thing I needed was onions. She showed up later with my onions, and a lovely bunch of yellow tulips, and a big bar of chocolate.We had a lovely distance chat at my window. I am so grateful for all the help and care that I am receiving.

I went for a lovely walk in the March sunshine, it did me good, physically and spiritually. I took a flask of coffee with me and had some coffee at my dad's tree, the branches are still very bare  but the ground all around it is surrounded by daffodils, a lovely moment in the warmth of the March sunshine.


I came home and had lunch  of my yummy home made soup, then Andrew called to talk me through how to bleed my radiators, but he decided that would not help with my  heating problem, it might be something else.

My neighbour has loaned me a heater and that helps till this problem is sorted.


I finished off making the ratatouille that  I started last night, had a face time chat with S my sister, then made a delicious Banana and blueberry loaf, the house still smells lovely.

It is my next door neighbours birthday today and sadly due to isolation, she could not do all the things she had planned. I gave her some cakes and party poppers and Taiwan tea which I brought back  lmost two years ago, and hope it tastes ok. She was pleased with that.

I saw her and Charlie out in the garden, later on  having a lovely takeaway meal, with two friends, and I saw some flowers being delivered for her, so hopefully it was a little better than she thought it would be at the beginning of the day.

My last telephone client, works in the NHS and I was rather disturbed about what she shared with me. I am full of admiration for her and all her co workers, they really do take their lives in their hands for others.

I with my choir and thousands of others were in their gardens tonight  at 8.00 PM clapping hands for all the NHS workers ....so so touching, but I am worried that they are not getting the help that they need.

I heard from Penny ,Johnny, Philip today, and of course a nice long chat with Andrew :)


Blessings on all of our Hearts


All shall be well
and all shall be well,
and all manner of things shall be well

Up and down

Ullet Road is so quiet,  the buses going up and down are almost empty, there are a lot less police cars and ambulances rushing up and down.


I fell asleep last night over my hot chocolate , and was rudely awakened by four neighbours looking over me; as I had not gone to bed my door was unlocked and they were able to come in.

My boiler was making a terrifying noise, like it might explode, they all heard it from their apartments upstairs and across the landing.

I managed to stop the noise eventually, by frantically pressing everything in sight. I really thought it might explode.

I rang the person who fitted it less that a year ago, but he did not answer last night, and this morning his phone just rang out, I had no heat or hot water,yet I felt remarkably calm as I realised I have more than many folk on the planet

Finally my engineer text to say , he was self isolating as he has a very sick child, so what to do in the time of Covid ?

My brother in law talked me through a few steps from Glasgow... sadly  to no avail.
I then rang safe gas, and a very good man .listened carefully, got me to do a few more tests and hey presto I had hot water; thanks to what I had done with H, and he has assured me my boiler will never blow up, and my radiators need bled. My neighbour tried to help with that , two wonderful young woman with huge responsibilities at work , but we did not have the correct tools, which we have now ordered for communal use. I have good neighbours, hot water and heating coming soon, very grateful.

Another wonderful your friend dropped off some shopping through my window and we had a brief chat I am so grateful.


I did my first telephone counselling session, for a long time, and it was good, felt really OK.

I also had a sing along with our singing teacher Su, on facebook,she  is a total star , it was great fun.

I feel filled with gratitude tonight , the virus is very serious, and we are scared, yet we are all holding the fear and not letting it paralyse us.

Blessing on all our hearts !

Day 6 so far so good

Today I cleaned all the communal door handles letterboxes buzzers , with water and Domestos as I have no wipes but pretty sure that will help.

We share a laundry line and pegs, so I have decided to use just my own pegs, to be safe and to wipe down the laundry line too.


I did my Jane Fonda for the lower body, I am not sure if I am in denial ,but I feel calm after last nights lockdown news.


My Collins family are all keeping in touch and it is encouraging to see that already the pandemic is bringing us closer, when theoretically it should keep us apart.





Wishing all my family and friends ,the ones I know and the ones I do not know, peace love and healing.

Day 5 cancellations

I have a morning ritual now , I get up, open the door in the bedroom out onto the gardenm, open the window in the lounge and draw back the blinds, then I can see and hear the folk and traffic out side, and I feel connected.

My young friend across the park asked if I needed anything the other day. I asked that if he was passing a place that sold logs, could he get me some. He let me know he had some coal and kindling the he would drop off today. He came while I was out for my walk, I was so touched when I got home to discover  that he had bought me both the coal and the kindling - I had imagined he had some bits in his cellar, I offered to pay, but he would not hear of it and in the end I accepted the generous gift gracefully. I feel moved by this kindness.

My Asda shopping was delivered today, by a young man named Liam. He  gave me my shopping through my window, I thanked him for keeping going and making my life easier, he was very humble about it, this also moved me.

My neighbour was going shopping and asked could she bring me anything, I realised I am running low on baking stuff , not essential of course but something I love to do. She got me everything except flour, which has disappeared off the shelves.

My sisters and I managed to have a three way call today. I could see both of them ,they could only hear me, but it was great, up lifting. I feel the need to see them a lot right now, we all need each other.


When I was out in the  park in beautiful sunshine this morning, I finally made the decision to cancel my courses and clients . I see all of them at home. The advice for my  age group is that I should not invite anyone into my home.

I found it hard to do, for them mostly, some are so vulnerable, but I did it and it felt right,and of course they were all great about it.

My hairdresser has just done the same thing and it occurred to me that by the time this is over, my hair will be long and messy as will my eyebrows. I might have to learn to pluck my own eyebrows and cut my hair.


In 20 minutes the Prime minister is making an announcement, I think it will be lockdown but don't know what that means in detail, I hope I will be clearer an hour or so from now.

one hour later

The prime minister has spoken, total lock down,we stay home except for essential shopping , essential workers, exercise once a day, no more than two folk out together.

God bless us everyone!

Day 4 Mother's Day

Mothers Day was a good day for me, I had a face time with Andrew and Lucy instead of meeting at the park, Lucy had been for a run and Andrew was still in his dressing gown, amazing to be able to see them like this, we all agreed meeting in the park was not a good idea.

I wonder when I will see them again , in the flesh.

I had a lovely long chat with Philip in Taiwan, a local student brought me a bag off goodies including loo rolls and a lovely post card, saying nice things , the front said " always wear your invisible crown" which made me smile.

My neighbours were in our communal garden in the March sunshine, some working , some having a beer, it was nice to see and hear them chatting.


I had many messages from folk to wish me happy mothers day , many young clients and students who( I think )see me in the mother role for them, it is very touching.


I feel slightly below par, just a little tired , slowly the serious of this crisis is sinking in.



Peace and love and healing to all of us on this beautiful blue planet!

DAY 3 "new normal"

Today I listened to lovely music, and finished my audio book.
I did 20 minutes with Jane Fonda, Made delicious soup. I feel very blessed to be hearing from lots of friends family and students.

I spent time emptying all the pots in the garden of old dead plants, saving what I could  and feeling happy to get some work done, although it is bright sunshine and blue skies, it is very cold outside.

After getting my new hub set up and feeling happy that everything was up and running, my laptop lost its sound, a few folk on Next Door offered to help me out distantly, but happily my son came to my rescue, after checking various things on my laptop using my phone camera to see everything, He suggested switching off and on again,and hey presto it came to life !

Which meant we could have our first Skype ( Zoom actually ) wine ;with A&L&S&H

It was a lovely experience, a great way of keeping in touch, staying physically isolated but not emotionally isolated.

Already we are finding ways to be together in this new time.  I am grateful for the technology which helps us do this.


I know this time is frightening for some people, I don't feel frightened I feel concerned yet I have a sense of gratitude for the way we are all rising to the challenge in the "new normal " time we are living in.

Stay safe!

Day 2 Care and kindness abound

Today I went to York Centre to have my bloods done;I took and book and went early expecting to be there for a long time ,which I often am.
I was pleasantly surprised to find both sets of door were fastened open. The waiting area is usually full of people and too hot in winter  and I dread going because I think I will pick up a cold,  today was fresh, airy and not many people waiting.

I was taken very quickly , the two nurses taking the blood were very warm and friendly, my nurse did not wear a mask she did wear gloves, the other nurse wore both. I thanked them for their work ,for keeping going on the front line, they were very humble about that.
 One nurse was more worried because , as she is a key worker her son will still go to school, but he is only five and still getting used to school, will now be going to a different school and that is frightening for him, she was not anxious about her work and covid 19 she was a mum worried about her child, I was touched by her

I then went to Asda looking for logs and firelighters, it was very early yet the store was  busy, there was a festive atmosphere . I found some fake logs and firelighters and went to the check out where there was a very cheerful man around my age waiting in line with his shopping, he had three large colourful bunches of flowers. I said how lovely they were, he said they were for his wife and mother ,he was taking them to their graves on Sunday, his wife would have been seventy one next week, she died when she was forty seven ,his mother died thirteen years ago. I said I was sorry he said his wife was very special , you only find one like her in a life time.
I understood what he meant I feel like that about John. He told me he had two wonderful daughters who looked out for him, his name was Sanchez .  He seemed to know all the staff and folk in the queue and chatted to them in a way that brought cheer.

I walked home in beautiful March sunshine with a spring in my step. I met two neighbours on the avenues; to be honest I thought he had died because I had not seen him for a very long time , he had had a heart attack a year or so ago. It was lovely to see them both, she looked a bit more stooped and older since I last saw her, he looked much healthier and had put on a little weight. She was heading to the gym, and I was impressed by her, I had not seen her as a gym person , but there she was on her way.

I thought about her later when I heard gyms were to be closed until further notice.

I had two cakes to decorate when I got home , for my Nel's Bakes venture ; one luxury Victoria Sponge filled with fresh cream and raspberries and one lemon cake to be filled with lemon butter cream and lemon icing.  My lovely young customer and friend came to collect the cakes, with her three equally lovely sisters ,all down from Plockton for her birthday.

Sadly I could not invite them in due to  covid 19. We had merry banter at the door though ,the sun was shining on them on their beautiful blond hair, their dogs were being playful, and it seemed impossible that the world was in crisis.

I then set up the garden for my afternoon friend's arrival , T, coming for a cup of tea, my theory is the garden is a safe space. I hosed down the chairs, lit a fire with the fake or long burning logs, took out a tray with my mini cakes, biscuits, cups , napkins a flask of hot water and a flask of cold water and two big blankets. when T arrived he came in the side gate and settled in one of the chairs wearing many layers , cosy hat , and put the blanket over his knees. I brought out a pot of tea and we settled down for a good catch up about T's trip for work to Malaysia.
He was encouraged to go there for his examining work on a five week tour ,reassured all would be well, sadly as things change dramatically from day to day, by the time he got there, everything had been cancelled, and he was brought back home but only to Heathrow where he got a train back to Liverpool.

My garden fire was a great disappointment, all we had was smoke. I am not a fan of fake logs now. However the smell was lovely and took me back to Loch Lomond side when I was a child, my dad loved an out door fire and as soon as we got off the bus, he sent my sister Sandra and I to collect sticks of wood to get the fire started,.When it was ready he boiled water in his camping pot,and we all had tea out of cans and Sandra and I still say it was the best cup of tea we ever drank, we have not had anything close to it since.

I am swapping from BT to Virgin media, the new box arrived two days ago and although they say its easy to set it up, after an initial few steps I was defeated, I sent a message round to my three neighbours, there are four apartments in my house ,asking if anyone could help , I said I would go out to the garden while they were in the house.

My lovely young neighbour W came down almost immediately and said he would have a go, in about 20 minutes it was all done, new box fitted and the old one plus phone disconnected and my mobile phone laptop and Ipad all connected,  after he had gone I remembered I had two Alexa which were not connected, and he came back and got me connected to them too, they are important to me as I love audio books and listen through Alexa.

I am in a few whatsapp groups, my choir group, my Artist's Way students group, which was only set up yesterday, Collins Family group, sisters group.

All day I heard little pings from time to time alerting me to one or other of the groups getting in touch, always with words of encouragement for all of us, jokes ,cartoons, videos, idea how we keep in touch without actually " the touching part"


It is remarkable to see the best  of us humans coming to the fore, as I am over 70, an amazing array of people  have been offering me help, asking if I am ok ,do I need anything : next door group, past students , present students,my immediate neighbours, my family, children, and stepchildren.

I find all of that kindness and care very reassuring and touching ;and I am also texting and contacting people far and wide to ask how they are.


My son A  said he will call me each evening for a quick catch up which I really appreciate as I get to hear how he and L are as I obviously feel concerned about all my children, my own and John's too, and the children of the world!

Day One -March 19th 2020

I was struck by the beauty of the March sunshine on the flowers and shrubs in the gardens on Ullet Road this morning, as I walked to Bentley Road to my local doctors
.
I had a text from the GP to say it was time for my bloods to be checked again, a regular occurrence for me. I rang the surgery to ask when it would be convenient for me to collect the paperwork, they said today.
I was surprised when I arrived to find that the doors were closed and a line of people were talking to the receptionist through the speaker on the wall.

People were asking questions and being given answers from the receptionist in that fashion, then. When it was my turn I was asked my name my date of birth, why I was there, did I have a cough or a cold ?

I said "no "to to the last question. I was surprised that the doors magically opened and I was allowed to go in.  In front of the reception area was a big desk making the distance between me and the woman there ,wider.

She gave me my paperwork and told me that when I go to have my blood taken tomorrow the medical staff there would be in protective clothing.
I could see that the reception staff were very busy answering phones and also taking instructions from the medical staff. I thanked them for their work , for just being there in the front line.

I walked back along the sunny road past my flat ,where my lovely cleaner was in cleaning for me, she made sure that I would be out when she came,  she wanted me to be safe as I am in the vulnerable group.

I was curious to see if any cafes were open as I often go there when Carmen is cleaning for me. Costa had a sign up saying cashless sales only, and takeaway only. The staff were on their knees cleaning the floors under the tables.  Many of the shops and cafes were either closed, or open and empty. Tesco was opened as was Roy Castle charity shop.

I decided that as the sun was shining , it was time to tidy the garden after winter, so in the spring sunshine, I cleaned out the sheds,  brought out my garden chairs , they need replaced, but they will do for now. I lit a fire with last years fire lighters and some wood chopped up by Ben last autumn, it was the frame of my old wardrobe. I had forgotten all about it. It smelled lovely. I washed out seventeen plant pots which I stored away in November, and invited the neighbours to take a few each and fill them with shrubs and or flowers to cheer our communal garden.

We probably won't get our holidays this year and I certainly won't be away for my usual two months to dear Castlenel, so the garden will be important to us all, we hope we can meet out there and that it will be a safe space if we all follow the guidelines.
I have a friend coming for coffee in the garden tomorrow, we will get well wrapped up and light a fire and enjoy the fresh air.

All day I have been sending and receiving messages from family and friends on whatsapp groups and texts I find that very encouraging and reassuring.

I have been invited to make felt flowers with a friend as we face time, she will teach me how to make them, they are for her civil ceremony party.
My choir are planning a picnic and a singalong in Sefton Park, where we can stand apart and still sing together.

And I have been invited for my first Skype glass of wine over the weekend with A&L . I love how creative we  are all being, rising to the challenge finding ways to stay in touch, without the touch part. I find that tis he toughest thing for me as I am a touchy feely person;  so virtual hugs it will have to be  for the for -seeable future,and very welcome too

So far I am finding this time scary ,challenging ,and fun; fun to be able to pick up on projects which have gone by the wayside , start some new ones to keep me stimulated and interested during this time. The Garden and this Blog are two of the new projects.

I am still managing to do a little work, but not at all sure for how much longer.

More tomorrow, be safe and wash your hands X