Sunday 10 May 2020

The Distancing Diaries - Lockdown Days 50 & 51



After we'd got home from our impromptu street party on Friday night, Jon sandwiched oven-baked sweet potato fries* in between slices of buttered wholemeal bread, I poured us a rum & cola and we ate off our laps in the lounge, watching a documentary about Lee Miller, the model who became a war photographer. When we called the cats in at bedtime we could still hear people singing & chattering, it felt rather strange after seven weeks of near-silence.

*He claims to hate sweet potato but makes an exception for anything chip-related!


I filled the bath with lukewarm water and left the bathroom plants to soak overnight. When I got up I sprayed them with plant food, fed the cats and brought mugs of tea back to bed, where we lay and read until 8.30am. Jon went downstairs to make breakfast while I stripped the bed, loaded the washing machine and put the plants back, bringing the downstairs plants upstairs for a feed and a soaking (we've got 28, I counted!)


Breakfast was a mug of coffee with vegetarian sausages, poached eggs, mushrooms and tomatoes. Last time I shared a photo of my poached eggs several of you commented about how perfect they looked, here's our secret, a 1970s egg poacher. Fill the poacher with water, bring it to the boil, reduce to a simmer, crack your eggs into the black plastic compartments (which we lightly oil first), pop on the lid and leave until the eggs are set. We often find these pans at car boot sales (remember them?), in fact, we've got two, one for the house and the other for our festival camp kitchen.


I pegged the washing on the line and gave the outdoor plants a liquid seaweed feed. I'd suggested to Jon that he take a break from the decorating and spend the day outside as the forecast had predicted a return to winter tomorrow but he decided to crack on regardless.


My outfit for day 50 of lockdown was a block-printed organic cotton maxi skirt bought from the Cotton Cottage January sale five years ago and a hand-crocheted halterneck I'd bought from a lady making them at the roadside in Goa in 2017.

Dill, more curled cress and parsley
Outside, a passer-by stopped and thanked me for saving her sanity by offering that pile of free books last week (she'd taken two), I potted on some basil seedlings, thinned out and replanted the Oriental salad leaves, noting that the contents of all three of my cola bottle planters had sprung into life.


How exciting, my experiment with that new potato appears to be working!


 Jon had finished painting & we discussed which one from our collection of vintage mirrors should go above the sink and where to hang the freshly painted cabinet. Talking of which, I'd scrubbed at the maker's label inside the cabinet and was finally able to make out who'd made it.



 Ifco was a Liverpool-based manufacturer that only existed during the 1930s - my guestimation of its age was spot on. Somebody needs to sign me up with the Antiques Roadshow!


The post arrived and Jon was thrilled to receive some beautiful handmade socks, knitted by Andrea, a lovely friend we'd met at the Cornbury Festival five years ago. After the week he's had they couldn't have arrived at a better time, he absolutely loves them.


As usual, when we've eaten a big breakfast we don't bother with lunch, instead, Jon made a posh coffee and we sat outside on the lawn with the cats. As we were next to the greenhouse Jon potted up a few peppers.


By mid-afternoon, the sky had clouded over and the air felt heavy and oppressive, was there a storm on the way? I gathered up the washing, Jon closed the greenhouse, we locked the sheds and went indoors deciding to forego our walk. In the end, it turned out to be no more than a shower.

As usual, it was self-care Saturday. When I'd dressed earlier I'd combed conditioner through my plaits and left it on all day, rinsing it off in the shower later. I'd also stripped off my nail paint & epilated my legs so I was ready for the week ahead.


 For tea, we had a salad of cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red pepper, curled cress & mustard (from the garden) Feta cheese, onion, olives and grated carrot drizzled with balsamic vinegar & served with Jon's defrosted spelt loaf which we dunked in posh extra virgin olive oil.


We watched An Art Lover's Guide to St Petersburg on the i-player & the wonderful Norwegian drama, State of Happiness (Lykkeland), on BBC 4, accompanied by rum & cola and Jon's new socks.
The uber-stylish male cast of State of Happiness (Source)

Sunday started with a mug of tea in bed, made by Jon, who'd got up first as the cats kept tapping his face. We read until 8.15am, listening to the gale-force wind whipping through the trees. Jon toasted the rest of the spelt loaf, we watched The Andrew Marr Show but got bored with the endless speculation over Boris Johnson's forthcoming announcement. I fired up the PC and searched for a track we'd heard on last night's State of Happiness as we'd both loved it.

I know absolutely nothing about Roger Whittaker but apparently, it was the biggest hit of his career.



Meanwhile, Jon got dressed and went into the coal house in search of something he could use on the utility room windowsill to replace the reclaimed piece of wood that had warped over the years.

The parental home, 2013

Half-an-hour of rummaging and Jon had found the solution to the windowsill dilemma, the Edwardian tiles that once lined the fireplace in the lounge of my parental home which we'd removed before putting the house up for sale because I couldn't bear to leave them behind. They'd need a good scrub to get them back to their original shade of turquoise-blue but the size was perfect and there was just the right amount to do the job. The moral is to save everything you love, you'll always find a use for it in the end.


After I'd dressed I watered the patio plants, replenished the fat blocks, topped up the birdbath and retrieved some plastic plant pots that the high winds had blown across the garden but the cold soon had me scurrying back indoors and pondering upon the wisdom of choosing to wear a short-sleeved Indian cotton midi dress and so I swapped it for a long-sleeved kaftan.


Mr Blackbird appreciated my efforts.


Ray, one of the neighbours we'd spent VE Day with, popped over with a loaf of freshly baked bread, a passion he'd told us about during Friday's party. Jon had already put the noodles on so we saved it for later.


After lunch, Jon tiled the windowsill, they need to dry before he grouts them but don't they look gorgeous?


This afternoon's been a funny one, I've done a bit of cleaning, stitched the hem of the kaftan I wear ain the evenings and caught up with blog reading & comments but haven't really settled into anything, I'm not sure if it's because the weather has gone downhill or because I'm on tenterhooks about BoJo's announcement later. Not that I'm expecting any huge changes, it feels far too be soon to be putting an end to lock down when the number of people dying from coronavirus is still tragically high. I'm happy to stay put.


Today's outfit is the vintage Alpnani kaftan I repaired last week, a '70s tooled leather belt and my Lotta From Stockholm clogs.


This week's lockdown nail colour is Barry M's Scuba.

Somebody let me in, it's freezing out here!

For pity's sake, how am I supposed to eat that?

No walking today, it's blowing a gale and it's so cold that I've had to bring Jacob inside, something Frank's not overly thrilled with.


Tonight's tea was Ray's loaf with cheese, pickles and olives. Once the announcement's out of the way we'll be watching Becoming Matisse on the BBC i-player before the latest instalment of Killing Eve.

Keep safe, stay sane and thanks for commenting, I love hearing from you!

68 comments:

  1. Each Country seems to be doing it's own thing in terms of reopening. Like you I am ok with staying at home. The only change to us right now is that as of next weekend I can spend more time with Mom, same car, same house. That will be awfully nice. I think a drive to the ocean is in order then a BBQ and we can show her our redone yard as she hasn't seen it since we've done all the work. It's beautiful here - 23 degrees and sun today, good for our backyard Mother's day visit. Your plants really are lovely, a great setting for you to model that beautiful clothing.

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    1. Tell me about it, England is going a different way to the rest of the UK at the moment.
      Stay Alert, our new mantra, is very ambiguous, Jon & I (and everyone we know) are sticking with Stay Home, we have no need to go driving around the country, jogging three times a day or queuing for garden centres, we've got plenty to occupy us at home!
      I'm gl;ad you've got some lovely weather to spend in your newly remodelled garden, your Mum will love it. xxx

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  2. Love your nails. Your home looks full of love and comfort with kitties and tortie, glad they are all in for the night as temps are going to really dip. I don't want lockdown to end, I am scared to be honest, it's way too soon and I intend to keep it going as much as possible in our house. Those tiles are very pretty and we want an egg poacher just like yours so are on the hunt although probably online as chazzas will be the last to open I would guess. Thank goodness for your posts, they inspire me to post and keep me going a lot of the time.

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    1. Thanks, Betty! I can't believe the difference in temperature. Jacob's been fast asleep in his Doc marten shoe box since Sunday night, when he starts creaking we'll know the temperatures are on the rise.
      I had a quick google and Wayfair and Lakeland both have them, a friend told me that she makes mini suet puddings in hers!
      I'm so glad you're enjoying my everyday life posts, I never thought of sharing normal stuff before, they keep me motivated as if I didn't do anything I'd have nothing to write about! xxx

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  3. The chazzas in the next province west of us are putting their donations in quarantine for a week before putting them in the shop. Our province is basically locked down for the future and the border with the US remains closed. Jon's new socks are wonderful. I have ordered sock needles so will try a pair when they show up.
    I used to make them for my Dad in the 60s but he only wanted plain black. Thanks for Roger Whittaker. I went to a couple of concerts in the 70s and he was excellent. I think his big hit in Canada was Durham Town. Love your reusing of your stash of stuff. We try to do that here. A plastic under chair mat is now edging for our kitchen floor and lined a compartment on an ATV. I miss the chazzas (thrifts) and the odd soul but am getting content with staying home most of the time. Thanks again for your blog.

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    1. Hi Marjorie, it sounds like the chazzas are doing the right thing. I haven't missed charity shopping at all, I thought weeks without treasure hunting would send me crazy but I've only got to open a drawer or venture into the shed to discover forgotten treasure.
      Aren't those socks beautiful? I can't imagine anyone not appreciating a pair of those for a birthday or Xmas present, lovely to look at, practical and made with love.
      I love the sound of your repurposed chair mat - lockdown certainly does encourage us to think outsdie the box rather than rush off to the shops. xxx

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  4. Jon's new socks look fabulous. They would have been much needed today, it's been so cold, such a contrast to yesterday's glorious sunshine.
    You're the second person who has mentioned those egg poachers to me recently. I wonder if they still sell them?
    And I love Frank's expression, he's not impressed, is he? :D

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    1. Blame Jon for the dip in temperature, he was so excited when he saw the socks he said he wanted it to go cold so he could wear them!
      Wayfair & Lakeland both sell egg poachers, I had a quick Google! xxx

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  5. You were a bit of a dork if you liked Roger Whittaker back in the day. He was in the same mold as Val Doonican but with better taste in jumpers and he whistled a lot. I did like his take on that song in last night's programme though which I've thoroughly been enjoying. Bit of a surprise that it only had 4 episodes. The baby's cough sounded far too realistic for my liking. Jon's posh new socks are very nicely made in really good yarn. Should last for years to come. Have a good week, both.xxx

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    1. That's what I thought about Roger Whittaker, I've always ignored his albums in the chazzas. Dad only listened to classical or opera and Mum listened to Radio 4 so the middle of the road mainstream music which was around during my childhood completely passed me by.
      I didn't notice the baby's cough but I'm loving the series, part 5 & 6 are next saturday, the BBC make us wait, no bingeing! xxx

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  6. I hadn't come across the documentary so thanks for mentioning it. Lee Miller is fascinating, the Hepworth, Wakefield exhibition of her work was sensational - what a life!

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    1. My pleasure! I must admit I only knew Lee Miller from that violin photo by Man Ray, her story was so interesting and her photography was wonderful, what a talent.
      Have you seen the Peggy Guggenheim documentary, Art Addict? Another fascinating woman. xxx

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  7. Your kitty looks like one of our neighbor cats. The black and white spot one. Or the one by the turtle.
    One of our cafe has black and white tile floors. It been a while since ate out.
    Mr Blackbird is quite the gentleman

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    1. That's Frank! There's a cat that comes visiting that looks almost identical, he confuses us and Frank when he calls in! xxx

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  8. WOW! I always learn something new from your posts, and yesterday I saw your Laburnum tree and thought....it looks like my Golden Chain tree....looked it up and they are one in the same, I never knew that! Can't wait to see if my Mac knows that, since he took botany in college (long ago!!) We just learned his botany teacher passed on last week, 40 days from his 100th birthday. His daughter said he passed because he was just tired, thankfully he did not suffer and went peacefully and his mind was sharp as ever she said! He was still teaching botany at the same college while in his 80s. What a beautiful knit socks job your friend did for Jon, they look comfortable and love the colors, and yummy looking bread from your neighbor, how sweet!!I think it is way too soon to open all the countries up also. So many thousands being confirmed positive cases and thousands still dying daily....what are they thinking? And I am still so pissed off when I see the crazy protestors on the news....where are their minds at...oh yes the almighty dollar!! Your weather seems to be like ours here in Washington...beautiful and hot a few days, and now tomorrow cooler with chance of rain. I won't mind the rain tho, after such a dry April, our river is low for this time of year, and of course the gardens can always use a drink!!Ya'lls garden and yard is looking luscious!!

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    1. Hi Chrystal! I've just had a look online and yes, the laburnum is also known as Golden Chain - what a lovely name, sounds like a rap act from the 1980s!
      Ho intereting that Mac studied botany and sad that his teacher died 40 days before his 100th birthday, what a shame he couldn't have marked his century.
      It seems far too soon to be relaxing the lockdown both here and in the US, the two countries with the highest death rates in the world, our goverments seem to put business ahead of people's lives. Surely another 3 weeks of staying inside would make more sense?
      We do seem to be sharing the same schizophrenic weather, I'm glad I don't do a seasonal wardrobe changeover, it's halternecks one day and thermals the next! xxx

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  9. Roger Wittaker was the sort of thing my parents listened to :)

    Those tiles are beautiful. I regret not taking the box of extra California Pottery tiles from our family home when it went up for sale.

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    1. We were subjected to opera and classical - no wonder my brother and I grew up weird! xxx

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  10. Hello Vix. You're green fingers are doing a brilliant job with your house plants.

    I have an egg poacher too, a gift for my kitchen tea before I married. Must pull it out.

    What a kind neighbour giving you bread. Jon's socks are a great gift too.

    I don't give up f... what Scomo, Trump or Boris serve up, I'm staying home.

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    1. Hi Suzy! It's lovely having so much time to lavish love on my houseplants. That new windowsill will be filled very soon!
      Have you tried making individual suet puddings in your egg poacher? A Facebook friend does it with some success.
      We're dong the same as you, stuff the leaders, stay at home! xxx

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  11. Oh wow thanks for this. My mother played that Roger Whittaker song on repeat when I was a child. I had completely forgotten about it. She had several of his albums, I wonder where they ended up. I am throughly enjoying your lockdown journals, you've inspired me in several ways. Most important I am "dressing" every day which actually helps my thinking, not to mention the way I feel. Thanks Vix, you are really helping me during these strange times. Stay safe.

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    1. Thanks, Lynette, glad to bring back a few happy memories. You'll be having a You Tube disco later - I love doing that, playing stuff I remember from school discos really loudly and annoying the cats!
      Yay to dressing up every day, like you I feel confident, focussed and ready to start the day in my good clothes and some lipstick. Leisurewear should be banned!
      Much love to you! xxx

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  12. Oh, my gosh, you took me right back to my childhood with Roger Whittaker, Vix! We had his Greatest Hits on vinyl, and it was on a LOT in the 70s.

    As always, I love seeing your garden, Stephen (lovely mustachios!), Frank and Jacob. Jon's socks are marvelous - L would love a pair like that. Wow, that bread loaf is massive! I like poached eggs, but couldn't handle that ginormous pan. I'm so inept.

    I saw the UK announcement - sounds rather vague, but I hope you can get your economy up and running, even if a little bit. Our Phase 2 motto is "Few Faces, Bigger Spaces."

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    1. I missed all this, fancy only finding out about Roger Whiitaker at the grand old age of 53!!
      I don't believe you'd be inept at anything Sheila - although I do leave most of the food production to Jon, I do the washing up!
      Few Faces, Bigger Spaces is such a brilliant motto, such beats Stay Alert. As a mate said yesterday, I'm always alert, unless I'm fast asleep! xxxx

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  13. Japan is being Very cautious a bit sodding Late now !! Boris made me laugh work from home if you can , we have been home working since the bloody end of feb, it just seems like he doesn’t really know like what he is really doing.
    Mum and dad called me and 2am japan time, really confused and upset, so me and hubby had to sit and go through it with them. We have had that tracking app for 2 months now, it shows who has it in your area and how far they are away they are from you. It’s nothing new. Good old UK behind everyone. I can see why I moved here now!
    Yes a lot a Victorian artists liked the Japanese erotic art from the edo period. Some of it is a bit verging on beastality though!!! loved the cabinet. Jon did a good job on it.
    The hair dye, there’s a few places I can get it from and I have a few friends in the trade who owe , food colouring doesn’t work neither does Kool aid or felt tips, some people will try anything. My mum tried to send me some but we are not excepting any packages at the moment. Thanks japan!!!!

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    1. I swear BoJo maes it up as he goes along. "Go back to work tomorrow, oh no, I mean Wednesday, oh, that's only of your employer is offering safe working conditions, oh and if you've got school age kids then you can't go back as you're not a key worker and only key workers can put their kids in school so you'll have to stay at home....what the hell?!
      It must be so hard being so far away from home and trying to reassure your parents long distance. The tracking app seems like a good idea, it's worked well in South Korea, hasn't it? England is on it's own path, not even wales, Scotland or Northern ireland agree with this ambiguous "Stay Alert" message.
      Anyway, madness aside, glad you have contacts in the hair dye market, I'm so glad I stocked up before lockdown, I can cope with inept governments but not root regrowth! Take care, Allie Jane! xxxx

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  14. I meant to say when you stood at the sink you looked that singer from the 70’s nana what’s her name or is it Nina , I think it’s Nina !

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    1. I'm off for a Google! Could it be Nana Mouskouri? Everyone's dad used to fancy her in the 1970s! xxx

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    1. He cracks us up, we're always laughing at him. poor lad will be getting a complex! x

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  16. love your red dress!
    great post!thank you for your share!
    wig hair shop

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  17. Roger Whittaker was the voice of the 70s heard on the AM radios of Avocado green Plymouths rumbling their big 440s in the parking lots of low-end beer joints. One's mum did not approve of persons driving such vehicles; however, some mums did like Roger. :)

    Ray's loaf, cheese, pickles and olives appeals to me tonight. A record low on Mother's Day weekend has simplified supper menus as we've all scurried about covering our garden plants with the old sheets we had sense enough not to bin. A minimal menu works for me, but not a minimal linen closet!

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    1. Ha! I used to hang out with he driver of a avocado green Plymouth when I was a teenager, anyone reading this who grew up in Walsall will know exactly who I mean, huge American cars weren't a common sight in the Black Country.
      Reading some of the comments it sounds like Roger was very popular with some reader's parents, mine weren't normal, something I've always suspected but the more I read about other people's childhood the more my suspicions are confirmed!
      Ray's bread was delicious, we're having the rest today for lunch.Jon's now wondering if he needs to make the neighbours Spelt loaves in return! xxx

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  18. roger w. was big in 70´s germany, he even sang in german - my dad was a fan and had some records..... very mainstream and kitschy.
    the cold, wet & stormy weather made its way to us too yesterday evening. the garden is doubled the greenery over night and the reservoirs get filled - bliss.
    the rescued tiles are beautiful, how great to find a new place for them.
    our numbers are growing again - thanks eastern and the openings..... no comment.
    the neighbors bread looks yummy..... yesterday we got some fresh goat milk and handmade cheese from the local shepard!
    xxxx

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    1. I researched Roger Whiitaker after discovering that song was performed by him and saw that he was huge in Germany & Scandanavia! My Dad only listened to screechy opera and ridiculously loud classical music, no wonder me & my brother spend our childhoods outside!
      The garden's are lovely after a thorough drenching, I wish it would happen at night so we could play ouutside all day and appreciate the new growth and the wonderful smells.
      I'm salivating over your goat milk and fresh cheese! xxx

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  19. Lovely to see some of your 28! plants, that's an amazing number!. And I love that you have the perfect pan to cook poached eggs!, that's 70's technology as its best!
    Love to see you rocking this hand-crocheted top and looking so fabulous!. And also love the Alpnani kaftan, as it's so colorful and have this stunning 'plaid' design!
    Also love your nail color!
    So glad that your neighbour brought you some bread, so lovely, and those socks that Jon has received are so cute!. Lovely people!
    Love the photo of Frank and Jacob, such a personality!
    besos

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    1. I've just increased them to 32 by potting up some of my spider plant babies. houseplants are the best!
      70s technology, my egg poacher and slow cooker are the best. Modern stuff never comes in groovy colours like orange either, stainless steel is so boring! xxx

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  20. I love that the mostly white cat with spots (Frank?) who is with Jacob seems to have little fangs. I always notice he has a toothy grin! I love cats -- I went from never caring about them to adoring them. It only took a decade! I have two dogs and two cats, and it couldn't be more perfect. Like yours, they are my "fur babies"! :)

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    1. Hello Mei! Apparently it's because Frank wasn't neutered until he was an older cat so those huge fangs and his big head and tough skin are all things adult males in the wild develop to keep them on top of the food chain!
      Cats will always steal your heart in the end, resistance is futile! xxx

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    2. No way, Vix! You are so clever! I can't wait to whip out that fact (I'll be waiting a while, no doubt).

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  21. The yellow crochet halter top and skirt look so good together and your kaftans look wonderfully comfy, I feel I need some things that are comfortable but not the dreaded loungewear everyone talks about spending lockdown in!
    The new rules are as clear as mud, did you see the photos of commuters on the tube today? Its reckless, it's taken tfl to insist on facemasks on the tube today too. Very worrying, I'm not changing anything it's too soon when there are no effective treatments or vaccination. Rant over and apologies for venting, was going to delete but I feel strongly so might as well be honest.
    You two and your fur family look cosy and content and it's a joy to read. Stay safe and keep doing what you're doing, I look forward to it! xxx

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    1. Thanks, Sally! That's one of my go-to Goa outfits, Saturday's heat was almost on par although it's hard to imagine now I'm sitting at my PC with the heating on!
      I completely agree with what you've written and am glad you didn't delete it.
      The only people who claim to understand these new rules are those hardcore Boris fans who keep saying "he's doing a great job" like some kind of mantra, like they've been brainwashed.
      I saw those photos of communters on the tube yesterday, shocking isn't it? Who can blame them, not everyone has the luxury of a car or a bike or live within walking distance of their workplace. If Sunak announces that the furlough payment will be reduced to 60% next month it's only going to get worse as people are forced to work regardless of whether their workplace is Covid-ready.
      Stay home, stay safe and F8ck the lot of 'em! xxxx

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  22. I love all your house plants. We always fail miserably with them, even if I pride myself on being pretty green fingered. Not where it concerns house plants, obviously. I will be on the lookout for a 1970s egg poacher, if we're ever back to some kind of normal. The charity shops are re-opening here today, but I'm not about to go anywhere near them for the time being. I love the crocheted yellow halter top, which looks a treat with that lovely maxi skirt. And how wonderful to be able to date that bathroom cabinet to the 1930s. I love that Roger Whittaker song, I'm surprised you didn't know it, as it's such a classic. It's true what one of the other commenters said that you had to be a bit of a dork to like him back them. You only have to look at that video! Oh, and those tiles are magnificent, I'm not surprised you hung on to them. Frank's face made me chuckle! I can imagine you weren't too happy hearing BoJo's announcement. If it's any consolation, it's not much better here.

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    1. Thanks, Ann! I must admit to having lots of disasters with houseplants over the years but I seem to have got to grips with them at last and, having loads of time to lavish them with love and liquid seaweed, I've got no excuse! Get yourself a Mother In Law's tongue, they look gorgeous and I promise you, they're indestructable!
      I know hardly anything about mainstream music from the 1960s and 1970s, my parents didn't listen to it.
      The announcement was ridiculous, he semed to make it up as he went along and the goverment have spent the last 48 hours trying to clarify, ammend things and explain themselves. I'm staying put and you need to stay safe and away from those stupid shoppers, they're worse than the Xmas zombies! xxx

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  23. The window sill tiles are gorgeous!

    Poor old Jacob having to come inside; the weather has been bloody peculiar at times.

    I love your nail colour and your nails are getting very long - despite all that cleaning! Loved your outfits; especially the dress; it's definitely long sleeves weather and on Sunday I resorted to tights....

    Jon's socks are ace and what lovely colours. How kind of Andrea. People are astonishingly kind; I find. The bathroom cabinet has scrubbed up a treat and I think we had a similar one in our kitchen (I grew up without a bathroom!). My dad kept his shaving stuff in there and mum kept the plasters, medicines and tablets in there, too.

    Boris' announcement was a bit of a damp squib wasn't it?

    Take care and stay safe
    xxx

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    1. I'm so happy we kept those tiles. Not having been to a charity shop for 54 days we're really appreciating how much stuff we have stashed away and are putting it to good use after years of hoarding. I'm not missing secondhand shopping at all, every time we open a cupboard it's a revelation!
      No bathroom! Ours didn't have heating but at least we had one.
      The least said about Boris's statement the better, it's like he made it up as he went along!
      Stay safe, healthy and sane! xxx

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  24. That's a great photo of Frank and Jacob.Pictures sometimes startle me when they fall off the wall in my sitting room or brasses off the masterpiece and on Saturday evening a photo of my dogs flew off in the same room.It is a bit spooky as it's usually in the evening.My tiles aren't as nice as yours-they are set singly not in groups of four.The Edwardian tiles are a lovely keepsake.Being 60 I remember Roger Whittaker singing on tv and my mum's kitchen radio but didn't appreciate it at the time but now it made me quite emotional x

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    1. The cats are so bad at posing for photos, Stephen in particular, he's so skittish. If Frank hadn't been mithering for prawns I'd never have been able to photograph him with Jacob.
      Isn' that weird when pictures fly off the wall like that? It's never in the day either, always at night when you're easily spooked.
      My Dad only listened to classical and opera and Mum always had Radio 4 on so other than cool stuff I don't know a lot of the popular tunes. I've seen Roger Whittaker albums in charity shops but just assumed it was like Max Bygraves or Val Doonican and ignored them. That song is gorgeous though, I can understand why it brings back happy memories. xxx

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  25. Canada and the US are struggling with decisions about what can be re-opened. I think we are being pretty cautious here in Canada, which I'm ok with. I may end up working from home for most of the summer. I love seeing the progress of your garden. The garden centres are open here and people are buying plants like crazy, but it's been so cold here (we had snow last night and earlier in the weekend) that nothing can go in the ground yet.

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    1. Cautious is good, I think our governemnt is already backtracking over Sunday's announcment, I wish they'd just hold off for another three weeks and stay in line with Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland.
      I'm sorry you're having another cold snap, the last couple of days here have been horribly cold but the sun is shining this morning which is a great motivator. I shall wrap up and play outside. xxx

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  26. Glad to see you're still not letting lock down interfere with your fashion fabulousness! Your meal photos are making me hungry and I love your kitchen. Your posts certainly add some much needed cheer.

    We just finally sold our house, moved to a smaller place, packed up my vintage inventory and drove it from Florida to Massachusetts, where we have an apartment and rented a warehouse space. I'm exhausted, but happy to be out of Fl, since they opened the whole state up just after we left. I think it was too soon, as cases down there had been rising. Anyway, I'm in New England for several months. Most people up here are behaving, wearing masks, keeping proper distance.

    Now that I'm done with the move, am hoping to get back to some blogging soon. Been way to long!

    Cheers
    Theresa

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    1. Lovely to hear from you, Theresa. What a massive changes you made to your lives and all that in the strangest of times. I'm glad you're all settled now.
      With our ambiguous new message of Stay Alert as opposed to Stay Home, I think a lot of people are thinking lockdown is over, I heard traffic coming from the motorway for the first time in over seven weeks this morning, I have a sinking feeling that it's all too soon.
      Stay safe and get posting, I've missed you. xxx

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  27. Such a lovely post.

    Eddie and I are also enjoying watching State of Happiness, thanks for putting that great Roger Whittaker song up.

    Have a good week, it's certainly been cooler today!

    All the best Jan

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    1. Thanks so much, Jan! We both loved that song on State of Happiness, neither of us knew anything about Roger Whiitaker before other than that whistling song.
      Another chilly morning here but the sun is shining - hooray to that! xxx

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  28. Vix I think I am enjoying your isolation posts even more than your normal festival ones.

    Our Isolation is easing up and we are getting more back to normal now with cinemas, libraries, shops and cafes allowed to open on Thursday.

    Julie

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    1. Thanks so much, Julie! I never thought people would be interested in reading about everyday stuff but I think we all find it rather comforting.
      So glad that you're over the worst of the pandemic and life is gradually returning to some semblance of sensible normality again. xxx

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  29. How nice of your neighbour to bake you some bread! That's brilliant! I'm thrilled to see all your seedlings! I'm furious with the fox for digging up my rocket which was looking like rocket. Horror! I've made Chris put his urine around the bed (a tip our neighbour Martyn gave us) but he only managed one length. I keep asking him if he needs the loo again and he is getting cross with me!
    Your peppers are lot further along than mine which don't seem to be really growing much. Pesky things!
    Jon's socks are beautiful! I have some that are similar and I adore them!

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    1. I've heard that tip before! I hope it does the trick with the foxes, I love them but I'm sorry that they're ransacking your rocket!
      Our peppers took an absolute age to grow as did some of the tomatoes, Jon was so worried that we wouldn't get any he kept planting more. We'll be standing at the garden gates handing them out for free at this rate!
      Aren't Jon's socks gorgeous? xxx

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  30. Great post, thanks for sharing.

    My Blog: https://www.tararafting.com/

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  31. Hi Vix , always enjoy reading your lockdown diaries. The vegie seedlings are coming on a treat, you will be able to feed the neighbourhood.
    I Hope your warmer days return soon . Restrictions are easing gradually here but all state borders remain closed . I found the UK govt message confusing so I can only imagine how you feel. I was also astounded that arrivals from outside the UK had not been isolated . Take care , hope you can be back on those walks again.

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    1. Thanks, Jill! I'm amazed that so mnay of the seedlings have survived, we've had a bit of a disaster with aubergines & kohlrabi but I shall try again when it warms up at the weekend. I won't let a tiny seed defeat me!
      It beggars belief that nobody who flies into the UK gets tested and they're still dithering about when to start doing so. No wonder our death rate is so appalingly high. xxx

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  32. The bathroom cabinet is gorgeous, nice to see the adverts of the time too. The socks are fabulous, so jolly!

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  33. You are sure keeping productive. That kaftan is so pretty, I love its tartan print. The sleeves are gorgeous as well. Such a wonderful styling.

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  34. Wow, your poached eggs do look perfect. I think I’ve seen those 1970s pans before but never realised they were for poaching eggs.

    Oh, you’d be perfect for Antique Roadshow! I haven’t watched it in a long time, but it was always interesting.

    I have to head back to work soon, which I’m having mixed feelings about. Clusters of the coronavirus are popping up here and there in Australia. X

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  35. Poached eggs are my absolute favourite but I do prefer them done old school with vinegar water, Himself HATES them that way so we have an old school poaching pan too.

    I can't believe you don't know Roger Whittaker! he was huge in the 70's I can remember watching his TV series when I was a kid. Forgot to say on your previous post I love the hooded kaftan.

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  36. I'm with Jon on the sweet potato front and we keep getting the wretched things in our vegbox. MOST ANNOYING.

    Well done for guessing the age of the cabinet correctly.

    Oh dear, once you've had handmade socks there really is no going back - nothing is as warm and comfy. So Jon is both lucky ('cos if someone makes you socks they REALLY like you) and cursed to want more.

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Thanks for reading and for leaving a message. Please don't be anonymous, I'd love it if you left a name (or a nom de plume).

Lots of love, Vix