The Distancing Diaries - Day 174 & 175

On Thursday morning (day 174) after my Wii Fit workout and our usual breakfast, I had a mammoth blog catch-up. It's so easy to fall behind with the comments and what with cats and holiday woes I've been a tad distracted of late. All caught up we set about making some Covid-proof provisions for our trip. Normally, depending on the airport we'd fly from we'd catch the train, ask a friend to drop us off or book into a park & ride facility but, as we've got to self-quarantine on our return all three involved contact with others & were out of the question. Jon managed to book us a parking space at the airport, a couple of minutes walk from the terminal. Normally it costs a fortune but, in these times of empty airports, it was a fraction of the normal price.

For the last three years that we've visited Greece I've treated myself to eyelash extensions at a local salon. Although forbidden for most of lockdown, the procedure is now allowed but, taking no chances, I went back to my old ways and ordered myself some individual lashes and super-fix adhesive so I could do my own. 

After our noodles we got changed and headed off to the crematorium for Darren's funeral. I wasn't in the mood for outfit photos but I wore the dress I'm wearing in the above photo, a 1940s crepe dress I found in a Scope charity shop for £6 a couple of years ago. The bag is an inherited piece, Mum always took it to funerals and when it became mine I did, too. Inside is a photo of my great grandma carrying it accompanied my great auntie Flo, my maternal grandma's eldest sister and a fine looking woman.

It was a sad day, tinged with regret. Fifteen went inside and the rest stood outside listening to the humanist service from the speakers in the foyer, the service was also broadcast over the internet. Cheryl, Darren's partner for 18 years, arranged the service and the eulogy was wonderful, funny and touching and a celebration of a life tragically cut short. For the first time in six months we set foot in a drinking establishment, somewhat wary about the experience but keen to spend time with friends and reminisce.

I think Darren, a punk from his teens, would have been more than happy with the Siouxie & the Banshees and The Stranglers "Duchess", chosen to accompany him on his final journey.

On Friday, after the last Wii Fit session of the week and our fruit and yogurt breakfast, we had a call from the neighbours who give us regular updates on Frank. We already know that he has a daytime nap on their bed, curled up with Kitty, their crazy tabby, enjoys chicken when they have a roast dinner and the odd can of tuna in spring water. He even has his own toy, a green cat-nip scented worm. Today, despite a saucer of chicken breast, a bowl of cat milk and some Dairy Delicious biscuits he popped next door for a pork sausage. I think we can safely say he's got his appetite back! 

(I thought I'd better include Stephen, it's unfair to have one without the other.)

When I got dressed I turned the radio on only to hear 6Music play both The Stranglers & Siouxie and the Banshees (with the Charlatans sandwiched in between). Talk about a strange coincidence. Richard the postman arrived with the eyelash kit I'd ordered yesterday (such brilliant company (HERE), unlike the idiots with the elastic who still haven't sent the replacement after their epic cock-up last week). Kev called round to collect his jeans and again I had to apologise for his masks not being ready - not that he minded, he'd popped over with a few Bob Marley discs he'd copied for Jon as well as a copy of a Street Cat Named Bob (both the book and the film). It's Kev's birthday today - we'll be raising a glass to him later.

Jon popped out for supplies. Although friends have kindly offered to do food runs when we're quarantining, we thought it advisable to stock up so he braved the madness of Iceland (50% non-mask wearers) for frozen fruit and a few of their delicious veggie curries. I left him defrosting the freezer and started on the toiletry packing. 

Done!

Lush shampoo & conditioning bars; 3 x once-a-day sun cream; Facial once-a-day sun cream; Toothpaste & bamboo brushes; Cotton buds; Painkillers; Shaving cream & razor; Plasters; Tangle Tamer; Razor; Antiseptic; Soap; Solid deodorant; Nail file; Hand sanitiser; 15x magnifying mirror; Pills; Facial soap; Lush biodegradable make-up remover pad (which I've just tested and discovered that it won't shift my Barry M waterproof kajal, back to the Nivea!)

I thought I'd give the skirt from my haul of 1970s goodies a whirl.

I'm thrilled with this skirt, made by Sportaville, London and a glorious mish-mash of cotton printed fabric intersected with braid and ribbon. It's surprising warm, too - perfect for today, another of those deceptively cold days where the washing I'd pegged on the line at 8am was still damp eight hours later. 

I wore it with my '70s Ayesha Davar blouse, Afghan Kuchi earrings bought from eBay and a vintage  Ethiopian silver tribal necklace found on a Facebook selling page.

After our noodles, I went back through my packing as I'd been sneaking extra bits here and there for the last few days. I'm now down to two bags, a pair of chappals, three tops, two skirts, five dresses, a sarong, a shawl and two bikinis (which I'll iron & photograph properly over the next day or so). I'll travel in my kaftan, tooled leather belt and clogs. We've only got one bag so space is tight. Next on the task list is jewellery...always a dilemma. 

Tea was posh pizza with homegrown peppers, tomatoes (yes, finally!) and lemon cucumber. 

Tonight we'll be drinking rum and watching Gardener's World. Last week's episode was a particular highlight as the fabulous Don Letts had sent in a video, apparently he & his wife are keen gardeners and most of what they know was learnt from watching Gardener's World. In this strange new world gardening really is the new rock 'n' roll.

Stay safe and have a fabulous Friday night!