Sunday 10 January 2021

The Distancing Diairies - 9th & 10th January, 2021

On Saturday morning Jon was up first, made tea and brought it back to bed where we lay chatting until 9am. As he needed to pop to the vets to pick up Stephen's prescription he left me in charge of the sausages. I stripped and changed the bed, loaded the washing machine and threw it in the tumble drier 15 minutes later. By now Jon was back and we ate our sausage sandwiches. 

When I was changing the bed I realised that it had been four years since we'd last bought new bed linen so I had a look at La Redoute (my go-to place for pure cotton bedding) and treated us to this gorgeous responsibly produced duvet set along with some organic cotton pillowcases and a sheet from their winter sale. Not super cheap but their stuff lasts years. 

We went for a walk, rather than doing our usual circuit of the block we carried on along the main Birmingham Road looping back on ourselves. Considering we're in lockdown we couldn't believe how much traffic was on the roads - where on earth is everyone going? We spotted some painted rocks and again passed the GP surgery which still busy with Covid vaccinations. It was the first time in almost a fortnight that there wasn't snow underfoot although it was still bitingly cold.  

Back at home we thawed out with a coffee. I uprooted the nasturtiums in the border which had been killed off by the snow and then took stock photos in the garden. As usual I was wearing all the layers! My 1960s suede & sheepskin coat (from Second to None), a 1980s Anokhi dress (eBay), Mum's Biba boots, a Missoni scarf (charity shop) and my me-made hat and matching beer mittens. There was a thermal bodysuit, leggings and welly socks as well but you don't need to see those!


I spent the rest of the afternoon uploading my listings to eBay. Afterwards I emptied the kitchen cupboard to check if we needed anything as we've booked a supermarket delivery for Monday which we'd arranged in mid-December. After the rules were relaxed for Xmas Day, I was convinced that Covid numbers would be off the scale, not that I needed to be a genius to work that one out.


Tea was a shared tin of baked beans with vegan sausages and sweet potato fries topped with grated cheese. We'd finished watching The Serpent the previous night and spent the evening watching back-to-back episodes of the new series of Spiral. Needless to say, a few rum & colas were consumed. 


I was up first on Sunday morning, I mopped the kitchen floor, made tea and brought it back to bed where we read until 9am. Breakfast was a couple of slices of toast eaten in front of The Andrew Marr Show. After doing a load of washing and hanging it up to dry in the utility room, I photographed a few more jackets and coats and listed them on eBay.


Lunch was a vegan sausage roll each.


The plate was part of a 1960s dinner service Mum & Dad had for a wedding present. It's Focus by Barbara Brown for Midwinter or balls in boxes, as I called it as a child.


As the government advice is to stay local, we interpret our permitted once daily exercise as being a walk around the area in which we live and not driving somewhere to do it. A police car passed us, no doubt checking on the gangs of hardcore drinkers who pandemic or not, always congregate at the top of town. We avoided engaging in a conversation with a bloke in a tracksuit sipping Special Brew from a can, muttering about how England was becoming a police state.



The Duke Of Wellington, formerly a pub with a marvellous Victorian tiled bar, now converted into flats.


St Matthew's church from the front. That's the Hill of Doom, always a killer when you walk back from town loaded with charity shop finds.

Modern but attractive, the reclaimed bricks they used to build this terrace help.


Walsall's industry, past and present. W. Thacker and Sons, manufacturers of equestrian fittings since 1845, Walsall Brake Services which closed down in the 1970s; a clothing factory, which is still operating and a tandoori oven manufacturer. 

WEARING: 1980s Tricoville cape (£5, car boot sale), pompom hat (made by me), Gohill's exotic snakeskin boots (a hand-me-down from my favourite teacher)

When I was sorting out stock to photograph the previous day I found my trusty Italian-made 100% wool Tricoville cape, a festival staple for many years. I'm a sod for sticking stuff in the stockroom with no intention of selling it, just to make space in the wardrobe. 


I can't stand the colour grey, it shrieks conformity and the need to blend in, but I'll forgive the colour as it's deliciously warm and holds many happy memories in its folds.  


Why on earth hadn't I thought of wearing this rust ribbed polo neck under my Anokhi pinafore dress before today? I love it when wardrobe inspiration strikes.


The rest of the day was spent wrapping eBay parcels. Keen to keep travel to a minimum, Jon drops the parcels off at the Post Office twice a week, although if the Covid numbers continue to climb at the alarming rate that they are doing then I shall take advantage of the Royal Mail's new collection service and pay to get them picked up from the house. 


Tea was half a pizza with salad. I'm not sure what we'll be watching later but Jane's suggestion of Traces, based on a book by Val McDermid and currently on the BBC i-player sounds like a possibility.

Stay safe and see you soon!

68 comments:

  1. It's great to know where you get your bed linen, only because I struggle find cotton bedding, everywhere seems to use polycotton these days and I'm not a fan of pure linen.
    Today has been the first time it has felt like a lockdown here. Traffic has been very quiet. X

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    1. La Redoute are really great for bed linen and their prices aren't too bad either especially if you shop their sale. I hate polycotton, it always feels clammy! xxx

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  2. I like your bedding. I bought everyone young and old pyjamas for Christmas and they all came from Le Redoute. Don’t tell but I got them all in their sale.
    I put them in lovely Christmas boxes with other bits and pieces and they went down a storm.
    You’ve got some really interesting buildings in your area, we will have to come on a visit again when time allows.
    Philip is selling his van fully loaded with tools and we will get a new car. I’m keeping Frida until she drops and the new car will be used for long distance journeys.
    Your cloak looks amazing much better than the old dog walking coat I keep donning when I go out on the lane.
    Saying that I’ve not been out since Wednesday
    Take care. Lots of love xxxx

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    1. Inspired choice of Xmas pressie. I'll keep it a secret though or there'll be none left if you do the same next Xmas!
      We'd love to give you a walking tour of Walsall and you could do the same with Rochdale! Very excited that Phillip is selling his van and tools, I bet that won't hang around for long.
      I hope you've managed to get outside! xxx

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  3. I have just fallen in love. With your Tricoville cape !

    Roads are stupid busy here too.... *shakes head in disbelief*

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    1. Thank you!
      Where are all these people going? I don't get it! xxx

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  4. Hi Vix,
    I really love your 1960's suede sheepskin coat, isn't it amazing that something sixty years old still looks so good aesthetically and condition wise. I often wonder if the clothing of today will still be around in sixty years as the majority is very poor quality!😂
    I think the lockdowns are the only way to get on top of the Covid virus, it seems to be working well here in Australia. I live in New South Wales and due to border closures between states have not been able to visit family in Queensland since March last year so that has been hard. I have been hearing how bad things are for you all in the UK at the moment with the new stain. I hope you are able to access the vaccine soon.
    Hopefully Covid will just be a bad dream in a year or so 🤞
    Stay positive and make the most of the time you have in lockdown to dream, love and create!
    XXX



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    1. Hi Vicky! I'm so sorry that you've not seen your family since last March, it must be really hard but it is a sacrifice worth taking. The infection rate here is worse than ever. Walsall has 975 cases per 100,000. They can't roll out those vaccinations fast enough!
      Like you I wonder if there will be any old clothes left in another twenty years, the stuff made today is of such shockingly poor quality that it's no better than a rag by the time it reaches the charity shops.
      Stay safe! xxx

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    2. I hope they are able to get Covid under control soon with the vaccinations...crossing my fingers and toes for you !!! XX

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  5. Sometimes I wish we had less freedoms as we should be in lock down and are not!

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    1. Fingers crossed it improves for you after 20th Jan! xxx

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  6. Love the bedding so beautiful, I must order some off muji!! I buy vintage bedding off the junk man, but he isn’t out at the moment due to our lockdown. It strange in japan . We do as we are told we always have . We are not bullied in to it more like a request for our own health and safety. Everyone one wears a mask even if we are outside. It’s just plain old common sense.
    Mum said the roads round teeside are deathly quiet and no one has been near the big park near them. I feel like the tough old north easterners tend to listen more than the younger generation. I don’t know why the young ones think they have a point to prove. Paul’s dad gets his covid jab next week, which I am so pleased about!!
    I don’t have to panic about him anymore. I keep telling him to emigrate but at 82. He wouldn’t be able to do the 24 hours travelling we do. I miss him loads.
    I love the cape. I can never get them to look right on me, I always look like miss marple!!! So I give up!! I will stick to the bomber jacket I treat myself to. It’s long and cosy and pink!!! Say no more for me!!! Take care and keep safe!!

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    1. If only the Brits were as compliant as the Japanese! The only time these cov-idiot minority will pay attention and stick to the rules is by fining them. They are far more concerned with cash than the health of their fellow humans.
      Great news about Paul's Dad. I'm glad there's such a good uptake after all the uncertainty in the beginning.
      Nothing wrong with looking like Miss Marple!
      Lots of love. xxx

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  7. I had a Sheepskin Coat like that in the early 1970's when we lived in England... of coarse when we moved back to the U.S. and the Desert I had no need for something that warm and cozy.

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    1. I'd swap that sheepskin in a heartbeat to live somewhere warm! xxx

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  8. La Redoute is a new one on me, Vix. Thank you for bringing it to my notice. I love cotton bedding. Another fascinating walk around Walsall. It is SO interesting to learn of the industrial history of a place. I like the sympathetic new-build row and the fabulous letterbox. I incorporate a couple of steep braes into my local walks to get the heart and lungs working but I wouldn't fancy tackling them with shopping bags! At least the hill of doom will get you fit! Wonderful cosy outfits.

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    1. Hi Catmac! La Redoute is fab, the bedding is really good quality, lots of cotton and great prints, the only downside is waiting a couple of weeks for orders to arrive from France.
      I'm delighted that you enjoy a few snippets about Walsall. We don't have scenery but we do have a rich industrial history. xxx

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  9. The hill of doom - where I live in suburban West Auckland, New Zealand, every bloody road around me is one of those, in varying degrees. Makes a quick promenade quite an effort. Your local area looks really interesting.

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    1. My brother said that Dunedin killed his knees! xxx

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  10. Looking at the photos of your meals is making me hungry!!! Love that little terrace of houses with balconies - very pretty.

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    1. The terrace is lovely, isn't it? The ornate ironwork balconies remind me of houses in New Orleans! xxx

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  11. I bet the Hill of Doom is fun on an icy day!
    I like La Redoute's home range, and they do have good sales :) I like your new bedding a lot.
    I don't think I could ever part with that Tricoville cape either, as you know I'm a fan of grey, it's simply to gorgeous to part with.
    How interesting that the Royal Mail collect now, I might investigate, it depends on cost but I've been putting off selling stuff on ebay so I can keep out of the Post Office. I'm so glad you mentioned it :)
    xx

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    1. I've descended the Hill of Doom on my bum before now!
      La Redoute are fab, aren't they? I rarely buy undies but they do some gorgeous lingerie as well, lots of non-wired, unpadded bras, such a hard thing to find.
      The Royal Mail charge around 75p per parcel, which is easy enough to factor into your ebay pricings and a lot easier than a trip to the Post Office although Jon says ours was empty again yesterday. xxx

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  12. Never thought I'd see you in grey ....and a polo neck jumper! Bet that cape is toasty though and your hand made hat goes so well with it. Now up to Ep 4 in Spiral, not keen on that new Juge and what's going on with her and Bekriche? Don't tell me! Stay safe and warm. xx

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    1. I do like a polo neck although I'd prefer a bikini!
      I know, grey isn't my colour at all, too many years of corporate suits. Yuk!
      I shan't do any spoilers. I must stop watching Spiral or it will all be over too soon! xxx

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  13. The tandoori oven manufacturer looks an interesting place. Your cape is beautiful - I have a lot of grey as it looks good with bright colours but not so much on its own. We just painted our bedroom dark grey - its very relaxing in there now ... I like La Redoute - I still have double sided blankets from them that were on the boys beds 15+ years ago and still look like new. Your duvet choice is very pretty and cheery.

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    1. The tandoori oven manufacturers is very interesting, they are always blasting out Bollywood songs and it always smells very tempting, I think they must test that the ovens are working properly before they're dispatched!
      La Redoute are great, I'm very impressed with your blanket. I bought Jon a lovely overcoat from them 15 years ago and people still stop him and ask where it came from even now. xxx

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  14. That grey cape looks lovely with all your burgundy accessory touches, not too conforming at all. That hill looks like it would be treacherous on an icy day and I LOVE the modern but old style terrace of houses. Something like that would suit me a treat.

    You're tempting me to go out armed with my camera and photograph all around my new-to-me town ... but I'll wait for the rain to stop first.

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    1. Those terraces are gorgeous, aren't they? The best modern houses I've ever seen. I'd be happy in one, too especially as there's a Lidl behind them!
      I'd love a tour of your area, I'm always fascinated by where my virtual friends live. xxx

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  15. Oooh EVERYTHING looks SO fab, Vix. Loving the La Redoute and the cape (swoon).

    I get my bedding off eBay from hotel suppliers You can get 100% cotton sets - only in white - but then I have throws/comforters over the top of everything anyway - so other than pink marks all over the pillowcases (it does come off with a good hot wash) - practical and long-lasting (esp if you go for cotton percale). I'm also thinking of buying from here next time https://www.kingofcotton.com - looks good.

    In the meantime I'll be sewing the buttons back on the duvet covers for a while (I hate them - but then poppers that have lost their pop are worse). I actually charity-shopped a fantastic cotton duvet cover with a zip opening - why can't they all have them - and some fab V+A x Habitat fitted bottom sheets (score!) - what feels like centuaries ago, when we could actually go out and shop. I didn't know whether to put them on the bed or in the sewing stash (very William Morris!).

    I'm staying in until Feb - booked grocery deliveries and can happily live off what's in the freezer/cupboards until then. Had the slow cooker out for mushy peas and cooked a big bowl of red lentils to use as a base for meals this week.

    Glad you're keeping well, Vix - the Post Office pick-up sounds like a very good idea! Hopefully we'll get news of Covid-jabs here soon - my Mum is 86 and anxious that she's heard nothing yet, bless. Will be so glad when she's had it.

    Also - loving the tartan and velvet parka you've got listed - fab! All those beautiful coats (sigh).

    Maryland, if you're here - hope you're OK. Big love to you xxxx

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    1. centuaries - gawd - centuries (bless my sausage fingers lol)

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    2. Duvet covers with zips are always avoided in my home. Once the zip gives up it's finished. Had one that died on me after the third watch and the shop wouldn't take it back

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    3. That's a bit rubbish! The one I've got has a really sturdy zip and we've not managed to destroy it yet. I hate the plastic popper ones - where they gradually lose their pop and you get that disembowelled look and have to shove everything back in, every time you make the bed lol ...

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    4. Thanks, Elaine! I bought some fantastic pure linen tea towels from one of those ebay sellers, woven in Manchester, brilliant quality and less than a tenner for 12!
      The best thing about La Redoute bedding is that it doesn't have any fasteners. Those poppers are the worst! I did buy an amazing House of Fraser duvet set (from a Chazza) a few years ago that buttoned up. The zip sounded like a great idea until I read Fifty and Counting's comment. What crap customer service!
      Well done on having enough food supplies to keep you in until February. We're not going to a supermarket whilst the numbers are so high. Walsall's now one of the worst places for Covid in the UK! God help us!
      I hope your Mum hears something soon. Liz's Mum got her notification at the end of last week, so I'm sure your Mum won't be far behind.
      Much love to you (and Maryland!) xxx

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    5. Oh yes - linen union teatowels are the best - great for polishing glass too. Loads of them on eBay from catering suppliers - I love me a souvenir tea towel and hate those fluffy things that cover your washing up in bits. Mind you - perhaps we're in the minority of non-dishwasher folks LMAO

      Meanwhile, back in duvet cover chat (lol) - I've got an Ikea cover with cotton ties at the closure - which is great until they get a knot in them (cue swearing). I'm wondering if most duvet covers are designed for people who lie perfectly still ...

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  16. I'm still waiting to see snow here. It's always good to have a 'Hill of Doom' to climb when out for a walk; it gets the the heart and lungs working to capacity; and if you're carrying charity shop finds even better! Bedfordshire is notoriously flat so hills are an exception rather the rule.

    I loved your long cape and I think the colour is lovely. The polo under the dress was an inspiration and I,too, love it when wardrobe inspiration strikes - often at the most peculiar times...

    We have started to watch 'The Serpent' and will probably finish it tonight. The Bailey's is finished (not all by me) but I have Canadian Club; one third of a bottle left, and two bottles of sherry so plenty of alcohol should I fancy some.

    How people can congregate in this freezing weather outside and drink alcohol I just don't know. We have a cohort of street drinkers/people who congregate at the back of our Sainsbury's Local where there are a couple of nice low walls to sit on; but I've seen neither hide nor hair of them since the cold weather struck. Also the police frequently break them up and make them move on.

    Take care
    xxx

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    1. I can't believe that you've managed to escape the snow! You're right, the Hill of Doom is great to get the blood pumping. It's also great to quickly sober you up after a few cheeky ones in Spoons (not that that's happened in almost a year!)
      Isn't The serpent wonderful> I needed a few drinks to steady my nerves, I was a wreck watching Dominique trying to board the Air France flight!
      I don't get the congregating outside to drink in this weather. Walsall's got worse since the first lockdown, we keep being featured on the national news as the town has become taken over by dodgy sorts (even dodgier than Jon & I).
      Stay safe! xxx

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  17. My maternal gran used to complain of being "chilled to the bone" despite a lack of snow on the ground. Alas, this year I've felt the same and sometimes arise from bed muttering, "Layers, layers, must find layers!" That long cape would be just the thing for flapping about outside at the bird feeders, then snoozing on a sunny sofa with the cats. * What a wonderful view of your patchwork curtains and chaise, Vix: the scene throbs with life and energy. Warms the frozen cockles of my heart just to look at it. :)

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    1. That's a proper English saying, "chilled to the bone!" I hate that feeling when only a long soak in a hot bath does the trick.
      That wool cape really is warm, I used to sleep in it at festivals! xxx

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  18. You always dress so well. I love your layered outfit. The outfit with the Italian cape is gorgeous as well. I like the pattern and the colour (I actually started to love grey, I didn't use to). Isn't closet space always a problem for us all? I sometimes store clothes in various places to make room in a closet and then I forget about them. It's always good to discover something anew, though.

    It is good that you able to do local walks, so that lockdown doesn't mean a complete isolation. I think a nice walk does us all good. After all the rain we have been having and my shoulder injury, a 'local' walk I had today felt fantastic. It rained again in the afternoon but I managed to get out in time. Have a nice day!

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    1. You are kind, thank you very much, Ivana!
      I did like grey for a while but had to wear it for work for years and I'm still traumatised by it same as blazers, pencil skirts and flesh coloured tights...shudder!
      I'm so glad you're feeling a bit better, getting outside, even just for a walk in the rain is so good for our mental health. xxx

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  19. Wonderful choice of bed linen, which reminded me we are in need of a new set too. I might have a look at La Redoute. I'm loving those painted rocks, I've still got the one I found hidden at Powis Castle back in 2019. Balls in boxes is a great name for your Mum and Dad's dinner service :-) I loved joining you on another Walsall walk, and I can't believe you'd all but forgotten about that cape! I'm not the biggest fan of the colour grey either, but I'm all for exceptions to the rule. I was wearing a ridiculously comfy vintage grey plaid skirt myself today, and have also recently rediscovered my polo necks, which hot flushes had prevented me from wearing for many years!
    Keeping my fingers crossed that you'll be flattening the Covid curve soon. As predicted, our numbers are up again thanks to all those people returning from red zones after the Christmas holidays. Stay safe out there! xxx

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    1. You'll be spoilt for choice, I had about eight duvet covers in my basket, I had to get Jon to decide in the end.
      That's lovely that you've still got the rock you found when you visited Colin the peacock at Powis Castle.
      Polo necks are the best. I think those hot flushes have passed me by entirely, not that I'm complaining, I don't need them in my life.
      Hope your Covid numbers are manageable. Walsall's are some of the highest in the country now. xxx

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  20. I still love some La Redoute basics, and these bed linens look nice! (100% cotton is becoming difficult to find, as we have commented previously!).
    You look fabulous in your sheepskin coat and colourful anokhi dress, totally rocking it!. And also fabulous in your wool cape, despite being grey, but grey makes a fab background to let other colours shine! And you make it Rock, dear Vix!
    Lovely to have a look at some brick architecture and beautiful buildings around your neighbourhood. Thanks for this walk!
    besos

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    1. La Redoute do some lovely things (nice underwear, too - Jon's a fan!)
      I shall pretend that cape is silver rather than grey. It does seem to go with a lot so I shall persevere. xxx

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  21. Hello Vix, your Tricoville cape is wonderful and not at all boring! Funny, I didn’t see the grey… just the purply aubergine. The symmetrical red brick house, with the blue gates is very handsome. The ‘hill of doom’ is what I call ‘a proper bum burner’. There’s a few of those round these parts (they were quite a shock to the system after living in Hull, where I didn’t encounter a single hill in my seven years there). Good on you for treating yourself to some new bed linen. Lulu xXx

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    1. Thank, Lulu! Phew! I'm terrified of grey, it's years of being a corporate slave and having to wear it for a living!
      The blue gated house is gorgeous, a proper Victorian villa. the lady who lives there is very posh and alwys shouts "Fabulous, darling" when she sees me. xxx

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  22. the cape is not gray - its "frosted berry"!
    and it looks fabulous. and cosy too.
    thanx for the tour of walsall - great photos. how genius to build the terrace with old bricks - in germany no company would do that - sadly.
    the new bedding looks very posh - although i do love my inherited white bedlinen - even started to repair some pieces or make one from two. can´t make friend with coloured bedding.
    wonderful photo of the recamiere and the curtains closed - very warm athmosphere!
    even without relaxed rules on x-mas our numbers are rising like dough on a warm oven - how could that happen? (irony)
    stay warm and safe! xxxxx

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    1. Frosted berry - you do have a way with words, dear Beate!
      The reclaimed brick terrace is gorgeous, it just goes to show that new builds don't have to be ugly boxes - they even have Sunpipes installed so there's lots of natural light.
      Like you, I only used to like white bedding but over the last few years I've started to embrace colourful sheets - but they have to be pure cotton!
      Our numbers are crazy. 975 in 100,000 people in Walsall now have Covid! xxx

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  23. Love your cape and snakeskin boots, Vix. They look so good together.

    In Australia, we have prepaid parcels where you pay $9.20 for a postage bag and then can fill it with an item you're selling and then you can simply drop it in a post box (no need to go to the actual post office). Perhaps Jon could do something similar if you've got that option in the UK. X

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    1. Thanks, Jess! I know you're a fan of the boots!
      I buy postage online and print off the labels. If I sent my parcels standard post they can just go in a post box but as they're "signed for" they need to be scanned at a post office so they can be tracked - a necessity if you're a business seller. xxx

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  24. I wish I could watch the next season of Spiral-or I might be two seasons behind. I'm still using one of two sets of sheets I bought 3 1/2 years ago for the lake house, but decided one should stay home. It was cheap, but so soft. I liked so bought a third so I would have two sets at lake, and wished I would have bought two for home, but I hate folding them so they go back on the bed after washing. I'm getting load of ideas on layering clothes-for when I ever return in the world, but of course I know I should dress for the day beyond sweat pants and leggings.

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    1. We're on season 8 - the last one (sob!) I'm so tempted to watch the lot in one sitting, it's so exciting.
      I've got three sets of bedding, one for the spare room and one to wash, one to wear in ours. Four seems very decadent but we spend so much time at home it'll be a real treat to have something new.
      My leggings come off as soon as I have breakfast, exercise wear only and definitely not fit for human consumption! xxx

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  25. I love seeing pieces of your neighbourhood - it has such a rich history! That cape is wonderful - I am not a huge fan of grey (but it's better than beige!), but the red striping and interior mix help brighten it a lot.

    We are also seeing very high numbers here, post-holiday, and our current restrictions have been extended to early Feb, but I think that will be extended further. At least the UK is getting everyone vaccinated! Canada is plodding along...

    We just spent $500 on new sheets (very high thread count) - so worth it! Happy Monday, Vix!

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    1. Thanks, Sheila! You might be bored of the neighbourhood soon, it might be months before we can leave it!
      I'm quite impressed with the vaccine roll-out at the moment, quite a few people I know have already had it. Although us over 50s are some way down the list we should hopefully have had it by the Summer.
      You can't beat posh bedding, cheap stuff is vile - it feels greasy! xxx

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  26. I would never make it down the hill of doom in one piece! You're brave.
    quality bedding is a good investment as you're going to be using it all the time. That's an attractive set you selected.

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    1. The first time I tackled the Hill of Doom after my hip replacement was a proud moment!
      With no travel on the cards I'm investing in the house at the moment, when did I ever get so sensible? xxx

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  27. my son informs me i resemble an aging Amy from big bang theory these days , i think its the lack of ability to shop my usual jumble sale and car boot outfits , i cant afford the crap in the online sales , im such a none standard size that ebay doesnt work for me , plus other half would never notice what i wear and the cats just like stuff they can claw at...lol

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    1. I'm going to have to Google here, I don't know Big Bang Theory!
      I probably don't need to buy another garment for the rest of my life. It's quite good that there's no chazzas and car boot sales, I'm liking the tidiness! xxx

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  28. Fabulous outfits as always. The cape looks so cosy. I'm really enjoying the glimpses of your neighbourhood from your walks. So interesting. I've started watching Traces and am enjoying it. I figured anything to do with Val McDermid would be good.

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    1. Thanks, Kate-Em! We enjoyed Traces but didn't love it although I like Martin Compston in everything! xxx

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    2. He is an excellent actor. Role on the next series of Line of Duty!

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  29. I guess that descent is really steep ... especially when wet! I like to admire the different architectures of the buildings. I love the patchwork curtain (like the crochet jacket) and your outfits with such special fabrics!
    Hugs! Carmela

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  30. We’ve been commenting on the amount of traffic on the road this time. I’m really puzzled where everyone is going, with the shops and schools shut.
    Nice to see La Redoute get some love, I’ve had some great bedding from them over the years.
    Your cape is gorgeous, looks fab, and so practical. Xxx

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    1. The cape has been a lifesaver on cold festival nights over the years.
      I'm perplexed by all the traffic.
      Our friend Tony's just phoned Jon, he works for a chain of furniture shops, the Bearwood branch closed when we went into tier 4 but apparently a couple elsewhere in Birmingham stayed open and were shut down by the police earlier today. Words fail me! xxx

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  31. I get very excited by the purchase of new bed linens, but it is becoming almost impossible to find pure cotton sheets anymore. Like you mentioned, the poly/cotton blends are slippery and the ones that are pure polyester ones feel horrible.

    That cape is definitely a keeper! The perfect layering piece, and it does have a nice stripe of colour to break up the grey.

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  32. I always keep one eye out for Balls In Boxes when I'm charity shopping in case I can add more to your collection but have yet to find any.

    That rust polo neck looks great under your pinafore.

    Your comment on the drinkers made me laugh; the Wiltshire Times ran a news story with the police warning the people of Trowbridge that 'drinking in public does not count as daily exercise'. Maybe Walsall should twin with Trowvegas...

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Lots of love, Vix