Sunday 18 July 2021

The Last Ever Distancing Diaries - 16th, 17th & 18th July, 2021

We're having a heatwave, a tropical heatwave! On Friday I was out watering the pot plants at the crack of dawn before doing my last Wii Fit Workout of the week and wrapping my eBay parcels. I washed my hair and sat drying it outside in the sunshine before Jon got up and joined me for breakfast.


There was much excitement as we were off to visit our friends, Claire & Gareth, who we hadn't seen in almost two years. We met seven years ago as trading neighbours at a V Dub festival in Shropshire, hit it off instantly and went on to enjoy some crazy festival times together, a highlight was dressing up as Disco Unicorns, catching the eye of Martin Fry, the dapper lead singer of 1980s pop legends, ABC and having Poison Arrow dedicated to us. 


It was the first time we'd been in a pub for 16 months and you know what? Masks and hand sanitiser aside, it felt no different to those heady days before Covid.


And what a pub! The Roe Deer was previously known as Lawnswood House, built in the Regency style for the Foley family between 1813 and 1816 during the reign of King George III. 


The toilets are rather fabulous, too!


The lads had a rump steak sandwich with Dijon and tarragon mayonnaise, onions, fries and battered onion rings to share, Claire went for the sweet potato, aubergine and chickpea Malaysian curry with coconut rice & steamed pak choi and I opted for the broccoli and Stilton quiche with crème fraîche new potatoes, baby gem lettuce, grapes and caramelised pecans.

After exploring the Roe Deer's beautifully overgrown walled garden and swooning over the derelict gatehouse, we wandered through fields and along canal towpaths in the glorious sunshine. Hands up those of you who thought the Black Country was all derelict factories and post-industrial gloom?














The Garden Tiger moth

We popped into the famous Ashwood Nurseries, often seen on TV gardening shows.




 It looked tantalising good from the other side of the canal bank....




And didn't disappoint once inside, either.


I was tempted with several plants but the broiling heat and the walk back would have probably killed any potential purchase.


Back to Gareth & Claire's we wandered around their fabulously eclectic home and garden, drank gin in the sunshine (well, Claire & I did!) and posed for a few blog photos. Check out Claire's blog HERE.





Back at home (a half-an-hour drive away), we tended to a somewhat parched garden and two rather annoyed cats who'd been left to fend for themselves for hours. After a plate of cheese, pickles and crusty bread we cracked open the rum, watched the rest of the Hemingway series and Adam Curtis's stupendously good political docu-film Bitter Lake.


On Saturday morning Jon was up first, sorted out the lads and brought mugs of tea back to bed where we lay and read for a while but, as the weather was so glorious, didn't want to linger for too long. I stripped and changed the bed and cleaned the bedroom whilst Jon sorted out breakfast.  I pegged out the washing and marvelled at how gorgeous the poppies were that had sprung up overnight.


After our sausage sandwiches (veggie for me!) I popped out and did some top-up watering. It was set to be the hottest day of the year so far. I was wearing that incredible Dior slip my lovely friend Tricia had sent me. She'd bought it from a chazza a decade ago to cut up for crafting, I'm so glad she didn't!
 


We worked through our to-do list, cutting back, planting out, feeding vegetables and weeding beds at a slow and steady pace. 



I was chatting with my friend Cat the other day and she'd mentioned line props. There was a wooden one at my parents' which I'd meant to rescue when I'd sold the house but completely forgotten about. I had a search online and discovered that several high street stores sold plastic ones really cheaply but really fancied a big sturdy wooden one so Jon had a rummage in the woodpile and made me one. The laundry dries a lot faster when it's not doubled over to stop it dragging on the floor. Nice one, Cat!


After I'd raked up the helicopters from the lime tree (it's that time of years, again!) The remainder of the day was spent on the lawn basking in the glorious 29°C sunshine.


Tea was pizza and salad, with onions dug up from the garden. They were wonderfully sweet and delicious!


Up to date with Beck and not fancying any European drama on Walter Presents we started to watch High: Confessions of an Ibiza Drug Mule, more for the travel porn than the foolish young woman who ended up banged up for attempting to smuggle £1.5million worth of cocaine out of Peru. We drank rum and despite warnings for a hut and humid night had no problems at all sleeping, we never do!


On Sunday morning I was up first and wandered around the garden as tea was brewing. Our first ever rose, Cuba Dance, had bloomed. I brought tea up to the bed and started my next book, having finished Earthly Delights in the garden the previous day.


We had toast for breakfast and I painted my nails in Barry M's All The Things She Red whilst we watched Andrew Marr.


I'd had another sort out of the Kinky Shed and there was a bag of donations to drop off at the charity shop so we drove into town, handed them over and had a rummage. 


We came back with a 2-foot tall vintage glass vase, two Indian block-printed cotton throws still in their original packaging and a historical novel.


After noodles, we posed for photos before stripping off to our sun-worshipping gear. I wore a 1970s cotton maxi dress from a charity shop I've had for over a decade and often accompanies me to Greece. At 31°C the temperatures had beaten yesterday's record for the hottest day of the year so far. 


Jon wore another travel staple, his vintage silk Gabicci shirt and the best accessory known to man, a large white cat with black splodges, otherwise known as Frank.

 

With the heatwave set to last throughout the week, Jon braved the shed and pulled out our Danish mid-century loungers. We bought the pair for a car boot sale for £7 years ago, possibly the bargain of the century.


Jon was trying to research the maker "Haaning & Co" and came across this vintage slide for sale on eBay. That's our bed!


Our black peppermint's going mad in the herb bed so I made some Morrocan mint tea and we drank it on the lawn, from vintage Indian tea glasses. I found the Art Deco teapot in a skip when I was a teenager. 

I'd got halfway through my latest read when I decided I didn't enjoy Peter May's style of writing and stuck it in the charity shop bag ready to donate next Sunday. Life's too short for bad books! I shall start The Music of the Spheres, later. After taking it in turns to water the garden we cracked open a beer and ate cheese, biscuits and pickles for tea. Later we'll be watching more of High unless we find anything that looks more appealing. 

**Tony's just told us that there's a new series of Baptiste starting on BBC1 tonight, so that's our entertainment sorted!**


And that's it...the last of The Distancing Diaries. Life returns to normal in England at midnight when social distancing, masks and restrictions are no longer mandatory (or will it?) I'll have to start thinking of imaginative titles for my blog posts from now on.

Thanks for your company, friendship & comments over the last 16 months. See you soon! 

40 comments:

  1. Oh Vix I have enjoyed your diaries so much and will miss them. I guess you will still do your 'old style' blog posts sometimes so will look forward to them.

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  2. Oh Vix, NO THANK YOU for your beautiful photos, writing and humor and above all mootivation and comapny! Shaz here, been missing for awhile as it was our 30th anniversary week we actually did some normal things like day trips out. Felt good to look at antiques, drink coffee. etc I like you am lucky my best mate is also my hubster! Been out again today to another garden center. I see you got to a pub at last! I bet that was fun and a taste of "normal". You look fab in your vintage maxi and the Dior slip. The garden is all kinds of wonderful. So are we going to still get peaks into Vix world I sure do hope so? how are you approaching this "restriction" lifting? anyway Vix here is cheers - the best thing out of lockdown was getting the privilege of reading your diaries. Big fat cheers and hugs Shazxx

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  3. I hope for all of us that it truly does mean a healthy return to the things we all enjoyed. Your diaries were a great "travel" from my Midwestern stay at home and thank you for sharing all things you've experienced. I look forward to your new adventures.

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  4. frank is indeed the most chic accessoire ever!!!
    but your and claires dresses are beautiful too - that slip is way to cool to hide under clothes..... must be from the john galliano time.
    your day out with friends looks lovely - even the weather was perfect!!
    normal? i don´t trust the peace. way to few are vaccinated and with all the openings and traveling the numbers are rising already again.......
    enjoy the heatwave! xxxxx

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  5. Vix, we in the southeastern US are seeing an uptick in cases, so the plague is not over yet! Mark Twain is attributed with saying "The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated", and I think the reports of the pandemic's end are equally exaggerated! I'm hoping that, plague or no plague, you'll continue to share your adventures with us on a regular basis as they are both entertaining and inspiring. Cheers from across the pond!

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  6. A new Baptiste! that's just what I need. You look very pretty in your green dress. The pic of the butterfly looks utterly tropical, never seen anything like it! I hope the end of the distancing diaries doesn't mean less posting, I love your posts and daily goings on :) I'm not ready for dropping masks and getting up close, it's scary - at the gym today my class had no big green stickers to mark where we can stand any more and I felt totally lost without that invisible barrier/comfort zone! I don't know how you find such amazing things your bedspreads are beautiful - they would also make really wonderful curtains. Our chazzas are all closing down, their stock never changes I think I will take some little day trips further afield to search for treasure. Thanks for keeping us going through all the grim times with your cheery, colourful and inspiring Distancing Diary posts to keep us going, looking forward to many more, Betty xxx

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  7. Wow, the end of an era! I was worried for a sec until I realized you only meant the end of the numbered entries, phew!

    How marvelous that you got to go to a pub and hang out with friends in such a lovely location, Vix! It does not take much for it to feel normal again, does it?

    I love the pic of Jon and Frank (you'll see plenty of man/cat love on my blog too! nothing sexier than a man snugging his cat), and you look wonderful in both of your cotton dresses. How lovely to get a heat wave, although after our crazy 40 degree one, I'm fine with it being in the low/mid 20s for the rest of the summer!

    Big hugs to you, and thank you for all the blog content over the last 16 months. It's been wonderful to get to know you better.

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  8. Hi Vix, what a lovely post, full of life, colour, beauty, friendship, optimism.... Can't believe it's 16 months since you began the "Distancing Diaries! I've enjoyed each and every one of your posts, they've brightened my days up no end! Hope you have a great day tomorrow, I'm sure you'll find a way to celebrate!! Sending you lots of love from Barcelona! xxx

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  9. As much as I've loved your Distancing Dairies I sure hope things really will return to normal there! We're going in the opposite direction here with some places reinstating mask mandates and cases rising. Thank you for keeping up entertained and letting us hang out with you in your day to day life. I wasn't here pre-pandemic so I'm excited to see what's to come! :)

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  10. I have so enjoyed your regular updates and hope we'll still hear about garden visits, Euro-noir thrillers and chazza rummages on a regular basis. I remember wooden props - why don't they still make them I wonder? - and what we always called the pozzie - a copper cone with holes in it at the end of a broom handle. It was used to agitate your washing, originally in a tub when my grandma still washed with a copper and mangle which I loved being allowed to turn, and then later in the bath to wash blankets and eiderdowns and any other large items not suited to the washing machine. I remember it worked very well but I can't remember what happened to it when she moved in with us and I've never seen one since in an auction or junk shop.
    We have been watching the second series of Nordic Murders even though it's not our favourite and are going to sample the English language version of Professor T tomorrow night. I was surprised to learn that the original Beck stories date back quite a long way. Will the next season be the last, I wonder, or will it go on like Taggart? Bring back the viking, I say - I was very disappointed when he was written out as he was my favourite character.

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  11. Oh no, please don't finish the Distancing diaries, I've loved them!!!
    I loved seeing your walk with friends. It looks brilliant!
    Well done to Jon for fixing the washing line issue! You look a treat in the lovely stripy dress and WHAT a find the Dior slip was!
    Mmmm, fresh mint tea is a favourite for me!x

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  12. Thank you seems completely insufficient. Your Distancing Diaries have been a bright spot, breath of fresh air, wonderful read and eagerly looked forward to over the last 16 months and will be very much missed.

    But this much blogging, over a long period, takes time and can be hard work - whilst I will miss your detailed updates I know how long it takes to keep publishing like this and you deserve a rest. But please don't disappear completely . . .

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  13. Ohh I loved your distancing diaries , the hard work you two put into them, I completely agree with everyone please don’t disappear completely even if you blogged a couple of times a week it would make most of us happy.
    I am so glad you met up with friends again. We are back in a state of emergency thanks olympics. They are really clamping down. I don’t think the althletes are now allowed to leave their accommodation unless accompanied by their escorts. As the rate is sorimg out of control.
    There was a protest at the local park against the olympics saying that the athletes need to go home. I watched it on TV. Not a nice thing to watch. People are so scared now. I’m glad I look Japanese I can get away without being picked on even in my isolation hotel they are being mean to forgeiners. I don’t understand it Anymore keep safe and thank you for sharing you lockdown life with us

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  14. I haven't commented for YEARS, Vix, but I just wanted to say that I have enjoyed your distancing diaries so much over the last sixteen months - I'm really going to miss them. Thank you for keeping me company and reminding me that even though the world's gone mad, there's a lot of little things to be grateful for every single day. xx

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  15. Thanks Vix. I've enjoyed your posts very muchthese last 16 months.
    Norma xxx

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  16. It has been a fascinating 16 months with you, Vix.You've rekindled my desire for some sort of a garden, made me hanker for vegie pizza and Indian savouries. And, I'm even thinking about doing a step routine each morning - however, it's still in the thinking stage. (hehe) You, and Jon, made life in lockdown interesting. Hats off to you both!!! xxxx

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  17. What an amazing place for your first pub outing. I wonder if the Foley family are related to my brother in law, they are Foleys. One for the ancestry file if david ever does it.
    Your distancing diaries have been the best Vix and have kept us all going. I wonder what you will come up with next and if the content will change as life opens up to us more.

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  18. Your Distancing Diaries have been just the tonic during what has been a challenging year and have added some much needed colour and positivity to my days.
    That's quite the pub! And the food looks delicious. Xx

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  19. Just wanted to add my name to the long list of 'gratituders'. Gratitude for your fabulous distancing diary posts, your book reviews, your National Trust visits, your beautiful garden, Frank and Stephen, your handsome significant other and of course, not forgetting your stylish,colourful and envy-invoking fashion updates. Grateful for it all. Keep safe and healthy.xxx

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  20. Joining the chorus of those who've been grateful for the armchair travel your distancing diaries have offered. Love the cheerful teapot and tray in the sunshine – I hope the summer brings you many more such beautiful afternoons. Sending light, love, and healthful wishes from NYC xo

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  21. Loved your distancing diaries Vix - hope you'll keep going as strange days indeed lol.

    Very mixed feelings here - I don't want to 'go back' - I want to embrace the future. I'm hoping the Poundshop William Wallace feckwits will just crawl back under their Facebook rocks - so that the extraodinary, kind and measured will prevail.

    Thank you xx

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  22. Well Vix, your Distancing Diaries have been utterly awesome!!! Maybe one day in the future someone will bundle them up into a book. I am so glad I found them during lockdown... you certainly made it more fun for us all. You deserve a pint of rum after all that work. Love the pictures of you and Claire... especially the Unicorn ones!!! I wish the camera had caught you both in the crowd, but the shout out from ABC is brilliant. Lulu xXx

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  23. If this was the "final chapter" in the distancing diaries, you've finished the parade in grand style! It is, truly, a travel story on so many levels -- people encountered, situations resolved, meals prepared.

    This particular chapter ticked all my boxes, Vix. No cruises for me, rather a long boat on a sunny/shady canal with ducks!

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  24. You see walking in the countryside can be fun! That pub looks fab and I loved the posh toilets. I always judge a new pub by the toilets... it was almost like seeing you visit another NT property!Isn't it lovely to meet up with friends again?

    What fab finds from the chazza. Loved the bed throws and the glass vase. Both your maxi dresses were lovely and the Dior slip was perfect for the weather you were having. Jon looks very dapper in his shorts and shirt; I thought the accessory might have been a bit warm?

    Those black poppies are beautiful.

    Your sun loungers look incredibly comfortable and what a brilliant find. I wish I had room in our garden for one but it would be a tight squeeze...I do like a snooze in the sun but at the moment it's way too hot and I stay indoors in the coolest room in the house!

    We started watching Baptiste yesterday evening and plan to watch the rest on I player this week - Fiona Shaw is marvellous.
    xxx

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    Replies
    1. I forgot to mention the clothes lines props. OH makes ours out of defunct broom and mop handles; gorilla taped together with a gorilla taped clothes peg on the top to 'prop' the prop up. OH is the master of gorilla taping things together and using string!
      xxx

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  25. Best of luck to you as you re-emerge from lockdown.

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  26. Your day spent in the countryside with Claire & Gareth sounds absolutely wonderful, and your meal at that posh pub mouthwateringly delicious. Jos had lunched with his son a couple of times last year, but I haven't been out for a meal or even a coffee since February 2020.
    Those poppies are gorgeous indeed, I think I'd have every variety under the sun if space wasn't such an issue.
    That funky Dior slip suits you very well indeed, and I'm absolutely loving the green cotton 1970s maxi worn with your new gold Lottas.
    Those Mid-Century loungers are amazing, and snap, I've got a similar Art Deco teapot!
    I hope all goes well with life going back to normal, and that people will keep behaving sensibly. I've often been envious of your Distancing Diaries series, as I sometimes struggle coming up with post titles! xxx

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  27. Your Frank looks as soppy a date as our Humphrey who absolutely adores our son. They spend hours just hanging out and chilling together. He can even get the cat to do a couple of party tricks for him which we've never managed to get him to do! Arilx

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  28. Thank you so much for offering up your daily routine to Internet strangers. Your productivity cheered and inspired me, and now I want to find some halloumi! Best wishes to you and yours from California.

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  29. Thank you so much. First time I've commented but I have really enjoyed reading your blog for many years. Over the last year part of my morning practice has been reading your latest blog entry which I have found both inspiring and at difficult times comforting. The beautiful images that you have shared of your own garden, places you have visited and vintage finds have brightened my days. Best wishes. Tina

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  30. The end of an era for sure .
    You kept us all going through some dreary times and now it's out into normal life again .
    Best of luck you guys ..will miss the distancing diaries .We have opened up for indoor eating etc here in Canada ..will be allowed into the US on the 9th of Aug..we live in a border town so this has been much missed ..I get to see my grand kids finally also .
    It's all good news .
    I lost 5 family members during Covid so I'm certainly not unscathed .I hope we never have to live through such times again .
    You have been such a bright light to so many sweetheart Bless you xxx

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  31. Thankyou so much Vix for letting us peep into your wonderful world for a while-you have had a positive attitude throughout the pandemic-You really are a Ray of Sunshine xx

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  34. Thanks Vix, for all of this, it's been a lovely meander through yours and Jon's lives. I look forward to more gardens, clothes, food, cats and travel from you. You've shared so much with us, can't thank you enough. Karen

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  35. What a glorious posting. The FINISH. How can you do that to us. I look forward to your diaries more than anything else. Too much to comment on but I will say Frank deserves his name in my comment. Just want to give him a big squishy cuddle. Thought you were out of lockdown for one day. Not forever. What is Boris thinking.? Does he think Britain is overcrowded? Oh Viv how I will miss these. Love Sally xxx

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  36. What a fabulous post, particularly because of you joining friends in a pub and having fun and celebrating the end of the distancing era!. This pub looks like something we would enjoy enthusiastically too!
    Thanks for keeping us entertained and happy, sharing your garden photos, your books and series, some quotidian life. And clothes!. I love this Dior slip (wowww) and the cute cotton dress, so summery and perfect for a hot day.
    I'd love to have your heatwave now here, as we're having 37-38ºC for some days and this is not even considered a heatwave!. Not funny when I have to work!.
    Looking forward to see what's to come in your blog (and in our lives!)
    besos

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  37. Thanks goes to you for entertaining me in this crazy times. I had read every single post in the last 16 months. And will continue, of course!
    Alle the best for you, Jon and the "two boys"!
    We have a terrible flood disaster in the beautiful area near Cologne. In the Ahr valley, with villages full of old houses and wineries, old bridges, churches... everything is destroyed. Like after a war. The poor people. See here: https://www.swr.de/swraktuell/rheinland-pfalz/koblenz/monika-dewald-aus-dernau-an-der-ahr-ist-eins-der-vielen-hochwasseropfer-100.html
    No streets, no electricity, but a lot of helping hands from all over the country. The people from Belgium are also hited by the flood....

    Stay save! Hugs from Susa from Cologne

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  38. I loved your Distancing Diaries but I also look forward to your new posts.

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  39. Jon definitely wins at accessorising. Can't beat a kitty!

    It looks like you loved the heatwave - it was a bit much for me but as we've had nothing but rain for days I think I'd welcome *some* sun back again...

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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