The passing of time in The View from the Terrace

I keep seeing people on TV talking about how they are filling in all of their spare time during lockdown. Some are taking up new hobbies, some are redecorating the house, some are just bored. I don’t seem to have any more time. Life just goes on as it did before. It’s partly that I’m getting more migraines than I used to, nearly every day now, and if they come on in the daytime that will write off several hours. Even though the meds I have do take away the pain they wipe me out so I have to keep taking a rest and I can’t concentrate on doing much. I have done some family history research but it’s difficult without my laptop. I haven’t been able to get it fixed because of lockdown. I have also done my back in again. This happens every few months. I can only sit for a few minutes as it is too painful. Strangely it is much better when I move around but not when standing still. I am typing this while lying down which is the best position.

Hubby and I had our first Covid vaccine a week last Thursday. I had to go back to Herefordshire to have it as that is where my GP is. I did my back on the morning of the day I was going, so poor Hubby had to do all of the driving on two 80 mile round trips. It was really good to go home, if only for a flying visit. The Black Mountains seemed like old friends that I hadn’t seen in ages. It was great to have a chat with Tony and to see the cats and even have a word with our neighbour. Even the trip to the surgery was pleasant as I have known the nurse for years. It is a strange world where having a vaccination feels like a day out.

The news recently has all been about the passing of Captain Tom. So ironic that he died from Covid after raising so much money for the NHS. I was listening to his rendition of You’ll Never Walk Alone with Michael Ball on the radio yesterday, it is inspirational. That was always a favourite song of mine. It helped me through some very difficult times in my teens.

Yesterday Louise went into the garage to get something from the freezer and discovered that a £50 bag of dog food had been eaten by the rat. We knew there was a rat living in the garage. Apparently he has been there for years and has regularly chewed through the wiring of the outside lights, but it didn’t occur to us that he would chew through the thick plastic bag the dog food was delivered in, well, he’s never done it before. Looking at the size of the bag of food, I don’t think it is just one rat, so maybe the newcomer had more initiative. Louise has now ordered more dog food and a rodent proof bin to keep it in.

I have to go home again on Thursday to see my doctor. I hope my back will be well enough to allow me to do some of the driving this time. I can’t wait until I am able to stay there for a day or two again.