Coronavirus Lockdown: Days 33-35 Poker Without The Poker Face

Hello and happy new week, the start of the sixth week of Coronavirus lockdown. I hope everyone is managing ok and staying healthy. The weather has been absolutely glorious throughout the UK (I think) and it makes everything that little bit easier.

Saturday

We had a very productive and enjoyable weekend. On Saturday, we wallpapered a wall in my living room. I say we. What I really mean is Ian. I helped but it was very much him that did it. He did a great job and I absolutely love it. I’m STILL waiting for tester paint pots to arrive from Laura Ashley and Farrow and Ball so I can choose a colour for the other three walls. I’m going to get a new light fitting or lampshade and I think I’ll change the fabric on the pelmets too; I’ve ordered some fabric swatches to match the wallpaper.

We sat out in the garden on Saturday afternoon with a glass of wine. For a few hours, we forgot about Coronavirus and read, chilled and idly chatted. Such a treat. You can probably tell from the photo that my garden is typical of that of a new build. Not only does it slope away from the house, it also slopes laterally. It’s only small but it does face south which makes a huge difference. I mentioned the other day that because of the likely cancellation of our summer holidays abroad, I’m going to reallocate the budget and engage a garden designer to design and build a courtyard style space. I have been looking at magazines for inspo and I even watched Gardeners World on Friday night. If anyone can recommend any good websites, blogs, Instagram accounts or books on garden designs, garden accessories and general outdoor living, do let me know in the comments.

On Saturday evening, Ian made pizza, then the four of us had a game of poker. It was brilliant. Such good fun, especially because I won everything. I’d never played before and it was completely due to the luck of the cards rather than any skill on my part. A poker face is something I do not possess as evidenced below.

Sunday

We only finished playing poker at 1am so it was a slightly slower start than usual on Sunday morning. I trimmed my fringe, then Ian and I took a long walk around Skipton Woods. We haven’t been for about two weeks so it was a welcome change. Since our last walk there, the bluebells have come out and the wild garlic is flowering. It’s always so blissful. These photos were taken at one of the entrances to the woods. (I wore the same dress that I wore on Saturday evening. I only wore it for a couple of hours after showering to remove the sunscreen).

I painted a bit more of my bedroom after lunch, in the same chalk pink I used on the wall behind my bed. It just needs a few finishing touches now. I’ve ordered some oak picture ledges to display some photos and prints and I bought a couple of house plants when I last went to Morrisons.

I made a curry for dinner and then we watched “Race Across The World.”  It was the final of the second series and I really enjoyed watching it. It makes me realise how much of the world I want to see.

Monday

I went to Aldi this morning. There was a queue of about ten people waiting to get in. Since I last went, they seem to have made the social distancing much easier to adhere to. There is tape on the floor at two-metre intervals throughout the store. Everyone followed it and went round the shop in a line. It was very civilised but slow, though I felt very calm and serene when I left. I’ve noticed several times now that it seems to be the older generation who “overtake” with their trolleys and lean over other shoppers.  They appear to display neither malice nor impatience, more a blissful ignorance, but in a good way if that makes sense. I’d be interested to know if anyone else has observed the same.

After the utter fail I had when I resprayed the handles on my dressing table, I ordered some new ones to replace them. They arrived today so I put them on. They look fab and I’m really pleased with the outcome. I ironed some bedding this afternoon then I tidied and organised the shed. Ian’s working from home and Poppy and Harry are doing uni and schoolwork respectively so it’s strange being the only one not working, (apart from writing my regular pieces for Optometry Today and Stepper Eyewear). I keep myself busy by writing my blog and by doing all of the little jobs that never seem to get done when I’m working in practice. I’m enjoying that aspect of lockdown and I love the fact that Ian’s here full time too. Lockdown for me is so much easier than it is for so many others. I’m very fortunate.

Notes

Pure silk lapis blue dress: Poppy Silk Clothing, (gift in 2018), still available and currently reduced.
Crystal clear sunglasses: Bolon Essilor frame with Transitions Style Colours lenses (gift 2019)
Gold beaded starfish sandals: Aspiga, (gift in 2018), still currently available.
Green embroidered dress: Aspiga, (gift 2019)
Round sunglasses (in hand): Winston, Otis Eyewear (part of paid partnership 2019)
Wallpaper: Harlequin Seduire in oyster/pearl, John Lewis (20% off at the time of writing)