Lock Down in Devon

  Our (ringing) friends, Colin and Louise, invited us to go for a few days on their recently acquired canal boat - which they have named "Blueline".  We jumped at the chance - and arranged to go for a 6-day trip starting on 7th October.  The boat is moored at Wigram's Turn Marina  near Napton on the Hill. Mike and I drove up separately as he was going on to London at the end of the trip to be there while we had the front of the house painted, while Suki and I were returning to Devon. The boat is beautiful - it is an ex-hire boat (the sort I look longingly at as they pass by when  I am on Intrepid!) 😂😂  I haven't been in one like it before.  We had a double bed, with drawers underneath for our things, plus a wardrobe, a large shelf above the bed and a couple of small ones, and a proper three pin socket.  I took a fleece throw with me to protect the bedding etc from dog hair and muddy coats etc - and it looked very homely.  Suki certainly lov...

Most days passed by much like each other - it was difficult to keep track of what day of the week it was at times.  I found it very calming and enjoyable - especially as the weather was so wonderful for the whole of April and May.  Long hot sunny days - perfect for sitting in the garden and cross stitching or reading.  It was like being on permanent holiday. The weather turned colder and wetter in June, but then I turned to more computer stuff, including updating this blog.   Our lock down coping strategies are covered in detail in the specific pages - cycling, walking, cross stitching, ringing, jigsaws etc but during the first three months we did some jobs around the house and garden, and finally got round to scattering Mary's ashes. One day as I was passing, I phoned the undertakers from outside their offices in the High Street, and they said I could come in and pick Mary's ashes up straight away.  A few days later, on a beautiful evening, we went up on t...

Mike arrived on Wednesday 18th March - and we have been living in Devon ever since.  I can hardly believe my luck!  I have loved every minute of it.  Every morning I wake up and pinch myself that I am actually living here (I have blanked out the thought that one day it will all end and I will have to go back to London).  I love walking to the High Street with my shopping trolley and buying a few bits and pieces. This blog does not contain a day by day account - rather a record of how we passed the time and survived lock down.  There are separate pages listed across the top for a more detailed account. Lorraine moved into our house the day before Mike left - and was able to help him load the car with the handbike etc.  Mike worked from home during the day.  He occupied himself otherwise with jigsaws, playing the organ, various jobs around the house and garden, and getting out and about on his handbike.  He built a ramp for the back door, painted ...