Self isolation day 7

April 8th

 After the first cuppa of the day and we now asked ourselves...what shall we do today? One week has gone and both now struggling to keep ourselves occupied. The TV is on longer in the morning, initially watching the news and what has happened overnight but the Beeb seems to be on a repeat loop so we end up watching another channel.

Breakfast is the highlight of the morning, Porridge followed by toasted soda bread.

Larder needed a sorting, really wished I hadn't started that. Took an age and how come some things that came out won't then fit back in? Another rearrange before shoehorning everything back onto the shelves. Must be careful when opening the door!

Ian keeping busy on the computer. Still trying to get hold of the travel insurance company to see where we stand with holiday cancellations. So far phoning has meant him spending ages on hold and finally having given up on that, resorted to emails.

Placed the centre and bow ropes to dry on the rack. Decided not to put them back on FS but store in the top box for now.

A boat ascended the lock this morning. The top gates had been tied together, possibly by C&RT but maybe someone from the boatyard. Fully understand why this had been done after all we all want to stay safe and all the moorings above lock are now full. The Erewash only has two facility blocks, Trent lock just off the River Trent and up here at Langley Mill. The boater needed to use the facilities so fully justified in their journey. On the descent, the rope was retied by the boater.

Mushroom soup and Corned beef sandwich for lunch

Ian went into the cottage to check for mail. This official letter arrived from the government. I expect everyone in the country will be getting the same. 

Spent a good part of the afternoon outside just chatting to Langley Mill moorers across the water. Nice to catch up with the gossip.

Ian has started on the back seats. The wood had split and a repaint was needed. He disappeared into the workshop for a good couple of hours. Left me to continue viewing Holby city catchup

Felt very sorry of the Swan struggling with the heat. Resorted to a form of panting to try and cool off.

The warm weather had also brought out the bugs, Shellbug, Alderflies and hoverflies.

Self isotation day 6

April 7th

Felt on top of the world today, the sun was shining, the birds were welcoming in the new day and only eight more days to go before we can get out of the basin and go take some exercise.

Got up late, well past 9.00am and relishing in the luxury of Ian bringing me tea whilst staying in bed to read my book, but the smell of toast was too great to ignore and no amount of 'pretty pleasing' would make Ian bring me a slice!

Decision...No spring clean this morning, too nice a day to stay inside. The cabin top was a disgrace, so much dirt and dust presumably all coming from the movement of traffic on the road above. Spent a good hour cleaning both sides.

 I can't believe some people are not heeding the governments warning of keeping distances. Today a gathering of people around the bench on the green including a young mum with her baby. Do they think this virus won't happen to them?

Cheese on toast for lunch. The grill is now working a treat.

Ian finally fitted the repaired alternator restoring power to the batteries. Not that we need the alternator at the moment seeing as we can't leave the basin and we are on shore power but it's nice to know that when we can we will be ready to go.  

Healthy tuna salad for dinner with Soda bread made by Ian.

Getting a bit short on the Shiraz. No way will three bottles keep me going for another 8 days!  May have to talk nicely to Jen.

 Removed the centre and bow rope ready for a wash in the machine. An old pillowcase secured with safety pins was a good way to keep the ropes together.

 Watched Netflix again. Maybe not the best movie to watch during this pandemic. 2011 Contagion and scary that this was filmed 9 years ago and is so true to what is happening today.

 And the swans still keep me occupied during the day.

Self isolation day 5

April 6th

Gosh, Ian was worried last night.  Got a bit chilly so lit the stove. 30 minutes later the radiator started gurgling and not seen Ian move so fast in ages. Back boiler pump had been switched off and the header tank had expanded. Venting the system had to be done quickly but the smell of antifreeze when Ian opened the valve was so overpowering I had to run to the side hatch and fling the doors wide open. What a relief to breath in the fresh air. All the windows and doors were then fully opened but the smell still lingered even after we had gone to bed.

Most strange, woke in the wee hours of the morning and no tight chest or cough, but woke at 7am and started coughing again. Have the odd moments of feeling breathless but otherwise feel very well. I had a comment from Peter directing me toward the website, NHS Choices. Cough is, of course, one of the symptoms but having a temperature is also mentioned so took our temperatures and all okay. Still not sure if this is the virus, as I mentioned before could it be anxiety but glad that we are both by ourselves just in case.

Jen delivered milk and bacon. Said Asda was a nightmare. Queues stretched nearly all around the whole building. Only letting a few in at a time and no couple shopping allowed. Wow, this will be a new experience for us.

 Made a banana cake before knuckling down to more cleaning. Ian left FS, walked the short walk past the boats to the workshop and had a tidy. Out came the axe and chopped up some of the branches in the wood store into kindling. It's still cold enough at night for a fire.

 More soup for lunch, Chicken a veg.  The number of cans on the bookshelves are depleting fast.

Spent some time watching the nest box by the workshop. Seems a Bluetit is making it her home.

Salad for dinner, hard-boiled eggs and tuna followed by a slice of my cake. Another evening of Netflix me thinks as nothing worth viewing on TV.

Not coughed at all since the morning and feel 100% okay. Must have been worrying needlessly.

Self isolation day 4

April 5th,

Sleep pattern is almost back to normal thank goodness but woke with a bit of a cough! Also, chest feels a bit tight...

Trying not to worry, must carry on as normal. Picked up a book to read lent to me by Jen on Dire Straits. Wow, talk about dark and disturbing! The title 'Boy in the Cellar' written by Stephen Smith is a true story about himself and the abuse he had to endure. Turns out the author is a moorer here in Langley Mill.

Felt better after breakfast and really enjoyed the boiled egg. Wondering if anxiety is to blame for the shortness of breath. Ian concerned naturally, best to keep my distance.

Kept busy with the Spring clean. Galley cupboards and drawers but probably should have started elsewhere. Ian also in the galley trying to sort out the grill so felt I should best leave him to it and go watch the swans.

The changeover

Seems her mate must be a bit new to this nesting business. Missed the nest and kept trying to remove a briar which was firmly attached.

Back to the galley and the grill is almost fixed. Cooker stripped and boy does it need a clean. Set too with oven cleaner and a scrubbing brush. Must make sure I don't get to close to hubby although apart from the occasional cough, the chest feels fine and I don't feel unwell. Is this the nature of the beast??? Lulls one into a false sense of security?

Potatoe and leek soup and cheese salad sandwich for lunch. All very healthy but that tin of Celebration sweets to tempting to ignore. Sad to say we tucked in. Bang goes the diets.

Cookers grill now works fine. Such a clever hubby. He definitely deserves the title of 'my man that can'.

Binged on iPlayer again. Still on catchup of Holby city.

The new life in the basin. Duck with 10 ducklings. Very much doubt if they will survive as also seen yesterday next to one of the boats was a Pike, I estimated it to be nearly 2ft long!

WhatsApp Christine and Kev. Nice to see the Grandchildren although I wouldn't want to be staying in their house at the moment. Boys are bickering all the time through boredom. Now on Easter holidays but I doubt if they will return to school until September.

Viewed the Queen's broadcast. A wonderful message to us all and had a tear in the eye at the end.

During the day and keeping busy not a single cough. Ready for bed and started to feel breathless again. Want to cough but am trying not to. What will the morning bring?

Self isolation day 3

 April 4th

Bed at 8.30pm last night but awake at 11.00pm then at 3am, and again at 5am...arghhhhhh!!!

Eyes opened at 7am and actually felt quite good! Maybe I had more sleep than I thought! The cup of tea from Ian went down a treat. He seems much better at handling this jet lag than me.

Fire went out, good really, the sun had warmed FS nicely. I decided the stove needed blacking, Ian did a great job! 😉😁

Thanks, Colin and Iwona for the flowers.

Phoned sister Susannah chatted for over an hour! then Kev & Christine and a What's App to Andy and Sally. Both still okay thank goodness. Australian government cracking down hard on the cruise ships in Sydney. Apparently, the NSW marine police have told them to leave. Massive restocking of supplies before made to weigh anchors.

Started the Spring clean and was glad to stop when Christine arrived. More virtual hugs and kisses, (so looking forward to the day when we can really hug the family again) car boot opened and loads more goodies to sort. Almost like Christmas hampers, delve deep and see what to find.

Goodbye was difficult but hope to face time soon.

The dilemma, where to store the groceries. Utilised the bookcase shelves after a rearrange. Larder full to the brim, reckon we could survive for a month!

Hmmm, just noticed Ian is okay for booze....where is my wine???

Tinned soup and sandwich for lunch followed by fresh fruit, Yipee fresh fruit at last. We now have eggs too so boiled egg for breaky tomorrow 😀

Back to the spring clean while Ian sorted the mountain of post delivered by Christine. Mostly dross, a few bank letters about the reduction of interest rates!

Gave up on the scrubbing the walls by the stove, needs several attempts to get rid of the black marks. Start again tomorrow.

Swan is sitting again and rearranging the nest. Seems like she likes flowers, a daffodil became part of the mound.

Fray Bentos Steak and Kidney pie tonight. Haven't had one of those for years. Just one of the goodies found in the grocery bags.

Today  41,903 confirmed Covid 19 in the UK.  to date 4,313 dead with 708 in the last 24 hours, a new daily record which is very worrying.

Not much on TV so maybe Netflix will be our chosen viewing. There is Abba on at 11 pm, wouldn't mind watching that but will I stay awake?

Self isolation day 2

April 3rd.

What is it about 4.30 am that flicks a switch for the brain to spring to life. Day two of Jetlag and I had hoped to feel better. Nothing for it but tea made by me this time, I actually offered 'cos of the lovely warmth in the boat. Then Samsung tablets fired into life once more to keep us occupied for a few hours.

6 am turned on the TV to watch Breakfast news and get updates on Covid 19:-  3,605 dead. 33,000 confirmed cases in the UK of which 4,139 is in the Midlands. Last 24 hours 684 deaths

Porridge and toast for breakfast

7.30am and a phone call from Colin. "All okay still mum and dad?" Bless... how lovely to get that call.

Text from Jen Nb Dire Straits. On our mooring by the swingbridge at the moment and the offer to buy any groceries. Short on Bread and before 9 am there was a knock on the boat and a loaf left on the back deck.

Heard a noise outside the boat, sounding like something swimming alongside the hull. Looked out of the window in time to see this swimming across the basin.

I would love to think it was a water vole, but the last one seen around these parts was years ago!

The swans have laid yet another egg. That makes 6. Only hope she incubates properly as for a good 20 minutes she and the Cob had left the eggs unprotected and were preening, it certainly wasn't a warm day.

Binged on iPlayer this afternoon. Catchup on Holby. Ian trying to locate my phone by contacting Doha lost property and the reply back was for him to send my password to unlock the phone. I'm not at all happy about that, feel it would be better to let Three know that the phone is lost and for the number to be withdrawn. Ian's phone is the same as mine so another email sent to Doha with photos of the screen before it is unlocked. His cover is grey, mine was red.

Dinner was Cajun chicken with mushrooms and onion, potatoes and tinned peas.

Tried desperately to stay awake, failed miserably and by 8.30pm took myself to bed. 

Self isolation day 1

14 days of inactivity, what to do...what to do. I know keep a diary! So this is mainly for our family and friends but if you would like to join me on my daily ramblings I welcome you and also any comments to keep our spirits up. Be warned though, it may be a tad boring!

Not much in the way of an exercise track but better than nothing. At least the swan will keep me occupied.

 2nd April

Jet lag, Groan... this from the web site https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/jet-lag/symptoms-causes/syc-20374027  a temporary sleep problem that can affect anyone who quickly travels across multiple time zones. Your body has its own internal clock or circadian rhythms, that signals your body when to stay awake and when to sleep

4.30am both awake and wondering if it was still too early to make a cup of tea. Both agree it is never too early for that! Blooming freezing but one of us had to get up. Ian drew the short straw! The light switched on and diesel heater fired up. Tea made and both grab our Samsung Galaxy tablets, Ian on the Sudoku and me playing Solitaire. 2nd cup of tea wanted but no more water in the kettle (still need to empty tank after treating with dilute bleach) so slippers on, back cabin door open and in the freezing semi-light walk to the outside tap to fill the kettle.

6 am decided to get up, by now we were starving! Two bowls of porridge later and a slice of toast each all went down a treat. The stove was also lit! By now it was light so taps opened and water tank drained. To hurry the drain I also turned on the shower tap and then walked away. That was a very silly move because I forgot to run the pump which emptied the tray. The inevitable happened...a flooded bathroom! Many towels later and eventually all mopped up. Very pleased to see the water was also now clear.

The morning was filled with washing and sorting out the clothes in the cases. Shame the wheel broke on the original case. The new case ($40) got a lot of second looks. Quite hideous were the words my brother used! "Maybe" we laughed "But easily recognisable on the carousel at the airport!"

One of the original cases.,

No one else had a case like this!

 11am and our stomachs were telling us food was required. An early lunch of soup and tuna sandwich.

The afternoon was a bit of a blur, the brain through lack of sleep was more fuddled than normal,  I believe we both fell asleep in front of the TV but not sure. All I remember was thinking about what dinner would consist of.

8pm and we joined in the clapping for the NHS, teachers, carers, cleaners, supermarket workers and delivery drivers. An amazing job they do looking after our welfare. The first clap last Thursday for the NHS was shown on Australian TV and to say I was moved was an understatement. Determined then to show our support tonight.

21.00 and although we were desperate to stay awake, bed called and we obeyed!

The relief was immense if not somewhat emotional

OMG...I can't believe it all came good in the end. Three flights cancelled and we despaired that we would ever leave Australia. But phoning airlines on a daily basis paid off. In fact, it was Qantas that helped us out in the end. After having one of their flights home cancelled due to Johannasberg closing borders they did everything they could to get us a flight with another airline. Qatar air wasn't even showing on the web pages until (we think) it was the change of heart by the British and Australian governments that decided to allow this airline to fly via Doha, a border that had not been closed. So after all the worry of having to stay in Australia, the flight was booked by a very nice and extremely helpful lady from Qantas who pulled out all the stops to get us seats.

Right up to the day of departure we were on tenterhooks. So many disappointments we didn't want to raise hopes. And then came the hard part of saying goodbye to my brother and Sally and not being able to give them big hugs. It was very emotional.

Sydney airport was a nightmare. So many people all trying to leave the country and a strict 1.5-meter distance were inforced. Only one entrance was used which meant queues before entry to the airport and then stretching almost all the way around the terminal just to do a baggage drop. (we had checked in online thank goodness otherwise even longer wait would have been our lot) As it was it took nearly 2 hours to get to the desk and so very glad we arrived a good three hours before the flight. This photo was taken from https://whatsnew2day.com/passengers-exercise-better-social-distance-against-the-corona-virus-at-sydney-airport/ but shows a very accurate picture of what we went through.

Arrival at Doha after a very long and turbulent flight (15 hours) was very welcome. Again long queues to get through to the transfer terminal,(the Doha officials did not seem too bothered about distances between each passenger) bags to be checked again etc and then looking at the departure boards a very unwelcome sight after only having had three hours sleep. Flight delayed for another hour! With another 7 hours flight before we land in Heathrow, this was the last thing we wanted to see.

At Doha airport

Plenty of planes parked up

This the Qatar plane from Sydney.

 The call came to say the flight was boarding, time was 08.30am and in disbelieve I looked at the information board which still showed a 9.40am departure so why all the rush? Now, I have mentioned this because in my haste to get everything put back in the backpack at the departure lounge, I must have dropped my mobile 'cos on arrival back to the UK I found the phone was missing!

Anyway, the seven-hour flight was very smooth and on touchdown at Heathrow, everyone clapped, more in relief that we had reached UK soil rather than the perfect landing by the Captain. A few passengers even shed a tear.

Terminal 4 at 15.00

Son Colin met us and had made very sure no nasty bugs would get to him. After the virtual hug and kisses, he bundled us into the back of the car where a plastic sheet was taped to the roof between the front and back effectively shutting us from him. He was a bit embarrassed by doing that but fully understandable considering we had travelled in a steel tube with some 400 others, some of which was coughing and sneezing, for the best part of 22 hours!

In the boot of the car were goodies! Lots of provisions for our 14-day self-isolation, including the much-needed loo rolls. In fact, (his words) he had to beat up two Grannies and wrestle with an expectant mother to get them😆😈

Doesn't seem much for 2 weeks but daughter Christine is visiting from afar to drop off more supplies!

So back at FS and the first thing was fire up the diesel heater, bed made up and the tank to fill with water. Then a shock to discover the filled water tank had horrible brown coloured liquid coming out of the taps. So nothing for it but drain the tank again but by now we had all but fallen asleep where we stood. 3 hours sleep in 39 had finally caught us up so we did no more than treat the tank with a capful of bleach, fill to about half and go to bed.

 So now our inactivity begins. Not sure who will be the first to reach for each other's throats. Two weeks in a 57ft boat with not enough width to swing a cat and confined for 14 days, well how, I ask myself, will that pan out!

Spring has sprung here in the UK and to think 36 hours ago we left Australia at the start of their Autumn. And by the bywash in the basin where FS is was a Swans nest. In it, 4 eggs were laid but no sitting mum. Today another egg appeared and today she started the incubation. So very hopeful for new life to appear in the weeks to come.