Back in England again and lots to do! I arrived to find a huge pile of Corgi Toys that had been delivered and also I had a huge pile of parcels to prepare and post! Now, technically, I am supposed to be in 'isolation'. Reading the rules I think I can go out for essential supplies during the ten day period but that's about all. Graeme offered to do my shopping and even to take things to the Post Office for me. I felt a bit bad as he and Maggie are so well-behaved and here I am going off here and there and, now, saying thanks but I'll manage somehow.
I really don't think that I will be putting anyone, or myself, at any extra risk whatsoever with the occasional trip I'll make to the Post Office in Greens Norton and my early Saturday jaunt to Tesco. I decided to stretch the rules a little and carry on as best I could without bothering anyone else. People really are beginning to get worried, it seems.
My car needed an MOT too so that had to be arranged and, thankfully, the trusty old 323i got through without fuss! It's great and always such a relief. I took it round to Dalscote to get the wings done but there was a notice on the door to say that the guy was not going to open until after the newly introduced Tiers permitted. We are in Tier 2 in Northampton which is not very restrictive.
I also bought two models at auction. When I looked at the map they were each in places I quite liked to drive to and they were probably not so far that it could even be cheaper than the sort of postage rates they can charge. One was near Leicester, at a small farm-type place some way out of the city. I picked up a lovely pair of Mechanical models in boxes there at prices I was happy to pay. The other was a Rolls Royce in its box, the silver over blue edition that is very rare and that was in Leamington Spa. I parked for a few minutes outside the auction place and came out to see a traffic warden about to give me a ticket! However he was friendly and said I'd just come out in time! Both nice trips out on warm days. I had recovered completely now and was feeling quite glad to be back. I missed Olga, of course, but hoped I could pop back to be with her soon enough.
Things rapidly got worse, virus-wise, however. Northampton remained in Tier 2 but the talk was that it would not stay that low for long. November arrives and I get my 'flu jab. I think many people decided this would be a god idea! The virus could be bad enough but if I were to catch 'flu as well that might not be very good. This was the first one I'd had. My arm was sore for a few days but no other after effects.
I was now trying to figure out dates to travel. I could make a trip in early November and get back in time for Matti's birthday. As I write now, some months later, I can't recall exactly why I didn't make that trip. Large swathes of the country were moving into Tiers 3 and 4 and the people living there were not permitted to leave the area or travel abroad. I actually felt very, very fortunate to be in Tier 2. Milton Keynes, just a few miles away, was Tier 3 so Bryony couldn't take a planned holiday either. I seem to recall that the UK went into a Red Zone around this time and that would mean I would have to get the app and isolate myself on arrival in Ukraine. All in all, with the virus there too, I was not as confident about another trip in November, especially as I would have to come back quite quickly for Matti.
Olga and I talked about it and, although it would be a longer wait, we decided that I would go straight after Christmas. Over there it is the New Year and early January that are the main holidays so I would not miss anything on Christmas Day and could spend the time with my family.
We reckoned we could hang on a little longer and the time would soon pass. Beacuse of the restrictions, there was no party for Matti after all, but I did see him on several days in December when he needed transport from work and it was nice to chat with him and get up-to-date on some things. There was a new Rottweiler puppy now growing rapidly and I helped take him to training one day when a pace was open in early December. I helped him with some driving too and his roof lining was falling down in the VW Jetta. that was a shame and my efforts to fix it weren't very successful either.
As the end of 2020 approaches, I have no idea of what will happen. All plans are on hold, waiting for the next government announcement - and it really is a period of isolation in some ways as everyone seems to be getting more and more fearful.
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