Last Minute Preparation and Checking in With Loved Ones

Yesterday I did a run to the skip to dispose of sacks of garden waste and bags full of unwanted video equipment. I decided this would be a low risk task but the benefits to me during self-isolation would be considerable. I don't pay for the garden waste to be collected so this was my only way of disposing of waste which had the potential to become very smelly, and the video equipment was taking up a corner of the living room and I want the house to stay as tidy as possible while I am confined to barracks! In the end it was even lower risk than I had anticipated. There was only one other car unloading so I parked at the other end and the skip employees called out for me to unload my bags and leave them there for them to deal with, so no close contact at all.

Today I will start to move the unfinished decluttering pile to the spare bedroom or the music room and reclaim the dining room. I am expecting a Tesco delivery at 5 pm and then I can close the door and begin self-isolating for real! Once the delivery is put away I'll spend some time to sanitise all of the door handles, and for the rest of the week will make sure the house is clean and tidy, resuming my normal cleaning routine next week. My car is full of petrol and the tyre pressure and oil etc. has been checked so if there is an emergency and I do have to go out it's all ready. I also sanitised the car door handles and steering wheel, and I suppose I will need to remember to start the car regularly as well. 

I caught up with family and friends last night via text messaging. My sister is in the middle of a house move (!) and will be living in rented accommodation for a few months while her husband renovates the new property. It's nearing completion so they are hoping it still goes ahead, even if it means they have to stay in rented accommodation until the crisis is over. She is keeping well but this is obviously additional stress on top of everything. Her youngest son, nephew M, is also in the process of a house sale and move (!) but I think is farther along in the process. They will be able to move in to their new house straight away which is just as well and they are expecting their first child in August - my sister told me although M said that they were delaying the announcement for a while longer so I think my sister jumped the gun a little. Life goes on doesn't it! Interestingly, both households are moving to my side of town but far enough away to still need to drive. M has offered to sort out any deliveries I may need ... he is confident he can find a hazmat suit from somewhere so will be able to deliver safely!

Julie is on her way home from India, a day early because her scheduled flight was cancelled so it sounds like she may be on one of the last international flights out of India. My friend L is due to travel back from Egypt tomorrow (I think) so am keeping my fingers crossed that she makes it home safely too. It'll be a relief when I hear that they are both home, safe and sound.

I tried to watch the Wind in the Willows musical last night but couldn't get it to work so will try again today. Here's the link to the free streaming if anyone is interested. I don't know if this is for the UK only but may be worth a try. I'll also watch the new series of Repair Shop on iPlayer - thanks to Lady Ella for reminding me about this.