clairef

Sunday 22 November day 18 lockdown #2 Another night last night of insomnia. Got up and made warm milk to see if that helped – sat in bed looking out over factory unit towards the town and could watch 3 lights from the cranes blinking away. I have done pretty much stuff all today. Some on line Christmas shopping, spent an hour in the garden and then took myself off for a wander – did quite a detour following my nose, keeping off main roads as much as possible and went across the park. There was a group of probably a dozen youngsters – early teens I guess – in the park. Not a good idea to say anything, hiding to nothing. I said hello to my neighbour but apart from that (and a phone call to dad) I didn't speak to anyone all day. I agreed to take part in the street Christmas Advent trail – a weak moment – I need to decorate the window or the outside in Christmasy stuff, say the front hedge, and was thinking about some crochet stuff like father christmas, penguins and baubles. But I need to summon enthusiasm for the project. And at the beginning of the year I gave away my rooted Christmas tree in its pot – now what to do for this year – I don't want to buy something, and was thinking about making something from stuff I had, and found a Christmas 'ladder' and was thinking about using stuff out of the garden to make it and I do have a conifer in the garden (or the back hedge) and could cut bits off to decorate it, not sure. Oh I had a letter the other day from the NHS with my smear test results, negative, so that's good. Work tomorrow

Saturday 21st November day 17 lockdown #2 I went to bed early last night and woke with a migraine in the night. I know I was tired, which is a trigger, but I'd gone to bed to catch up and then it came from no where. So I took my Rizatriptan and got my flannel and had some water and went back to sleep. I did feel better in the morning but then its kind of come and gone during the day since. Now its gone. I read my sister's blog about door knocking and chuckled. I have to knock on quite a few doors too – however I often knock and just walk in, calling out that its the nurse – not the burglar!. Either that or I'm using key safes and (sadly) I even remember key safe numbers and don't even have to look them up for our regulars. One time I knocked and then peered through a letter box, to get a shock of a naked man! He popped his dressing gown on before opening the door. And if people don't answer then its a case of peering through windows, going around the back to look for signs of life, hunting for well hidden key safe boxes, and sometimes even knocking up the neighbours

Friday November 20th day 16 lockdown #2 I had one of my dreadful nights sleep last night – just could not get off – awake for hours. I got up multiple times for a wee and then a drink, and then another wee. Of course eventually I went off and weirdly felt ok this morning, but wacked now (8.30pm) I haven't taken any more of the Nytol as they made me feel weird. Plumber came this morning and did the annual service boiler. I left him to it as I was due at work. Pretty straightforward day; didn't get some blood this morning, my lady had no palpable veins, but this afternoon I was successful with someone else – lovely big juicy vein which gave up its blood. I had to drop the afternoon sample off at the hospital A&E (the cut off for collection at the GP surgery is about 2pm) – as it was urgent. A&E was busy – some hand over was going on at the nurses station, and an ambulance turned up as I was leaving. A little weird walking back in there – I saw someone I recognised even, staff not patient. I was lucky as I managed to park in the tiny permitted bay outside of A&E and didn't have to leave the car on double yellows risking a ticket. I've watched the last episode of DNA – no spoilers – the ending wasn't nice and neat but then life isn't nice and neat. Brilliant Danish crime / drama / thriller. Email from solicitor earlier – I got all excited but it was only sending me a copy of the letter from Mrs Rice's solicitor saying she'd got an onward purchase and searches were being requested. So no new news. I've started a new book – not Wolf Hall – one of my library books – another by Irene Nemirovsky – The Wine of Solitude.

Thursday 19th November day 15 lockdown #2 At work today we were told the trust is introducing twice weekly PCR covid testing for patient facing staff. This is the testing where the result comes back in 30 minutes – like has been done in Liverpool with their mass testing. The idea is we do the test at home, before leaving for work, on a Monday and Thursday. A +ve result means we should get a proper covid swab test to confirm the result but isolate at home until this comes back. If neg, can go back to work. Its not being rolled out to bank staff (me) – there was no specific reason given – probably cost. It doesn't affect me personally, I've got nothing to lose or gain either way. For regular bank staff, seems bonkers from a logic point of view, as its about protecting patients. They (whoever they are) might change their minds. I've watched another 2 episodes of my current favourite Danish thriller DNA – still excellent, and only one episode left. That's my treat for tomorrow evening. I lead such an exciting life – I might buy a bottle of red on my way home as a secondary treat

Wednesday 18 November day 14 lockdown #2 2 weeks in – I woke up with a bit of a headache this morning but fortunately it cleared on its own. It was a sunny morning and I sat and read my book in bed for a while as the light was streaming into my bedroom. I've finished the book this afternoon – not sure it was particularly well written – it was by S J Watson who wrote 'Before I got to sleep' – another crime / thriller type book. I think the book was far longer than it could have been – totally padded out. It meandered about and because I'd put it down so many times I ended up not following it very well. I was thinking about having another go at reading Wolf Hall which I failed at reading a few years ago. Mum bought it for me and I read a few chapters and found it heavy going and gave up. Now this is supposed to be quality writing and I am sure it is – maybe I just need to give it another go. Or possibly just not beat myself up (!) over my failure with this book. I've watched 5 episodes of DNA on bbc i player (an extra one last night and 2 this evening) – now this is excellent and I'm on the edge of my seat.

Natalie and I went over to Burgess Hill today and it was my chance to hang out with her for a while. Then I wandered to Kathy's but by the time I got there it was raining – hard drizzly rain coming down at an angle, so no fun for going for a proper walk. We chatted in her porch for a few minutes and then just walked over to the town and around a few places to give us a chance to chat and catch up and I just came home; weather foul and stayed tucked up all afternoon and evening watching TV

17th November Tuesday – day 13 lockdown #2

Day with no work. I made soup from the left over lamb from last week – sort of minestrone – added some 'mixed beans' from the cupboard and whatever veg were in the fridge. It was cooked last Wednesday so a bit old, it smelled a little 'funny' but maybe just a boiled lamb smell – anyway it tasted OK and I haven't been ill. Signed and emailed back the paperwork for the survey and paid my £720 for it (ouch). Next lots of quotes is for removals. That's not going to be cheap either but the money is earmarked. Doing 3 days work this week – but that's only going to make a very small dent in all these bills. I wandered over to Burgess Hill this morning – bought 3 photo frames for the pics of Mat and Harshi. I've sent one to G&G and kept 2 for me. I think its actually rather romantic and sweet that they have coupley photos of themselves up in their flat. She wouldn't let me help with the clearing up the other day – she waved me away to sit back on the sofa, and when I complimented her on her sri lankan tunic, she told me her sister makes these clothes for her and showed me about 6/7 sets of tunics with trousers and scarves which match together and numerous saris. I finished off her left over curry this evening. Started watching a Danish crime thriller – called DNA – on BBC i player. Watched 2 episodes so far, really good and engaging and I have to pay attention because of the sub titles. Hopefully tomorrow will see my Natalie and have a walk with Kathy later. Back to work Thursday and Friday.

Monday 16th November day 12 lockdown #2 I'm fed up with lock down #2. I'm fed up with mishandling. Watching Channel 4 'lockdown chaos' – probably shouldn't. Serco got £410 million – there's a surprise hey. Fed up with stupid government Downing street briefings. Stupid traffic is still really busy. I spent most of the weekend sat in the house on my own, with crappy weather outside. At least today, the surveyors office phoned and the survey is booked for a couple of weeks time – 26th November. The searches won't be back until the 1st December so that at least will tie up neatly. I've told work I'm moving – I don't have to resign as such, but it's only polite to tell my clinical lead so she knows and doesn't find out through the grape vine. Plus I've asked her to be my reference for when I apply for a new job. Work was pretty doddly today. That almost never happens. Easy visits and not too many. I got away 20 minutes early, plus I had a lunch break.

Friday 13th November day 9 lockdown #2 Yesterday I woke up with a migraine – after Natalie had cooked me the wonderful dinner the night before. Rizatriptan again fortunately worked. But I just had a quiet day. I'd planned to see Ali for a walk outside but she wasn't feeling great so we've rescheduled for next week. Could not go to sleep again last night, awake at 1am – so tired this morning getting up for work. Always busy at work. I went into one of the care homes (a nice one) for 2 bloods and an INR – the last lady took some persuading to have the blood test, she agreed and I found a nice vein – got out the needle and she said – that's an enormous needle and she slapped my hand away. I haven't been slapped by a patient for ages – doesn't really happen often. It was only on my hand, but lack of cooperation and sharp needles don't go together so I packed up my stuff and moved on. I actually got a lunch break today and a little group of us were in the kitchen eating our lunch and having a natter, which was really nice. I've come home and my back is niggling me, general tiredness I think. House update: I've been told the ETA for my searches is 1 December. Chased the surveyors office – she said she will book in a date for me and send me the T&Cs to sign early next week. Not much more I can do. My hope is to exchange before Christmas and complete early in the New Year Just seen on the news the Mid Sussex covid infection rate is up again, to 125.5. My last patient was covid + and though I wore all my protective stuff, I might be the next victim. She was coughing all over me.

Wednesday 11 November -day 7 lockdown #2 two days to catch up on. House stuff – properly confirmed the searches have been requested and they'll give me an ETA date by tomorrow. The delay isn't too critical as Mrs Rice's searches for her flat are only being requested now anyway so whilst its annoying, its not critical. I rang the surveyor yesterday and he rang me back this morning with the price and will email me T&Cs for me to sign. Dad gave me this recommendation and though he's £25 more expensive this is nothing really so I will go with the recommended one. Email with details haven't come through yet but hopefully tomorrow. Dart have communicated with me and Mrs Rice is getting sorted with solicitor, searches, conveyancing and survey too. I've been to work today – yet another busy day, insulins, flu vaccines, leg dressings, other injections. Racing around as usual and worked through lunch to get all the admin done. I'd invited Natalie and Christian for dinner for roast lamb as I had a frozen joint which needed eating up (before I move). Anyway, what a win – she comes early as the girls came too – didn't want to eat too late – to get the dinner going and she cooked the lot. I didn't have to do anything, just have a shower and drink a cup of tea. (My last patient is covid + so I needed to decontaminate when I got home), Natalie even brought lemon cake. I showed Mabel how to use a needle and syringe to draw up medication – we used water. She really liked it. Yes I supervised a 9 year old very closely handling a sharp needle (it was clean). There was a very large pile of washing up – roll on dish washer in my new house :–) All this talk of vaccines – I bet there will be seconded staff in teams just doing this – I know we'd never manage this in with our normal workloads. Its been a massive job just get flu vaccines out and administered. Imaging carrying around vaccines in dry ice in the back of my car and then getting called to an urgent blocked catheter and the vaccine gets too warm and is maybe useless. We shall see. Tired tonight, busy day

Monday 9th November – day 5 lockdown #2 Today has been a day of discomfort for various reasons. Firstly I had to get up early for the joy of going for my 5-yearly smear test – ouch – and that was with the smallest speculum going and a very nice gentle nurse. I must say her bedside manner was really lovely. Secondly – car in for annual MOT and service – it passed all fine but I am £300 poorer – hey the price of car ownership I know. The trim at the back bumper which had come adrift (my fault) has been fixed Thirdly – I discover today after speaking on the phone with the helpful woman from the solicitor, that the searches were not ever requested. I went to them via an introducer and it is the introducer who arrange the searches – now I didn't know this and thought the solicitor did this. At the time I told them to hold off for 2 weeks as the chain wasn't confirmed, but on liaising with the solicitor later and making reference to searches, it seemed everything had been requested, so I assumed all was well. But it wasn't! Anyway they now have been requested after multiple phone calls and once they come in, I shall make a complaint. But it is sorted. My Natalie came round – she took some stuff from the garage and we had a natter and coffee and looked over my new house (again again). She declined the orange polenta cake I made yesterday – weird child – she says she was made to eat a funny orange dessert as a child by the Mitchell clan (Marguerite?) and this has scarred her for life (!) and she doesn't like orangey stuff (only orange juice). Marguerite used to do weird stuff, like make Matthew a carrot cake for his birthday (which he hated) rather than chocolate (which he wanted). Mind you, I actually really like carrot cake. So I'd have been happy :–)