Happy New Year!

Arable land near Sapperton, between Stroud and Cirencester.

I spent the morning in bed, phoning my mother. My brother R had said she was sounding confused. She certainly sounded a bit slow in her speech when I rang, but warmed up. Her husband is still in hospital, she hasn't had the vaccine, and I think she was confusing lockdown in Scotland with shielding. Then there was my friend Dave, who spent yesterday in A&E but got out in time for the bells. And others, too, I could mention...

Steve said he was going to take the Skoda out for a spin to stop the battery going flat. I quickly showered and got ready to go with him. It seems the shower was unnecessary, as the sun roof leaks quite badly!

We drove to Cirencester and we realised we hadn't been as far east  as that since the day of my CoVid test on 24 August. Still haven't had the result!  Came back by a very scenic route, through the Duntisbourne villages, but I think CleanSteve will blip them, so I just shot this field scene. We don't have arable land in the Stroud Valleys, it's too hilly. Cows and sheep graze the land.  

Got home in time for tea, Christmas cake and other delights. Younger sister had also phoned our mother and reported that she had been aware of sounding a bit muddled earlier. She had not slept because the clock was broken and she didn't want to sleep in, because then the dog would poo on the carpet! (Dog cannot be trusted to go in and out of a  cat/small dogflap, because she then escapes). We ended up with my sister offering to help her replace the carpet with something more suitable, and providing a clock with the date on it. I've also ordered a calendar for her, as she does not know what day of the week it is. She doesn't remember how to use her mobile phone for such things. 

I still don't know why neither she, nor any of her octogenarian friends in the West Highland village of Duror have received their vaccinations. Maybe the vaccine hasn't got there yet. Let's hope it does, soon.  



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