After going to bed very late last night, I did sleep a while, and was still awake again around 05.00. There was really no excuse not to go for a swim, so I squeezed into my costume and off I went. The countryside was beautiful and the sun was rising over nearby hills. It was probably the best part of the day as the rest of it clouded over.
The swim was at Didcot once more. It was warm and pleasant, though busier than the other day. The Lido have circulated an update about their ongoing works, which also explained why the water there had been so choppy lately.
I was home by 08.00 in time to relax before the arrival of our cleaning team. I had to put them off two weeks ago due to the presence of Covid. In fact, two weeks ago, they couldn’t clean for anyone due to those roadworks and the over 10 mile detour.
They cleaned and left. T and I took H for a Gatehampton walk. It was extremely enjoyable and fairly quiet and fairly cloudy. But not cold. H even paddled. I was annoyed to find some other couple parked on our bench. We moved on to the next one. The bullocks were around and a bit overfriendly, deciding we were their new best friends and they tried to join us on the walk. But paddling in the river distracted them.
Following our walk, we parked up by the Village Cafe, in Goring, where we enjoyed a roll and a coffee. And ice cream or cake.
By now, all my earlier activity was catching up with me so we returned home where I felt a snooze sneaking up on me. There is no peace for anyone with wicked tendencies. So, I did not let sleep prevail! Oh no! I was made of sterner stuff. As the battle against sleep began, I received a text from Ali which pre-empted any sleep.
This informed me of a right Royal Rescue. Something to the effect that Ali, F and G had walked to the Perch and Pike which had closed early for some inconvenient and unknown reason. They had then been struck by brilliance of thought, and phoned Poppy, at the B and W, who had bravely piloted the B and W ferry to the other side of the river, picked them up and had ferried them back to the B and W where they enjoyed a good lunch. And where we joined them for a beer etc. I should explain that the P and P is at South Stoke which is on the opposite side of the river from the B and W.
So it was nice to see them. Their poxy father is in deep disgrace, being the one who has prevented their holiday from going ahead. Apparently, they reckon he caught Covid at the great hockey party/ event last Saturday. The one they told him not to go to lest he catch Covid …and it wreck their holiday.., the one of many bits of advice that he chose to ignore. The one event I taxied them to and from, along with their friend. The friend who also now has Covid. D and the friend were the only two in the car who had never had Covid. Well now they have had it. Both of them. Along with a few others who were at the event.
The children have distanced themselves from their Dad – in their disappointment. He is now known to them as Illingworth or David.
But a light shines at the end of the tunnel. It is a light that allows them to rebook their holiday. For May half term. At the same price.
By gum, they are getting big!
I did succumb to sleep in the end. And then had quite a FaceTime with Anne, who has recovered from her fall.
News from Crete is that Charlie, H’s brother, has been handed over to the couple who will bring him to the UK, where he will go to live with Reni and Tomas who have their sister, Millie. Millie came over with H. Reni is very excited. And I am very pleased for Charlie, And for Chris. One less mouth to feed. I just love Charlie! He smiles at you.
Economic Development Partnership – that’s what they are trying to call Priti Awful’s latest arrangement to staunch the flow of migrant boats in the Channel. Stick them on a plane and let the Rwandans sort them out. A member of the clergy was explaining the Rwandans are delightfully friendly people. That is great to hear. All sorts of opportunities will open up. I think £120 million is involved.
An interviewer was trying to extract average Rwandan life expectancy and cost per refugee from a politician. He failed to answer either question. I can tell you life expectancy now is around 69 years. In 1993 it was 26 years. Due to the civil war.
I was in Winchester Cathedral with a school party then, and we lit candles for the people of Rwanda. It is good that their new found altruism is encouraging them to help migrants. I’m sure £120 (million) had nothing to do with it. A lovely safe country – no arrests, no torture, no ’disappeared’ .
I fell asleep again, to find myself bolt upright on the sofa.
It has been a strange day with all sorts of weird goings on and ups and downs.
Thought for the Day
Economic Development Partnership – that’s what it is. Really? – the colonies and Botany Bay spring to mind.
But will it ever happen or be a dead duck?
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