Just before Lockdown Loos

It’s been a while since I’ve had a Loo Series post, so as I’ve got one from just before lockdown, and because I’m lamenting my second cancelled hair appointment, I’m sharing it today. We’d popped to Norfolk in the middle of March as we thought that things were about to change, in fact they changed after the following weekend, so our timing was spot on. We’d gone out for dinner to the Rose & Crown in Snettisham, which was a lovely place and one we’d go back to, and which had been on my parents’ to visit list since they moved to Norfolk in the early 2000s, so it was good to unknowingly tick it off their list.

At the time I was three weeks into my haircut cycle, with an appointment booked at the start of April. That didn’t happen, and my appointment was rearranged for yesterday, which clearly didn’t happen either. So now it’s 11 weeks since my last haircut, which for a regular six-weeker is quite disconcerting, and it’s what I’m liking least about the lockdown. Which makes me sound quite vain, but as my hair grows out as well as down, I have a lot more hair than I’m used to - there’s a reason why I have short hair and have it cut regularly.

Of course I’m not the only one missing their hair appointment, which means when they do reopen appointments won’t be happening immediately either. That’s frustrating too, though I’m decided that I will be taking the first appointment I can, even if that’s during the day. I’ve considered letting MOH loose on my hair, not just the fluffy bits on the back of my neck, but then again I’m not sure he’s qualified. I’m not qualified to cut my fringe and thin the shorter side, and it doesn’t and hasn’t stopped me, but that’s me doing it to me, not him. I’m not sure he’d be so keen either.

But anyway, back to the loos as you can see the advice to wash your hands was clearly on display. While essential, they weren’t a patch on the other artwork. Plenty of red, now that’s much more my thing.

The pub was busy when we went, perhaps that’s usual, or perhaps everyone else was expecting the lockdown too. We sat in an area towards the back, which as we’d parked in the road at the front meant we had to weave our way through the whole building. It was worth it though, both the food, decor and service were great and it’s easy to see why they’ve won the awards they have.

And just to prove my point about the length of my hair, and so this becomes part of my lockdown story. Three weeks in to my haircut and my hair’s not even at my chin - it’s also a lot less grey! And excuse my face, I’ve no idea what or why I’m pulling the face, in my defence it’s the only one I have!

Here’s looking forward to being able to visit family, restaurants and, sorry mum and dad, having my hair cut!

Reflecting on my week #127

Well, it’s the first Monday in May and it’s not a bank holiday. The signs were there, had we realised, that this could be a very odd year! Though given that the change of date was made after diaries and calendar went to print it’s possible some people are quite unaware that it’s moved.

We’re back at work, well, at the kitchen table, and today is a momentous day. Yes, we have an online shopping delivery, and for the first time in over ten years, it’s not from Ocado. I’ve already noticed some obvious differences, and am interested to see how it might all work. We’ll see.

The rain that was forecast last week came, and watered in nicely the two jasmine plants I’d moved. Canny gardening that. In between the showers I popped out to the garden, returning with a few stems of fragrant lilac for the house.

The beans I’ve planted have germinated and raced ahead of anything my slower broad bean seedlings might be contemplating, and I’ll need to make plans for them soon. I’ve had success with basil (briefly), all of my basil seedlings have now been munched, as have half of the lettuce seedlings. Clearly whatever it is has quite particular tastes as the parsley, tomatoes, dill and nasturtiums are safe.

Saturday saw plenty of crocheting, and I’m now just one final granny design from finishing my blanket. It’s been on the go for a while so it will be good to see it finished, and also because I think I’ve already found my next project, Which doesn’t seem to be on that’s already on my ‘to make’ list.

I suspect that it won’t be long before we’re all encouraged to cover our faces while we’re out and about, and I have mixed feelings about this. It’s not unusual to see people wearing them already, and those who do are the ones who come the closest, and even lean across people, in shops as If they have some kind of immunity.

Then there’s the point about people buying the types that are much needed by our medics, leaving them even shorter than they already are. And the effectiveness of homemade versions, as well as the demonstrations for making them out of scarves and an elastic band. I think, face coverings are likely to become ‘competitive’.

I will most likely make some from old shirting, or rather from old shirts, and I have a couple of patterns to follow, one of which needs the template printed. Which should have been fine, except that our printer is throwing a wobbly. We last used it, in probably January, and now the toner (which was already low) has evaporated, or completely dried up. It’s fair to say, we don’t print a lot.

Scuppered by the printer some more gardening took place. The Chilean potato plant with its pretty lilac flowers had a small tidy, but the most of the cutting took place partway up the garden with the euonymus and (another) pyracantha which are intertwined. Many full trugs later, and from the front it really doesn’t look any different (yet), which is kind of demoralising, but as ever, not everything that’s important is on show.

Some impromptu lockdown baking has also happened. I’d opened a jar of almond butter (think peanut butter, but worse) and let’s just say neither of us were fans. Rather than let it languish in the cupboard, with the addition of sugar and an egg it’s transforming into cookies, which actually taste pretty good.

Hope your week is as cookie-filled as you need it to be.

Reflecting on my week #126

We made the most of our weekend not going to Devon! Thankfully the weather helped. Wasn’t it glorious, and so good to feel some warmth from the sun. We spent a large chunk of Friday gardening, more on that later, and then a much larger chunk of Saturday enjoying the weather. Our laburnum tree is in full flower now and looks best against the bluest skies. Though we’ve learnt this weekend that it seems to set off MOH’s hayfever, oops…

This is just a short update as I posted my weekly update so far into the week last week, but there has already been more lockdown baking. This is a habit that we should keep up, as I’m sure our home-baked treats are far better for us than anything we’d buy at work. I think that’s probably why I’ve been able to tighten my belt by a hole already - long may that continue.

Like everyone else my bananas are also ripening more quickly than we’re eating. So having already made banana bread, a good few weeks ago, this time I opted for Nigella’s chocolate banana muffins. Super quick, and a good result, both of which are good for me as a lazy baker, and our tea breaks this week are sorted.

While we spent time in the garden over the weekend we often had the company of a neighbour’s cat, who got braver the more time we spent in the same space. In true feline style, being up high was preferable, and the tree camouflage almost perfect.

#NOTMYCAT

We have lots to do in the garden - it’s the time of year where we always have plenty to keep us busy. I was keen though to sort out the fence, which is thankfully behind the fatsia, and which the previous tenant next door had got trigger happy tackling the ivy. Unfortunately they also unearthed a very delicate fence, and quite soon after moved out leaving the ivy to die and look a real sight. New tenants have moved in, and have temporarily moved out of London for the lockdown, and so I was keen to tidy this part of the garden up.

It was never going to be pretty, mainly because I refuse to replace a fence panel that isn’t ours, we can’t really see and which could have been tackled more sympathetically. But with some wire mesh, patience and some plants, should in time recover. You might have seen on Instagram stories at the weekend that I’m calling this the prickly trellis, and it’s a name that works well on many levels, but mainly because the largest plants I’ll be encouraging to grow are holly and pyracantha, both of which were handily growing within tie-in-able distance.

The plus side was being able to spend time admiring the camellia, which while fading is still as beautiful - it’s having a good spring, despite flowering much later than our neighbours.

Take care, stay safe and if the weather forecast is anything to go by, stay dry.