Week 12 - New Life

When Dr Anne first started writing these pages she had in her mind 12 weeks.  It would take her to June.  Here she is entering week 12.

She has walked miles all around Portsoy.  How many times has she been able to get out the braes?  The weather has been fantastic. She has done regular pilates classes with Wendy and is really happy to be back enjoying her three/four times a week classes.  She has taught dancing virtually with Eloise, Niamh and Lucy.  They are there when Dr Anne buzzes them and are keen to progress.  She has played the piano, regularly and is still waiting to send off her recording of grade 8 pieces to Trinity.  Will she, will she not keep recording the pieces or should she abandon it now.  The garden is well established with the roses in bloom and the ericaceous plants giving a delightful display.  Dr Anne continues to enjoy her Sunday Service at St Columba's, Pont Street, London.

Was watching Andrew Marr just now on Good Morning Britain.  He said he saw spring this year. You know, he is right.  Out the braes, there has been a change every other day and Dr Anne has been aware.  In the beginning,  Dr Anne took pictures but now she just stands and stares at the sea, the fields the trees, the birds.  The other thing, she had was the best Easter ever from Palm Sunday right to Pentecost. There was nothing new but the significance has been more prominent as life is quieter.   Andrew Marr said he missed the galleries. He picked Monet’s lilies as his favourite picture. Dr Anne loves art exhibitions.  She was at the Money exhibition in 2016 with SS when two of the paintings of the lilies were on show.  

Day 78:

Dr Anne had pilates then music.  The weather was cool so she headed for the piano and spent some hours practising.  One day she will be competent.  Dr Anne went for a short walk around the links and the harbour - 2897 steps and 1.8K.  The weather was cool and windy and she met nobody.

Day 79:

This is a busy dancing day.  After pilates there was Eloise, Niamh, Ruby, Fia and Lucy.  The girls are all working so hard.   It took most of the day.  For a rest there was the binging of series of Spanish programmes set in Morocco in the early 1920s. Dr Anne just appreciates the weather in March, April and May as this Artic rain and wind would have been so depressing.

Day 80:

The weather turn for the worse, rain, wind, cold.  It wasn't a day to go out.  Dr Anne had a sore back from overdoing the pilates.  Wendy Pilates soon sorted that with stretches.  Dr Anne tackled the cleaning out of her filing cabinet.  This took most of the day.  Dr Anne's friends phoned for a chat on this dreich day.

Day 81:

The sun was out.  Dr Anne did her teaching with Eloise and Niamh then set out for a walk around the circuit 5339 steps and 3.1k.  When she came in the rain came on and there was another stormy night.  Luckily JSS what's appd so the wind and rain were forgotten for a while and Wendy Pilates zoomed for a chat.

Day 82:

The weather is still stormy so another day in the house was forecast.  The service at St Columba's was its usual thought provoking.  My message was put your things in order and live in peace.

Day 83:

Dr Anne went off to Huntly to Tesco for the second time in lockdown.  The aisles are wide, the stock is good and the ambiance is friendly.  The sun came out so she headed for the garden to get the grass cut and the edges trimmed.  The Zoom dancing is becoming more successful.  A walk round the circuit took her to 6368 steps and 3.7K.

Day 84:

It was 8184 steps and 5K today.  Dr Anne had an early Skype with her dancer Steph then it was pilates and teaching until lunch time.  The gardener came and one job is now complete and the garden looks the better of it.

Week 11 - New Life

Week 11 of lock down,  Dr Anne can't really believe the new world.  The weather is good most of the time.  The garden looks good although Dr Anne has not really devoted time to it.  She has been preoccupied by pilates, dancing and music.  Her walking this week has been minimal as she has stressed about recording pieces for her music exam.  At 70 years old she knows that she need not stress as nobody really cares if she can play the piano at a high level.  She never performs.  However her internal mechanisms say do it again, and again, and again.  She sweats, she has a pain in her tummy, she shouts, she cries.  Submission date is Friday so it will pass.

Day 71:

The day started with pilates.  This was followed by the weekly music lesson.  Ruby says record now and get rid of it.  Dr Anne went a walk to the coastguard point 7366 steps and 4.7K.  She came back, put on her performance clothes and recorded.  All went well in pieces one and two then she messed up piece three.

The evening was spent on a Google Teams Meeting.  We are due to be awarded the Queen's Award for Community Service.  It will be announced on June 2nd.  A number of candidates have applied for our two posts.  Policies and procedures were discussed, particularly financial procedures.

Day 72:

Today was spent dancing and music.  The video had to be compressed.  Dr Anne waited all day for an email from Trinity to find that it might take 7 days or even more to receive it.  It was stress, stress, stress.  Eloise supported Dr Anne during her lesson and even offered to come and help.  Niamh, Lucy and Ruby were in good form.  Fia lay on the foam mats at Dr Anne's back door sunbathing and telling stories.

Dr Anne delivered her sorbet to Moya on her short walk. She walked to Soyburn then down the railway line, down to the harbour and round the links.  It was 4681 steps and 2.5K.

The daily briefing today said that Scotland moves into phase 1 of the breaking of the lockdown.  Dr Anne can go into someone's garden but socially distance.

Day 73:

The weather was warm and sunny so after Pilates with Wendy Dr Anne headed for the garden to cut the grass, trim the edges and start weeding.  Miss Ellen delivered the fish and Miss Fia came with chips from the Chinese Take away.  Dr Anne was invited to Suzi for drinks in the garden so she dressed up for the first time in months.

Day 74:

Dr Anne went for a 5K 8509 step walk out to the Coastguard Point.  It was a beautiful day, warm and sunny.  She felt that she really needed a big shop so she took out her car and drove to Tesco in Huntly.     It was a beautiful evening so she headed to the garden to weed.

Day 75:

Sunday again, Dr Anne tuned into the service from St Columba's for pentecost.  The Holy Spirit is what drives me.

The afternoon was spent in the garden weeding and tidying.  Dr Anne then had a good walk around the hill circuit then the harbour and the links, 7443 steps and 4.5K.

Day 76:

Dr Anne headed for the White Lodge Nursery.  When she got there she panicked as there were so many cars.  However, after sitting around for a while she went in and managed to get her bedding plants, compost and fleece for the cherry tree.

The weather was warm and sunny so Dr Anne headed for the dell to weed and cut back.  The garden is beginning to look good.  The roses are in bloom and the rhodies and azaleas are in full bloom.

Dr Anne just went up the hill and down the cistern brae as she was feeling a bit weary.

Day 77:

Portsoy Community Enterprise has been awarded the Queen's Award for Community Groups in the Queen's Birthday Honours.  This is the first in Banffshire.

Dr Anne was awake very early so go up and set to work on the leeting for the Development Officer and Marketing Co-ordinator.  She spent most of the day reading and collating the information.

There was the pilates class, and dancing with Eloise and Niamh.  Mike planted Dr Anne's pots.

Week 10 - New Life

Now it is Week 10.

Dr Anne is now in a spin.  She has to record tunes for her music exam this week. She will panic but she knows that she can do it. She has tried it and when she thinks she is doing well she makes a mistake.

There is dancing to be done.  Dr Anne has solved the problem of zoom by ensuring that the dancers have muted their screens.  The girls are working on their teachers certificate with enthusiasm.

The walks have been shorter this week as the weather has been variable.

Dr Anne hasn't really gone near the garden except to cut the grass.  With the rain there will be lots of weeds.

Day 64:

Day one of week 10 was a whirlwind with pilates, music, gardening and a long walk up the hill and down the cistern brae, round the back of Kirkies Wood then round the circuit 11797 steps and 7.1K.  It was a beautiful warm evening.

Dr Anne has a freezer full of red currants.  What else could she make was her cry?  Morag suggest red currant sorbet so Dr Anne found a Nigella recipe for red currant and elderflower sorbet.

Day 65:

Dr Anne didn't sleep well.  She got up at 5 and set to work making the red currant and elderflower sorbet.  It was delicious.  The pilates was cancelled but Dr Anne had three hours teaching theory and two hours teaching dancing by zoom. There was no energy for a walk.  She also cut the lower green edged it and did some weeding.

Day 66:

There were strong winds and the likelihood of rain.  Dr Anne cut the upper green as it was growing quite 'rank'.  After her 1:1 pilates she did some tidying of weeds in the dell.  There was a delivery of fish from Suzi for supper delivered by Ellen and chips from the Chippie delivered by Fia.  This was the best meal since lock down. She was about to go for her walk when the rain spitted so she backed into the conservatory and binged on TV.  She watched The Soloist and When Harry met Sally.

Day 67:

Dr Anne has to record her three pieces for her music exam.  One would think this was easy but it sure isn't.  She spent much of the day trying to do it before blobbing in front of the telly again watching Normal People, a BBC 3 series set in Sligo and Dublin.

Day 68:

Piano again.  She has now recorded two versions of her pieces but neither are suitable.  At least she has until Friday to get a good version.  She will be out of her head but that time!!!!

Day 69:

Dr Anne sat at the piano for hours trying to record her pieces.  She could not do it.  She must have started 30 times with 30 deletes.  She was relieved to dance at four and then walk around her circuit.  She managed 7852 steps and 4.9K.

Day 70:

Dr Anne couldn't sleep so was up at 5 and made red currant and elderflower sorbet.  She practised her piano and shopped all before 0800.  There was then pilates, Eloise and Niamh.  Both girls have been working on their dancing which is really sound.  Mike the gardener was there to empty pots and tidy while Dr Anne went back to the piano.  She has become so stressed and for what.

Dr Anne went off up the hill to draw breath and enjoyed a peaceful time walking 10247 steps and 6.3K.

Week 9 - New Life

It is week nine already. How the weeks fly past.  Dr Anne is into a routine of pilates, music, teaching gardening and walking.  She talks to friends all over the world and the phone is pretty much near at hand.

The weather in week eight was quite a difference from the previous seven.  The weather was coming from the Artic so it was low temperatures and a biting cold wind.  This deterred Dr Anne from her walks.  However, this really gave Dr Anne to increase her piano practice.

Dr Anne's friend GGC was very much in her thoughts all week.

Day 57:

Wendy Pilates cancelled her class so Dr Anne hung around doing housework until her music lesson.  The day was bright although still cold.  Dr Anne went out to the Coastguard Station which is 8031 steps and 5.5K.  It was really mild when she got among the gorse bushes.  Today there were many fairies at the Faerie Gathering.

Day 58:

Wendy Pilates cancelled her class again so Dr Anne had to hang around until it was time for FaceTime with Eloise and Messenger with Niamh, Zoom with Ruby and Messenger with Lucy.  Miss Fia arrived with her foam tiles.  All in all Dr Anne had four hours of dancing, mostly theory.  By the end of dancing, Dr Anne just wanted to laze around watching Grace and Frankie, episode after episode.

Day 59:

Wendy Pilates is still not up to classes so Dr Anne went and did some housework, something she does as little as possible,  She then drove her car to Cullen and back to charge the battery and ensure the car is in good order.

Music is very important just now as Dr Anne wants to record her pieces by the end of May.  Two hours per day is required so Dr Anne has to be very structured.

Miss Fia delivered a half portion of scampi and chips for supper from the chip shop which is now opening on Friday and Saturday night for orders.  Afterwards Dr Anne set of for her daily walk - the circuit plus Kirkies Wood 8027 steps and 4.9K.  Once she was out of the house and round the links it was a beautiful evening and even warm by the time she got home.

There was an incident with GGC late that Dr Anne had to deal with.  The hallucinations were vivid and he could not cope.

Day 60:

It was an early morning Skype with Lois in Australia.  Covid  has not been nearly so serious in Australia.  There have been few deaths and really no epidemic only clusters.  The population can now travel throughout the state and meet up with friends.  Five can be invited into the house or ten can be invited into the garden.  The vaccine is ready for trial and may be available by the end of the year.

There was dancing with Eloise and Niamh.  Both are improving and will be confident dance teachers.

Rain was expected but the sky was blue.  Dr Anne rushed out to cut the grass before it became unmanageable. Expecting rain she headed off for her walk around the circuit.  There were a lot of people out and about so the 8361 steps and 4.7K took much longer than usual.  It was however nice to have chats.  Dr Anne became aware that there are cases of covid 19 in Portsoy which did kind of scary.

Dr Anne cut the rhubarb and took what was in the freezer.  She soaked the ingredients in gin, lemon juice and vanilla.

Music practice was followed by a what's app with JSS and Chdancer.  It was lots of laughs.

Day 61:

Most of the day was taken up on the phone.  It started at 0900 and Dr Anne was still catching up with people at 2200.

There was a nice walk around the circuit 6267 steps  and 3.5K.

The service from St Columba's was on the Holy Ghost and continues to give Dr Anne comfort.

'I will ask the father and he will give you a comforter to be with you forever.  I will not leave you orphaned, I am in you.'

GGC continues to have issues with hallucinations so he and Dr Anne devised a plan.  Dr Anne will keep a diary of the hallunicinations and if they do not settle Dr Anne will take action.

The stories of Grace and Frankie continue to keep Dr Anne amused.

Day 62:

As Dr Anne couldn't get to sleep she then slept in.  She has never been so lazy.  There was music to practise and dancing to dance.  Have finally mastered the zoom if I shut mute the dancers.

It was a warm evening so Dr Anne set off round the loch then down to the beach and the harbour and as it was still warm she climbed the Burnie brae hill and down the cistern brae.  6395 steps and 3.7K. It sure was better than watching TV.

A message came through late that Dr Anne has to present her pieces by May 29.  This fits with her plan but it was still a shock.  She needs to up her practising and cut back on her binging.

Day 63:

Still no pilates so Dr Anne headed to the shop for bread and cake.  There were classes with Eloise and Niamh.  Dr Anne was not at her best today.  She was still thinking of the news about her pieces.

Mike the gardener was in the garden emptying the pots ready for the summer potting.  Dr Anne really wanted to head for the garden but thee was a spit of rain.  She went off on a walk out the East Braes.  She was slow tonight so she meandered deep in thought.  Her pace was dead slow and stop with pauses to sit.  She did 7767 steps and 5.3K

Week 8 - New Life

Now Dr Anne is into week 8 of the new life.  She has slowed up considerably.  She goes to bed late and lies in bed in the morning listening to Radio 4.  She is now into a routine of  Pilates on a Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and a 1:1 class on a Friday.  Dr Anne is happy Wendy Pilates is back on the scene.  The piano lessons have started but Dr Anne's practice schedule is a bit intermittent.  This needs improvement.  The walking is a big part of Dr Anne's life just now.  She has now walked 160 miles since she went into lock down.  The dancing classes are basic with two girls doing their associate and hopefully up to three more doing their student.  Three are doing classes on Zoom.  The time lapse is a problem.

Dr Anne is doing basic gardening but not as much as she should be doing.  She thought she would be much more creative than she actually is.  The weather has been really good but Dr Anne just can't get the enthusiasm and motivation.

Dr Anne has happily settled into the services at St Columba's, Pont Street.  She finds them spiritually uplifting

Dr Anne has talked to many people on her walks and on the media all over the world - Estonia, Bonn, St Petersburg, Melbourne, Buenos Aires, Toronto, Winnipeg and Portland.

Day 50:

It was a beautiful day so the front windows got washed and polished.  This was after another session of pilates and of course music on FaceTime.  Dr Anne had a good walk around the circuit then through Kirkies Wood.  It was 8309 steps and 4.9K.

Day 51:

It was announce that we are to have another three weeks lock in.  It was yoga infused pilates today.  It was also a busy teaching day with Eloise, Niamh, Fia, and Lucy.  In between Dr Anne cut the grass and trimmed the edges.  She didn't have time for a walk although it was a beautiful day.

Day 52:

Dr Anne and Eloise headed for Durnhythe today.  There were three pipers and two drummers.  We stood at the back of the Care Home.  We alternated dances with pipe tunes.  The residents looked out of the windows.  It was a very special concert and very touching.  When Dr Anne came home there was a very special VE Afternoon Tea on her window sill.  There was pink gin to drink.  Dr Anne's neighbours at number 16 were the providers.  It was very special.

There was a walk round Durn 3838 steps and 2.1K.

Day 53:

Saturday, the days sure rush in.  Dr Anne had two FaceTime classes with Eloise and Niamh.

It was raining and cold so Dr Anne headed for the front room and the piano.  She needs to get the pieces note perfect and rhythm perfect.  She is improving.

The weather was depressing so Dr Anne did not attempt a walk.

Day 54:

Sunday, Dr Anne participated in the service from St Columba's, Pont Street, London.  There were some good hymns which encouraged Dr Anne to sing.  The rest of the day was used up with phone calls.  There were frequent showers of hail which discouraged Dr Anne from her walk.  However, she walked around the beach and the harbour to the Coop, 2874 steps and 1.7K.  She did her week's shopping in the Coop.  Today she had a list...  The quality of the food at the Coop is good but the range is restrictive.  Dr Anne has now had Coop food for 8 weeks but she is not in the mood to go out of town to find alternative supermarkets.

In the evening,  Dr Anne watched Grace and Frankie, a series about two women dumped by their husbands who announced they were going to marry after a 20 year affair.  It's all fun. There are over 30 episodes so plenty story lines to come.

Day 55:

It was still wintery with frequent squally showers.  A little girl has been dancing and wanted some new moves.  Dr Anne had a dance lesson with her on her fourth birthday.  The rest of the day involved piano practice, teaching dance and Netflix watching.  There was no walk as the the weather was foul.

Dr Anne has been eating the fruit from her freezers.  She was pretty fed up with stewed gooseberries so she marinated the rest of the gooseberries in gin and then made gooseberry and gin jam.  All that is left in the freezer are red currants and apple juice.  What shall she do with them?

Day 56:

Pilates, teaching and music practice.  The rain is heavy so no walk.

Dr Anne does random things so she put on her thick trousers and winter coat and went off on a walk. It was Artic at the beach, Baltic at the harbour, soaked in foam at the swimming pool.  As she headed for Soyburn and the Durn Road it was positively mild.  In the end it was 8452 steps and 4.9K and a happy healthy person.

Week 7 - New LIfe

This is the first day of week 7 of self isolation.  How does she feel as she enters the second half of her 12 weeks isolation.  She sees Suzi and the kids fairly frequently. She goes into the yard and tries to keep a social distance.  On her walks, Dr Anne sees a lot of people now on her walks.  There are many new people on the east side of the town now.  Are they exploring an area they haven't been to before?  The shops in town are very empty.  Where is everyone?  Do people shop only once a week or do they go out of town to shop now?  Ah well, life goes on.

Day 43:

Dr Anne had no walk and no video today.  Life took over with pilates, music, and then a meeting with the Care Services to provide support for GGC.  The evening was taken up with a Board Meeting for PCE.

Day 44:

Dr Anne had now walk yesterday so did two circuits today with 11752 steps and 7.5K.  She met a few people on the circuit and chatted at social distance.  There was a yoga class in the morning that Dr Anne found difficult to keep up with and a dance class with Eloise. She had a long FaceTime with SS.  There is no new but lots of chat.

Day 45:

Friday, it is so difficult to keep tabs on the days as everyone is the same.  Dr Anne did the little circuit of 5957 steps and 3.8K as she had already done a 1:1 with Wendy Pilates who had put her through her paces.  Miss Fia took orders for a fish night and delivered a delicious fish supper at 5pm on the dot.  The chip shop has opened on a Friday and Saturday night for phone in orders.

Dr Anne had a 2 hour FaceTime with Charly in Argentina and JSS.  It was good to hear about the lock down in a different country.  If one wants to leave the flat one has to get a permission note and download it.  Charlie's partner has one each week to visit his mum.  The government are releasing prisoners and that is fairly controversial.  Charly feels that some people are now breaking the rules.

Day 46:

Dr Anne went out and cut the grass.  She felt that she would have done much more in the garden than she has.  She loves her walks and today did the little circuit - 5957 steps and 3.8K.  She had a zoom session with Wendy Pilates over a beer and caught up with 2.5 years of news.

Day 47:

Dr Anne lay long and watched TV until the morning service from St Columba's, Pont Street, London.    She walked a bit of a circuit before visiting her friend GGC. It was only 5723 steps and 3.3K.  This was a long day as Dr Anne couldn't be bothered doing anything.

Day 48:

Dr Anne had to rouse herself from her bed to get to her friend GGC.  This was the first day of the carers and there were questions to be asked and papers to be signed.  All went smoothly.

Dr Anne came home practised her music, had a zoom dance class and walked 6599 steps and 3.8K.

Day 49:

Dr Anne was up bright and early today.  She had a Pilates class then two dance classes with Eloise and Niamh both aiming to do their Associate.  The gardener came and trimmed the ivy dyke and mucked the raspberries while Dr Anne practised her music.

It was a beautiful day so Dr Anne headed for the Boyne circuit followed by the circuit to the wishing gate.  10639 steps and 6.3K.  She met Colin then Suzi, then Eloise, Sharon, and Moira George.

New Life -Week 6

Dr Anne is now into week 6 of her self isolation.  How are things different from the norm?  The only thing Dr Anne can't do is go into other people's houses.

Dr Anne is now back at music and feels good about it and she shall practise.  Pilates are on the weekly agenda.  The garden is no longer a chore as Dr Anne can go for short periods of time for relaxation rather than x hours when she has to fit it in between what she sees now as non essential 'stuff'.  She is really enjoying her walks and has now walked 126.6K since she went into isolation.  She has a number of circuits which she really enjoys as she contemplates.  She has found a church that suits her needs - St Columba's, Pont Street, London.  The messages give Dr Anne the necessary spiritual lift for the week.  Dr Anne communicates with her friends SS and Greygranite most days and she checks up on GGC most days too.  Suzi and the kids, Shona and the family are on hand for a laugh over the dyke or on What's App. What else does she need?

Day 36:

As she had no walk yesterday Dr Anne set off early for a 9153 step 5.7K to the Coastguard Station and then round the links and harbour.  It was a beautiful day.

She came back and cut the grass for the first time after the big feed.  The ground is desperate for some rain but Dr Anne wants the sun to keep on shining.

She watched The Leisure Seeker on Netflix with Helen Mirren and Donald Sutherland as they went on their last journey together down the east coast of America to the Florida Keys to Hemminway's House.  That's the way to do it.  As that wasn't enough she watched Dressed in Black, an Ozzie Film.

And so it goes on.  She needs to get the Geology Wall sorted and the music for the Children's Book of Dances on to the website but at the moment there seems no rush.

Day 37:

It was an extraordinary sunny day.  Dr Anne headed for the Dell.  She pruned, weeded go things ready for their feed.  It was an in and out sort of day as Dr Anne needed a lot of cups of coffee to keep her on task.

At tea time, she set off on her daily exercise.  She went round the little circuit followed by the big circuit.  It was a beautiful calm night and she met lots of people ready to chat at a distance.  Baine, aged 5 has given Dr Anne a bear called Beary to foster.  Dr Anne has to do exciting things with Beary so off course Beary went on the walk too.  The walk lasted two and a bit hours but she only did 10019 steps and 6.2K in all that time.  There was too much chat.

When she came home, Netflix was switched on with Faith, Hope and Love a mindless movie about dancing.

Day 38:

Today is Friday and the end of the working week again.  It was a beautiful sunny day but it felt cold outside.  Dr Anne didn't feel like gardening today.

Wendy Pilates was on Zoom for a 1:1 pilates class.  She put Dr Anne through her paces.  Dr Anne then took her car out of the garage to ensure the battery was charged.

Dr Anne thought she might go to Keith to do some grocery shopping but she turned at Ordiquhill and came home as she couldn't be bothered.

The walk today took Dr Anne and Beary up the hill and over to the Boyne Burn.  It was 8445 steps and 5K.

There is the piano practice to be done.  At least Dr Anne headed into the living room and put her fingers on the keys.  It actually sounded quite good.  If she does a bit more practice she might make her Grade 8.

Day 39:

It is Saturday.  Dr Anne needs to be reminded.  There really is much to do if Dr Anne felt like it.  A third cup of coffee and she is ready to meet Eloise on FaceTime.  They discuss Eloise doing her Dancing Associate and decide to go for it.

Dr Anne went for piano practice.  Now this is a good move.  She needs to step up the practice these next three weeks.  She feels more at ease doing it during the day than in the evening.

Dr Anne decided on the short circuit today (7868 steps and 4.6K) as she intended heading for the garden.  The sun was shining brilliantly but there was a cold wind off the Moray Firth.  There was haar out at sea.  Dr Anne certainly hopes this is not the end of the good spell of weather.  It has been glorious and up lifting.

Gardening didn't come into the agenda again today.  Dr Anne needs to draw up a list and work through  it systematically.

Well, it's back to piano practice.

Day 40:

Dr Anne's commitment to St Columba's, Pont Street continued.   She has found the services spiritually refreshing and the the message has carried Dr Anne through the weeks.  'Keep right on to the end of the road, though you are tired and weary, keep journeying on.' Dr Anne needs this just now.

This was a good walk round the short circuit (3855 steps and 2.7K).  This was probably the shortest walk for the whole six weeks.

Sunday seems to be the day when people want a chat.  Dr Anne was watching Sergio on Netflix about a UN Ambassador who was present at the independence of East Timor and was killed in an explosion on what was to be his last mission in Iraq.

Day 41:

A new working week.  She had a really good piano practice and felt confident that she will do it.  She walked the circuit (7417 steps and 4K).

GGC phoned a number of time as he was suffering from hallucinations.  There was a big fella, a smaller fella, a woman and a child in the living room and the kitchen.  They were moving things.  The moving of things came to a head in the evening and GGC went out and asked someone to come and get rid of the people in his house.  The person suggested GGC call the police but he called me.  Dr Anne decided that something must be done.

Day 42:

The morning disappeared as Dr Anne made contact with health professionals re the hallucinations.  There was prompt help and appointments were made.

Dr Anne abandoned her pilates class but managed an hour with Eloise on her associate course.  Dr Anne walked her circuit  8648 steps and 4.6K and this cleared her head.  She did a bit of piano practice and watched a film - Good Sam.  He gave away his money with no wish for publicity or reward.  

New Life - Week 5

Dr Anne can't believe that she is now entering Week 5 of self isolation.

She has now got into a routine.  There is pilates.  Dr Anne can join in Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 0930 - 1045.  She then has her one to one session on a Friday.

Dr Anne has been walking almost every day.  She has walked many km these last four weeks. She has gone east, south east, south, west.  She is not going north into the sea.

The garden looks spring like.  The green has been cut and raked and now fed.  Dr Anne is feeding her roses.  The gardener has been pruning back the shrubs.

The piano has been abandoned but she will get back to it this week.  Ruby has been in contact and lessons will begin next week online.

That leaves the dancing.  Dr Anne doesn't know when she will get back to it.

Netflix has been a God send and Dr Anne has now watched three box sets.

Day 29:

This is the first day of week 5.  It was up early and pilates online.  Dr Anne headed eventually to the garden to start feeding the roses.  She was a bit random. She headed off on her walk but there was a cold wind blowing and the sun disappeared behind the clouds.  She just did 5409 steps and 2.9K which is probably one of the shortest walks to date.

Day 30:

The days rush in and Dr Anne has to look at the calendar to remind her which day it is.

Today she walked 6670 steps and 3.9k. It was a beautiful day so she went to the patio roses and spent most of the afternoon pruning and feeding.  She was well satisfied by her efforts.

She had three upsets.  The dinosaur egg wasn't holding water, she broke her beautiful leaf ornament and to crown it all the little plate of her bespoke ornament had broken off.

Dr Anne was on a roll and off she went to clean her kitchen tiles.  She broke the handle of the cleaner.

Not a good day overall but Dr Anne is well and healthy and lives to tell the story.

Day 31:

Dr Anne had her pilates 1:1 and she sure feels the better with this exercise.  Later she walked two circuits making 9895 steps and 5.4K.

Many of Dr Anne's friends have the beginnings of cabin fever.  Dr Anne really appreciates her big garden and the wide open spaces around Portsoy.

Today was the day to tackle the hybrid tea roses.  They are the oldest roses in the garden and so... Dr Anne went hacking at them.  The ivy had grown into them in the the two years since Dr Anne has been able to get down on her knees.  Who really cares if they do not grow...

Miss Fia phoned in the morning to say that the chip shop was to be open for orders and did Dr Anne want some chips.  Yes please was the answer, a half portion of fish cake and chips.  Miss Fia put in the order and delivered it to her door at 5.12 precisely.  It was a really treat, the only thing missing was the chat of a normal Friday night.

Day 32:

Saturday.  All the hard work of yesterday had Dr Anne sleeping until 0900.  The weather continued to  be sunny so Dr Anne headed to the floribunda roses and the rasps.  She pruned them and fed them and weeded.

She found a new circuit tonight by adding a path through Kirkies Wood then through Durn Farm.  It came to 8835 steps and 4.7K.  It was a beautiful, warm, calm night.

Netflix was switched on and Dr Anne watched Robert Redford and Jane Fonda in Our Souls at Night.    Jane Fonda crossed the road and asked her neighbour Robert Redford if he would sleep with her as the middle of the night is the worst time when one can't get to sleep.

Day 33:

Sunday again and Dr Anne switched to St Columba's, Pont Street.  She likes the message she receives and it sets her up for the week.  The theme was Breath of God.

Off Dr Anne went to the garden on another beautiful day.  She pushed herself to feed the roses at the top of the garden and the hybrid teas.  Watch this space, she thinks.

After all the work, Dr Anne went to the ice cream shop for some crisps, coke, tonic and mint choc ice cream for the kids.  None of these items were needed but Dr Anne just wanted 'rubbish' to eat.

It was a short walk tonight - 4801 steps and 2.6K then some TV.

Day 34:

Dr Anne's circuit was 9153 steps and 5.7K today.  She need this after a rather wasted day.

Dr Anne had received an order of 25 books for TAC Canada.  She went to the Post Office.  Anne at the Post Office said to break up the parcels as it was very expensive to send parcels over 2 kilos.  Dr Anne also did a shop at the COOP.  She tries to go there as little as possible as she finds it quite stressful.  She races around the shop getting her list and usually forgets to get one or two items.

Today the two Rubys and Fia had a Zoom dance class.  It wasn't really successful as Dr Anne could get the iPad to connect to the speaker when she was on Zoom.  Never mind, they will try again next week.

Dr Anne did go to the garden and put sadolin on random arches.  Her head wasn't in the right place.

Day 35:

Dr Anne wasn't in great mood although the weather was brilliant.  She could not get logged onto the Pilates class so she went and made some leek and potato soup.  She then went to the garden, cleaned out the summer house and did some painting.

A telephone call came from a friend so Dr Anne lost the impetus to go for a walk.

New Life - Week 4

As Week 4 commences, Dr Anne is more at ease with the situation.  The binge watching of box sets is finished.  The walks are regular and very enjoyable.  The pilates are set up.  All Dr Anne has to do now is get back to playing the piano.

Day 22:

The day started with a Zoom pilates session.  Dr Anne began to enjoy it.  Wednesday seems to be the day that people phone.  Today it was Dr Anne's Prof  - Mary S whom she hadn't spoken to for a couple of years.  She also received two ecards.  Contact is welcome.  Mary S told Dr Anne that you die twice once when you lose your life and secondly when people stop talking about you.

The walk took Dr Anne round her regular circuit - 7455 steps and 4.3K.

There was a virtual meeting of Portsoy Community Enterprise in the evening.  The staff have all been furloughed.  The buildings are all closed.

Day 23:

The walk today was the new circuit.  It was 5744 steps and 3.4K.  Dr Anne went to the bottom green as the sun was shining.  She cut, raked and edged it until it was looking good.

Dr Anne tuned into the Maundy Service at St Columba's Church.  It was about linking the lonely and setting the solitary all very appropriate in these days of self isolation.

Day 24:

Good Friday.  Dr Anne's penpal Lois Skyped and they chatted for an hour.  The number of virus patients seems to have flatted in Oz.  Testing is freely available within easily travelling distance.  Hairdressers are open...  Coffee shops are selling takeaways.

Ir was the normal circuit today 6744 steps and 4.1K.  There was also a Zoom pilates lesson.

Day 25:

This was a beautiful spring day with sunshine and warmth.  I did a 5650 step walk 3.2K then headed to the garden.  I cut, raked and edged the grass.  I then painted the tap and the walkway with saddling.

Day 26:

Easter Day:

I had the Archbishop of Canterbury on Radio 4 then the Easter Service from St Columba's at 11.  The lesson suited me very well in my time of self-isolation.  Run the race set before us.  Let us live, let us laugh. We will feel the Master's pleasure.

It was a really cold so did the circuit - 7070 steps and 3.7K.  It was very cold.  The police were patrolling round the links.

Binged on Bonfire of Destiny on Netflix.

Day 27:

Dr Anne waited until it was bright before she headed for her walk.  She did both circuits and counted 11013 steps and 6.5K.  It was a beautiful evening but the sea was foaming.  It was well worth a watch.

Dr Anne placed an order at her garden centre - White Lodge.  They were taking orders then expected someone to pick up at the main gate.  Robert, next door wanted red onions and late potatoes.  Dr Anne's friend Suzi  wanted some compost too so said she would do the collection.

Dr Anne is using the fruit in her freezer.  There are gooseberries, black currants, red currants and apple juice there.  None are Dr Anne's favourites but she shall use them up.  Today she took gooseberries and and made gooseberry fool.  They tasted rather nice.  She will do this again.  She also made some red currant and apple cordial.  Well, it is away from her normal fizzy water.

Dr Anne found a recipe for rhubarb and gin jam.  Suzi had given Dr Anne some rhubarb and ginger gin at Christmas so this seemed a good combination.  Dr Anne prepared the ingredients and left them overnight.

Series 3, Episode 1 of Killing Eve was on BBC iPlayer so Dr Anne indulged.

Dr Anne is now living at a much slower pace.  There is no hurry as she has no pressing activities.  She can do what she wants instead of rushing here and there, doing 'stuff'.  Who knows what the new life will be when the lock down is lifted.

Day 28:

Dr Anne had a Pilates class first thing.  She is thoroughly enjoying the exercise.  In the evening she did her circuit 7181 steps and 3.7K.  It was a beautiful spring night.

Colin gave Dr Anne his carpet cleaner so Dr Anne got going and did the kitchen floor.  Once she gets going she gets enthusiastic.

New Life - Week 3

There is no routine as Dr Anne goes into week 3. The weather is cold and the wind is strong.  The only communication is by telephone, what's app, messenger and email.

Day 15:

Dr Anne has found Anne of Green Gables on Netflix.  This was Dr Anne's favourite character when she was young.  She can while away many an hour on this.  Oh how Anne can speak.

Dr Anne walked her circuit.  Today was 7440 steps and 3.8K. Why can it vary so much?

Day 16:

The wind was unbelievable today.  Dr Anne set off on her walk but could not keep upright.  She managed only 3473 steps and 2K before she gave up and lay in front of the TV.

On her way back from her disastrous walk she was called over to the Ords.  A package had arrived.  In the package was a rabbit.  It was called Kiwi Awesome King.  There were two further rabbits to be admired - Truffle and Joe.  Dr Anne has never had a rabbit so lots of questions were asked.

Day 17:

Today Dr Anne really had to step up to the mark.  She put two of her circuits into one.  She went out to the old coastguard station and then found a new path along the top of Langies Brae.  She then walked round the Boyne.  It was 11311 steps and 6.8K.  On the way there were numerous cars, vans and the occasional lorry.  Where were they all heading?  So much for isolating.

Day 18:

Dr Anne got up with a bit of enthusiasm today.  She headed out to wash the windows.  She had been procrastinating for nearly two weeks.  Scared to go out to the front Dr Anne started with the back windows.  It was hose, wash with fairy liquid, hose, dry, then sparkle.  It does take for ever.  Dr Anne then headed to the front to wash the cobbles and do the front windows.  The garage was swept.  Dr Anne then washed her beloved hardwood gates.  It was hose, wash with fairy liquid, hose then dry with vinegar in the water.  They sure did sparkle.  Dr Anne felt very virtuous.

Dr Anne headed for the Bauds to wash her car but it wasn't open.  She went for petrol and some shopping from Tesco.  Tesco didn't seem to have procedures in place to keep people apart.  Dr Anne had taken her phone but Tesco had not raised their touchless to £45.  She had to go back to her car for her card.  When she got back to the checkout the time limit had run out.  The shopping had to be moved. The assistant helped and all had to be rescanned.  This was all very unsatisfactory and Dr Anne was left a bit bewildered.  The Coop was certainly much better organised.

Dr Anne set off to work the circuit.  It was a beautiful night.  It was 7942 steps and 4.3K.

Day 19:

Dr Anne watched the live streaming of the service from St Columba's, Pont Street, London.  The Cause of Death is Birth.  We need food and love.The Cross pulls us to God and each other.

Dr Anne went off to the garden.  She weeded and trimmed.  She set off for her circuit in the evening but she forgot her phone.  She met her friends the Ords on her way up the hill and abandoned her walk for today.

Day 20:

Dr Anne got an early phone call.  Blaine had no jam for his toast.  That was easily remedied. The rasp jam was put on the window sill and Blaine ran up to collect it.

Dr Anne went for a quick walk round her new circuit.  It was 3631 steps and 2.4K.  It is only half of the other circuit but it is hill walking and quiet.

She went off to the garden after lunch as it was warm and sunny.  Her task was to houk dandelions.  Dr Anne hates dandelions in her garden.  She knows that it is just a beautiful flower out of place but... not in her garden.

Wendy Pilates zoomed and Dr Anne had her first pilates class in 2.5 years.  Wendy moved away in October 2017 and Dr Anne broke her kneecap in November 2017.  Dr Anne needs to improve her fitness so the opportunity to do pilates by Zoom seemed like a good opportunity.

Day 21:

The day started with a Zoom meeting with the Ords.  The rabbits were inspected.

The walk took Dr Anne up the hill then out to the Coast Guard Station.  It was a beautiful calm day on land and sea.  She did 6011 steps and 4.2K.  The 4K per day seems a goodly amount.  The gardener came and cut back some of overgrown shrubs.

New Life - Week 2

Dr Anne has been in conversation with her other friends in self isolation.  They are all at a loose end. They all have lists of things to do but can't get motivated.  Dr Anne wakes late these days and lies listening to Radio 4 or Radio Scotland.  When she rouses herself she heads for the green chair in the conservatory and lies around.  She may even not be dressed by lunch time.  This is unheard of.  What would she do without her friends?

This is unprecedented times.  Friends are important.  She has heard from Australia, Africa, South America, the US, Canada, Germany, Estonia, as well as the UK.

Day 8:

Dr Anne had gone South East, South, West.  Obviously she has no desire to go north into the sea.  The one walk she had missed was the East Braes out to the old Coastguard Lookout.  It was mild although not sunny.  The Gorse was in full bloom.  It was a great walk.  7319 steps and 4.9K.

Day 9:

The day was dry.  Dr Anne heard Robert next door and Colin two doors down cutting grass so she got on her garden clothes and went to the bottom green.  She cut it and then took out the rake and did the moss. It was hard work. Being in walking mode Dr Anne went off up the hill then round her circuit.  7516 steps and 4K.

Day 10:

The day was warm and sunny.  Robert, next door was sunbathing when Dr Anne looked over the wall.  She tackled the top green today.  The walk today was 7389 and 3.6K.  This was the circuit.

Dr Anne has been reviewing her walks over the last 10 days.  She has been measuring them on her phone.  She doesn't think the measurement was very accurate.  Who really cares about Dr Anne's walking schedule but herself.  She begins to think that she might be training for something.

Day 11:

Today is winter.  There is hailstones and a cold icy wind.  When talking with Greygranite Dr Anne began to think about empty shops.  She trotted off to the baker and the Coop.  There was no-one about.  There was food on the shelves but just limited choice.

Day 12:

The clocks went forward today and guess what Dr Anne's watch stopped working.  Time stands still.  Dr Anne didn't have much motivation.  She flicked between TV channels and binged on The Crown.
There is so much she could do if she could get some motivation.

Day 13:

Today is Dr Anne's down day.  Her dad died 38 years ago.  Her mother went to the hospital 11 years ago and ever returned.  To cap it all Auntie Cath died 7 years ago.  While this is a day of sadness Dr Anne is healthy and happy.  It is the start of another year.  Go Anne, Go.

Dr Anne went on her circuit.  Today it was 7328 steps and 4.1K.  Dr Anne laughs that it is never the same!!!  The marsh marigolds are in full bloom near the Soy Burn. The sea was whipping up foam round near the swimming pool.

at Soy Burn

near the Swimming Pool

Day 14:

There was a bracing wind and it was cold when Dr Anne walked up the brae opposite her house, down to the Boyne Burn and back up home.  Today it was 7201 steps and 4K.  The day was long as Dr Anne made apple and chilli jelly, some more red currant cordial. Dr Anne has acquired the taste now.  She did go back to the piano for the first time in a couple of weeks.  The unsettled days go on and on.