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. 

New Life - Week 1

Dr Anne has been put into self isolation as she has reached the magic 70.

What is she going to do with her new life with no dancing, no Bothy, no church?

Day 1: 

Dr Anne walked her circuit, 4.8K.  She made rasp jam.  She worked on her neglected blog.  There were so many from last year's holidays that it will take days to complete the task. 

Day 2: 

Dr Anne walked up the hill, 3.1K.  She made black currant cordial. Lots of vitamin C.  

Church meeting re closing the church and meeting re cancelling the Boat Festival.

The Sail  Loft

The wind farm of Boyndie in the distance

Day 3:

Dr Anne walked her circuit 6.6K. She made red currant jelly.  The truth of her new life hit her.  She saw her self distancing in the Coop.  She could not settle to do anything productive and went off to bed hoping for a good night's sleep. 

Day 4:

Dr Anne lay long but got on with the Blog updates when she roused herself. 

After lunch she headed round the Boyne.  This was a favourite walk back when she was a child.  She always thought it was 5 miles but not according to her phone.  It said 7606 steps and 4.4k.  

Dr Anne intended washing her windows but no she went off to the garden for the first time.  She only survived 30 minutes but that is 30 minutes more than any day this year.  The better weather is coming so she is looking forward to the challenge of the garden these next three months. 

Day 5:

Dr Anne wasn't at her best this morning. However she got her stick and put on her hat and walked her circuit.  Today it was 7075 steps and 4k.  This is the third time she has done it and this time it was only 4k. Isn't it odd that the same walk varies in length?

It was extremely cold out with an icy wind.  This is the first day that Dr Anne has seen more than one or two people. People must have cabin fever.  

The Old Harbour at Portsoy, part of my circuit.

Day 6:

Where would Dr Anne walk today?  She set off up the Huntly Road and cut off to Damheads.  She went round the Durn Hill, down the Boggierow Brae and back into town by going round the Durn Road.  She met a woman out with her dogs and covered 10496 steps and 5.7k

Day 7

Now that Dr Anne has purchased Netflix she has been binging on the Crown.  After lunch she set off with the stick and the hat.  She went round the beach and the harbour and then out past the swimming pool.  It was the best day yet so she set off up the brae to heathery and along to Redhythe.  Today it was 11393 steps and 7.2k.

A Trip to Argentina

Dr Anne never thought she would get to South America but a chance chat with her friend JSS and plans were afoot.  

She set off early October for the most amazing holiday since her trip to Canada in 1967.

JSS and Dr Anne had an eventful journey.  The plane from Aberdeen was hours late so that the two missed their connection to Buenos Aires.  The next day a number of options were offered so they decided to fly to Paris for the day and fly overnight to Buenos Aires.  When the flight arrived in Argentina the passengers were on the tarmac for three hours as the airport was closed because of a severe storm.  Eventually Dr Anne and JSS arrived 30 hours late.

Early the next morning, JSS and Dr Anne set out for Iguazu.  They arrived at the airport early but the flight was grounded because of another storm.  In the end their flight was the only one that took off.  Iguazu was AMAZING.  The Argentinians call Niagra a bathtub compared to this.

Unforgettable.

Charly comes to Portsoy

Dr Anne had an amazing St Valentine's Day.  JSS and Argentinian Charly visited.  

When she got home there was a red rose behind the door from her favourite boyfriend, Blaine aged 5.