December 28

December 28

United Kingdom?  Not in the pandemic era.

With Boris Johnson keeping his fingers crossed, shutting his eyes to the danger to save the inevitably curtailed New Year celebrations, the three other nations have gone their own way.

The result, a mishmash of rules and regulations creating confusion and uncertainty.

With the pm laying low, his docile ministers are left to explain why it is.’carry on hoping’ with the blindingly obvious assertion that the situation is  ‘constantly under review’ followed by the inevitable cliche, ‘we will not hesitate’  to act, when that is what he and they have done for months.

It is all a gamble with the nation’s health and no-one, not even the army of ‘experts’ with their consistently worrying ‘worst scenarios’  forecast dire days ahead for the NHS.

But, cheer up. Mankind will soon be able to solve the mystery of the beginning of the universe back in the mists of time even if it cannot work out how to save our world.

December 27

 December 27

Christmas is over, a relief for everyone who  managed to find comfort and joy, especially in the company of family,

My family get togethers were in the few days leading up to Christmas when I was able to show them my new home.

One blessing this week has been the toning down of pandemic news. Sensibly, the media has for a few days stopped parading worrying statistics of cases, hospital admissions and deaths.

It has become an obsession, Pandemic seving no other purpose than adding to people’s worries.

And why it is necessary to show as infinitum people receiving jabs On television news I have sometime counted seven or more in a matter of minutes. 

I have hardly noticed my countless injections over the years but still do not like seeing a needle jabbed into someone else’s arms. It must be off putting for the squeamish.

Christmas Day

Another pandemic Christmas. Yet for me it is the most exciting for years. I have changed not just my home but my life.

The past two Christmases at Sunrise were made enjoyable by the marvellous carers and team who tried to brighten the lives of the residents.  And a lot of company for me, even though it was not exhilarating.

Today it is totally different. I am on my own in my new flat, but feeling far from lonely, enjoying the luxury of doing as I like when I like.

I think back at Christmases past, almost all of them evoking happy memories. Sad times ones, too. Dad dying at Christmas 79 years ago in wartime 1942, and  Rosemary and Beverley’s deaths within the past five years.

But life goes on and I more than ever appreciate how fortunate I have been all my life. That good fortune is as strong as ever, due to the love and support of all the family, emphasised again in recent days making possible my move and change of life.

This morning I sat unwrapping a load of presents, feeling happier and more settled than for years.

I do not know what the future holds - no one ever can - made even more problematical by the maddeningly lingering pandemic, but I am content to enjoy a quiet but still interesting time.

The success of my eye operation means I can read again after three years and with the Christmas gift from Robert, Karen and Owen of painting materials I can resume my simple effort nurtured by the Sunrise arts class.

What a start to 2022.

December 21

 December 2

Confusion reigns. With Christmas just a few days away the prime minister is, as usual, dithering.

The situation is being revised hour by hour, he says, which means that, with his cabinet spilt over ‘cancelling Christmas’ or carrying on partying, he is between the devil and the deep blue sea.

He is probably thinking of ways to ‘party’ even if everyone else has their Christmas ruined.

And it makes me think what a powerful influence the ‘festive season’ has on us. We must be with our family - our ‘loved ones’. We must have the turkey and tinsel. We might even think of the real meaning of Christmas.

If, as seems likely at this late stage, Mr Johnson holds firm on his believe that there is no need need for further restrictions our Christmas 2021 will just about survive….

If he is wrong, as so often, and  the warnings of possible death and disaster from an army of experts prove accurate, it will be another blow to the ‘will I won’t I ‘ primeminister.

How fortunate

Two weeks after my move from Sunrise my new home is in full working order. Fortunately I have been the same although it has been hard work, but rewarding.

All it needs now to make it even more homely is to have my pictures on the walls.

I am impressed and delighted with everything connected with 10 Bridgeman Court.

It is well designed, with facilities that make it safe and easy, it is luxuriously warm - no need to have the heating on most of the day - and the company of cheerful, helpful residents, all much younger than I.

A huge change from the mostly silent elderly residents at Sunrise.

Even though I have left, Sunrise have been helpful, including providing a supply of medication to tide me over until I have joined a Penarth surgery.

Even better, I have had an almost daily parade of family visitors, all helping me solve problems.

I am looking forward to a unique Christmas, happy to be able to enjoy it.

Robert, Karen, Owen and Rufus are staying in Cardiff for two days immediately after Christmas and I am looking forward to lunches out with them.

I am feeling fit, my eye operation was successful and I am able to read a book for the first time for two years.

What more could I ask for? How fortunate I continue to be.

Thank you, everyone.

December 11

Life begins at 95. I am in the real world again, And I am excited and relieved.

It is a different world, stimulating and adventurous, which I had thought I had lost.

I am the oldest resident but I hope I will prove young in heart.

I have received a marvellous welcome from everyone and am relishing the new social life.

Each morning at 10 I gone down to the foyer at  a chat with some of them men.

One of the first to greet me was Keith Howells, a friend who lives here and who took me to Dinas Powis to see Alan, another friend, now living alone in a lovely house where we used to meet regularly.

 I also enjoyed a quiz evening although, as usual, not contributing much to our team. My excuse was I could not hear the woman quiz master.

Everyone brought their own drinks and snacks were provided. It was profitable for the Court funds… £3 a head.

I am looking forward to my first Christmas party next week.

So life at Bridgeman Court is proving even better than I expected.

My new home

I am in my new home, starting my new life. 

Bob leaves his turret suite at Sunrise for the last time

It was in some way a sad farewell to Sunrise from where I was given an emotional send-off by Virgil, the chief, and all the carers and team. It was the end of an era, almost two and a half years, living in comfort and well cared for, surviving long periods of lockdown and a spell in hospital. 

At Sunrise I did not need the full care given to the other residents. I am old (very old!) but I have proved I can look after myself and become independent again. It was only a few months ago I decided that I could not stay on and possibly get like almost all the residents there. Since I have been in Sunrise I have had only two residents I have been able to chat to regularly. The rest are are in a world of their own, mostly silent, just drifting along, seemingly not recognising or appreciating how fortunate they are to be so well cared for. 

The carers have all been marvellous, efficient and kindly and have become my good friends. But the change in my life is already obvious. What a marathon it was to move my home lock stock and barrel. Brenda and Ivor managed somehow to pack and mark dozens of boxes and bags with the ridiculously huge wardrobe I had unwisely built up over the years. 

On moving day Robert supervised operations, even helping the removal team. When we reached Penarth I realised what an amazing job he and Karen had done.The lighting, heating, wifi and phone were working; the carpets and whole flat had been cleaned. Karen spent had spent days on a marathon shopping spree, completing every item on a huge list of things I needed.

Leaving Penarth for Sunrise in 2019, I got rid of everything apart from all my furniture, which I took with me. So I have had to start from scratch. It was an exciting, emotional drive back and to open the front door of my three-room flat. 

I think it is perfect for me, well designed with many facilities for the disabled. I will feel safe here. It was a pleasant surprise to meet most of the residents over the weekend. They are well organised and very sociable. They have already persuaded me to join two Christmas parties and a quiz. I will certainly not be lonely here and I know that I will enjoy my new home and new life.