New Year’s Eve 2020, Tier 4.

It has been a beautifully icy cold sunny day. Only rose above freezing towards lunchtime here. The snow is still frozen on the school roof opposite, as the side facing us is due North.
The moon was so bright at 5.45am when I had come downstairs to make a drink, that I though the back security light was on!
It was beautiful in its solitude.
Shining out over the frosty roofs and silvery gardens. I gazed at it in wonder for awhile through the patio window.
Our own circling satellite. Millions of miles away in space, where men have set their feet. How awesome.
Yet our planet is suffering with a sickness that humans are fighting tooth and nail to bring under control.
Good news about the Oxford vaccine now added to the Pfizer one..
This one can be stored in a normal fridge.
I went to get some more supplies of bird food from a local garden centre this afternoon. Only a handful of cars which was great. Made my purchases, observing the usual hand gel and masking. Then drove back here to pop into Sainsbury’s for one or two things, about 2.45pm.
I never turned into the car park as they were queuing right up to the entrance and cars were waiting to turn right in a line across the oncoming traffic.
I decided to drive on by and went to the Farm Shop once again.
The other bits and pieces can wait.
It was calm there and a pleasure to be able to shop in peace!
Fresh veg, salad, peppers and mushrooms purchased. I drove the 5 minutes home.
I replenished the bird feeders and filled up a fat ball holder. The blackbird came for some sultanas.
Now at 4.00pm it is still relatively light outside with that cold frosty clearness which marks midwinter.
Not a breath of wind. The birds have gone to roost wherever they take refuge.
I’m listening to a cd called
Classic FM jazz. “Relaxing round Midnight.”
So many great tracks, with Miles Davis and John Coltrane to mention a few.
We sometimes have it on low when we are reading.
I’m currently reading The Greengage Summer by Rumer Godden and savouring every bit!
Grandad Stephen is in our “office” playing “Othello” on FaceTime with Sammy 9. They each have a set and tell each other where they want their next move to be!
Libby, soon to be 8, FaceTimed us this morning. Bonnie was also in her room sitting with Libby in the “tent” which was covering her bed. She was enjoying herself playing with a musical toy which played Incy Wincey Spider, amongst others and doing the actions.
Toby breezed in and out to say hello!
So lovely to see them all.
They are still in Tier 3 in Bristol, and their school reopens next Tuesday, 5th January.
So the last day of this year is slipping away.
We can only hope that people observe the advice to stay at home tonight, and not gather in large crowds.
It’s a year that will go down in history, literally. For all the wrong reasons.
Before I finish I would just like to wish you all a much better New Year, with huge dollops of Hope. Stay safe.
See you all in 2021!