I can’t believe how long it is since the tap broke! We’re still waiting the arrival of a capable plumber to repair/replace it, since the last one to have a go left it in a worse state than it was when he started. Anyway, appointment booked for next Thursday. Fingers crossed.

Anyway, life here is relaxing a little. On the first morning the rules were relaxed, I went for my first swim since before Christmas and then to the wedding outfitters to sort out that important business. Everything chosen, ordered and I now hold my breath in the hope that the dressmakers in India are not affected by the CV situation there. That sounds horribly selfish - of course, I am as upset by the progress of the virus in India as everyone. Probably more so, since I can imagine all too well how fast the virus could take hold in those tight communities of people who have been so welcoming to us. Let’s just say I am keeping everything crossed for a positive outcome all round.

I wasn’t the only one around here in need of something to wear on the big day. We ventured out as far as our nearest shopping mall too, though weren’t successful in buying anything more than a tie. This is not a good time to be looking for a suit or any kind of formal wear, because everyone is still focused on pyjamas and tracksuit bottoms it seems. (Cringe-moment of the week came in a TV advert for a university offering a degree course “you can do from home in your comfies” 🤐 )

I was very happy to get to the hairdressers too!

But irritatingly, just as we all get out and about a little more, as the schools open up again and more traffic appears on the roads, the local council have decided it’s time to do some essential road repairs. We have been besieged these last couple of weeks as the main routes out of the village have been closed. As anyone who has visited us will know, the alternatives are not really suitable for regular use, especially when the postman is doing his rounds.

In other news, we’ve had snow…

which thankfully disappeared before we could enjoy the company of friends over boozy lunches in the garden. It’s been lovely to catch up again, to sit back and relax for a few hours wrapped in blankets until the smoke from the fire got too much!

Thankfully, Spring really does seem to have arrived now and we can feel the atmosphere lightening as we emerge from our cocoons.

Best of all, we went for our second vaccination yesterday!

(And yes, the eagle eyed will spot that we dropped our postal votes into the box as we went 😉 )