Day One Hundred and Fifteen - Grey Day

And the forecasters got it right. It was tipping it down this morning when I got up to go for my walk. So much so that I went back to bed again and slept for a further hour. Had this weird dream though. Somebody from my tai chi class wanted to sleep on my sofa and asked me for a sleeping bag which I duly provided. I then went to the dining room to look out of the French doors to see if I could find my cat who'd disappeared. My cat hadn't disappeared, it was Peter my childhood cat, and he was euthanised at the ripe old age of 21. But in this dream I was wondering what an earth had happened to him. And stressing about how I would ever find out. Weird. But I love dreams. I love trying to figure out where my head is that I can think of such things. But not walking in the morning has a very negative effect on my mental state for the rest of the day. I'm touchy and restless. I can't settle to anything worthwhile. And I get more and more cross with myself for being so. And I seriously thought about going out during the day for a walk. I'm getting very close to the point where I will do that. But I just couldn't step over that hurdle today. For one thing the weather isn't inviting. It's been on the brink of rain all day long.

I ordered some ginger in my veg box today. I always like to have fresh ginger. It has anti-inflammatory properties and I try to include it in as many dishes as I can. However they cocked up and instead of ginger they sent me garlic! Not really a viable substitute. When I tried to phone they reckon they were very, very busy because of coronavirus and people are having to wait on hold for up to an hour to get through to somebody. So I thought well it's not a major or urgent problem so I would email them. I'm hoping they'll refund the cost of the ginger. The one bulb of garlic cost about 50p And the ginger cost £1.35. But I don't imagine there will be a very prompt reply to the email.

I did some laundry which I've had to hang out indoors because the weather really isn't good enough to expend all the time hanging out only to find it's raining again and having to bring it all in. And I'm ashamed to say that I've not really achieved much else today. I've pottered and faffed.

In coronavirus news the WHO advised that the virus may well be an airborne virus. As well as being passed via droplets it might be passed through the air. Might be an argument for making face masks compulsory? But then someone else says that face masks are not a magic bullet to protect against the virus. What is?

The Chancellor is offering people are dining out 50% off their bills during August in an effort to try and inject some life into the hospitality industry. You could take 100% off my bill, I  ain't going near any restaurant in August! Money, money, money, it's all anything is ever about. However he is also cutting VAT in that sector as well. To try and protect jobs apparently, which is a good thing.

Had an email from my tai chi friend who went to the session this morning. She said there were about 14 or 15 people there and they remained well spaced out. She really enjoyed doing it in the open air. You don't need to convince me how lovely is to do it outside. I do it in my garden when I don't feel overlooked. Really sad I can't go. Apparently there was one guy there who reckons that COVID-19 is just a cold and he hasn't  taken any measures at all, he's just carrying on as normal. I do envy that certainty. He must be a lot happier than the rest of us! What if he's right? Anyway they will be another session next Tuesday. In my mind I'm wondering whether I'll "practice" walking to the venue, seeing how I am and walking back again. I'm really keen to go back to Tai Chi. But there are several mental obstacles for me to overcome in order for me to do that.

I have to run the gauntlet and pick up my prescription tomorrow. I don't think I'm quite as stressed as last time. I'll probably be quite pleased if it's raining as I always think that puts a lot of people off going out.