Friday 19th January 2024

The snow is on its way out, although it's hanging about in big slushy piles now.

It was one of my mornings in town, so I headed off bright and early. The roads were still quite bad but better than they were. I stopped off at the butcher's - a different one than the other day, and got a few bits and pieces. All three butcher's shops in town are excellent, but I often end up at this one because they have decent parking right outside, so I can just nip in as I pass, and it has a good deli section.

Then on to the gym. It was a really good session- a lot of core strengthening today, which I'll probably feel tomorrow.

The dog had an appointment at the groomers next, so I dropped him there and went to Tesco. The car park was chaotic. People driving round and round looking for a space. I didn't even try and went on up the road to the big Co-op. It was much the same. Honestly- people were really only stuck in for a day, but you'd think we'd been cut off for three months. It didn't help that so many of the parking spaces were piled up with slush, so weren't accessible.

The shop was really busy too. They have recently had a refit there, and for some reason, the vegetables are in chiller cabinets behind perspex doors. There was a sizeable queue for the broccoli door, which was annoying. People waiting to open the door, pick up a pack of broccoli, put it in their trolley, close the door and move on to the carrots. Unintended consequences.

At least going to the Co-op I was able to get one of their excellent takeaway coffees on the way out. I didn't get much else. It was so busy and I was losing the will to carry on. I was a wee bit early for the dog, so sat and scrolled on the phone until he was ready.

Home in good time - quick lunch then back out in the opposite direction. It was my week to clean the church. My cleaning partner is away this week, and we had tried to get a swap, but the only one on offer meant we would be doing two in a row next month. It was easier just to do it myself. I hoped to persuade the boy to come and help, but he had other things to do.

Home again - dinner was spaghetti bolognese. It was nice but very filling. Nice chat with younger daughter, who is expecting her fourth child. She had been for her first ultrasound scan today, and everything looks fine. Lovely wee baby in the picture and I'm very excited. It never gets old.

Finished the first of the latest socks tonight and cast on the second one. I'm tired tonight, so looking forward to a relaxing weekend.