Day 635 - New Car Monday!

Day 635...

Yes the day has finally arrived when we could take delivery of our new car, our new electric car!

But as we didn't know at what point today the car would arrive we nipped out first thing to our local Lidl to collect a few things. A quick weekly shop to pick up those items that are significantly cheaper than at Asda (where I get my main shop from) along with some bits for our 'fuddle' at work. We have one more week at work before we break for Christmas so we have decided to have a 'fuddle'; this is where we all throw in together and buy some nibbles. We have everything from chips and dips to crackers and cheese to bacon and brie and cheesy-beans jacket potatoes! (although I'll be giving some of the more 'carby' options a miss!).

Back home and it was time to cancel our old car insurances which we were able to do through the power of WhatsApp! I also ordered myself a replacement driving licence as my paper version had finally bit the dust and was no longer in one piece!

Just before lunch our new car arrived! Lots to learn and lots to get used to as we move from always having driven manual, petrol cars to fully electric and therefore an automatic. I think it's the automatic format that is freaking me out more than the electric side of things as I've never driven an automatic before. When we've had hire cars in the US they have always been automatic but Simon has always done the driving so this is a complete first for me!

We had a little time with the chap from the garage to go over a few bits and pieces and we were able to connect the car to our new charging station which worked perfectly...thankfully!

So later this afternoon we took a drive over to Derby as I had an appointment and it gave us a good excuse to take the car out. Simon drove us and we were both super impressed; a very smooth and very responsive car to drive. There are lots of cool features as well but I think it may take us a while to get our heads around everything. On our way home we stopped by my dad's house to show him the car before I had my first go at driving it! 

It is very strange not having to do anything with my left foot and left arm! Although I did find it easier than I think I was expecting but I am sure over the next few days I will have up and down moments with it. I'm hoping that as I drive the car most days of the week I will pick it all up relatively quickly.

One feature I have started to play with is the ability to set the climate control of the car from an app. This means that (if I've done it right) I should be able to get into the car each morning and find it nice and warm and ready to go. No more getting into a cold car on a winter's morning.

And despite all the excitement of the new car Simon has also been able to upgrade the lighting effects on his R2D2 and we have both found the time to jump on our new exercise bike. It was the first time on the bike for me and I wasn't expecting great things...I like moving weights around but am not too fond of any exercise that gets me out of breath! But with the bike we are aiming to workout at 'Zone 2' which is supposed to be good for heart health as well as good for fat burning, and I was actually rather happy with my effort. I managed to maintain the heart rate I wanted and stuck at it for 30 minutes...it will be interesting to see how my legs and bum feel tomorrow!

Right that's it for today, see you tomorrow.
xx

Day 634

Day 634...

Well we have had a Sunday and it turned out to be a bit busier than I think we had been expecting.

The day started with our usual weekly grocery shopping pick up, which seemed to take so much longer than normal. The store we collect from have changed their collection location and procedures and it now seems to take longer than their old way of doing things. We arrived this morning with at least five cars already waiting, their 'app' that didn't seem to be working and a store colleague who quite frankly didn't seem to know what he was doing. Thankfully another colleague appeared to help out and things started to speed up.

Our main focus once we were home, and the shopping put away, was to sort out the garage ready for the delivery of our new electric car tomorrow. Having had the charging unit installed this past week the garage needed tidying and reorganising as well as the floor cleaning. As we use the garage as our gym we have a rubber floor installed and with all the work of the last week it was in need of a good sweep and a mop!

We then decided to get out the power washer to clean around the parking area as there was lots of muck left over from all the work last week. As our parking area is a communal space shared by us and our four neighbours it is quite a big space so it took us a lot longer than we'd anticipated to get everywhere spruced up!

But being outside did mean that I was able to re-set some of my outside lights that had had to be moved while the new cabling was installed, and so they are now back where they belong.

By the time we had finished it was quite late on in the day and I remembered that I needed to sort out the car insurance for tomorrow. Having looked online yesterday I'd got a pretty good idea of what price I could get but decided to see what my current insurer could do. Well for some reason their online system wouldn't recognise my new car so I phoned through instead. But the automated system told me that department I needed was closed, which was understandable for a Sunday. But I then realised I could 'chat' online, but yet again they couldn't find my car...although while I was chatting online I decided to 'get a quote' from the same company posing as if I was a new customer and lo and behold the system could find my car!!! But by the time the online chat got back to me they decided they wanted extra money off me which meant that the annual premium was significantly higher than elsewhere.

So back to the compare sites I went and found a policy that I was happy with and was able to sort out my new insurance with just a few clicks on the keyboard. Phew, all sorted ready for tomorrow.

I now have the job ahead of cancelling old policies, old direct debits and ordering a replacement driving licence as mine has fallen to pieces. I've held onto my paper version as it was in perfectly good shape and there was no need to replace but as I unfolded it the other day it fell apart so I think I ought to get it replaced!

And there we have a Sunday, see you tomorrow.
xx

Day 633

Day 633...

We had a fun filled evening yesterday attending our favourite burlesque show called La De Da Cabaret...in fact it has been two years since seeing this show. So it was great to be back if a little sad to recognise the length of time in between visits. It was also the first time I've worn in heels in about two years as well!!

The evening was filled with burlesque and cabaret acts, we had a strong man, hula hoops, fire breathing, singing, comedy and of course burlesque. Can't recommend one of these evenings enough and producer Scarlett Daggers always manages to put together shows with a breadth of performers.

We even had to contend with a false fire alarm as the smoke machines being used on stage accidentally set off the alarms - oops!

Out, out! We don't scrub up too bad!

The only sad thing was to see so many people wearing masks, seemingly defying all levels of common sense. Everyone together in the bar before hand without masks...move into the theater and the mask goes on...sit down in the auditorium with a drink in their hand and then take off the aforementioned mask!! I just don't get it...if you think that masks are helpful then surely the mask should stay on your face the whole time you are in the building and not just when you're not drinking! Or maybe this virus only goes after those of us who don't have a drink in our hands? And then watching the audience as the night moved on, and more alcohol had been drunk, and the number of masks being worn at the 'correct times' seemed to become rather haphazard!!

But a late night last night meant a very relaxed and late start to the morning today which was much needed after a rubbish nights sleep and was the slowest morning in a long while.

Just before lunch we finally received a delivery we'd been waiting for from Yodel; the delivery driver was lovely but the service from Yodel has been rubbish. The parcel was due here at the latest by 7th December and had been sitting at their 'national hub' since the 1st of December...simply ridiculous that it took that long to get to us. But at least we have it now and it then meant Simon had a job to do as it was an exercise bike which needed assembling! Another edition to our home gym set-up.

I had the fun of updating the online grocery shopping coupled with a little online car insurance research as I was also able to get in touch with the garage about taking delivery of our new electric car. All being well the car will be delivered on Monday; it's all very exciting although a little scary at the same time as I think there maybe a bit of a learning curve involved. If only for the fact that we will move from a manual gearbox to an automatic!

Then we popped out this afternoon as we had a parcel to drop at the post office and cheques to pay in at the bank. We then thought we'd nip over to our local Starbucks for a quick coffee, however the traffic had other ideas! Unfortunately for us we'd timed it to clash with football traffic, so much so that the road we wanted to take ran alongside the football ground and so was closed. A quick u-turn and we headed for a Costa instead! And happy to see the staff were not wearing masks...although most of the customers were wearing them to stand and order and then remove once they were sat down - again this virus must only operate at certain elevation levels (yes I am being sarcastic!).

It was then time to try and chill out and while I attacked the jigsaw Simon jumped on the new bike! We are both aiming to get a little fitter by taking the time on the bike by attempting to achieve a zone two workout in...apparently this is best for heart health and is good for fat burning! This means, for me, working out with a heart rate of between 100 and 120 per minute. I've yet to have a go so I will report back at a later date. I am anticipating it being uncomfortable for two reasons; first I hate anything aerobic based and second I think it may be a little sore around the bottom and thigh area!!!

And with that I will take my glass of red, grab some chocolate and settle down for the evening in front of the TV.

Take care and I'll see you tomorrow.
xx

Day 632

Day 632...

And a day off from work! Having done some extra hours of late today was chance to take a day off in lieu of those hours.

It has in the main been a quiet day; I've updated my weekly grocery shop, got caught up on a few emails, did a little more online Christmas shopping, sorted through my handbags and purses and put a few more pieces into my current jigsaw.

About halfway through the day our electrician arrived to complete the final part of our electric car charging station installation by actually installing the charger itself. Unfortunately, when he went to test it he found that the unit was faulty! So he left for the day saying that he would be back as soon as he could get a replacement unit...we presumed that this would be Monday at the earliest.

And then just after 6pm there was a knock on the door, it was our electrician to let us know that the unit was now in and working!! Bless him he'd been able to get a replacement unit later this afternoon and had popped back to get the job completed and because it was being installed outside he'd been able to get it all done without us knowing he was even here!

So now we have the charging station we just need the car! I will be in touch with the garage tomorrow to see when we can arrange delivery...all very exciting with a touch of apprehension.

And to round out the day we are off out, out to see our favourite burlesque show, La De Da Cabaret hosted by the wonderful Scarlett Daggers. I think it's two years since our last La De Da - wow!

I will report back tomorrow to let you know how the night went.

See you then.
xx

Day 631 - Birthday!

Day 631...

It's my birthday!!

And whilst it may not strictly be a 'lockdown' birthday it is my second birthday during this pandemic that does not feel as it is ought to feel!

My day was spent with a morning in work and an afternoon at home. Work was my usual Thursday management catch-up with my deputy manager as we discuss what we need to be doing to move us forever forward as a pre-school.

Arriving at home and there were more workmen on site laying the cabling for our electric car charging station and connecting the supply to our house. All that is left to be done now is to actually install the charging station...when that happens though is anyone's guess! But we are much closer now to getting it all sorted and our new car being delivered.

I left the opening of my birthday presents till late in the day as there wasn't time first thing this morning and I think it's fair to say that family and friends know me pretty well...Disney...dark chocolate...jigsaw and a bottle of red wine!

Treats from the girls at work

From the girls at work

From my podcast co-host Michelle

And with that I will sign off for today to put my feet up with the aforementioned chocolate and red wine.

See you tomorrow.
xx

Day 630

Day 630...

Thursday...a day of work both in work and at home and a day when our government decided to adopt their 'plan b'...FFS!!

And to be honest as I'm writing this at the end of the day and just after the announcement regarding our 'plan b' I am feeling rather despondent and not really in the mood for writing.

I started this blog way back when to talk about my love of Disney and then it expanded into my passion for living a low carb lifestyle. Then in March 2020 as this strange and scary virus started to change our lives and we were put into the first lockdown I decided to keep a diary to catalogue what being in lockdown was like, little did I know back then that I would still be writing this at day 630!

I've kept writing because even when restrictions were lifted life never went completely back to normal, never went back to the way we used to conduct ourselves back in 2019 and over the 630 days my thoughts and opinions have changed. I have challenged the information that has been fed to us, tried to do my own research and listen to people that appear to know what they are talking about, who are not afraid to go against the narrative and who actually talk common sense.

So we are now being asked to 'mask up' in most places but not in hospitality. We are being asked to work form home 'if you can'. We are being told to get our boosters because the vaccines are working so well that we now need more to keep us topped up! Oh and by the way from next week you'll need to show your 'papers' to get into certain types of venue. And then the icing on the cake is 'we should have a conversation about mandatory vaccines'!! What the actual?

I really don't know where to start...we don't have mandatory vaccines for anything else so why this? We have boosters because the first round of shots aren't working (or lasting) that well so why would I put what is in effect an untested vaccine (as we are the test subjects) into my body again if it's not working and I'm going to need even more later on. Masks have been proven to have little if any effect so again what is the point and please explain how the virus knows not to infect you when you are sitting down and either eating or drinking? And how is it that those countries that have instigated much stricter restrictions than us with masks everywhere and vaccine passports are all seeing record numbers of cases...as this implies that these type of restrictions have no impact on cases.

And why are we still reacting in fear to a virus that has a death rate that is lower than that of seasonal flu?

I simply don't know anymore, but I do know that I don't like it, I don't like our freedoms being eroded and I just want my 2019 life back please.

See you tomorrow.
xx

Day 629

Day 629...

And we have a Tuesday and the first day of the working week for me and it has turned out to be a rather busy day.

So I set out for work and got into the courtesy car that the garage had left me with yesterday, and despite it being the same make and model of car that I have just given up it is a newer model and left me a little flummoxed. I couldn't figure out how to get it in reverse...I admitted defeat and asked Simon for help!

So not only is the reverse gear in a different position to the car I've been used to driving it also requires the ring to be raised underneath the gear stick knob which then allows the stick to be moved and reverse to be engaged. With that sorted I set off on my short journey to work...without music. I'd had the sense to pop in my USB stick with my music and had selected the music I wanted to listen to but couldn't figure out where the volume control was - Oh I am such a girl when it comes to cars and techy stuff!! So it was a silent journey to work but when I arrived and had parked up I had the sense to take a couple of minutes to figure out where a few controls were and have now got it figured out...I hope!

The morning in work was pretty standard, lots of admin, lots of banking, catching up with my deputy manager and getting more things prepped for our Christmas activities. We have our Christmas raffle tomorrow and so on the way home at lunchtime I stopped by our local Co-op store who very kindly donated a large box of chocolates and a bottle of Prosecco. Then when I got home I found that our local bus company had sent us some ticket vouchers as well.

But during the early part of the morning my phone started 'pinging' with messages from Simon. Turned out that the company who are fitting our electric car charging point had arrived and had set about digging up our parking area so that the necessary ducting could be laid ready for the cabling. This is great news although totally unexpected which did leave Simon having to run around and let all our neighbours know what was happening as we have a shared parking and garage area.

By the time I arrived home they were making great progress and had most of the trench dug out with the ducting being laid as they went along and then the trench being refilled with ballast. By mid-afternoon they were done and left for the day and said that someone would be round to lay the cable and do the electrics and complete the groundworks with fresh tarmac.

I then nipped out to our local post office as I had a parcel to collect; a hotel chocolat parcel no less! It had my high cocoa curated 'subscribe and save' collection plus a few other bits and pieces that I'd ordered as Christmas presents and stocking fillers.

In between all of that I'd been doing a few bits online. I'd had a few work related bits that I wanted to just go over and get completed but I'd also had a late delivery to chase. We were expecting a delivery from Yodel today and because it had been ordered through Amazon we'd received a message saying that the delivery had been delayed. So we went online and followed the tracking information and discovered that the parcel had arrived with Yodel at their 'national hub' on the 1st December but that 'the weather is not on our side today and we're experiencing a delay' . Okay so the weather had been rather wintry on the 28th November and since then it has been cold, it has been wet and windy but nothing that has stopped other couriers getting to us on time, so we weren't sure why the weather would be causing Yodel a problem. And it seemed strange that it was still held at their national hub, with no attempt to get it to a local depot.

I jumped online for a 'chat' and eventually got through to an online operator who basically told me what I'd already been able to find out for myself!! I questioned it further and was basically told they were still playing 'catch-up' from the previous bad weather and all I could do was to keep checking online! Really?! Well that was no help and rather inconvenient...I have tweeted Yodel but as yet no-one has deemed me a response. I wonder how long this will take to resolve?!

And there I was sat at the laptop when I became aware of some noise outside but being engrossed in what I was doing I didn't pay it too much attention, plus we'd had a couple of helicopters fly over and so I just dismissed it as noise from them. I then happened to look out the window and saw lights on...and then I spotted a chap in a hi-viz vest...so at that point I decided to investigate. I found a couple of chaps  laying tarmac to finish off the trench that had been dug earlier today. I was slightly astounded as I'd presumed they would be here at 'some point' later this week, and not this afternoon working in the dark! Fingers crossed when I get to see it in daylight tomorrow it looks good!

And there we have a busier than usual Tuesday. See you tomorrow.
xx