My mood was much better today, although I’m still a bit short of patience at times.
It helped to get up and get out in the morning. It was a nice crisp day and since my last illness ended, I’ve finally felt physically well again in a way I hadn’t since July, I think.
I went food shopping, and then called in at Twelve Triangles for a coffee and pastry, and savoured a few luxurious moments having that breakfast by myself in the car.
After that, we all went out on a tier 3 road trip – a big loop around the city. Out east to Fort Kinnaird, and then all the way around the bypass to the Gyle, and then back up to our home on the north edge of Edinburgh.
The reason for going to Fort Kinnaird was to pick up a Christmas present for Eilidh from the toy shop, which I had pre-ordered. It was not a good experience. The shop was busy and I had to go all the way to the back to reach the collection point. I took my time so as to dodge people as best I could. But at one point I passed a huge stepladder thing taking up half the width of the aisle, and some people came towards me in the other direction with no pretence of stopping to wait. I actually snapped at them “that’s not 2 metres, people!” as they went past. I think they should have a one-way system up and down those aisles, and limit the number of people in the shop at once.
With my more rational head on, and from all I’ve read, I guess it seems unlikely that the coronavirus would be transmitted between people walking past each other in a shop with masks on. But put me in a situation like that and I guess my fearful reptilian brain takes over? I really feel sometimes like I’m inconsistent to the point of schizophrenic over this virus.
I guess it’s partly just a manners thing. I don’t get why no-one seems to be prepared to wait even a matter of seconds for a space to clear. It really pisses me off, the unwillingness to do such a small easy thing and the lack of respect. And for that matter, why are they bringing their whole family into a toy shop to browse when case numbers are this high. Browse online! Then send one person quickly in and out to collect the purchases (or get them delivered). I guess I’m pissed off that so many people can’t be bothered to make any changes to their lifestyle, any sacrifices.
Meanwhile, Eilidh had a fun time in the playpark, mainly the roundabout, laughing and shouting “go go go!” and “faster!” to whichever kid was pushing it. Andy got sandwiches from M&S; Eilidh devoured a huge ham sandwich in the car. Lately she’s been eating things so quickly in the car that we can’t be sure she didn’t drop it in some nook or cranny of the car… I keep expecting to smell rotten chicken nuggets when I open the car.
At the Gyle we went to hand-deliver a signed document to the estate agency office (one that could not be done electronically). While we were there, we stopped at Hermiston Gait for KFC drive-thru and Krispy Kreme drive-thru!
When we got home, I spent a few hours cooking dal, a huge pot of base gravy to make curries, saag paneer, and pilau rice.
In the evening we had a games session over zoom with a friend.
Masks and Rainbows 