Thursday 11th June 2020

Friday should have seen the start of the 2020 European (football) Championships.

But not this week, not this year.

And as we had survived our first day in close proximity to each other, we could look after to many, many more days of that to come.

Being a Thursday, once up it was back on the cross trainer, whilst Jools went walking. I put my trainers on, put the radio on and got pumping. At least with the cool temperatures, I made a good pace and got through the 20 minutes in good shape, and was able to get dressed, make breakfast, coffee for me and Jools, and be ready for the early morning meeting.

And as each day goes by, I get more of a handle on the job, make friends and try to influence people.

A few months ago, Jools tripped over Mulder coming down the stairs on morning, and hurt her toe. It hasn't really gotten better, so Jools went the Dover minor injuries unit, and in the end found out the toe had been broken but was still dislocated. She now has to be referred to a broken bone specialist, and in the time of COVID, that isn't easy.

She can walk, and more than keep up with me, but is in pain.

I am back at work, seems that there is an endless stream of meetings and phone calls. Just as well I have enough time to be able to attend.

The morning passes.

Jools goes to Tesco for a few supplies. Ice cream fell into the basket. Again.

We have lunch of leftover aubergine, and being at work I have to pass on the wine.

Drat and double drat!

And onto the afternoon. Outside it was cool and was raining. No walking for us.

We try not to think of the fact we should have been in Northern Norway by now, preparing for the voyage to Svalbard.

But not this year.

I do a second session on the cross trainer when Jools goes to the hospital, and am all showered and dressed again when she came home.

It seemed that was the end of another day.

Dinner was a feast of: pan fried salmon with a creamy dill sauce, creamed spinach and sweet chilli stir fry and curried rice. A lot of flavours and much, much richness.

I felt like doing nothing the rest of the day, which was just as well as there was nothing left to do.

One more day hard at work, and then 9 days off.