Getting the Jab

Yep – I’ve had my first dose of the Covid-19 jab.  I’ve had the AZ (Astra Zeneca) variant.  The jab itself was painless – the nurse who did it was very professional, as was the entire team who were administering the jabs.  

I did like the way that the staff went out of their way to reassure those of us who are less than keen on needles, and also made sure that I was aware of the possible side effects.  

The only thing that I will say (more of an observation that anything else) was that the staff trusted people to stay put for the length of time specified.  The gentleman who was telling me about the possible side effects, and things to watch out for, spotted my medic alert, and when when I was asked about it, instantly instructed me to wait 20 minutes after my jab before I could escape.  Thank god for the kindle – I would have gone nuts.

I freely admit that I felt decidedly off on Friday – to the extent where I didn’t think I would be safe enough to drive on Friday night.  That put a dampener on my weekend plans, but my partner was sweet, and said that he didn’t want me driving, as it’s not a short drive to see him.  Ok – it’s not that far (about 40 miles) but it’s on some nasty roads (or I use the M6).  Either way, it meant a weekend at home.

And yes – it was the right thing to do.  I spent yesterday dozing, and was barely able to move my arm (I felt like I had done 15+ rounds with a certain M. Tyson…) And I will admit to being very grateful for the kindle – it meant I could read without having to hold a heavy book in my right hand.    

Today?  I feel brighter than I did – but it still hurts to lie on my left arm, and I am still tired.  But, if it’s a sore / bruised feeling arm, or risking catching this dratted virus…  Give me the sore arm any day.

Ah well, time to call this quits – my eyes are tired and I can hardly stop yawning.

Back when I get the inclination… (or my arm stops hurting!)

Karen

You try, yeah, you do your best
But nothing seems to work
You're not like all the rest
When you're the one who hurts
Oh, what a day

Recall sorted and Exhaust Gas Regulator....

Well, the Monster is back, and the recall has been done.  But that didn't clear the error.  No - the annoying little monster did that as I was driving to Arbury this morning.

When I started the car, I got the ping and the warning message (as well as the engine management light on the dashboard.)  OK - I knew about that - it was going to be sorted out.  What I didn't expect was for the damned thing to disappear as I was driving!

So, muttering all sorts of things about the error, I dropped it off to be dealt with by the capable engineers at Arbury, and went shopping with Mum (I'd been smart, and booked the morning off, so I didn't have to rush about like a headless chicken to try to get back to the dining table!)

As we're still in lockdown, it wasn't as if we could head off to Solihull for some retail therapy (to be honest - I've not missed that!)  Instead, it was wildy exotic - off to Morrisons to do the food shopping.  There were some things that we couldn't get, so we headed to Warwick to Tesco to finish off (and I was able to get the obligatory coffee - can't resist Costa coffee...)

We still had time to kill, so we were able to go to a couple of garden centres, and as we were heading back to Leamington, my phone rang.  It was Molly, calling me to let me know that the Monster was out on a road test, and should be ready to collect.

That suited me fine, so Mum and I headed to Arbury, so she could drop me off and head for home with the shopping....  I went in and spoke to Molly who told me the news....  The recall was sorted (software only) but the bad news....  The EGR valve (aka exhaust solenoid) was playing up again.  

Despite the car clearing the error, it had left a record in the ECU so that they could have a look and see what it had recorded.  (Always said the car was plug and pray!)  It turned out that the EGR valve was playing up, so they took it out, cleaned it up and reinstalled in.  

If it throws the same error again (and doesn't go into limp mode - where a snail can overtake you shaking it's little fist at you as it goes past you) - then I have to call Arbury to get it booked in and they will have to sort the EGR.

But, at the end of the day, as long as the little monster runs, I don't mind.  

And time to call it quits - I am fed up with staring at the computer screen.

Back when I get chance...

Karen

Write in dust all you say
Look for the answers you know you can trust
One day they might blow away

Car check

Well, I've checked the car, and at least the battery hasn't drained overnight.  That's one good thing. The bad thing?  Still got the engine management light (and ping). 

Now all I have to do is speak to Arbury to see if I can get the Monster in earlier than Thursday, as I don't really want to risk having to wait for the car over the weekend, when I have plans made.

That, and the fact that this puts added stress on Mum's car with mine being unreliable at the moment.  All I can hope is this is something stupid, because I really *don't* want to have to change the Monster...

Time to call Arbury and see if I can get the car in earlier.

Back when I've spoken to the service team.

*****Update - 08:40 - Spoken to Molly at Arbury Leamington.  The earliest I can get the Monster in is Thursday.  But, they will do the recall work before starting to look at the diagnostics for me, as the issue may be something to do with that, and they don't want to charge me unnecessarily for the diagnostics if the issue is cleared with the recall.  

At least I know that the car is OK to drive, as I didn't experience any loss of power - but it was had to tell as I was only ½ mile away from home when this error triggered.  So, all I can do is pray this issue is sorted, otherwise there is another bill landing on my feet courtesy of the expensive little Monster.

Karen

Oh it gets harder to decide
Fingers crossed there's no time to celebrate

Who are you saying maybe it's our fate?

And when you said you've never lied

Another set of warning lights

Great.  Just what I *didn't* need to get.  Coming home last night, I got a "ping" from the car, then the dashboard lit up like a Christmas tree, and the dreaded "Engine fault - have vehicle repaired" message came up.

I know there is a recall on the Monster (hell, the car is booked in for Thursday morning) but this is now starting to get annoying.  I need a car that is reliable, and much as I love the Monster, it's becoming a nuisance.

If this is another problem, I may well have to start looking for a replacement car.  Which, with the current lock-down is not really viable as I need to test drive the new 208, to see if I like it...  And if I don't?

I've got no idea what to look for.  

Ah well, I'll have to see if the battery is dead this morning, and if it is...  Then Peugeot can fix the issue at their own expense.

Back later (when I have checked the Monster)

Karen

When things never happen like you wanted

Dark nights always keep you in the shade

Some words would be better left unspoken

No joke there's a price that must be paid

Recall on the Monster

Not the sort of letter that I really wanted to receive – especially on a Friday afternoon.  An envelope from Peugeot with the words “THIS IS NOT A CIRCULAR – SAFETY RECALL INFORMATION”

Great.  Now what’s gone wrong?  So, I open the envelope, and the following was revealed….

As part of our quality monitoring programme, we have identified that your vehicle requires a software update to prevent a potential reduction or loss of braking assistance.  This software update will improve the diagnosis capabilities of the braking assistance system.  This will prevent any risk of reduction or loss of braking assistance.

Your vehicle is equipped with a three cylinder 1.2 Puretech petrol engine, recognised for its dynamic performance as well as for its low fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions.  To improve the efficiency of the internal engine components, this engine is fitted with a timing belt, which operates inside the engine lubricated by the engine oil.  If your annual mileage is greater than 9,000 miles and your usual trips are shorter than 6 miles, we recommend arduous service intervals which include replacing the timing belt very 62,500 miles or after 6 years, to help ensure the reliability and durability of the engine.  Combined with using the recommended engine oils, adhering to the servicing intervals and refraining from adding other products (e.g. additives) to the engine oil, will ensure the durability of the timing belt.

This safety recall consists of updating the software and a check of the condition of the brake vacuum pump and the timing belt.

This precautionary work is considered essential and will of course be completed free of charge.

Please contact your chosen dealer, quoting safety recall code xxx, who will be able to book an appointment to carry out the safety recall and give you further information if required.

So, the little monster is booked in for the work – the only charge to me will be the sanitizer (nuclear warfare for bugs) – a whole £4.75.  I don’t mind that at all – and cannot fault my dealership for the service that they have given.  They gave me the first slot (at a time and date that suited me) so that I can drop the little monster off and let the engineers work their magic. 

Time to call this quits – I’m being summoned for dinner.

Back when I get chance.

 

Karen

Hold on, there’s a new way a-coming
Looks like it’s arriving tonight
There’s no more hiding or running
There’s no more walking on ice

Listening to Podcasts

 Something that I have gotten into whilst I have been in lockdown.  Podcasts.  Not the sort of thing that I would usually do, as I find most podcasts a waste of time (and space on my phone).  

However, on the recommendation of a friend, I downloaded a podcast called Black Box Down.  This is a pair of amateur plane enthusiasts discussing some well known (and not so well known) air crashes – ones such as the Concorde crash, and the British Airways flight that crashed just short of the runway at Heathrow, as well as crashes such as the so-called "Gimli Glider".

I know that I've seen quite a few of these investigations on Nat Geo - Air Crash Investigation - but this is an interesting take on the investigations.

I've also been listening to quite a gentle series - Paws and Claws.  This is an interview series fronted by Bill Turnbull, and he's talking to various people in the news (and celebrities such as Johnny Vaughn) about their pets.

It's really funny (and touching) and you can tell that Bill is a trained journalist - the questions are not boring and he manages to extract funny little anecdotes from his guests about their pets.

Ah well - time to call this quits.  Another podcast is calling...  And this one promises to be a real cracker...  Power the Maxwells...

Back when I get finished with my podcasts...

Karen

There's a chill wind at your back door
And the fire cracks on the damp floor
You hear footsteps but you're not sure
On a storyteller's night

 

Snow

Not something that I really wanted to see this morning...

Snow joke.

Karen

Hold on, there's a new way a-coming

Looks like it's arriving tonight

There's no more hiding or running

There's no more walking on ice

National lockdown

BoJo has spoken.  National lockdown.  To be honest, reading the information about it (see National lockdown guidance) it's no different to being in Tier 4 - unless you're school age or at university. Then it's on line learning unless your degree requires practical elements.

Because of this, masks are compulsory, and people are starting to find different versions to express their personal style... And I am no different - this is one of my masks....

It's from a company called Smmash X-Wear.  Yes, I admit it's not cheap, but at least I can breathe in it, and don't feel like I am suffocating.

I don't like wearing a mask.  It's uncomfortable (and hot) but if it reduces the risk of me catching (and more to the point passing on) this damned virus, I will continue to wear one.

But until people start taking this damned virus seriously, we're going to be bouncing from lockdown to lockdown.  

And I am getting slightly fed up with the idiots who refuse to wear a mask and adhere to the restrictions.  

Before people start blasting me, I am fully aware that there are people with valid reasons for not wearing a mask.  I understand that.  My gripe is with the selfish idiots who refuse wear any mask - reusable or disposable.

Ah well, time to call it quits.  My kindle is calling me.

Back whenever...

Karen

Now the villain, he may prosper

And the thief might do as well

With amusement, their crimes they dispel

The promises they've broken

And the hearts they have betrayed

End to end they are carefully laid

Good Riddance to 2020

 This mask sums up my feelings:

The sooner I see that back of this year, the better.

Karen

When things never happen like you wanted
Dark nights always keep you in the shade
Some words would be better left unspoken
No joke there's a price that must be paid

New Year, new Tier

 Not quite new year.  Yet.  We’ve been moved to Tier 4, so that means the following:

If you live in a Tier 4 area, you must follow the rules below. This means that you cannot leave or be outside of the place you are living unless you have a reasonable excuse. You cannot meet other people indoors, including over the Christmas and New Year period, unless you live with them, or they are part of your support bubble. Outdoors, you can only meet one person from another household.

Thankfully, I can still travel to see my support bubble, so once Monster is back (and we know that the weather isn’t going to dump a load of snow on us) I shall make plans to escape.

Ah - my phone's ringing...  And it's Arbury.

The Monster is ready.

Back later.

Karen

I've stood alone where the mountains are blue
Watching the world's unbelievable view
A special book makes the child in us cry
Magic in words at the blink of an eye

Car Troubles – part 4a

Just had the call from Molly at Arbury.  They’ve isolated the problem – it was the main engine fan control unit that was defective (aka buggered).  So, they’ve got one coming in from their parts supplier this afternoon, so will be fitted to the Monster this afternoon, so I can pick it up today.

They plugged the computer in, and it threw lots of errors at them.  What a surprise.  I always joked that my car was plug and pray (as in plug the computer in, and pray that you get the answers!)  So, they then had the big engine fan kick in, and surprise, surprise.  The dashboard lights up like a Christmas tree with all the errors and the noises that the car plays when it throws a hissy fit.

Now comes the painful part.   £223.  But this does include all the diagnostics, removal of the error codes, removal and fitting of the defective part (as well as the part itself).  But I guess it could have been a hell of a lot worse – I suspected that it was the climate control electronics going expensively wrong.   

I know people tell me that I am nuts paying main dealer prices but it’s for this reason that I do so.  I called the dealership directly last week, and the car was booked in to be looked at today with minimum fuss, and I am treated like a valued customer – not a registration number to be gotten rid of as soon as possible.

So all I can do is wait for the phone call to sat that the little Monster is ready for collection, and then head over to collect it…. 

 

Karen

Where is the journey
No one defies
The end comes early
That’s no surprise
When it’s all over
And it’s all done
The best is waiting
And yet to come

Car Troubles – part 4

 Well, Monster is now at Arbury Peugeot – waiting to be looked at.  I will admit that I was slightly worried that it wouldn’t start due to the damned electronic issues.

But, first turn of the key, and the car started.  To say there were murmurs of relief was an understatement.  So, it was then a case of nursing the little horror into Arbury, so that their technicians could see what the hell was going on – and what was draining the battery.  I mean two batteries in 24hrs was a bit excessive… 

Once on the road, I discovered the drawback to not having the climate control on…  The windscreen started to mist up (and my hands were freezing cold as well) so it was a case of having to put the climate control on and pray.

Well, I think my guardian angel must have been listening, as the car behaved itself – no stupid warning lights (other than the engine management light on the dashboard), so it was a slightly more comfortable trip – especially as all the traffic lights were on green, and traffic was a doddle.  

Mind you – that could have been due to the time that I was travelling – 08:00 – the schools aren’t due back until next week (bug permitting) and most sensible people were still in bed.

I managed to get the little monster to Arbury, and got it booked in earlier than expected (a big thank you to Molly – she is a real star!) so all I can do now is wait and see what the verdict is….

Back when I have more info on the expensive little monster….

 

Karen

Like a broken wheel stops turning
You ain't going nowhere
Now you've got to heal that burning
Or you ain't got a prayer
Like a broken wheel

Car Troubles - part 3

I thought that today would be a good day, as Monster started this morning without any issues.  Should have guessed that it was too good to be true.

I did manage to get a few bits done, as in I managed to get my partner over to pick his car up this morning, and then sorted out a few bits of shopping - including Christmas dinner.

Instead of the usual turkey, we've opted for rib of beef.  Simply because it's not something that we have very often (once a year), and it gives us leftovers that we can use for cold cuts.

That went ok...  Until we got back to the Monster and I was just pulling out of the car park... Then PING!  The engine management light came on and I got a warning message saying "Engine fault - have the engine repaired".

So, once I'd gotten over the nasty shock (I genuinely thought that Monster was sorted out) we drove straight to the car spares store.  Who were superstars, and changed the battery.  Again.  (Albeit with several jokes that the guarantee was for 24 months, not 24 hours!)

They checked the battery, and it was holding a healthy charge, so decided to take it step by step to see what was causing the dashboard to light up like a Christmas tree.

So, I turned off the media screen, the climate control and the headlights.  Then, turned on the headlights.  Nope.  Not a flicker from the dashboard.  So, it was time to turn on the media screen.  Again, not a flicker from the dashboard.  Then it was the climate control...  Not a flicker for a couple of seconds...  

Then the warning lights kicked in when the big fan cut in.  And when it cut out?  The dashboard lights disappeared.  So, in light of this,  I now have the car booked in to Arbury next Wednesday for investigation work.

The only drawback to the damned issue was the fact that I had head back home quite a bit earlier than I was planning as my partner didn't want me to have to travel home in the pitch dark.

I didn't disagree, and headed off home, and Monster behaved well, until I got to the junction with the A45...  Then the service light and engine management light came on.

I will admit to shedding a few tears when this happened, as I was still about 10 miles from home, but Monster pulled through, and got me home.

So, as I sit at home, I freely admit that I miss my beloved partner like hell, and cannot wait to see him again on Saturday.

He's been sweet enough to say that he will drive to Darkest Warwickshire to pick me up, so that we can spend a few more days together.  And I will be taking his birthday presents up with me, as I have a horrible feeling that come January, we may well be back in lockdown.

Ah well, time to call it quits - I'm falling asleep.

Back later...

Karen

And now it’s time to cross that river

And show your feelings just before you depart

You know it’s real, you must consider

No good remaining, so hold back the tears

Don’t ever give up the fight

Danger - Mango chutney in progress

I've wanted to make Mango chutney for ages.  So, as I have some time off, I decided to make it.  And this time, I've taken photos of the process!

First, prepare the mangoes, onion, garlic, apples and peel the root ginger:

Then, in the preserving pan, dissolve the sugar in the vinegar:

Once it's dissolved, grate the root ginger into the sweetened vinegar and stir:

Then add everything else:

Then bring to the boil:

Once the mixture has begun to boil, reduce the heat and simmer for about an hour or until the liquid has evaporated and the chutney begins to thicken..

Still simmering.....

It's now been simmering for about 40 minutes...

Nearly time to jar it....

Now jared...

So all it needs to do is cool down so I can put lids on and label the chutney.

So now time to chill...

Back soon.

Karen 

Now I feel better

Thank you for the day

For the day

We'll last forever

Thank you for the day

For the day

Car Troubles - Part 2

Just when you thought it was safe to restart the Monster.... 

The battery strikes again. I went to unlock the Monster, and no response from the plip.  So several muttered curses later and it was the same as yesterday.  No click, no response from the dashboard.

So another call to the breakdown people and a mechanic was duly sent out to the Monster.

He got the car started, and then suggested that I let the car idle for about 30  / 45 minutes.  

I suggested that I gave the Monster a good run up the motorway with no stops, as that would make sure that there was a reasonable charge, and he agreed with that - provided I didn't stop or turn the car off.

My partner also sorted out a replacement battery for the Monster, in case this one is a dud.  They will have it in stock tomorrow (but fingers crossed that I don't need it)

So all I can do now is wait and see if the battery holds the charge overnight.  

Ah well, the chutney calls.

Back with photos...

Karen

The dead of night
You're saying words you can't recite
A sea of noise so empty
Get on your way
There's no excuse for the delay
Before it's just a memory

A weekend of car troubles

Not exactly the weekend that we had planned so far...  This was the weekend that we were supposed to be at Birmingham Town Hall to see Magnum on the Serpent Rings tour, but COVID-19 put paid to that.

So, we decided to say "sod it" and have a relaxing break.  Ok - Friday morning we dropped my partner's car off to the garage so they could investigate a couple of issues for him, and we still had Monster to use for the various bits and pieces (even though he doesn't like Monster (or my driving!)).

So Friday was successful in a way.  After we'd dropped his car off, we stopped off at Morrisons to pick up some shopping, then it was on to Wing Yip to get some bits and then once home, the first of the car troubles started...

The garage where my partner had left his car called, and said that they couldn't open the bonnet as the lock was inoperative.  Typical Ford problem from what we found out.  So he wasn't happy yesterday.

Today it was my turn.  We'd planned to go to Tesco to do some food shopping, then go into town for a look around.

Well, Monster decided *that* wasn't happening.  I hit the plip for the car, and the mirrors didn't unfold, nor did  the headlights come on.  Ok, strange, but possibly a dead battery in the plip.

So, I unlocked the driver's door (thank God for a physical key!) Then put the key in the ignition, and tried to start the car.  Nothing.  Not a click, and no interior light...

Ok.  Now I was worried.  But, my partner (practical man that he is) said that we should replace the battery in the plip to see if that worked.  So, one replacement battery later, and it was back to see the Monster.

Nope.  Still not having it.  So, I freely admit that I was now seriously worried. What had gone wrong with my little Monster?  But, luckily for me, I have breakdown cover, and decided to call on it.

The recovery agent came out, and he was charming, as well as being very informative.  He said that it was not a good idea to use jump leads, as this could fry the electronics on the car. (Been there with the Audi - don't want to go through that with the Monster thank you!). 

So, once he'd connected the jump starter (and shown me how / where to connect it on Monster), he asked me to turn the car into the first ignition point to see if I had power....

Yes!  So we started the Monster, checked the alternator was working ok and the battery was charging.  But, he couldn't guarantee that the car would start again, so I needed a new battery.

Great.  Now as the car is a smart ass stop start system, it costs a hell of a lot more than a normal battery.  And to add insult to injury, there are two different versions of the battery for the Monster.

Luckily for me, the local independent car spares had one of each in stock... And said if it wasn't the right one (as in it didn't fit) I could swap it for the other one.

Ok - then it came to getting it fitted...  Now I appreciated the honesty of the car spares staff - they'd never replaced a battery on a car as new as Monster, and were unwilling to risk damaging the car's ECU -  but they knew somewhere that could near by...

So, off we went.  Only this other store didn't have a battery in stock.  Damn.  But, if we supplied the battery, they would fit it.  

So, back to the car spares store for the new battery, and it was duly fitted by a really helpful and charming gentleman who didn't treat me like a dumb female when I asked questions about the battery as this is the first car I've had with this system on.

Monster is now sorted, but I still have to get the engine management light reset, so I'll call Arbury on Monday morning and see if I can drop the Monster in for their engineers to reset the system.

So, after a day like today, all we have wanted to do is chill out.  And I had planned to make some mango chutney as well as season the two carbon steel woks that we bought from Wing Yip.

That's now being done tomorrow as the weather doesn't look too good, and neither of us is really interested in shopping - especially not this close to Christmas....

Time to call it quits - I am starting to fall asleep, and don't really want to fall asleep on the setee...

Back tomorrow with photos of the chutney making...

Karen

The Moonking is waiting again

And maybe he'll welcome you in

To ride on a warm solar wind

Back where your dreams can begin

The Moonking is calling again

But never a sound to be heard

So up through a bright silver sky

Waiting but never deterred

Welcome to Tier 3 London!

That's what really annoys me,  My home area has been placed in tier 3 for COVID-19 restrictions, meaning that the following rules are in place:

 

• You cannot mix indoors, in private gardens or in most outdoor venues, except with your household or bubble
• You can meet in a group of up to six in other outdoor spaces, such as parks, beaches or countryside
• Shops, gyms and personal care services (such as hairdressing) can stay open
• Bars, pubs, cafes and restaurants must stay closed, except for delivery and takeaway
• Sports fans cannot attend events in stadiums
• Indoor entertainment venues - such as bowling alleys and cinemas - must stay closed

So, when London, parts of Essex and Hertfordshire get put into tier 3, you would have thought that the world was ending - especially the way that it was being reported by the media.  These two gems came from BBC News and Sky News respectively:

 

The director of the Theatres Trust said the London's theatres would face "disaster" under the stricter rules, while business owners in the capital said it would "be a ghost town".

 

The Confederation of British Industry warned that "thousands of jobs and livelihoods could be at risk" due to the government moving London into Tier 3.

Congratulations.  Now you know what the rest of us are having to put up with.  Why the south of England thinks that they are so unique, I have no idea.   They're not the only areas that have had these issues.  

Areas in the north of England (and my home in darkest Warwickshire) are all under these restrictions - and I think that we have gotten off lightly, as we (Warwickshire) only got placed into tier 3 the beginning of December, where as places like Newcastle have been in tier 3 since the beginning of September (if not longer!)

Ah well - rant over.  I've had enough of staring at a computer screen today.

Back when I get chance...

Karen

Man will take the treasure
Innocence is lost
Thinking he's so clever
Lines have been crossed
Man won't live forever
Shadows on the wall
Can't get it together
Sacrifice all

The tiers are in… And we’ve been rated…… TIER 3.

Great.  The new tiers have been announced, and my home area is in tier 3, as is my partner’s home.  Now his area, I can understand, but mine?  Unless there is something I have missed, I didn’t think we were as bad as some areas

So, as we’re in a support bubble (and we’re in the same tier) I’m planning to escape next weekend to see him, as I haven’t seen him since the end of October.  I know it’s not as long as the first lockdown, but this time of year, things are that much gloomier, and it makes me want to curl up with someone I care about, and chill out watching a film.

Ah well, guess I’d better get back to the grindstone – my lunch break is nearly over.

Back when I get chance.

 

Karen

You gave me your love
To last me forever I know
Our love is forever
You gave me your love
To last me wherever I go

Working from home (part 2)

 Well, I’m back at home, due to the new lockdown that was announced on Saturday night.  The office is closing from tomorrow night, so I’ve had to make sure that I have everything I need at home.  

That’s not an issue – apart from me being an idiot and not plugging the headphones into the laptop (they were plugged into the monitor), and wondering why I couldn’t hear anything.

Once I’d realised what I’d done (and finished feeling like an idiot) I was up and running.  EE must have done some serious network improvements, as I’ve not had to curse the dongle once.  Which is a miracle.  

Ok – I’ll rephrase that.  I only cursed whilst my dratted laptop decided to do an update this morning, meaning that I was late logging on to the system. OK – not an issue…  

Or I thought it wasn’t….  Until I realised that I couldn’t use the phone.  Or log into part of the system where I keep files that I need to get access to.

So, one call to the IT helpdesk, and the issue with the cloud storage was sorted.  The phone side was sorted by emailing a colleague who is already working from home, and they managed to help me sort the settings, so that was nice and easy.  What I didn’t realise was that I would end up feeling…... Numb.

 I didn’t realise just how much I enjoy being in the office – despite all my grumps about my colleagues – it’s a good laugh with them as it means we can bounce things off each other, especially if one of us gets stuck with something that we have no idea about.  

OK – on the plus side, I have the view of the garden, and no travelling, meaning a decent lie in in the morning, and no fighting my way through the traffic to the office, and contending with 4x4 with only one child in going to the private school!

 But on the downside?  It’s the human need for companionship.  Now I am the first to admit I am an antisocial so-and-so at the best of times,  but there is something comforting about being part of a group…  But I know I’ll get over this, and knowing me, will probably resent the fact that I have to go back into the office after this lock down.

Ah well, time to log off and join family.  I shall be spending enough time staring at this damned screen for the next four weeks or so...

Back soon.

Karen

Another lockdown

The PM has finally confirmed what the papers had been saying yesterday.  We go back into lockdown on Thursday.

Only this time, it's not a complete lockdown - I can (at the moment) go into the office as I cannot work from home.

Whether the office remains open is another matter.  It depends very much on the decision of the leadership team, and if they decide to close the office, then I am stuck.

Not because I don't have a laptop (I do - hateful thing) but because I am one of those rare people who don't have broadband at home.

Ok - I have been given a WiFi dongle that should (in theory) allow me to work at home... But because it's on a network that is hopeless where I live, I might as well use it as a doorstop.

So, if they decide to close the office, I am stuck.  It means getting up at stupid o'clock in the morning to get as much work done as I can before the system kicks me off, and then working in the evening to make sure that I get my hours in.

And that's not the only thing that is going to cause a problem.  The lockdown also includes restrictions on so-called non-essential travel.  Ok, I can understand that.  But you can travel for work or to go to your support bubble.

Now my support bubble is with my partner.  Who lives about 50 miles away from my home.  So I can see that causing issues with the police as they would be within their rights (as I understand the rules) to stop me and ask why / where I am travelling to.  

Knowing my luck, they wouldn't believe me that I was going to be with my support bubble, so this may be the last weekend I can spend with my partner until the lockdown is over and done with.

So, I am going to make the most of today, as it may be a few weeks before I can see my partner again.

Back when I get chance.

Karen

Making the most of today