Jabs

​I had my first Covid19 vaccination injection yesterday – and was incredibly impressed by the efficiency of the whole process.  My appointment slot was between 9.10am – 9.30am and I was back in the car-park by 9.25am!!  So, ‘Proud to be British’ and to have the benefits of a NHS system.  Although, as I sat for the obligatory 15 minutes post-jab waiting time, watching fellow patients, I experienced a few quiet wobbly moments thinking about Kate and all the other tens of thousands of people who will not have the opportunity afforded to us. A mixed bag of emotions.

​The past couple of days have had a health focus and may explain my yearning for enhanced hibernation - on top of lockdown restrictions! This is because, following various regimes recommended by my Diabetic Nurse, it has been decided that I shall go onto insulin in a couple of weeks’ time. She thinks that the stress if the last year has impacted a lot and the sugar ups and downs contribute to not sleeping well and lack of energy and so on. Makes sense – as I have been very fed-up with those days when my muscles [and mind] seem to be comprised of jelly!?
 
It does not mean that I will have to keep taking insulin indefinitely as apparently it is best to see how it goes. I must monitor BGLs more diligently over the next two weeks and then insulin will be prescribed at certain (peak) times. Interesting.

​A combination of my lack of energy and enthusiasm as well as the continuing – if easing – lockdown restrictions has influenced my decision to offer to conduct another Virtual Open Gardens event this year, as opposed to the ‘normal’ wander-around and be-nosy route. 
 
Following both my initial email (January) and the ‘gentle reminder’ (17 Feb) I have only received four messages from households who have indicated they might open their gardens.  However, TWO of those people said this was upon the proviso that they are well enough because one is about to celebrate her 90th birthday, and the other (man) said “At 93 I certainly do not make plans when other parties are involved, however if you manage to persuade two of our neighbours to open their gardens in ****** I certainly would be happy to open ours subject to me being well”. [Bless!]
 
Additionally, it has been pointed out that, on a local scale:

• Both the Winchcombe Festival of Music and Arts and the Walking Festival have been postponed until the Autumn and will both be pared down versions.
• Currently there is NO Tourist Information Office in Winchcombe (because of Covid predominantly) but also, it may not even have an office in the town in the future because of problems at the museum building where it used to be located; in any case, it almost certainly will not be operational by May/June...which is when tickets should be available for purchase.

 
Another OG participant also said “Bearing in mind that the last time we opened our garden we had over 200 visitors I think it may be too soon to take the risk.  I think the guidelines say that 30 people can meet outdoors until after 21st June”. 
 
On a national scale so many outside events have been cancelled or postponed too – Glastonbury, Chelsea Flower Show, The Royal Air Tattoo, London Marathon, Highland Games... and so on and so forth.
 
As an aside, don’t you think it’s interesting that it is the very elderly people that have volunteered?  There are a number of other households offering to bake cakes and biscuits and do the teas, and nurture plants to be sold and sell tickets or distribute and display posters... but that’s not much use if there are only a handful of gardens to actually wander around.  We need a minimum of 15 - 18 gardens really (according to previous organisers / years).
 
So, depending upon what the church committee comes back with, I envisage coordinating another barrage of photographs for the Winchcombe Open Gardens website, and FB and Instagram pages.  I’m sure I will bore everyone silly with it in June!