To Go Or Not To Go That Is The Question

 

It's not exactly a third world problem and I am not looking for any sympathy on this but in February 2019 we booked the holiday of a lifetime for January 2021 (I say holiday of a lifetime as we booked a full four weeks instead of the usual two or three). It was another trip to our favourite Caribbean island Bequia after enjoying three earlier visits to the wonderful Tropical Hideaway. Because the place is so popular it books up well in advance hence our booking almost two years ahead. We paid for our flights as soon as they were available and well before  the lockdown restrictions that were introduced in mid March 2020. 

Now the holiday is fast approaching and we've got to decide whether to cancel and lose a hefty deposit or travel and face the prospect of a full week in quarantine in a self-catering single room apartment. Whilst the prospect of solitary confinement does not exactly appeal it does have the benefit of this view plus temperatures of around thirty degrees compared to a freezing UK. 

The property owners have thrown more into the mix by offering us an additional week at highly beneficial rates to make up for the inconvenience of the week in quarantine. I am tempted to go ahead with the holiday. After all, there are currently no cases in Bequia which has been Coronavirus free for months whereas here in Suffolk there are cases (albeit few at the moment). There are a lot of hoops to jump through but we are not getting any younger and the property is booked up in 2022 so I would be approaching 70 before we could return. We aren't big risk takers but we could be more at risk seeing the grandchildren at Christmas.

What would you do?

In other news it's been almost two months since my last blog when I wrote about our neighbour David's sad and lonely death. Since then we have taken very few risks with the virus. We've been to the caravan in St Andrews just twice since the start of lockdown and were planning to go again this week during the grandkids' half term but Scottish restrictions have made that impossible. Here are a couple of photos from when we did manage to make it.

It was so good to be able to see daughter Sarah albeit briefly. It's hard to believe that the last time we were at the lovely Cambo house and gardens was celebrating her wedding in an unforgettable weekend.

We've only seen our Kent grandchildren once since March. It was wonderful to have them visit us during late summer.

The weather was fine and the castle was showing the effects of the summer drought (now a distant memory with rain on over twenty consecutive days).

We really enjoyed their visit. They will be forgetting who we are but we are going to make up for that and look after them for a couple of days during half term.

We also miss son Paul who joined the children for their short visit. Skype, Facebook and Zoom are all fine but they are not the same are they?

It was nice to be recognised by the Town Council for our activity during the lockdown. It's always good to have your efforts acknowledged even if not necessary. Only one omission in that Marion should also have appeared on the certificate as she too made a big effort.

Keeping ourselves occupied during the crisis has involved us both doing exercise classes almost every day. We miss our trainer Alastair and the company of the class mates but Fitness Blender on YouTube has been excellent and I've now go the (faint) outlines of a six pack. 

Marion has been toiling very hard in the garden whilst I've returned to my old hobby of buying and selling antique ceramics on eBay. I love the treasure hunt aspect.

This superb porcelain bowl was an eBay bargain at £26. It's now in a fancy antique shop in the USA. I was happy with what I sold it for. The antique shop was delighted too so it was a win win deal. This week I am selling a lot of Capodimonte figures. They are not my cup of tea but I can appreciate the humour and skill that has gone into their making. I am hoping that they will sell well.

Sadly the rain has stopped me from getting out with the metal detector but, fingers crossed, it may be drier soon. I'll let you know what turns up.