Sandycot

2020 revolved around Sandycot for most of the year. As with everyone, we have not been able to meet up with the extended family or many friends and Pam had to miss a meetup with her JAGS group. Sadly no 'Ladies who lunch' in London either.

Pam's niece Debs and Peter finally made it back to the UK via Fiji, Australia and Singapore just before the pandemic arrived having had a great six months 'down under'.

After lockdown while the weather was still good we managed some lunches with friends, two at a time of course, and the occasional teatime visit even if it meant entertaining in the garage during a shower of rain!

Gardening, the greenhouse and the vegetable plot helped pass the time. We grew sweetcorn for the first time this year that was successful although we will need more netting in future to stop the deer eating them.  The apple crop was prolific with some individual ones weighing nearly 400g each.

Last year we spent some time looking around at retirement villages etc. with a view to downsizing before too long. However we have decided to stay put. We realised that as Lotte was able to live comfortably and self-contained in the annex for four months during lockdown, so could a live-in carer! So we restarted home improvements and the first, completed in November, was the Hall. The wood burning stove that served us well for 30+ years (now contravened every building regulation in the book) has gone. A new ceiling, getting rid of some damp, two new wall panels and carpet completed the work. We start on the kitchen, lobby and downstairs cloakroom next year once I can finalise the design and visit a few kitchen showrooms.

We decided a month ago to become a one-car family! Mike has patient transport to and from Stoke Mandeville for his dialysis so what was the point in having a car that just sat in the drive? After both cars suffered flat batteries due to lack of use this year, it was time to trade them in for a Honda Jazz Crosstar hybrid. It is interesting to note the amount of technology now inbuilt to get ready for driverless cars. I wonder when they will become the norm on public roads - hopefully after we have stopped driving!!

Tea in garage with John Crowle

Fragrant orchid, reappeared this year

Getting ready to do the ceiling

Ceiling tiles and stove gone

Job done, panels oiled and new carpet

Sweetcorn coming on well

Chimney repairs

Removing cupboard and stove flue