23rd & 24th of June 2020 - Let's Go For a Walk Mum....

        23^rd of June 2020 - Daily Trials with Mother ……. Tuesday 23^rd of June - Well the TV saga continues as I seem to spend most of my time on the phone with the Insurance Company, by now I have given up explaining that it is my Mums claim and I am just pretending to be Mum! As no doubt if I don’t they will ask to speak to Mum and we will have the whole saga of running round to Mums to ring them.  By the end of the day they have offered a replacement, which is a bit tricky as obviously Mum is in ‘lockdown’ and ‘shielded’ so I explain that I would want to see the quality of TV offered first unless they can give me a voucher to spend when the lockdown eases.  Well ask your daughter to have a look and then if she doesn’t think that’s okay we will supply a voucher. 

        In between time I am speaking to a Solicitor about documents for the sale of my aunt’s house, which means a trip over to my other Aunt’s house in St Anne’s to pick up said documents and post them.  By now I am beginning to feel like a P.A. doing tasks!!

        By the end of the day I have hopefully sorted out the TV saga and also ordered Mum one of those machines off the TV that Ian Botham advertises, to stimulate the circulation in her legs which she assures me has gone to pot since she has had to sit around all the time!  Mum asks if I have sent a message to Blackpool Council about the repairs that need doing and reminds me I took photo's to send. I assure her I will do that and try to change the subject.

           With the lock down measures easing from July 4^th I suggest to Mum that I take her for a walk round the block. “Right what time are you coming round?” says Mum straight after we have discussed the lockdown easing measures. Well not tonight, tomorrow is going to be quite hot so I will call around tea time. Humph goes Mum, “Okay see you tomorrow.”

        Wednesday 24^th of June – I ring Mum in the morning and straight away she asks what time I will be round?  “It’s so hot Mum nearly 24 degrees, so I will come later this afternoon.”  Mum – “Okay well I will sit out with my friends and have a drink.”  “Not too close” I remind her “and I will pick up your shopping list later too.”

        Gary and I enjoy a ride down to the Prom in the afternoon where we meet Olivia and her Mum for an ice cream, the beach and promenade is packed just as though it is a normal summer’s day! After a couple of rather uncomfortable hours trying to avoid people, while social distancing, Gary and I cycle back calling in at Mums on the way.  “Hi Mum we have come to walk you round the block.” Mum – “Well I don’t think it will need two of you!” Me – “Well Gary came in case you fall over, because I won’t be able to pick you up and I don’t want to call an ambulance.” Mum – “Well I am sure I won’t fall over and if I did I don’t want any ambulance carting me off to hospital, where I will probably catch the virus!!” I do not attempt to argue but we set off, Mum has her walking stick with attached seat with her and her large handbag! Gary asks why she has brought her bag. Mum – “Well I brought it just in case we went to any shops” Me – “But we are walking round the block, there aren’t any shops Mum!”  Mum says – “Well you never know we may get over to the shops!” Gary – “I don’t think that’s a good idea Phyllis as this is your first proper walk out.” 

Mum almost sprints round the block whilst nattering away non – stop about going shopping again, although does she does start to puff and cough a little when we reach the road where we could go to the shop but we carry on home. “Well that wasn’t so bad Mum was it?” Mum – “Well I thought we might have gone further!” Me – “Maybe next time, anyway where is your shopping list?” Mum passes it me and I glance at it, Mum asks “Did I put coffee on there?” Me – “Yes” Mum – “Well where are you going shopping, you know I only like Morrison’s decaf coffee”  Me – “We are doing click and collect at Tesco’s Mum, you know I haven’t been going into the supermarkets unless I have to.” Humph goes Mum “Well you know I only like Morrison’s Coffee!” Me – “well maybe I should ask my old school friend from Lytham to get it as she likes their coffee too!” Mum – “Oh well if you think she wouldn’t mind?” I look at her and almost growl “I was being sarcastic Mum!” “Well it doesn’t suit you; you know how I like my coffee from Morrison’s!” Me – “Bye Mum, see you tomorrow when we return from Tesco’s” Grrr!