Ella and Nathaniel in the heather

#3 daughter and family arrived for a walk after lunch. They’d already been wandering in the Dene in the morning so by the time they got here it was a bit damp and drizzly. We didn’t care. It was lovely to see them and catch up.

Nathaniel is now reading “Gangsta Granny” and says he wakes up early to read it. Ella told me a sad thing about a school friend. Amna has told her Sana was sad as her Granny had died. Ella was upset because Sana is in the other class and they are separated by bollards at break so she couldn’t give her a hug.

I took some tablet in my pocket so that went down well.

Yesterday I was on WhatsApp with them and Thomas and James while they watched an on-line panto. Now we find out the Whitley Bay one is on-line free, all the old ones. But tonight we’ll all watch Strictly which we recorded.

I’m so sad for people who can no longer meet family for Christmas and I feel angry about the lack of leadership from our PM who had been advised by the scientists and questioned by the opposition about closing down earlier. It’s very upsetting for single people who were looking forward to being with family. In our area households can meet on Christmas Day but nobody can sleepover. We had already decided not have a meal with the family. We can carry on as planned and have a mince pie and present exchange in the garden then if it’s not wet a walk. It does sound like the virus is out of control. Stay safe.