Lockdown from Bridport - Part 2 - Day 17

That's another Saturday gone. How strange it is not to have our bustling market on the street, bringing life to the town. One or two shops are open, as are the 'essential goods' stalls (whatever that's supposed to mean!)  and people are mooching around, but the usual heartbeat is simply not there. 

I get home and slump down into the chair gratefully sipping hot tea and longing for a deep relaxing bath. 'I've nothing to say' I lament mournfully to 'The Undertaker' who has had three call outs today so he, at least, has been kept busy. Not that I'm not fully occupied, but wandering around the shop paintbrush in hand, forever seeing little patches that need retouching is hardly conducive to a riveting tale. The large open fireplace needs some attention, mainly removing the loose plaster and brightening up the old bricks with a wire brush. The sad old vacuum cleaner is put to use sucking up the surplus dust, and despite wearing a mask particles still manage to find their way up my nose.

Another little snippet of information I gleaned the other day was the reason the Christmas Tree wall fixing was placed between myself and the shop next door. Now Battens the Jewellers, it was once a wool shop. The lady who ran it was a Jehovah's witness so they both came to an agreement to place it in the middle thus giving a nod to the religious festival but not actually embracing it. 

A very nice lady came along and explained that she had two fine Scottish kilts, would I be interested in selling them? Ever hopeful I ask if she has any 80's clothing, ie; the sort of suit Margaret Thatcher would have worn or any Lady Di style pullovers? Thanks to The Crown on Netflix upper end 80's fashion is now back in vogue. She thought for a while and then announced she did have a rather fetching two piece burnt orange silk trouser suit made for her in Hong Kong. As she spoke I could envisage it looking very festive indeed dressed with some suitably sparkly jewellery. No reason why we can't all put in the effort this year and dress to kill. 'We'll pretend we're going to Balmoral this year' I say to 'The Undertaker' and his face lights up. Those that know him will understand that given the slightest chance he's very adept at rising to the occasion and donning his best bib and tucker.

We must all keep our resolve strong, we will not flicker and wane this year, we shall shine brightly just as we have done in previous years and put our best foot forward. We owe it to ourselves. We shall not be beaten.