New acquaintances!

Sophie's boyfriend, Zain, was visiting today, so we could meet him before we all go away next Saturday! He was due at lunchtime, which was good as I didn't get up until 9.30am! Outside the weather was cold, wet and windy, and we've had our first named storm of the season today - Arwen.

The house was still looking lovely from last night but Sophie hoovered again and titivated everywhere. Zain arrived at about 12pm bearing flowers, wine and chocolate biscuits! He can definitely come again! Keith and I felt like we knew him already as we'd heard so much about him from Sophie, and we all sat in the kitchen and chatted. Sophie had booked a table at Farndon Fields for 1.45pm so we had time for a pot of Masala tea and biscuits. The tea was delicious, especially as it was so cold outside!

We set off into the wind-blown countryside, but didn't come across any fallen trees today! Our table at Farndon Fields was in the marquee and I have to say it was chilly. The temperature was 15c when we arrived and at one point it dropped to 13c, so not ideal. The constant hum of the heater and the flapping of the plastic sides were also annoying!

Keith, Zain and I had fish and chips, while Sophie had a jacket potato and chilli. Sophie and I normally just have a sandwich when we visit so it was different to try something more substantial. After we'd eaten, we had a look around the farm shop, and Keith spotted rabbit in the chiller cabinet. After making sure he could freeze it, he decided to buy it, as it's something we usually find difficult to get hold of.

In the car park, a woman was having trouble starting her car, and Keith and Zain helped but it soon became obvious that it was going nowhere so they gave up. It was bitingly cold, and we all piled back into the car and turned the heating on full blast!

Back home Zain stayed for a while, but it had turned sleety so he headed home. I had a nap, and I woke up to find the three angels of death (Whitty, Valance and Boris) giving a press conference about the new variant that's been detected - Omicron. The shock news was that all passengers entering the UK must take a PCR test on Day 2 (normally a lateral flow) and that the wearing of masks in shops and on public transport will become mandatory again. This was bad news about travel, as we'd only just ordered our lateral flow tests and they cost us £23 each. PCR tests are considerably more expensive, 

In an effort to try and relax, Sophie and I played Scrabble, and she beat me even though I came up with some good words. It was great that we didn't have to cook dinner this evening, and we just nibbled on cheese and biscuits later in the evening.

Keith watched an action film after we'd eaten, but Sophie and I were bored and went upstairs. Even though I'd had a long sleep last night, I was still ready for bed at 10pm!