LIFE UNDER THE STAIRS
By Local Resident, Jane Stevenson
It’s a new dawn It’s a new day It’s a new life for me And I’m feeling good (Newley/Briscusse) with thanks. Welcome to 2021 people. I reckon we all are hoping for a better one than last year!
from Jersey, Norfolk and the Isle of Wight. Sadly, my rosemary bit the dust. The hollyhocks were a delight but the sunflowers didn’t grow into the giant variety as advertised. The fuchsia were a wonderful success – more to the quality of the plug plants than from my gardening skills. The pond needs a rethink. It’s small and referred to by Younger Offspring as ‘the bucket’, a fitting if impolite description of it. Never mind, I like it. I built a henge in the garden which has become my quiet place when it’s warm enough to sit outside. Nothing too ambitious, and it seems to encourage the bees and butterflies in. Somewhere to sit with a cuppa and contemplate the world. The Estate remains small but manageable, ideal for my advancing years.
What a time that was; here in the UK, Brexit was replaced by Covid. According to the media nothing else of consequence seemed to happen in the world. If only that were true. The virus pushed anything else into the background and left us very insular in our outlook.
If 2020 taught me one thing, it was that to change is difficult but rewarding. I am comfortable with what I know and happily rose to the challenges presented last year. Large plans were scaled back, while new ideas were considered. I stay at home more, entertain more (when permitted) and set achievable goals for the times and my sanity!
survive. Some of us had to retrain, while others took the plunge and opened their own businesses. Our working pattern changed, with many discovering the virtues of working from home. We walked more, enjoyed a warm and dry summer, talked to our neighbours more, made time for family and ourselves. Not necessarily I’m all for new brooms sweeping good for our finances, but a definite I hope that we can go back to some clean, and January seems like a tick for our wellbeing. sort of normality this year. I have a good time to start. I think I need yearning to go back to Kefalonia and to review my own expectations of So what next? There are vaccines on my standby favourite, Benidorm. events. I’m not a fan of resolutions the horizon – not a cure but a step However, with the uncertainty of – mine are all broken by the 2nd forwards. Face masks have become the times perhaps I should explore January anyway, mainly because the norm. Remembering to Social more of this country. I’ve seen so they are unattainable. Give up Distance is awkward. Our learning little of it. chocolate? So small steps forward curve is steep, but we’re getting there. and keeping my eyes on the horizon I ask that 2021 is better for everyone. here’s my take on 2021. Closer to home, important decisions We are older and wiser and time has need to be made regarding the Estate. shown us we are better when working Like many of you, life has changed Potatoes or tomatoes this year? together in our communities. over the past few months. In some Have another go at runner beans? I ways, I think we’ve got a second haven’t grown a decent one for the All the very best wishes for the New chance of making good. Last year past three years. The lavender is Year. See you next month saw some large businesses falter, doing well. I usually buy a plant when yet smaller, local places adapt and away on holiday, so I’ve varieties
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