Country Mouse

Happy birthday, Mum

LAST week, after four months of living solely in Hampshire, I drove up to London. My children teased me that I was missing having a takeaway, which had a small ring of truth as, since recovering from coronavirus, I have lost much of my taste and smell. Fortunately, the curry spectacularly proved it hadn’t gone altogether—i will be back on the milder Madras next time.

Barnes hadn’t really changed, although the swans have only one cygnet this year. Getting there was the exciting bit. Has everyone forgotten how to drive during lockdown? Nobody seems to be on their side of the road on the country lanes, having to swerve to avoid the seemingly endless potholes was akin to negotiating a constant chicane and the A3 up to London resembled the Calgary Stampede.

Today is my mother’s 80th birthday. Lockdown has been far from easy for her, especially as she lost my dad just before it started. Furthermore, both dogs —which have been her constant companions—have had to have serious operations at the vets in the past few weeks, causing further worries.

She has, however, been amazingly resolute, brave and resourceful throughout—but, then again, she is a Yorkshire lass. Happy birthday, Mum. MH