With my wife's care home still locked down and Stonehenge off-limits I had to make do with a bike ride in celebration of the summer solstice. From a high point I looked northwards to see the cloudy sun slowly setting on the longest day. It was clear enough to see the Simonside and more distant Cheviot hills lit with a purple halo. By the time I got home at 10:30 it was still bright twilight. A beautiful evening that brought back memories of a similar trip last year..
Then my wife had been in her care home for just a few weeks. The 12 months have gone quickly, even though the continuing weeks of lockdown have been strange. After seeming to fit into her home straightaway my wife went through an unsettled phase, with some challenging behaviour. More recently she has been much more settled and accepting that her care home, if not what she would call 'home' (a memory of her childhood), is where she lives now.
She is not able to use a telephone and our video calls have been only partially successful. We communicate weekly via an illustrated letter that I post through the door with chocolate and other treats. The staff tell me that she still enquires after me but without concern at my non-appearance. Whatever the Government's approach to easing lockdown I am happy to proceed cautiously. Her care home has been virus free so far and this is something worth preserving even if it means not seeing my wife for a while longer. Meanwhile, rides like last night's give me material for my weekly scripts.
Then my wife had been in her care home for just a few weeks. The 12 months have gone quickly, even though the continuing weeks of lockdown have been strange. After seeming to fit into her home straightaway my wife went through an unsettled phase, with some challenging behaviour. More recently she has been much more settled and accepting that her care home, if not what she would call 'home' (a memory of her childhood), is where she lives now.
She is not able to use a telephone and our video calls have been only partially successful. We communicate weekly via an illustrated letter that I post through the door with chocolate and other treats. The staff tell me that she still enquires after me but without concern at my non-appearance. Whatever the Government's approach to easing lockdown I am happy to proceed cautiously. Her care home has been virus free so far and this is something worth preserving even if it means not seeing my wife for a while longer. Meanwhile, rides like last night's give me material for my weekly scripts.
