Howay the lasses - it's thread (but hopefully not tier) 3!

[PennyDreadfuI]

Haway if you're in Sunderland, of course

Well DS1 won't be returning to school next week now either. They'll let me know the end of next week if he'll be in the following week.

@Shitfuckoh

Well DS1 won't be returning to school next week now either. They'll let me know the end of next week if he'll be in the following week.

Aaargh. How is he coping with the uncertainty?

@PickAChew
Thankly he seems okay with it all at the moment! He's been loving having 1 of his teaching staff reply to the work he's been doing but that appears to have tailed off the last few days. Hoping they aren't 1 of the ones who have tested positive recently

Thankfully even. No idea if I made other spelling errors there, too many things going on in my head to function

DDs primary in North Tyneside has had 3 positive covid cases since returning in September. But 2 of those have been in the last week. Winter hasn't even started yet. Give it another 2-3 weeks and we will be well and truly in the shit. Then this Christmas 5 day knees up will look even more bonkers.
I Give Up.

@FrolickingLemon
Totally relate to how you feel.
My 3 year old was the first 1 needing to isolate due to a case in his nursery.
Then just as we hit the 2nd week of that, my eldests school started reporting cases. They ended up closing the full school a few days later for a week before half term.

He went back after Half term but his class had a positive so he's on his 2nd week of isolation. The cases have kept coming & it's now across 4 bubbles. He should have been going back next week but due to staff still being very ill with it, his class isn't going back for at least the next week with the following week being an unknown.

The infant school my other DC attends so far has had zero confirmed, but the junior side of it did have year 4s isolating.
Not looking forward to January after the Christmas mixing based on what's happening school wise here.

Hope everyone's ok today. I agree it's going to be a pretty tough winter. It feels like the sense of optimism that was there yesterday has gone today. A lot of flat Teams calls have taken place at work this afternoon and I feel awful that I can't give my team a hug as they all seem so down.

Several colleagues now have family members testing positive which is worrying - one currently in hospital too so hoping for a positive outcome for them.

We've tried to explain the situation to DS as best we can in words a 3 year old will understand as he's desperate to play with his nursery friends at the weekend and he was distraught that Santa might not make it. I'm hoping my explanation that Santa is currently isolating in order to be able to make the journey has made some sense!

Hello, NC.

I teach in NT.

Schools have definitely been hit badly this term. Especially Sen schools.

Toddler's nursery have had a big outbreak, mostly staff but also children.

Okay @PennyDreadfuI where are you?!

Re Santa,(I’m miserable bah humbug). I would have told my child he is magic and can’t catch covid as is hundreds of years old.
The spray paint guy has painted another wall, but at old pit . The road going to Broom house farm, from the pit estate.

Yep Santa & the Elfs are all absolutely safe as the magic keeps them safe from Covid Had that convo here too!

@MissEWeatherwax there's a good write up about him in the Northern Echo - www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/18887565.wall-artist-recreates-norman-cornish-classic-pit-building/

I wish I'd thought of the magic rather than trying to explain self isolation 😂

@Someaddedsugar I saw that, someone shared to the Facebook page. It’s a great write up, well done him. Nice bit of good news.

Anyone local to Beamish. They are reopening, but just the outside bit, someone said they will outside stalls etc. Sounds a nice afternoon.
I’m going to Newcastle next week to see Fenwicks window(shame I’m old, but never mind) then going to food hall to buy some food treats, then Waitrose.
It’s all about the food. I’m also going to order a afternoon tea box from the Gbcakery.

I can’t drive at the moment (awaiting cataract op). So frustrating, would love to nip to Sacriston ( I’m not far) and take a look. Love Beamish too.

Ah thanks for that about Beamish I've been wondering but couldn't find anything anywhere online. We have passes going to try and book in now all our Santa activities have been cancelled just for something to do

You can never be too old for the Fenwicks window @MissEWeatherwax!

Thanks for the update re Beamish - I’ll add that to my list of places to visit.

Does anyone know when Durham’s Christmas lights are switched on? DS has asked when the reindeer will be lit up and I was hoping it might be next week.

Is your op booked @Gilead? I can imagine it’s frustrating not being able to drive!

I haven’t seen anything re Durham light switch on, and I follow Durham Bid page. But is normally last week November/ first week December in time for the Christmas market up at the cathedral.
I wonder if the Chip shop and bakery will be open (Beamish) food again.
Hope you get your operation soon Gilead, they are amazing, I can’t believe he just uses spray paint. I can’t even spray a picture frame without getting drips, etc.

someaddedsugar 23rd December!

Headed into Durham City centre with Ds1, yesterday (he's suddenly keen to get out and kill his last half a million xp to pokemon go level 40!) and thee were lights over the river walk but nothing over silver Street.

Remember when M&S blew fake snow out of its upstairs windows? Sigh... Though the good news is that the fabulous Yorkshire trading stores has moved into that unit - with the m&co signs very badly painted over! I've missed that since the gates closed. I'd be even happier if we got a boyes's.

I'll probably not see Fenwick's window, this year, unless we get up there between Christmas and New year. I've decided against risking the bus since my dad has nervously agreed to a Christmas bubble with us. My fringe can wait until January. I don't use heat on my hair so it can easily be good for a few months more, even though it will need its own postcode.

They can’t make us wait that long! It should be next weekend. The tree is up already.
The cathedral are streaming the carols, so that is a bit of good news. Shame they are not doing the lantern walk up to the cathedral.

Yes, pleased about Yorkshire trading stores, it’s only supposed to be a 3 month lease. Hope it goes well and they stay. I also still miss Yorkshire linen( not sure if that’s the right name). In fact I miss Durham from about 10 years ago. When The Gates was full. And Wilko and Waitrose. Shame they were in the same place.
Boyes would be good, but not sure where would be big enough. I visit the Chester le Street branch weekly.
Durham definitely needs a crafty shop.

Even the Arnison centre is looking sad.
And they need to sort the road out re McDonald’s.
PickAChew you have to put family first. Yes the Riverwalk have a lovely tree, nice that they are making an effort.
Well done your DS for catching lots of Pokemon.