North East thread 4: Fingers crossed we catch the Angel bus!

[Someaddedsugar]

Just thought I'd start a new thread for the north east lot as number 3 is getting pretty full!

@PennyDreadfuI hope you're ok and hope you don't mind me picking the thread up!

It can't be that good luck as it's the 3rd time on 3 years. At least it wasn't a seagull, this time.

Thank you all for the casting on recommendations - I'll be having a look over the weekend!

I'm sure that's meant to be lucky @PickAChew

Welcome @incognitomum!

I'm tempted to start buying Method cleaning products after seeing them all over Instagram - definitely easily led!

Picked up our D&P meal this afternoon on the way back from work and it looks amazing. I think I may have been slightly ambitious with Beef Wellington though as I can't quite imagining it looking like the photos on their social posts! Their sourdough smells amazing and they even include some fudge as a little treat (that was eaten on the way home). I'll report back on how it is once I've attempted the cooking challenge!

hi everyone, just a reminder that you can check daily cases and rate per 100k for councils across entire north east quickly and easily on the table I produce daily on www.covidmessenger.com

Click the county column to sort by county and quickly get a snapshot of what is happening across your entire county.

Hope everyone is safe and well and coping ok.

Hi IM
Glad the vax wasn’t too bad.
Went to shopping centre today.it’s cold and cheerless in there.
No heating on.
Not even a bit of music to brighten it up.
I really worry all shops will close.only manage an hour as it’s too darn cold
They’ve closed Costa and Mac ds now...so I’m worried it’s looking ominous for the rest.
It was quite nice when we went in but was drizzling and miserable when we came out.
I forgo5 a birthday card.
It’s time all this was over..people are so ground down.
Even on a goo normal day our shopping centre was limping along.

I also updated all the hospital data charts yesterday too.

I have them all colour-coded by region.

See the grey charts on each page for the North East

Number of cases in hospital:
www.covidmessenger.com/hospital-cases/

Daily hospital admissions (including age at admission):
www.covidmessenger.com/hospital-admissions/

Patients in ventilation beds:
www.covidmessenger.com/hospital-ventilation/

The high streets and shopping centres really are looking terrible, @dowser. I saw, yesterday, that what used to be a really busy coffee shop off fram Bridge - popular with locals rather than students - is gone for good, now. I noticed it empty in December but that didn't seem so final.

A fairly nice real ale pub near me is to let, now. I'm less bothered about the dreadful pub down the road that's all boarded up and surrounded by barriers, though. There was a racially motivated stabbing there a few years ago and the place was just a shit hole.

littleowl1, i have subscribed to CovidMessenger since October - I now have a little book with all your figures for Northumberland: how sad is that?

Pickachew, I am glad you had a better day, even if you had a little present from a flying friend.

My DD sent me a link tonight to a "book a vaccine" site: so easy with my NHS number, so I am booked in at the Centre for Life on Sunday morning, and I already have my second appointment booked, too.

@Dowser

Hi IM Glad the vax wasn’t too bad. Went to shopping centre today.it’s cold and cheerless in there. No heating on. Not even a bit of music to brighten it up. I really worry all shops will close.only manage an hour as it’s too darn cold They’ve closed Costa and Mac ds now...so I’m worried it’s looking ominous for the rest. It was quite nice when we went in but was drizzling and miserable when we came out. I forgo5 a birthday card. It’s time all this was over..people are so ground down. Even on a goo normal day our shopping centre was limping along.

Hi Dowser Grisly day today. I won't be going far. Luckily my old dog doesn't want to go far now. I love being out and about normally but not feeling it today. Plus have the new bedroom furniture to sort. And some ruthless decluttering to do. 24 hour shift tomorrow so need to do it today really.

Hope everyone finds something good about today. I know it can be hard at the moment. Seems like it's never ending.

@NUFC69 - I’m pleased you’ve got your vaccines booked. My DM is booked into the centre for life next week. She can’t take the Pfizer jab. Would you do me a huge favour and report back which jabs they are offering tomorrow if that’s not too cheeky.

I totally understand if you don’t want to disclose this information though. Tell me to mind my own and I won’t be offended!

@Florelei I've just seen your other post about your DM's allergy. My DF is a CFL tomorrow for his jab so will let you know.

Thanks so much! @gingeristhenewblack43
I really appreciate that!

@incognitomum a 24 hour shift sounds tough.

We're having a quiet weekend with more Disney Pixar films and treats. We've nearly made it through January though which seems like a bit achievement this year!

[quote Someaddedsugar]@incognitomum a 24 hour shift sounds tough.

We're having a quiet weekend with more Disney Pixar films and treats. We've nearly made it through January though which seems like a bit achievement this year![/quote]
I get to sleep too

Can’t believe it’s February on Monday!
@Someaddedsugar, I hope the D&P meal was lovely.
Weather is better today, the sun is out.
PickAChew the city is looking very sad.
Was looking at the artist image of the new bus station and couldn’t help but laugh. I know this isn’t a popular view, but it needs more security and to get rid of the undesirables. My teenager DD hates having to get the bus from there.
The north east figures are coming down, so relieved about that. I’m a bit worried that Durham City is going up again, after being so very low.
My area the numbers have now fallen though the floor. So I’m pleased about that.
Still no date for my DP’s second dose, but I’ve got my fingers crossed.

@MrsEWeatherwax I meant to report back but completely forgot - the D&P meal was lovely - very easy to cook at home and definitely worth it. Felt very much like a special treat!

I also can't believe it's nearly February! Having said that I can't believe it's nearly been a year since the first lockdown - it definitely doesn't feel like it's been that long!

I've name changed but been on the last thread. Managed to get out with DD3 today, but it's still a bit too cold out there for me. Am really bored now.

@NotMyDayJob hope you're ok

@someaddedsugar oh I am fine, but thank you. It's just all a bit never ending right now. plus this is my first winter in the north east (am from the south east) and it really is colder and a bit unrelenting here.

The first term of the first year I came up to Durham University from the SE I went into somewhat of a decline. Realised in later years it was partly a reaction to it getting dark so early in the autumn and winter.

50 years later and I only twigged a year or two ago that most people don't go shopping locally on foot after 3,30pm.

I ended up a few miles west of Durham, where there always seemed to be a wind. After 20 years (!) I had a think, and addressed the problem by changing from thinking "I am cold" to "the wind on my skin feels cold." This worked! DS, born and bred here, goes out in all weathers in a t-shirt.

*after 3.30pm in winter.

Dark winters are worth it for the long summer days though.

I do love the nights in late June that don't really get dark.

I also love the sky in December that doesn't make it past a vague pink, in normal times, but this year it was just extra grim.

@Florelei, no problem. My appointment is at 10.50, so you'll hear from me at lunchtime. I am almost excited about it. If the GC are still not at school in three weeks' time I will be giving them a hug, I am afraid. The oldest will have just turned ten by then, and none of them go anywhere apart from walks, so I will risk it.

@NUFC69 I doubt the schools will be back by then - how lovely to be able to have that hug! I can't wait to hug my DM and DF. And my DSis. I miss them all so much - talking on the phone/zoom and a quick exchange when they pick DS up for childcare just isn't the same!

I also love the June long days - the evenings in the garden are so lovely! Not a fan of the dark days but pleased its getting lighter now.

DP is attempting the Arnison Centre today and I'm going to take the opportunity to do some painting with DS. I try and avoid it as he's so so messy but we bought some little plaster dinosaurs for him to paint and he's so excited!

@NUFC69 - thank you - I am so happy for you getting that vaccine and i don’t know if I’m just an emotional wreck this morning but the idea of people being able to hug their grandchildren without fear has just made me shed a tear.

My DM is getting the vaccine on Wednesday. I’m taking her as she has fairly complex health needs. I think I’ll struggle to not cry when she has it. I’m going to be a sobbing mess in the centre for life!