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!

@XXYY I might be wrong but I think GPs are inviting those in group 6 for their vaccines still in Durham so maybe that's why they're pushing you towards the NHS website?

The practice doing ds1's jab last week were doing a lot of second doses - we both felt very young! There's no real reason for GPS to be involved with non-CV under 50s, though.

@Someaddedsugar @PickAChew
Thank you very much. Just found it odd because everyone has been saying that they received invites from their GPs, yet my GP surgery said they are not sending out any invites at all, instead everyone (including over 50s etc) would be contacted by the national service.
I thought Durham is already contacting those in their 40s? I also heard that one of the Gateshead GP surgeries will start with the 40s age group next week.
Just read a piece of news saying that first doses would be dramatically reduced in the coming weeks because they are focussing on the 2nd dose. Well, might explain the delay then.

DH is late 40s and hasn't had his letter, yet. Those do tend to go out as a national push. I know some places seem to operate a reserve list so people who would be eligible soon, anyhow, or in certain professions, can take up unused doses at short notice. DH isn't expecting anything, this month, though. I think it'll be a race between him getting his jab and me getting my first haircut since August!

@PickAChew Thank you for explaining. Yes, I need a haircut too 😂

Mine is extremely thick and it's reaching the point where it's just too heavy. Plus I can't do a thing with it. It's wavy but just ends up a frizzy mess because the ends are so dry.

Mine is fine and frizzy, and quite long and wavy. I shall get round to a haircut eventually.

Lovely Saturday last weekend. Saw friends and their children in Wharton Park, then had a visit from my bubbled friend who lives in Weardale.
As she was leaving, my next door neighbour brought round 3 cupcakes, in celebration of the birth of their baby girl

Anyone else excited about shops etc opening Monday? I am, can’t wait to have my hair cut and eyebrows waxed. Won’t be sitting outside in the cold though, too much of a wimp. Can’t be doing with the wind, plus I’m sure we had sleet the other day.
But the lambs are cute and the daffodils are out so spring is definitely on its way.
The North East’s figures on vaccine and cases are definitely very good. In fact we’re you live @PickAChew there are so few cases they aren’t on the insight page.

I have a hair appointment, too. Good thing as I'm fully channeling Alice from the Dilbert cartoons, today.

Most of Co Durham is barely registering!

It’s brilliant isn’t it. God it’s sad that I like looking at that page.

The map looks amazing now!

I did my first volunteer shift today - it wasn't as busy as I'd thought it would be but still great to see the amount of people getting theirs!

Lanchester garden centre have a bird of prey display tomorrow - there's two I think - one in the morning and one in the afternoon.

Oh, I hope they treat the birds well. It's lovely to see them but I hate it when they're scared and their handlers don't give them any relief from being surrounded by people.

I think they're really well cared for as they're all rescued/rehomed @PickAChew and the handler came across as so kind to them when we saw them last summer .

I know exactly what you mean though. We went to Thorpe Perrow a few years ago and it was quite clear one of the birds wasn't happy. Very sad to see.

The last time I visited Hornsea Freeport, which is near where my parents live, there were some owls on display, there. One was quite young and screeching and flapping. It was horrifying to see :(

Oh, I love British weather. And hour go, I was lugging shoppi g up framwellgate peth, feeling very hot and bothered, in the sunshine.

Now it's snowing.

It’s great isn’t snowing, could see the black clouds rolling towards us.
Went to Broomhouse today, the lambs are so cute and there were kids too, twins. The other goat had escaped.

I think you spoke too soon, MrsW
I must, must, must go to Broomhouse.
I think goats always have twins?

Hi! Wondering if anyone has been to Centre for Life for vaccination lately? Heard that when the over 70s got their jabs there, it was long queue and people needed to wait for quite some time to get in. Wondering if it is still the case? Thank you very much.

My Mum is going for her second one tomorrow at C4L. There were no queues when she went for her first. She was in and out in less than 30 mins.

@gingercat02 Thank you very much, that is good to know, hope it goes well for her tomorrow 😀

The centre of life has no queues, my DM was in and out in 5 minutes.
The mother goat actually has 3 kids! I didn’t realise the 3 were the same family. No female goats don’t always have twins. My Uncle use to have goats and his only ever had one. Also very cute though, but the milk is horrible, warm from the goats sieved though a muslin. It is definitely an acquired taste.
Gosh it was cold this morning, I’m sick of having to defrost the car, it’s bloody the middle of April.
Good luck with vaccine.

@MrsEWeatherwax another one sick of de-icing the car! And for some reason ours takes an absolute age to de-mist or whatever it does with the heaters on the inside.

The kids at BHF are very cute - I took DS to see them after nursery yesterday and all three were there. The lambs are also very cute!

I went to the Arnison Centre this evening and it was so quiet. M&S was practically empty at 6pm which was a shock. Even MacDonalds didn't have a queue so I was straight in and out of the car park. I honestly thought there'd be queues everywhere. Although I suppose it is Tuesday so maybe it'll be the weekend when it gets busy?

There are more interesting places to shop than Arnison centre, probably in Primark
We went yesterday to pick collect from Argos and it just felt nicer more relaxed. Still long queue for Nike shop. Car park felt less busy but I think cars were more spaced out.
Hope you enjoy your meal out @Someaddedsugar, it will be soon and fingers crossed it doesn’t snow.

Haha! I often forget there are other places in other things being shut for so long! I am looking forward to a trip to IKEA but will be waiting until the novelty wears off for everyone else before attempting that!

Ah thanks @MrsEWeatherwax - it's next weekend and I'm hoping that in the next week and a bit we get some sun or I will definitely be postponing! I can't imagine it being the slightest bit of fun sitting in the cold while having a meal!

So much flocking in the Chronicle, today :o

Went to M&S for the first time in 3 weeks, this morning (it was a difficult Easter holiday!) and it w as so much quieter than last time I went. Hoping to flick into town, in the morning. Hair cut next week and I shall be making a pilgrimage to Tkmaxx as soon as the initial euphoria has passed.