The weather outside is…..weather

It’s like some sort of cruel joke.

After months of lockdown when we were only allowed to see friends and family via a video screen, we’re now finally allowed to meet up with them in real life - provided we remain outdoors.

And what do you know, the “new rules” announcement has coincided with a massive change in the weather. I went to see my friend Rhona last Thursday and the two of us sat in the garden as per Boris’ orders. It was okay for her – she was able to go inside and make the tea and potter around in her warm kitchen, whereas I could only press my blue nose up against the window waiting for her to come back out and talk to me. Honestly, you wouldn’t have left your least favourite dog out in weather like that.

The same thing happened at the weekend when we had Sue round to play garden games. In the rain, as it turned out.  But Sue is made of stern stuff and she continued to play badminton and table tennis with us despite the increasingly adverse conditions. In fact she even brought her own can of Pimms to give herself the illusion that she was on a pleasant summer day’s visit. She didn’t bring any for us, though – she was avoiding cross-contamination apparently. Huh.

I spoke to Auntie Jean via Whats App at the weekend and was excited to hear that her care home now allows socially-distanced outdoor visits. I have since tempered my excitement because a) Auntie Jean’s focal range doesn’t stretch to anywhere near two metres and b) there’s no way she’d be allowed to sit outside in the garden in weather like this in any case. She’d probably catch her death, which would defy the point.

Mind you, outdoor socialising can be a challenge in good weather as well. It was still 24 degrees last Monday when the new rules kicked in, and I went over to Sue’s for a walk. But she had builders due to arrive - and when they eventually turned up they spent a good 15 minutes inside the house discussing the schedule of works with Sue before she and I could head out. Meanwhile I remained outside, gradually developing sunstroke in her totally shade-free garden. Again, least favourite dog etc.

Sounds as though I’m doing a lot of complaining. Sorry. So basically, this halfway house is no fun at the moment – but will no doubt be great news once the weather settles down to a happy medium (as it’s scheduled to do next week). Then it will be picnics, barbecues and parties galore. Perhaps I’ll even get the chance to visit Auntie Jean. With my own can of Pimms, of course.

Socially-distanced outdoor meet-ups only work in good weather. Duh.

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