Spending my days off pottering in the garden...

Some nice photos Kate ,enjoy your time off while you can .. we are in isolation as our daughter works in the hospital which means we can't have any contact .. its a nightmare with no signs of ending .....

Thank you Amy, I’m on 3 days off, back on Monday. Just following all the guidelines set...
I’m sorry you can’t have any contact with your daughter, it’s just awful. My parents are in Scotland, I’m keeping in touch with them by phone etc. Most of my friends are nurses too, so we are keeping each other supported and reassured. Humour is invaluable.
Thank you Paul, I’m enjoying the garden like yourself and everyone on here, it is a real escapism isn’t it? I have to say, I have a great job, it’s really lovely and as you say, it’s definitely rewarding. I have really fab colleagues and a fab set of patients, who are really keeping positive.
Thank you Julia, I did see that M & S, Tesco and some others are being supportive at the moment. It’s really kind.
I feel for the older generation too, it’s a real worrying time.
It’s not easy for some to get out and buy what they need due to the self isolation. I know it’s advised, but it doesn’t make it easy at all. Just hope everyone has support from friends and family on GoY, now more than ever.
Xx

Apologies Julia, it’s an osteospermum variety, the little pink purple flower. It was still producing the odd flower throughout the mildish winter.

Some lovely photos there Kate. I too was taken with the Osteospermum. Your garden looks so Springtime compared with mine! So you are a Nurse. Well, thank you for being so dedicated and I pray for you to stay healthy and be able to continue your great work. I hope at the end of all of this, our Society will recognise and reward the dedication and sacrifice of all our Health Care Staff. I hope you all get honoured and rewarded in the way that you deserve. :)

Aw thank you so much, Karen. It’s really kind of you to write such lovely words.
It’s quite a frightening time, isn’t it! Hopefully we’ll all get through it soon.. myself and some colleagues may be moved to work elsewhere within the trust, if things do get worse before they get better..we just need to pull together and work as a team, helping and supporting our co-workers.
Hope you are keeping well and getting plenty of therapy time out in that lovely garden of yours!
Thank you for your comments about the garden, I think it’s regional with the flowering and budding maybe.
Xx

this is a lovely blog. we should all have lovely tidy gardens by the end of this 'event'.
Saw my daughter today but no hugs as she was keeping her distance. Bought me some nice bits and bobs for the garden, seeds for me to grow plants to share with her.

Thanks Eileen, that’s kind. I have to agree, we should have tidy, lovely gardens once things start to improve and we come out the other end..
It’s nice your daughter bought you some things for your garden, also good that you’ve seen her and can share.
Think about all those hugs you’ll have in a little while...

Kate, your garden is full of such lovely artistic touches and it is a joy to see, in sunshine too.

Here there was a really cold wind and it put me off doing much in our garden but I think it is going to improve.

Your job is such a valuable one but I hope you are able to pace yourself and have more breaks, like this one, to help you along. Take care.

Thanks Chris, it’s really kind of you to say. It’s a small garden and I try to keep it full and interesting. I love nipping out,to try and snap a few pics now and then.I usually work 30 hours over 4 days, but, with everything happening currently, it may change. We shall see. I do really love my job, I’m lucky to have such an interesting one, meeting and looking after lovely people. Just wish I had a magic wand sometimes!
Keep well and keep safe, but, still get out there and enjoy your lovely garden! Wrap up well in the cold too x

What a difference a bit of blue sky makes, cheers you up and just makes everything look better, your garden looks lovely and you have some great photographs there they really do capture the moment. I don't envy your job at the moment but I have so much respect for the job that you do. I think with out the care and compassion of the nurses and doctors the last three years would have been so much more difficult for our family. Keep safe.

Thank you kindly, Arija. I hope you are ok? I saw your message about work.

Hi Davey, thank you for you really kind message, it is certainly appreciated!
Thanks also for your lovely comments about the garden and my pics! Coming from a proper photographer with professional pics is a real compliment!
I hope you and your family, especially your wife, are all safe and out of harms way with this virus!
Keep well and best wishes.

We are in isolation too Kate as my husband hasn't got a great immune system with all the problems he has.
He loves to listen to music and watch tv while I garden. It was good being out there today as the wind wasn't as cold as it has been on the east coast.
You have some lovely pictures there Kate. Is that an osteospermum that is in flower ? Its very early if it is.
All your plants look so healthy too !
Thanks for your concern for us all and you keep safe too !

Your garden looks lovely Kate :) It's a good job we have them especially at times like these.
I'm glad that Eve is enjoying her new home :)

Hi Kate, lovely photo's, lots of colour for early spring.
My first wife was a s r n / scm, so I know how hard you work, and it's at times like this, that people really appreciate what you and your colleagues do on a daily basis, I hope you keep well, and able to keep up the good work, much appreciated, Derek.

Hi Rose, I do hope you are both kerpingvwell, it is such a scary time. It's good you both have your interests to keep you busy...
It is an osteospermum on the raised rockery.. it has flowered throughout the winter.. not sure if it's due to the milder winter?
Thanks Rose, take care x

Hello Hywel! I do hope you are keeping well and safe with all the virus tensions at the moment!
You are so right, it's invaluable having our green spaces at home. Escapism and therapy...
Thank you for asking after Eve, she's a happy addition and settling well. Still sleeping right next to me, every night! :-)

Hi Derek, thanks kindly. It's great isn't it to see all the spring colour and buds opening nicely..especially at the moment. We need some cheer.
You'll have an insight into my job then, with your first wife having been a nurse like myself. I must thank you for your really lovely comments Derek, it really means a great deal.
Busy day again today, remembering to follow guidelines set for us.. onwards to tomorrow.
Keep well Derek and best wishes x

Thank you Kate, it's 34 years now since my first wife died, but I know the work hasn't got any easier, probably harder if anything, but the N H S has a lot of really dedicated staff, like yourself, best wishes, Derek.

You do take some really lovely photos Kate....very artistic....I particularly like the fourth ......the Brunnera..
We clapped you lovely people the other night....so proud of you all....a big thank you from me and our family...xx where would we be without your dedication....

Thank you Derek, it is really kind of you to say this. I do appreciate it. I’m pretty sure your first wife was dedicated and gave a lot to the job. I do have a lovely job looking after people in the community needed specialist care, although many can still lead everyday lives to some extent.
I think for us, all the documentation and computer data input has added to the work over the years. I started nursing college in February 1989, and things have changed dramatically. Not enough hours in the day sadly..

Thank you very much, Dd, that is so lovely. Thank you also for clapping for carers, that’s as very kind of you.
I actually did too, along with my neighbours. I clapped for all my colleagues and people caring for friends and family around the country. x

Beautiful photos, Kate, and thank you for all that you do for your patients . . . they must be so grateful to see your smiling face :)

Thank you kindly, Sheila. I appreciate your lovely message.
I’m sorted with all my PPE, so I’ll be back in community tomorrow, safe and ready to carry on!