I'm sure I fancy Jacinda. From There to Here

 We visited New Zealand in February and not long after we got there Jacinda used Covid 19 as an excuse to lock up the country and stop every one either coming in or leaving. We were stuck for at least 4 weeks, she didn't want me to leave. We were very lucky to be able to stay with 2 really good friends. Hec! that was a good time. Jacinda appeared on tv every day to tell us what was going on and where ever I sat in the room Jacinda's eyes were fixated on me.

I had this calling to go back.

It was uncanny really. After we got back to the United Kovid Kingdom where after 6 months nothing much has changed and people drove 200 miles to have their eyes tested.

On November 17 we saw our bikes, boots, shirts, shorts, sheets and shoes, washing machine, wrenches and freezer disappear, all packed tightly into a 20' container with only room for our glasses which were convieniently forgotten in a cupboard.

It's all gone and we we lived in a world of minimalism. Who needs chairs when you can sit on a carpet with your back up against the radiator. Why do you need 5 saucepans for a 4 ring stove?

I've had a generally good 13 years in United Kovid being lead by a clown without a costume and a liberal who thought shacking up with an ultra right wing CaMORON was hip, and where the moron displayed sound and astute gambling ability by throwing the country to a referenedum to keep his mates happy. They apparently are more important than 64 million plebs.

But there has been fun. Life went into a dark phase but a fortnightly therapy session at the then JJB and now DW stadium getting hooked on Wigan Athletic gave me essential distraction from shite, as well as some wonderful football interspersed with rubbish stuff.  I drank some good beer, ate a lot of chips and mushy peas and made some really wonderful 'saturday afternoon football friends' (SAFFs).  We had joy, we had fun, we had madness and laughs in the rain and the sun!  

I must never forget the great team of folks at my work.  How lucky was I to land a job at a place that was full of the lovliest, most fun, caring and helpful people at a place where I really enjoyed what I was doing.  Right to the end I got real satisfaction out of taking an x ray and being pleased with a 'good shot'.  And when one of the amazing cakes I was made when I left was a packed suitcase .... you'll appreciate what I mean.  The lovely irony is - there was an airline called 'Kiwi Air', it lasted about 2 years, but why would you ever name an airline after a flightless bird?

Of course there was the other lovely group of friends we developed over the years at the allotments.  

Oh hec, so many good folks ..... the lovely fun group at the War Memorial Tennis Club, who so kindly helped, nurtured and tolerated me from a complete starter to someone who could eventually get the ball over the net, occasionally.

But we move on.

Chapter 2 follows on tomorrow.  Few more memories and then we're on our way!  Ooh the anticipation