2020 DIARY WEEK THIRTEEN 23rd MAR -- 29th MAR Isolated WFH #1

Office is now closed for a while and we are therefore working at home as best we can. The first few days feeling a bit strange and being isolated is not really my ideal way of working as I already spend the weekends alone chilling out. Finding it difficult therefore with no others around to talk with, ask questions and focusing on what I want to get done. It could be like this for something like 12 weeks or more so we shall have to find a way to make it work for me. Monday find something to keep me busy and hope that you can get out by Wednesday and at least get rent out? (done) See if any shop open to get something in?? Well managed to nip out and picked up a few dinners, bread and milk such that the fridge is full (I've only the one shelf but it's good for my mental health to know that I can get things in). Bought some more cleaning stuff too in the local 'Poundshop' which has stocked up a bit more since last week but still no toilet rolls to be found. Will see how Tuesday goes, work is still difficult and busy being remote, try not to let it get you down. Getting regular messages from Ken, Cathy and replies from Fabrizio, Jo Rand and Uncle John who particularly appears to be doing very well in Portugal on his boat.

Paid on Wednesday so will need to sort some bills and things out and if I can get rent money out I suppose I'll feel a little bit better than today. Wednesday arrived and I did indeed get out to sort my rent money, paid some other bills and although there are long queues for the food shops I think I'll be fine for the next week at least. Set up a small WhatsApp channel for Jenny and Liz, can add others in later perhaps. Still at least feel I got something completed today. Thursday try and crack on with some work, but generally it's a quiet day here at home. Have ordered a few bits from Freemans and have placed an order via M&S so that I have a couple of items for Mrs Hughes' birthday in April. Friday was up and ready early, so that once Mrs H out shopping at 7am I could put on some washing and get ahead of the game early, all good and we can crack on with the day, wasn't too bad a day either as also managed to get out and pick up some shopping and cash out. Weekend ahead well as we've no sport to follow for a while, so I think have a rest, a lay in and then follow podcasts. 
Then get set for another week.

2020 DIARY WEEK TWELVE 16th MAR -- 22nd MAR

Getting fed up with this non stop coronavirus talk, returning to work on Monday and hopefully they'll have made a decision to just man up and carry on. At least getting my voice back slowly, slept a lot better so we will have to see what travelling is like this week maybe it will be a little quieter if people are already working at home (so a little like Friday's are now). I've some cash to get me through, and will use CC couple of days whether there is anything in the shops though is another matter and only a month till Mrs H birthday so need to have some idea for her else it's M&S Card and some chocs. What was Monday like? Well felt like a half term break as I made the earlier train, wasn't too busy and the train home too was fine. Picked up some dinner, see how you can survive the rest of the week. Tuesday already seeing some people going home to work, Liz Ingle will be off from Wednesday and had messages from Ken D and Cathy. 

Wednesday let's see what happens next, although I got a few things in for the next week or two it will be hard to not thing how I'll be surviving in the coming months. No Racing or Football (well most sport really) till May now so my week off end April holidays looks like a waste, hopefully we can go to Sandown with Graham and boys end of May. For now though we just trying to cope with this week. Many people working at home now so it's not only quiet in the office but the trains are really empty so that's nice. Picked up enough for this next week and will take it from there. 

Helped out Sara with something today and felt useful, then had a horrible meeting and felt drained. Please let this end better and soon. 

2020 DIARY WEEK ELEVEN 9th MAR -- 15th MAR

It's the Cheltenham Festival this week and that includes a Day Off for me on Friday for the Gold Cup not that it would look like I'm able to go now as I've blown all my money and then some. Still we might just survive the next couple of weeks and I really need to get my head down and rest up.  Mark has put his 50th birthday details up but I don't think I can go, it's not easy that easy to get to (small village outside of Fleet) and I'll have to pass as last train home is about 10pm so I'd only be there for a short while. With it taking about hour and half each way this is one where I would need a car. Sorry Mark I do wish you a lovely day but I am in no state to come out and do anything this year (or ever really). Same is likely to happen with Lee's now as all hotels are booked up and it's a Bank Holiday so trains probably on bricks, with coaches the other option. 

How can I break out of this? I suppose staying offline as much as possible would be a good start, yet this month ahead I need a gift for Mrs Hughes? No idea really what to get her. And now it's Tuesday and I'm as rough as old boots, cannot breathe, struggling. Got so bad I worked at home on Wednesday and Thursday and getting stressed plus cold I don't want this illness, it's not how I wish to go. All the football is now being called off, should imagine that horse racing will go the same way fairly soon, and we see if work make a decision about coming in or not. 

Friday off for Cheltenham although not going nor off to see Graham either, no idea what my short term future is now but something needs to happen. 

2020 DIARY WEEK TEN 2nd MAR -- 8th MAR

Busy week of work and FA Cup action, will survive on cash this week too and will need to sort out some funds for going to Cheltenham with Graham next week. Didn't enjoy Monday or Tuesday much, work is really getting on my nerves and struggling to see it through. Getting pressured from Lee for his birthday and really with my money situation don't see that I'll be able to go attend. At least looks like Vince, Neil, Jason and respective partners are all going. Updated blogs for this week and have loads to do over the weekend too, then we'll have Cheltenham to focus on.

Massive release on Tuesday night which caused a lot of work and stress on Wednesday but we got through that, and got home to relax and try and plan a nicer weekend. Need to drop some money to bank on Friday which we can do and the expected train strike due for next week appears to have been suspended so we can at least try and go see Graham next Friday for Cheltenham. See how you get on for the rest of this week and try harder to enjoy it. Nice little message from Holly (above) which was bit out of the blue and cheered me up a bit too. She's off to see Paul Weller in Brighton later in the year lucky girl, hope you have a great time gorgeous girl Xx

2020 DIARY WEEK NINE 24th FEB -- 1st MAR

What a week, should have had some money from last week, that's all gone, and as pay day approaches (Tuesday) I have little to nothing left and I really need to sort something out for this Friday as we supposed to meet up with lads for Jason's 50th birthday. Frustrated and angry day on Monday, I clearly need help, it's not forthcoming and really going to find another long struggle in March not just with work things getting on my nerves but also with the many other friends 50th events looming up too. Then of course it's just two weeks till Cheltenham and I've no idea if I can go see Graham for Gold Cup Day. Well I must do it so even if this takes some money from M&S I shall sort something out. Struggled through to Wednesday and at least getting things done at work, but there's always something else to crop up, bit fed up of being too nice here in office and not at all interested in the "small talk" from some quarters. 
Paid and get rent out for the month, renew Oyster to begin on Monday 2nd March too. Have about £100 for me that's all and will need to try and be sensible for Jason's this Friday night, probably leaving about 10pm and getting buses home again I suppose. Mark took some pictures which is great so I can update other blogs and pages. The rest of the weekend will be quiet I guess, no rugby this time, but AFC Wimbledon won 2-1 away at Gillingham and then next week we need to write blogs for FA Cup games, then more horse racing to write up too with fixtures at Sandown, Southwell and the Cheltenham Festival to come.