Sad

I am now becoming more and more frustrated at this situation. Our distant grandchildren are growing up without us. We have totally and for ever missed the opportunity of cuddling our distant grandson as a baby - he'll be 2 in May and doesn't know us apart from on a screen. With the others too, we've missed so many stages in their development. Not that they're not lovely as they are, but there's nothing, nothing, like a baby. When will we see them? Well, possibly April or May - a long time in the development of a child. I know other people have had awful experiences while we have been safe and comfortable, but - I deeply mourn these losses. 

And that's not even mentioning other family members, and friends - all missed so much. 

We are lucky to be able to see the Edinburgh Two, however, and last weekend as so often (there's not much variety of outings to choose from) we met them and their parents at the Botanics and walked round, more or less in the permitted twos. 

Thank goodness that it's spring. I don't normally mind the winter but this year I've minded it horribly. That golden monkey is still climbing up Inverleith House. 

At last it was warm enough to stand around outside and chat. 

The snowdrops were beautiful.

Our garden is also showing signs of spring and I spent Monday tidying up the front. Sadly, I was very aware of my seventy years afterwards - every joint ached. Still, I enjoyed it. 

But much of this week has been spent home-schooling. Here is Big Grandson making a poster (for school) illustrating random acts of kindness, assisted by his polar bear. I don't know why he decided to do this on the conservatory floor rather than the table where he'd been doing his maths.

Here we are meeting his sister from school. She seems to be fine with being back there and they played on the playing field afterwards, getting fresh air, exercise and somewhat muddy.