So it turns out that in my case the vaccine (AstraZeneca) made me feel a bit high/stoned, then about twelve hours later I felt a bit low/irritated – although this did coincide with a tempestuous bedtime for the boys – and then there was restlessness, a fever (38.2), shivering and nausea when I finally couldn't stay awake any longer I passed out. So all in all, a bit like the way flu creeps up on you apart fromI woke up feeling a big headachy but generally fine.
Which was great news as I'd planned a day out with the kids and my/their friends today and I was looking forward to it. And indeed we did had a lovely time.
The sun was shining and warm for the first time in ages, the drive to our destination – Claybury Park in Redbridge – was short but just enough to feel like we'd gone somewhere. None of us had ever been here before, the kids were happy and as an extra bonus the woods were filled not just with bluebells and wood anemones but carpets of wild garlic!
My friend Susie and I have been searching for wild garlic in the near vicinity for a few years now. Can't believe I found it just as she moved back up to the Lake District. I picked some in her honour and the kids put it in their sandwiches for lunch, which they were very excited about as usually I'm telling them to 'stop eating those leaves, you don't know what they are!'
The woods were also encircled by clouds of creamy blossomed blackthorn and we could see what I call the High Rise On in the distance, which is basically a view of all the tall buildings in London, similar to the view from High Beech in Epping Forest or a certain point on the M11 coming home from more Eastern parts.
Finished the day with a couple of glasses of rose in a friend's garden and all felt good with the world.