Days 60- 70 of Lockdown. 22nd May – 1st June 2020

So the second half of May has seen some gradual release from full Lockdown. From being allowed to meet with one friend in a public place, we are now allowed to meet in groups of up to 6 people … even in our gardens – from tomorrow that is! Who would have known what joy and excitement that would bring. Who to choose first? Will anyone choose us? This could definitely play with people’s self-esteem!

A surprisingly large section of the population have completely gone to town already. Huge gatherings in the parks, beaches are crowded, littering is worse than ever. I hate to be a party-pooper but why can’t the nation listen and just ease in gradually – dipping our toe in the water so to speak. It’s like a bunch of teenagers pushing the boundaries , except that it’s people of all ages. The pictures this weekend have been a real shock.

Of course the Dominic Cummings episode has done little to help matters – “what’s good for the goose” … and all that! I’m still so furious about his behaviour but it doesn’t make me want to risk my own and others lives by not following scientific advice. So despite lockdown release allowances, Steve and I are going to tread carefully for a little while longer.

Walking and running

It’s been such a treat though to meet up with friends for walking/running this last week or so – albeit one at a time. So much to catch up on – plenty of chatting while exercising!

The weather over this period has been absolutely gorgeous – it’s like someone up above is looking after us during this grim time – glorious sunshine day after day.

Our garden visitors

I have to confess that we get SO much pleasure out of our feathery friends coming to visit. Steve is regularly updating the type and quality of feeders, analysing which feed is most popular, routinely refilling and chasing the bigger birds away (think we’re missing human company)!! This week there’s been lots of fledgling blue tits who fly to the feeder to be fed by ‘Mum’ and then nervously fly back to the nest, sometimes dive bombing us in the process.

But we did have a real garden visitor this week … our lovely friend Derek drove down from Birmingham to see us. It’s his first trip out since Lockdown and he wanted to give his new motor a run – much car envy!

Sewing face masks

A few requests for face masks received so I’ve been a busy sewing bee this week! They’ll be winging their way to family and friends – one little consignment even going Transatlantic – crossing the ocean to L.A.

So, after 10 weeks in Lockdown there is a feeling of some ‘light at the end of the tunnel.’ But ironically it now seems a bit daunting going out into the big bad world – we’ve all been living in our safe little bubble. Slowly slowly we can do it! Hopefully this ‘Test and Trace’ system will work it’s magic and so keep the ‘R’ down (all this new Covid-19 lingo)!

Steve will get back to his group running shortly and we’ll hopefully be able to have some small gatherings in the garden (for those who can manage without the toilet)!! 🤣. So excited. Longing to have sleepover visitors sometime soon? 😘

Tomorrow, Steve, Tom and I are embarking on the first leg of the 60 mile MK boundary walk – breaking it down into chunks of around 10 miles … will keep you posted.