Views from lockdown – August 2020

I decided to do a summary of each month as frankly not much happens because we are keeping ourself to ourselves.  I’m writing this on August Bank Holiday Monday; it is a gorgeous sunny day in Salford. The bees are buzzing around the flowers in our garden, there’s the sound of lawnmowers and dogs barking in the distance. 

All seems well in the world – but it most definitely isn’t.  Living through 2020 is a rollercoaster of emotions, cancelled plans and disappointments.  There’s also small pockets of joy, gratitude and time to think. 

I wanted to keep a record of what happened during this year – living in these strangest of times. 

Here are some journal prompts from my favourite jar which inspired me to write about different topics.

You can read more about my lockdown diaries here

On 31 Aug it is 24 weeks since lockdown day on 16 March 2020. 

1. How long have you been self-isolating?

We haven’t really changed our behaviour since early March 2020.  My Chap has shielding letter and I have a few long term conditions including osteoarthritis so live with daily pain and fatigue.  We walk, or run, around our neighbourhood woods, canal and fields, visiting supermarkets with masks and keeping our distance from people.

Keep 2 metres distance (yes even from your friends!) especially indoors in shops, wash your hands regularly, wear a facemask and follow the rules; follow the experts too. 

2. Working situation 

My Chap went back to work first week of August after nearly five months on furlough; he has a shielding letter.  He works for a small firm in a large warehouse, and occasional drives large delivery trucks.  His employers are taking things very seriously with PPE, extra cleaning and 

Currently, I am working from home but I am expecting to be back in the office some of the time soon.   I was on furlough in April/May and back to work at the beginning of June.  I have been very busy website updating, promoting events, editing newsletters, and managing social media. Hence my lack of blog posts here and tumbleweed on instagram.  

3. Who are you with?

My Chap :-), the neighbourhood cats and the dog next door and that’s about it.  We have dropped off and picked up things from mates elsewhere in Greater Manchester twice this month.  I was very tearful when I saw an actual friend in real life not via zoom.  

4. Where have you been this month?

Short answer nowhere interesting.

Helping the economy 

This is the only thing Johnson our inept PM seems to be bothered about, getting the populace to spend money – ‘eat out to help out’

The only places I have been this month are our local Lidl, occasionally, and a small Sainsbury’s local for lacto-free food (masked up).  We went into our very large B&Q wearing masks for the first time since March because part of our decking is rotting.  I’d say most of the people in the store were wearing masks, but quite a few were wearing them incorrectly and were rather ropey about keeping 2m away.  We were buying replacement decking so my chap needed help carrying it.  Some plants might have sneaked home with me – the hydrangeas are looking fine at the moment 

Helping independents 

I’ve also ordered from Lunya deli and restaurant based in Liverpool https://lunya.co.uk/shop/

Not much else just some birthday presents so they are under wraps at the moment.

BTW – It became compulsory to wear a mask in shops (unless you have a medical exemption) on 24 July 2020.  

Outdoors

Walking around Monton, Worsley, Bridgewater Canal and around Worsley Woods.   I haven’t been more than five miles from my house on foot since March.  I don’t have any inclination to go further at the moment.  I’d like to go to the seaside, somewhere quiet with big open spaces,  but the public convenience situation would stress me out. 

5. How are you feeling today? 

Exhausted, my arthritis is aching, my sleep is poor at the moment.  But I am grateful for a short working week, grateful My Chap is here with me. 

6. Who do you miss?

My family and friends.  I miss gigs and live music, the theatre, pottering around markets, museums and art galleries… and so much more.  The world is a different place now and we won’t go back to how it was before for a long time.  I am hoping for a reliable vaccine soon. 

 7. What keeps you going? 

Concentrating on the small, positive things every day.  Sitting in the garden on a warm evening, drinking gin and listening to music.  We are working our way through our gin stash – we are drinking our Sunshine Cuckoo Gin – probably my favourite hot weather gin.   Sunshine Gin is made by the Brindle Distillery team up near Preston.  They’ve been running ‘Gin tastings’ over social media.  Find out more: www.brindledistillery.co.uk/

 

TV series

This month we have been watching ‘Marvelous Mrs Maysel’ a fabulous series, great acting, women to the fore and the frocks are epic too.

I can’t watch anything too gritty at the moment. So we are also watching Marvel films in chronological order. 

Music

My husband has been playing his guitar and singing.

8. what events are you missing this month and how do you feel about it?

We had a holiday planned to visit my best pal who lives in Sweden now.  I was just about to book the flights when we went into lockdown in March.   

9. Exercise 

We go for a walk around the neighbourhood, looking at all the plants and flowers in full summer mode.  I am doing hatha yoga, working on my mindfulness and meditation.  Read more about my mindfulness practice here

10. how are you keeping in touch with people?

Zoom, WhatsApp, email and phone calls.  My former work pals meet regularly on zoom, my Women’s institute buddies all around the country and my family and friends near and far. 

What is on your to-do list?

Make some silver clay pieces, more photography and perhaps some sewing too.

11. How do you practice self care?

I’ve written often about self care. Find what suits you.

12. what would you do right now if you could do anything?

Get on a plane to visit my Australian relatives.   

The whole of metropolitan Melbourne was put into a second lockdown from July 9, for a minimum of six weeks which is still in place now. 

13. how has this time made you change your mindset?

It has made me focus on the positive things in my life, on what I can influence – what important to me.  Happiness, health and friendship.  Always be kind too.

14. how do you deal with difficult days?

Sit in the garden, water the plants (it’s a very mindful activity for me), get out in the fresh air or listen to music.  

15. Do you avoid the news or social media? 

I don’t watch the news, which is a very weird thing for me, as I’ve been a news hound my whole life.  I follow medical experts on Twitter; due to previous roles in a Uni I’ve worked with experts in viruses, statistics, public health and risk. 

16. what one thing has made you smile?

My Chap 🙂 he always makes me laugh – he’s kind, funny and compassionate.

17. have you got something booked that you looking forward to?

I’ve got Women’s institute events on zoom 🙂 This month I went to a zoom talk from Howard Middleton from Bake Off.  It was fabulous. 

18. have you saved money?

Yes, no commuting for My Chap or I, shopping at Lidl which is much cheaper and no new clothes, shoes or incidentals.  All our spare cash has gone onto our mortgage.

19. what have you done that you’ve not normally got time for?

Time spent with My Chap, who usually works incredibly long hours at work.  We are fortunate that we like each others company so lockdown isn’t hard for us.  We have the privilege of a garden, enough money and a roof over our heads.

20. what would you like to remember about this time and why

I’m compiling a list but since I don’t think we are anywhere near the end my

It is grim living in a country with an inept government – sometimes I despair!

21. Have you kept a list of things to do once this is over? 

Not really, I don’t think this will be over until we have a vaccine.  The world is different now and despite what and it could be that we need a vaccine every year.  

Carpe Diem,

Love Bec xx xx