Views from lockdown – September 2020

I am writing a summary of each month in lockdown, as not ‘that’ much is changing for us as the months go by.  It has been an incredibly busy month for me at work two big projects to promote as well as all my usual work. It has also been our third wedding anniversary at the end of September.  I’ve also missed out on a fabulous camping weekend with my women’s institute pals in a gorgeous woodland site in Cheshire – it would have been our 5^th weekend away.

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

Here are some journal prompts from Claire from ‘Favourite Jar’ which inspired me to write about different topics.

Good news 😊 We do have a trip to Somerset planned in a couple of weeks.  I’m hoping we won’t be in full lockdown by then.

You can read more about my lockdown diaries here

1. How long have you been self-isolating?

We haven’t really changed our behaviour since early March 2020.  We walk, (or my Chap runs), around our neighbourhood woods, canal and fields.  We spend time in our garden, on our hobbies.

15 September 2020 – Covid-19 rolling rate per 100k
Bolton 196.1 – highest
Salford 84.4
Trafford 40.1 – lowest
England average 31.1

Salford and the rest of Greater Manchester has been in a higher level of lockdown since July, there have been various restrictions which are frankly ineffective.  The rates are going up and it is only likely to increase when children are back in schools and students are returning to universities across the UK.   The Covid-19 security for schools isn’t good enough, it’s not safe.  I’m not surprised the teaching unions are up in arms. I have friends who have children in ‘bubbles’ of 100 – how can that work?

Just follow the rules, keep your distance, wear masks and wash your hands often.

2. Working situation

My Chap is working hard at the wholesaler – the florist industry is still going despite the lack of weddings; he says many florists have diversified to sell plants, products from local creatives – but it’s nearly all book online and collect.

I have been back in the office some of the week. I’ve had some huge projects to promote and regular webinars for our clients, so it’s been frantic busy especially with social media.  That’s why I haven’t been blogging much.  I have been taking photographs though.

3. Who are you with?

My Chap – the neighbours in our cul de sac and their cats and dogs.
I haven’t seen any friends in real life due to the local restrictions in Greater Manchester.  We occasionally bump into local pals

4. Where have you been this month?

Helping the economy

Not done much except trips to Lidl and Sainsbury’s.  I went in the big Sainsbury’s I used to shop in most weeks; first time since early March.   I noticed there is much less choice, fewer food lines.  It is well managed for Covid-19 and I felt safe.

Helping independents

Birthday gifts and the odd food delivery but that’s about it.

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.  We did walk on a different part of the Bridgewater Canal.  I’ve also been walking around Salford Quays in my breaks at work.  It’s very quiet.

5. How are you feeling today?

My arthritis pain is much higher than usual, which makes my fatigue much higher. It’s been grim all year.  I’m on stronger medication now which I hope will help but it takes a while to notice the difference.

6. Who do you miss?

I’m missing my friends and my family.  Children have been born, people have moved house and all sorts of great and not so great things.  I miss live music, gigs, the theatre pottering around craft markets.

7. What keeps you going?

Yoga, mindfulness, gardening – talking to friends but most of all My Chap – he is always positive.

What is on my to-do list?

More photography and perhaps some sewing too.

I’ve made a silver clay pendant which I am very please with indeed. What do you think?

TV series

We have started watching ‘Agents of Shield’; I’m loving it.  It is complicated and nuanced with fabulous acting with strong female characters.  We are also watching the Marvel films in the chronological order.  I definitely need to watch shows that err towards so

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

For our wedding anniversary, we’d usually go for a posh meal in Manchester city centre but we couldn’t this year so My Chap

My Chap has seen all his running events and marathons postponed – and some have been postponed twice now.  We hadn’t really planned any trips away for Aug or September.

We are definitely missing gigs and the theatre.  It’s grim for these industries – my local theatres the Royal Exchange and the Lowry are in redundancy discussions with staff.   It’s terrible how little support from the Tory Government for all the self-employed people in these in industries.

9. Exercise

Daily walking – it’s harder when I’m in the office to fit it all in.  I am doing hatha yoga with Marie from Open Doors and Sadhana Ali who’s my usual yoga teacher.   Read more about my mindfulness practise 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

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, which is still in place.

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 new 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 Sarah who’s a curator at Hampton Court Place.  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 is going on our mortgage.

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

Time in the garden during the week, time for crafting and photography.

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

This is a very weird year but we will get through it.

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

Yes I’ve started a list – as I’d really like to see my Mum who lives down south, other relatives and my Australian family.

Carpe Diem,

Love Bec xx xx