Surviving C19 Lockdown

So, I have just sat down in our freshly painted, lovely looking conservatory, in my pjs after a nice bath, and settled down to write a blog with a glass of red. Table just got knocked (due to crazy kitten running round the room) and red wine went all over the lovely light grey rug. But it's fine. It will stain but there are more pressing things to think about. I started this blog at the very beginning of lockdown, for a few different reasons. - I panicked and didn't know what to do with myself! - I have always wanted to write - I had time to write - It helped me get my head around the unbelievable and scary situation - I felt the need to get my thoughts and feelings out somehow and the only way I have ever been able to do this is by writing it down. (or drinking too much and making a tit of myself....) For me, lockdown has (unfortunately for many reasons) ended. I am getting jobs coming in now for property photography and I think from next week onwards I will become i...

So, on Sunday night we listened to Boris's update at 7pm with anticipation. I wasn't expecting much to change to be honest, although I was hoping he would say we are allowed to leave the house for longer and go a bit further afield for outdoor exercise. Which he did say, and that is great. But the rest? Well I am quite confused and I don't think I am the only one..... - Work from home if you can - If you can't then go to work - But not until Wednesday - If you do go to work make sure you can work at a social distance - If you can't then work from home - If you can't work from home go to work - But don't use public transport - If you can't drive / walk / cycle to work then work from home - If you have to use public transport keep your distance - But don't use public transport - When in the work place be alert - When at home be alert - Drive wherever you like for as much exercise as you want for as long as you like but go home if these pl...

A lovely afternoon spent socially distancing with the neighbours, enjoying celebrating VE Day whilst catching up over cake and gin. I felt privileged they allowed me to move my chair in to the road a bit closer to their grass. Today is the first “proper” catch up in person I have had with anyone outside my own house, other than dropping shopping off and chatting briefly from the gate. Today was as close to “proper” as it gets in these times. We even had chairs and a table, imagine..... So VE Day has been lovely. For many reasons. A catch up with friends (who are also the neighbours), sitting outside in the sun somewhere other than my own garden, a reason to make more scones, and a perfect excuse to drink gin even earlier than usual at 3pm.  But actually it’s emotional. I’ve seen loads of photos on social media about the war, and the bombings, and the loss of life, and the hardships faced. And I remember my amazing grandpa and all he, and many others, did for their country to giv...

Well what a day today! Absolute shit for most of it, but intermingled with such lovely bits of awesomeness that I’ve gone from crying my eyes out earlier to feeling thankful and almost happy. This Corona businesses is sure messing with people’s emotions! So it started off badly when the cooker blew up last night. Not literally, but it kind of popped and caught fire. Thankfully I wasn’t cooking. Somehow Russ managed to rescue his lasagne and it tasted as gorgeous as usual. So today I awoke with high hopes that the oven might have just been having an off evening (which we are all entitled to do in these unprecedented times.) But no, I checked it this morning (after my new circuits and yoga regime to start my day in the right frame of mind) and it billowed out so much smoke I nearly had to crawl out of the kitchen with my face to the floor. So, it's home cooked meals using the hob only from now on. Or takeaways. But due to lack of funds the former is the only option, so until we can...

This is a shit storm and we are all in it but sailing different boats... Some are great big armoured submarines battling through regardless, a few are luxury yachts enjoying relaxing times in the sun with no financial worries at all, some are hardworking fishing boats desperately hoping for a good catch to get them through, and there are those more like flimsy rafts, through no fault of their own, finding it difficult to stay afloat.  I have been on Zoom calls talking to business owners who feel guilty about working. They say that they feel bad about securing work in these horrible times. But the outcome of these calls (thanks to others more knowledgable than me!) is don’t! Do not feel guilty if you are working. This county and other businesses need you to keep us all going. Key workers are obviously needed, but there are many others, “almost key workers” whom are needed to help those unable to work. Keep going you people! Keep motivating your furloughed staff, keep the busine...

Not actual crap, or even feeling crap, but a nice sort of crap. (I hope) I have written an Acrostic Poem (apparently, according to Mia.) So for example.... C orona R elated A crostic P oem But I went on a lovely walk yesterday through the fields of my old school and where my late dad grew up living on his family farm. And it brought back memories, thoughts and emotions, and it was a beautiful spring day, and it almost felt like everything was ok. I pictured my lovely dad as a boy, playing in the fields of his home. And I thought, with great sorrow, how he would feel about us going through all this without him. And I wished he was here with us. And then I was glad he wasn’t. But the farm kept working and the animals kept grazing and the grasses kept blowing. And I just wanted to write a poem. Which is probably crap, but I feel like I’ve exposed myself (not literally thank God!) enough on here already, so why not..... DAILYWALK poem. Discovering new pathways, different routes, ...

“To be grey or not to be grey, that is the question.” I know this is a shallow and unimportant question in the scheme of the global pandemic, and I do feel guilty for asking the question. My thoughts are always with the NHS and all key workers and I am in total admiration for all they do. I cannot comprehend how difficult life is for these wonderful people and right now, and every day, I count my blessings that “all I have to do is stay at home”. While it’s not easy when all my beloved work has been cancelled or rearranged, I do know I am one of the lucky ones who just has to do our bit by staying at home. However, writing this blog is, for me, a way of voicing my thoughts and trying to stay positive, and if at all possible, trying to bring some kind of lightheartedness to this madness. So please don’t judge me for writing about my hair. I actually don’t care about it to be honest. Anyone who knows me will admit my hair always looks shit at the best of times. And anyone who doesn’t...

Is it really Saturday? I wasn't sure when I woke up. Loosing track of days fast and it is only week 1.... I often work weekends, which is fine, as I love (not "loved" - I will be back!) my job, and I am so lucky that what I do doesn't feel like work. But I also love (and really appreciate) a weekend off to spend time with Mia, and go out to lovely places. Usually on these Saturdays I wake up with butterflies in my stomach, excited about the 2 days ahead. But today I awoke with the same sense of dread and worry that I have woken up with for the past few weeks, and more so in recent days. Dread for the situation the world is in, and worry for the UK, who are really only just starting on this journey. However, a Saturday off work is still a Saturday off work, and I am trying to normalise this shit as much as I can, so to mark the occasion I stayed in my pjs until 10am. I also treated myself to wearing make up on this special day, which I haven't done since Tuesday,...