Beckibobs didn't happen, and a few thoughts on the last couple of months.

Ah well.

This years holiday didn't happen - for obvious reasons. We should have been going back to Becky's place in the Dordogne.

I had so many weekends away planned that I'd decided to post them on this blog.  Then the 'things' didn't happen.

And then I  realised that I didn't want it to become another 'my life in lockdown' blog. Because I got annoyed with the 'we're all in the same boat' and the 'you're only being asked to stay at home' kind of stuff.

We weren't all in the same boat. Some people really struggled financially as they fell through support gaps. Some struggled because trying to work from home with 3 kids attempting to do their schoolwork and moaning that they can't go out was just too much.

And some, like me, were hardly affected at all.

Because, to be honest, other than not going on my weekends away, and holidays, my life wasn't that different.

I live alone, I'm not really that sociable; I meet friends occasionally for lunch/coffee or go round to friends for tea. I'm generally OK with my own company.  

I'm also really lucky that I was working when this started, I switched to working from home. I've since started a new contract, again working from home and so have some financial security into next year.

Like most people, at some point I found it all a bit much, and had a bit of a wobble.  What with the toral mixed messages from the UK government and the constant criticism of others on Facebook etc, sometimes it was all a bit of a mess, but generally I was fine.

I missed seeing family though - my son lives 50 miles away, so I'd have struggled to call that 'essential travel' - fortunately my sister lives only 2 miles away, so we occasionally 'accidentally' bumped into each other when on our daily walk (keeping our distance etc)

Then the rules changed, and because I'm a single adult household, I could have a 'bubble', my sister could legitimately come round for a coffee and that was so marvellous.

I went to my local cafe and picked us up a takeaway coffee and some cakes - it felt great.  Or we had a takeaway coffee in the park.

I went out on my bike for the first time in ages, I'm not that confident , so was happier when there was less traffic about.

I cycled to meet other friends in the park, we're fortunate to have quite a few.

But what's really changed?  Apart from all the rules. What do I really miss?

Spontaneity, that's what.  My sister and I would chat on a Saturday and arrange to meet, and would decide where to go later. We can't do that now. Everything requires planning.  Even the simple stuff. You've got to try and work out how crowded anywhere will be.  Generally its easier not to bother.

I have a National Trust venue near me, and would occasionally walk there and walk round the grounds, now I need to arrange it weeks in advance.  

I used to put a fiver in my pocket when going out for a run, in case I decided to nip into a shop on my way back. Now I have to remember to take a debit card and a mask. Which means I need to spend more than a fiver because of card fees, so I need a bag.  It's all too much of a faff to be honest, so I don't bother. So my little local shops are missing out.

What have I gained?

A tidier house - maybe.  Although that's a bit hit and miss.

A new found love of cooking.  I've always cooked from scratch, have very little processed food in the house, but now have the time to experiment.

I'm no longer petrified of video calls - although I still avoid mirrors at all costs!