I really am beginning to get fed-up with this bloody Covid-19 business. I'm not a particularly gregarious person, but even so the limits put on our movements and associations are becoming extremely tedious.
There is much talk at the moment of the nation's 'mental health', 'eating disorders', etc. This isn't an issue for me personally as I'm fortunate in being a very well-balanced person, but I can well imagine more vulnerable people becoming affected; especially the young. It's simply knowing that one CAN'T do certain things which is so frustrating; even if we wish to do them or not, and the young find that far more frustrating than we older folk.
On the good side, my savings have increased considerably, my gut says 'thank you' as we are eating wholemeal bread almost exclusively (it seems to freeze better than sourdough), and Haddock's has already been dug-over twice in preparation for Spring sowing/planting.
Luckily we have plenty of very good friends and family with whom we converse daily, so we are not totally isolated, but I would like to visit some other town occasionally; just for the hell of it.
Our appalling recent weather doesn't help. We have been through a long period of rain, light rain, and drizzle, and the ground is sodden. My daily early morning walks are accompanied by the sound of squelching and splashing. It really is unpleasant; although, of course, that can't be blamed on Covid.
My fear is that I may become lazy, which for me is a nightmare. I'm someone who loves to be busy. A few days of sunshine would soon change that. As such sunshine is in short supply, when it does appear I'm out there gardening, sawing, and chopping.
People are eager for an end to Lockdown, but I know that this will only help create a further spread of the virus. Folk will spread their wings in carefree abandon, and a further spike will be almost inevitable.
At present I venture out just once a week (Tuesdays) to go shopping. My normally extensive store cupboard has recently been showing signs of tiredness. To replenish stocks, last Tuesday, it cost me a staggering €150; I don't think I've ever spent so much on a week's shopping in my life. Still, the cupboard is now groaning again.
I'm fortunate as I don't use the pubs and little else is enforced.
ReplyDeleteBe interesting to see the Hewitt boy in a cheap hotel for ten days when he comes home next month.
It isn't about the Covid, something much more sinister is afoot.
I think all our restaurants are closed, but we don't usually go out much in winter anyway. Stay at home and wait.
DeletePray do share with up what else is “afoot”!
DeleteI have no idea. But it can't be about Covid that has cured flu, cancer and heart disease. They make it up as they go along. Folk can be asymptomatic, that means healthy. You have a couple sleeping together one positive the other negative but they rarely become both positive. It's just too silly to be credible.
DeleteCancer and heart disease haven’t been “cured” - quite the opposite as treatments for many cancers have been postponed.
DeleteAs to flu....do you think the lockdown, mask wearing, sanitizing and space might have had something to do with it? In my circle incidence of the common cold is also significantly reduced.
Be interesting to know what your circle is. Perhaps you could post about it.
DeleteAndrew, you put an interesting point.
DeleteOne small correction: Whilst you may be "asymptomatic" that doesn't mean that, potentially, you'd not pass on the virus to someone else. The asymptomatic qualify as the perfect Trojan Horse. The irony that the asymptomatic themselves won't know that they have/had the virus.
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So sorry, Adrian, it's the second time - so I believe - I called you Andrew.
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Traveller, the fun part of your reply to Adrian re flu that, once upon a time, till ca March 2020 people didn't take time off when they had the flu. Oh no, the "conscientious", not wishing to blemish their attendance record, would rather heave themselves into their respective offices with not a thought for their colleagues. Thoughtless, shameless. Now the pendulum has swung the other way.
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Don't worry about it, I've spent the morning under a truck being called a thick useless bastard. Any other name has to be an improvement.
DeleteUrsula, I believe you are referring to the cold. I have had flu once in my long life and there is no way I could have “heaved” myself out of bed, never mind into an office.
DeleteAs to “my circle” I meant family, friends, neighbours and others in my village.
But, I have recently learnt that, apparently, 58% (or more) of Covid tests return a false positive.
Your are right, Traveller, I was referring to "the cold", albeit stinking ones. What makes me snigger that now we aren't allowed so much as breathe when out and about yet nothing was thought of sneezes and coughs in the office.
DeleteAs to "false positives" - I'd rather not comment. Massage the figures. It's beeping shocking. Anyway, we are snowflakes. Since time began we had the likes of floods and Noah's ark. Pestilence decimating the world. And now, here we are, quivering at some virus, spoilt rotten always expecting instant gratification including a cure all vaccine. One of the most poignant comments I came across was from Yemen where people have so many problems apparently Covid is the least of their concerns.
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I heard it would be here for at least another three years with all the new variants traveling all over the world.
ReplyDeleteI think 3 years is being optimistic, it'll probably around forever, and we'll all have to be inoculated each year. Hopefully, it'll just involve taking a small pill.
DeleteIt's even getting to me now, and I've had 20+ years of hardly ever going out or seeing people. I miss garden centres, and the sea, and being able to go for a walk in the woods. Zoom and phone calls are a no-no for me, as talking leaves me in pain from a damaged jaw. I just want to go out - anywhere!
ReplyDeleteI'm not becoming fanatical about it because I'm not someone who is always galivanting. But it would be nice to get out a bit more.
DeleteThis lockdown for us is the hardest, the weather outside whilst not horrible, we have not had any snow, is enough to keep us inside, no quick trips out. We are lucky to be in a support bubble with youngest daughter, SIL and grandsons, so we do see them each week, but I am longing for a coffee and chatter with friends together.
ReplyDeleteI think the worst affected of our family is my son in England. He has had the virus, and is now almost imprisoned in his own home. He goes for a short walk occasionally, but would love to get out more. Luckily he is able to work from home, but all he sees are the four walls of his 'home office'.
DeleteExactly how I feel. I don't mind being away from people but I'd like to have the choice. We did get a takeaway coffee and sit on the car and did some people watching but that novelty soon got boring.
ReplyDeleteAt least our winter has been mild and we've had lots of sunshine with a bit of snow thrown in for some excitement.
But when will it bloody well end.
Exactly. Over here we're also blessed with almost non-stop rain or drizzle. It really has become tedious.
DeleteI feel very fortunate that we can still get out and about and lead a relatively normal life, however, I still try to avoid crowds. I know it just takes one thoughtless person to start it all up again and shut down our island.
ReplyDeleteIt must be almost more difficult having been told that the island is virus free. The worry that it could come back again must be dreadful.
DeleteYes, it is a pain. Pirate is feeling sorry for himself and down as well...I have been verbally kicking his butt for being negative!!
ReplyDeleteWe just have to concentrate on what we can do.
What about getting back to drawing...you have the time, you have plenty to draw....and you know that drawing every day keeps the eye hand brain connections going.
Commiserations about the mud. I am actually pleased to have the freezing weather as it makes getting out for a walk a lot easier.
However.....sending a big virtual (((hug))) to you both...we will survive!!
I do continue with painting and drawing, it keeps me sane. The mud here is terrible, it's been raining all day again today.
DeleteI am ploughing through my store cupboard and the freezr is bursting with food. Added to that my Carer has started bring me a lunch (Scotch egg and salad today)which is good but doesn't help to depleat my stocks.
ReplyDeleteI was surprised that my food-stocks had become so low. They're back to siege-mentality levels again now.
DeleteOMG, that is AU$234. How many are your feeding? I assume that includes Vim and your cheek blusher. We are locked down again for hopefully just a week.
ReplyDeleteYes, some wine was involved, but it was mostly re-stocking pasta, flour, washing-up liquid, etc. Ordinary day to day things. I was quite shocked.
DeleteWe are lucky that things are normal for us in NZ at the moment and we can get out and about. I do feel for all the young people stuck in lockdown as it must feel so restrictive at a time in your life when being social is so important.
ReplyDeleteIn my fifties I am happy to stay home with more quiet activities. I would miss being able to go to the library or visit with friends.
I think the young must be suffering the most. Not only are they missing school and their friends, but many spend all day on their phones, which isn't good.
DeleteWell, Cro, having followed your blog for years, I'd say that winter, consistently, does nothing for you. Covid or not.
ReplyDeleteAs to the price of shopping - it's relative to your basket and spending power. Wait till you are back in Brighton. You'll feel faint. Visitors from the motherland (when accompanying me on food shopping trips) did.
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I think my shopping will be quite different in England. Pork pies, jellied Eels, and fish-n-Chips, will probably be cheaper than my foie gras and confit de Canard here!
DeleteThe covid variants popping up at a time when there should be a pandemic easing up is especially aggravating. I think there have been so many last straws, people's annoyance levels are on the rise. The goings on in the news make it worse.
ReplyDeleteI prayed our new president will bring a fresh air of Peace, but Demcractic leadership is fervently erasing any possibility of that happening.
The squishing of mud sounds wonderful.
The squishing of mud is horrible; believe me. I have wondered if your new POTUS would bring everything that you were hoping of him! We'll have to wait and see.
DeleteHang in there, Cro! We're all in this together, and it is winter. It will get better. And if it is any help, politics never changes - it just changes sides. Seasons always change, and that is good. Start some seeds. Even if you have to pitch the plants later, start some seeds. That is what I do. New life always makes me happy.
ReplyDeleteI think that's a very good idea, I shall sow a few seeds in small pots ready for planting out in April.
DeleteChin up Cro, It's bloomin horrible but we must just get through it. Keep well and eventually the good weather will return and I think we'll all feel a bit better then.
ReplyDeleteA bit of sunshine will make all the difference, it's all this cold and damp that makes lockdown so tedious.
DeleteThe thought of this pandemic continuing for another year or two (despite the vaccine) is a bit depressing. We're all hanging in there, but sometimes it's a bit much. Now this Arctic air isn't helping - keeping our temps in the 20's and threatening to go down into the single digits. Thank goodness for our fireplace and Aga!
ReplyDeleteYes, one of our real pleasures of the day is lighting the fire; which I usually do at about 4.40 pm. It cheers the whole house.
DeleteHang in there Cro. The last stretch is the hardest.
ReplyDeleteThe finishing line may not yet be in sight, but we're still in the saddle.
DeleteI am a social person and love being around people.I miss that very much. My greatest fear was getting through the holidays but with imagination and thinking out of the box, we came up with great alternatives and it was lovely. Now with winter upon us and a very snowy February, I am doing OK with a hermit life. The young, though, are having a much harder time and my heart goes out to them.
ReplyDeleteA lot of children have become very insular; they need the interaction with their friends and teachers. It may happen again soon.
DeleteThis thing goes on and on. Soon we will be forgetting how it was to live normally, without apprehension. I agree with you that it is hardest for the young in what may have been key months in their development - finding love and possibly finding success in their education, making new friends, moving on, having fun. It is hard to have fun with COVID hanging around like The Bogeyman of yore.
ReplyDeleteI've noticed some of our own grandsons becoming very quiet and listless, when they should be noisy and energetic.
DeleteI am weary too. February is a hard month, but one winter storm after another after another, coupled with the isolation of the pandemic is making me stir crazy. I would give anything to be able to turn the garden over.
ReplyDeleteWe are able to get out most days, but it's usually a matter of dodging the rain. I believe next week a faux-Spring will arrive.
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