The first lockdown last year in March, I could focus on the thought of spring around the corner, warmer weather, light evenings, it was hard but seemed easier to cope with. This time we have the winter, sun in short supply, shorter cold days and a feeling of being closed in…..in all honesty I can’t remember what I really thought during the first but do remember how hard it was but also remember feeling hope for the nicer months ahead.
Animals have more freedom than we do at the moment. I know we have no choice if we’re to see the end of this wretched period, but it must be lovely to be in blissful ignorance of the reality that surrounds us right now. All I want is to trundle as and when I please but of course I can’t. I see a beautiful sky outside and just want to venture outside with my camera. Some have said just do it but I would feel so guilty and why should I be allowed to break the rules set for all?
This current lockdown has hit me for 6 again….I’d got into a nice new routine of 2 or 3 walks a day whenever I felt the urge to wander and now I can only have one…Who would have thought that I’d have to think carefully when to trundle? Do I go early if the sun is shining then have to be closed in for the rest of the day. Do I take my chance and hope the sun doesn’t disappear and wait until later? What if I wait too long and the sun disappears and the rain arrives? What petty decisions rule my life now.
This is the worst time of year anyway for a lockdown. Having just put the sparkle of Christmas away for another year, the world suddenly looks grey and gloomy enough without these extra rules that have come into our lives…
Well I decided to type a list of good and bad to help me put things in perspective as there are far more people worse off than me, I really do now that…
The lights and unexpected bonuses provided by Covid
Time to stop and appreciate what you have
Time to trundle
Time to investigate your neighbourhood
Time to learn new skills
Time to appreciate your community
Time to come together as a community
Time to help others
Time to volunteer
Time to take photos…
The wrongs and dark side
My friend not being allowed to visit your husband in his Care Home for 9 months, then given 10 minutes at his side before he dies……
Living a life limiting condition and not being able to make the most of the time left
My friend having cancer and simply having to sit and wait in hospital instead of having adventures while she can.
Taking away the timings of routine
Reducing some peoples time on this earth
Taking away the time spent with those who mean the most
Taking away out time to travel
Preventing us from using our time to live your life the way you want
Preventing the 20 second daily hug we all so badly need…
Covid has given and taken away TIME in so many different ways. Who would have thought one virus could change time in so many ways….I do try and see the positives and like them to outweigh the negatives, but occasionally, the dark side comes out winning, especially on rubbish weather days when my camera has to stay safely inside…
Which me am I today? 
I so much agree, Wendy, with your lists. My mother died aged 94 of COVID19 after three months in which I could not see her or hold her hand. She had advanced dementia and was in a permanent state of fear because she recognized nothing and was surrounded by masked and gowned figures. How awful is that? So like you I try to take comfort from wildlife and trees and sunrises. It’s one day at a time right now, gritting your teeth, summoning internal resources and getting through. Please be assured that your blog is a public service. I look for it every day and appreciate it deeply. Hang in there!
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So very kind of you 🙏 Huge hugs for your loss and yes, such a tactic way to spend your final days 🥲xxx
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Wendy you have expressed my thoughts so clearly and well. All I can say is you’re not alone. I take comfort in being able to read your words and feel I know you as my friend. If I copy out your list I think I’d put it the other way round, so that I’d get the dark side out of the way and finish on the light side. But you are so right.
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🙏🤗x
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Our next door neighbours got chickens this time last year. They have been such a delight to watch ranging freely around their garden… and now they too are in lockdown because of the risk of avian flu.
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Yes all my friends chucks have now lost their freedom too 🙄x
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I am really at a loss as to the science behind people being told they can only take one piece of exercise a day. The virus doesn’t become more active if we are outside for a second or third time and indeed outdoor exercise enhances health and well being.
This seems particularly relevant for those who live alone and whose only social contact might be saying ‘hello’ to another walker.
I confess to being someone who isn’t following the rules in this way and am sure I’m safe and putting nobody at risk.
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Still a wonderful picture Wendy reflecting so well the light and dark in our lives. Your photographs demonstrate a really great talent. Keep on taking those pictures.
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They keep me going, thank you 🙏
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I’m so pleased to see your blog. I was concerned when you didn’t publish one on Friday or yesterday.
Like the lady above we go out twice a day, mainly as we have a dog and she needs walks. What about taking Billy out with a lead then he can be your excuse for a second trundle🤔
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Ha! Not sure Billy would approve of a lead 😂x
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Wendy, are your neighbours that nosy on how many times you go out? I agree with Doreen it’s a silly rule especially if you live in the countryside. I wouldn’t worry just don’t mention it on your blog. If Mr Plod jumps out of a bush, you can always say you can’t remember how many times you’ve been out! xxx
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Awww thank you. Actually the solution I found is in tomorrows blog 🤗xx
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Hi Wendy. If garden centres are open because they are important for people’s mental health then going out for a walk on your own feels entirely within the spirit of the guidelines. Reading how much you get from your trundles, I would hate to think of you stuck indoors.
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🙏🤗
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Missed you the last two weekdays. Glad you’re back! Here in Maryland, we are not officially locked down, but the increase in cases and new variants are keeping me voluntarily inside. I eagerly await when I can finally register for vaccine for which I am eligible next week, but access is limited and the process cumbersome. I totally understand your comments about time. Recently the New York Times had a challenge to write a six-word pandemic memoir. I just realized mine are all about time! “Days pass slowly, weeks fly by.” ” Where’d that year go? Poof! Disappeared. ” But it’s a fun exercise. Hang in there!
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🙏🤗
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I agree with others that have commented on the restriction of just one walk a day. It is not logical. I would say for the sake of all our mental health, go out whenever you can! Especially as we are so often limited by the weather anyway. xx
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🙏🤗
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I think this puts things in really good perspective. In some ways it’s made life more interesting, more free to focus on self – but in some ways that’s been terrible and confining. I hope it improves (or at least the weather!) for you soon.
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Thank you 🙏
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Wendy I think it’s so important for you to spend as much time as possible outside in the sunshine and the fresh air. I know how much this latest lockdown has affected my husband, but we are in a city and many more people about so caution is foremost. But I think you should enjoy your beautiful country walks as much as you can. I look forward to reading tomorrow’s blog and your solution. ☺.xx
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Thank you 🙏
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Good morning Wendy, I fully agree with all the people who have commented on being allowed one hours walk. – it’s bonkers! A friend of mine says she read the Government rules and it’s 30 mins a day. Who makes up these stupid rules and who will monitor it? Go out and enjoy your countryside Wendy. It’s mixing with other people that is the most important rule not to break. Looking forward to reading your solution. Kind regards, Vivienne.
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Thank you 🙏
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I know we have to have the dark so we can appreciate the light but recent events have made it very difficult for us. I have taken to emptying the bins indoors every day, doing odd, short job ourside and round the garden even going as far as pulling weeds in the drive just to get a little extra outside time.Take care of yourself.
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🙏🤗
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