After the restrictions of the last 15 months my life is returning to normal in many ways: the old normal. Of course in many ways, such as travel abroad, it's a different story but then I have no desire to travel abroad now.
After my Goddaughter and her family left I had a wee period of 'Island life' and gardening. A week ago Anna arrived. We've been coffeeing, walking, visiting friends and their gardens, having friends to dinner and going to friends for dinner. It's been a wonderful week of complete contrast to the lockdown. There are reminders every so often about mask wearing (I think I shall continue to wear one in shops for the foreseeable future regardless of the rules) and social distancing but little else. On the Island almost everyone has been vaccinated and the cases are few are far between.
I ran Anna to the airport a couple of hours ago and within 39 minutes from take-off in Stornoway she was ready to disembark in Glasgow. It will take her longer to get the final stretch from the airport home. Well, I thought it would be she is already on the motorway on the Airport Bus. I shall speed up my typing and thought process.
I could not have enjoyed the week more.
Now for some time gathering my thoughts, gardening, coffeeing, having new brakes put on the car and visiting Blogland before I go to Anna's for my drugs trial review at the Beatson in Glasgow and collect my brother, CJ, from Penrith (to where his wife will bring him) and we'll come back to Lewis (via a couple of nights at Anna's in Bishopbriggs).
My big outing this week was on Monday...to the supermarket, newsagency, and to drop some gifts off to a lady at the local Aged Care facility. She turned 104 on Tuesday...and is the mother of a friend of mine.
ReplyDeleteTake care, Graham. :)
Lee, you reminded me of the first lockdown 6 months when I didn't even go into a shop.
DeleteGraham...my daily routines haven't altered during the past 18 months. They are the same as they always were. I'm pretty reclusive...by choice. I keep to myself. :)
DeleteHere there are minor signs of life returning to normal-ish. A very low hot air balloon went overhead recently, and yesterday a helicopter landed in a field just behind us. 'Every-day life' is returning.
ReplyDeleteCro, normality is creeping up on us almost unawares.
DeleteI wish we can get to the stage where being Vax x 2 means that the won't get it or pass it on. As I understand it they are only saying that you are unlikely to need hospitalisation. How this converts into mixing with family/friends in large or small groups or going away on holiday I just can't understand. Do other countries provide the enormous amount of up-to-date data of Cases, mmunisations and even Deaths like we have available. Sorry to go on, in fact I am almost at the point of deleting the whole thing! Lesley
ReplyDeletePotty, although you have been following my blog for a long time I know little of your background. The countries of the UK have been providing very detailed statistics right through the pandemic. Having both vaccinations lessens the chance of getting Covid very substantially. The take-up and numbers of people immunised in the UK is very high indeed. The majority of people in the UK's hospitals who have Covid have not been vaccinated. Even those numbers are very small compared with the earlier waves of the pandemic. The principal spreaders appear to be asymptomatic, unvaccinated schoolchildren.
DeleteI understand you will all have to be jabbed again for the Epsilon variant.
ReplyDeleteI made that up just like the government and MSM made up the Alpha Beta Gamma and delta variants.
We are supposed to be relaxing restrictions on Monday now that the most vulnerable people here have all had two vaccinations but as Lesley says, there is no certainty yet that we will not catch one of the variants and become seriously ill.
ReplyDeleteMy main worry is the effect on my asthma if I catch it as it could be quite unpleasant.
JayCee, at the moment the known variants may be more transmissible but those who are vaccinated are still well protected. Unlike polio and smallpox Covid is unlikely ever to be eradicated just as the common cold (a Covid virus) mutates constantly. We can be vaccinated against the most likely flus each year and we will probably be offered a Covid vaccine each year. Like flu many will get it each year and many will die. We will have to live with that. The only problem for society (as compared with the individuals who get it) is the effect it has on the NHS. The other thing is that Covid-19 is far more transmissible in all its known variants than 'flu is.
DeleteSome normality for you, that must be a good feeling. I hope all goes well for you in Glasgow. X
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jules. It does feel good I have to admit.
DeleteSounds good to be getting back to a more 'normal' life again. I agree totally with your comment/reply to JayCee. It annoys me sometimes when I meet people who still seem to think we will "beat this thing" and eradicate covid completely. It is part of our life now.
ReplyDeleteIt is indeed, Margaret, and we must make the most of it and protect ourselves and others as best we can.
DeleteThat's a long drive down to Penrith. Why couldn't CJ hitchhike up the M6/A74 to Glasgow? Still, it will be nice to spend time with your mischievous younger brother. No falling out now boys! "It's not fair! Graham hit me!"
ReplyDeleteYP, it's 120 miles and a couple of hours each way which is nothing. It's over twice that from Anna's to my home plus a 2½ hour ferry journey. For the record my brother and I have never fallen out since we became adults. I can't recall our childhood together because there was a 5 year age difference.
DeleteIt feels almost "otherworldly" to read about such active social life all of a sudden! ;) We're still a bit behind you here, even if numbers of covid cases are going down here too now (and numbers of vaccination up) and they have gradually started to allow a few more people to gather in certain contexts (in "controlled" circumstances where it's possible to keep distance). Personally, I suspect that even after I've got my 2nd jab it will take me a good while before I feel at ease in a crowd or getting too close to strangers...
ReplyDeleteMonica, in a strange way it is like being in another world. I liked my lockdown world for the six months that it lasted. I'm enjoying my new liberated world. However I am very aware of the dangers.
DeleteI'm sure it was nice having her visit. I think here only masks are needed for using public transport but like anywhere that could change at anytime.
ReplyDeleteAmy, it was lovely being able to socialise again and have friends in for dinner.
DeleteSo pleasing that your life is reverting to ways you are content with. My life is still very odd and separate. It's a bit bewildering but I am fortunate that I am happy in the things I do.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lucy. I am a little bit perplexed as to what your life is separated from. I shall have to pop over and find out. Being happy in the things that you do is a great plus is life though.
DeleteIt was nice to read that you had such a good time with your visitors and getting out for visits, Graham.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Beatrice. Life does seem to be remarkably full these days especially after lockdown.
DeleteHave a great visit with CJ and please give him my love! (And take loads for yourself, as well!)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Marcheline. I will indeed (re CJ).
Delete