Not much happening here, except for social structures falling apart. Not even that, really, because if you walked down the street you wouldn’t notice much difference, except a kind of emptiness. But cafes, pubs and restaurants are all closed, and gatherings of any kind are frowned upon. Most schools are shut, except for the children of key workers. Freddie and Phoebe have offered to run errands for us, and Des has offered to do a supermarket shop.
We have asked P & F to get us a few things, such as bread, today , but we will be using Hello Fresh!, which should make sure we’re ok for general food for quite a bit longer. No doubt the day will come when some kind person will have to do a supermarket shop for us. Dot ordered some stuff from Milk and More yesterday, but nothing was delivered – not even the usual milk.
Yesterday, as today, was bright and sunny, though with a distinct nip in the air. We watched a Facebook Live service from St Luke’s in the morning (after listening to the Radio 4 one from the Archbishop), and then decided to go for a picnic. We were very conscious of the need to avoid other people; so we did not join the thousands (apparently) who made for the coastal top spots like Wells, but drove to Stokesby, which is quiet village on the Bure where you can park by the river and watch the ducks, swans and geese while eating your sandwiches. I went for a short walk, carefully avoiding any proximity to the odd pedestrian. I don’t see anything wrong or risky with this, but no doubt it will soon become illegal.
On the way home we stopped to say hello to Judy, who was out for a walk. Naturally we did not touch her, or even get out of the car.
Today we went up to the chemist to fetch Dot’s pills, after ringing first. I drove and Dot went in, washing her hands afterwards, without touching door handles. They had a one-way system in the shop, with carefully marked distancing areas. Dot is now in the garden.
Last Thursday I went to the dentist – again after ringing to check it was OK. Wales and Scotland have banned all appointments except for emergencies, but apparently the chief dental officer for England is conspicuous by her absence and hasn’t said anything. Ross was keen to point out how hygienic dentists’ surgeries were. My teeth were Ok, but he cleaned them anyway for a mere £108.
Meanwhile Peter and Rob are forging ahead with Paston plans to put loads of stuff online, and I’ve written four scripts for animated characters. I’ve also written modern versions of about ten Paston letters, and about the same number of poems, most of them about Holy Land experiences. I’m awaiting an e-mail from Anne Coomes requesting the usual articles for the May Parish Pump. Sadly two former colleagues from The Christian have died in the last few days – Dan “I nearly died” Wooding and Bill “Egg and chips” Spencer. Neither of those was coronavirus, as far as I know. Both cancer, I believe. Offhand I can only think of a couple of people on The Christian editorial team who are still alive.
Denise has been in touch: her two neighbours have coronavirus, and her grandson Ollie has a bad cough; so Elaine and her family have to remain isolated – in Elaine’s case, working from home.
As well as working out how Facebook Live works, I’ve signed into Skype so that Rob, Peter and I can have a meeting this afternoon. Yippee. I am also on Zoom, so that our Cake and Compline group can have a get-together. I shall be interested to see how that works.