Wednesday 25th March
We meet our friend Amy on Croft Hill, with her two dogs and eight year old son, an opportunity for all dogs to run together and self-exercise, avoiding a longer walk. Chantal repeatedly tells me off for getting too close to Amy. Amy’s son had his first day of “home schooling” yesterday, and apparently it did not go well, with both teacher and pupil getting very frustrated. We come across other dog walking friends on Croft Hill and stop for a brief chat, suddenly realising that we are all standing at least THREE metres, if not more, apart, even the married couples amongst us keeping the distance. Such is the fear of a “gathering”. One of our friend’s comments on the clear blue vapour-trail free sky. I have also noticed the reduction in aircraft noise (only those of us measuring outdoor noise realise quite how long a noisy airliner takes to pass overhead). We meet friends and neighbours Chris and Richard striding over the hill with backpacks, heading for Croft Co-op to shop for their neighbour. We have a shopping list for another neighbour, including fresh fruit and vegetables, and Chris phones later to report that the shop is well stocked. I set off on a shopping trip after the dog walk and manage most things from lists from the neighbour, Andree and ourselves. All are short lists – just as well since Croft Co-op is small. There are lines on the floor, 2m apart, for those queuing for the checkout – even just four of us occupy much of the last aisle. When I reach the front, an elderly lady enters the shop and heads straight for the checkout with a query, unaware of the hidden queue. I tell the lady at the till to deal with her first – she is of an age that should not stay in even a small shop for long. When I leave, the shop “safe capacity” of five has been reached, and a shop assistant is supervising a one-out-one-in policy. I have been unable to find flour for us or Andree, and optimistically drive to Broughton Co-op, but customers are queuing outside. The queue at Broughton Aldi stretches along the car park. The baking will have to be postponed. Tonight, I upload an image onto a photo sharing “community” site, and browse other images. The text accompanying many emphasise the global nature of the Virus, commenting on lock-down arrangements in Canada, USA, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, as well as across Europe.
Technically we live in Oaktree House, but sadly the tree had to go.
We now have a thriving Oakstump at the front of the house.
