Tuesday 7th April
Beginning of week 3 of Lockdown. Working at home all day after a week of annual leave, and I find it a bit unsettling without the social contact. The novelty has worn off for the team, and there is almost no “chat” on our Microsoft Teams account. I get up to speed by going back through e-mails which detail changes to procedures. These demonstrate just how quickly we went from Social-Isolating for the vulnerable, to working at home being encouraged, followed by only those on call being in the office, visiting only those homes without symptoms. A day or so later “on call” meant taking calls only, no visits, quickly followed by the office being closed, everyone working at home. Not much more than a week from normality to Lockdown. This evening we walk the dogs down to Croft, and meet a fully fledged road scooter coming towards us on the footpath, the driver and pillion definitely under 17. We block the path, and tell them to go back. They initially argue, stating that they were not going fast – in fact “only” 25mph. No-one argues with Chantal for long, and they turn around, shortly afterwards passing us on the adjacent road, the pillion without a helmet. It is pub night, and my study evolves from a place of work to a local hostelry. 6 of us meet on Zoom for a pint or two, and a lot of banter, the conversation much more flowing and natural than last week. We are getting used to virtual gatherings. Zoom has re-introduced a 40-minute limit. No problem – I send a second invitation e-mail after 40 minutes, while my fellow drinkers re-charge their glasses in readiness for the second session. The atmosphere was almost, but not quite, reminiscent of the Heathcote Arms on a Tuesday night, with the advantage that no-one is driving.
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.
