I have a close male friend, purely platonic, pre covid our Sunday probably every other week would be as follows.
He would come round to mine, about midday, we'd have a cuppa, coffee usually or sometimes tea. We'd then go with him driving to a local hotel where they have a lovely carvery in a really nice restaurant. We'd have a drink while waiting for the meal, I could have a wine as I was not driving.
After, we'd come back to mine and had another coffee!
Then, weather permitting and sometimes not, we'd take my 2 dogs for a walk, down to the river, walk along the path, up the hill and arrive at a small local pub. There we would have a drink, non alcoholic in his case, and then walk home sometimes picking up fish and chips on the way, sometimes I would prepare a light meal for us. We'd then put on music, fairly loud but I don't think the neighbours were bothered as it only happened once in a fortnight or so. We'd then danced having been to dance classes a couple of years ago, jive mainly but we had lots or fun. He'd then set off for home and I felt so fulfilled and looked forward to a quiet evening on my own.
We had a chat today and pondered as to when we would be able to do all this again. We think probably for not a long while yet. Both of us will be alone for Christmas but accept this is what we have to do to keep us and people close to us safe.
Just wanted to share, sorry not very interesting but means a lot to me.
I miss my friends in the UK, I was recently on a visit,and couldnt meet them because of their varous health issues, however we did and still do Skype, Face time and other such things,I am pleased we do this,as they dont seem so far away.Where we live we dont have many restrictions,but I miss my clubs,and hope we can start them soon.
I sing in three choirs and normally would be busy with rehearsals and concert dates in the diary, especially in December. Zoom is just not the same.
I have missed not been able to go away on holiday this year, or for our wedding anniversary, or to make plans to see the family for my forthcoming birthday.
I am frustrated that I can’t safely get workmen in to do various no essential jobs around the home. The bedroom desperately needs new carpet, curtains and redecorating, but we do not want people in the house.
But, I am lucky to have company at home ( even if he can Sometimes be annoying), we are in reasonably good health and have adequate pensions and savings so we do not have to worry about money.
Others are in a much worse situation.
The library!
Being able to walk into church, unbooked, unmasked and take part in a service not held by the Lone Ranger.
Being able to exult in all my Granny Free-Time and plan and prepare for Christmas...however, Boris and Covid or not, Christmas will not be cancelled within these walls!
Grany23
I understand what your saying. I can't live anywhere else than on or beside the sea. I remember once being in Slovakia in the motohome and all of a sudden it hit me how far away from the sea I was.
We missed a lovely sailing trip from Croatia to Spain this year. It all got too complicated with quarantine rules.
My son and his family in America. My little granddaughter said ‘ will we ever see you again Nanny?’ I certainly hope so, but goodness only knows when.
I m very lucky to be living in a tier 1 area compared to most on here as our cinemas, restaurants, coffee houses, and theatres are all open, obviously with differences in numbers able to attend etc ...so apart from hugs, spontaneity and visiting my overseas grandkids nothing really has changed I work, I walk, I meet my friends and I have tickets for our local theatre cinema coming up (not really my choice of films but just better than nothing)
Unless you live in a lockdown area can’t you continue with your sunday rendezvous ?
There are so many ordinary things I miss, a pop to the shops then a quick coffee, lunch with friends at home or out. My U3A groups, most of all my family. My DS and family who I haven’t seen non digitally since last December and my DD and family who I have only see 3 times since lockdown. Again I am not complaining, they are all well, and faring better than many others, but I wish it had never happened and I wish even more that it was all over.
Going into town on the bus for a mooch round the shops and going for a swim were my first thoughts, although they are not very significant.
Usually we have a big family get together in January but this year, because my niece was going to get married in June, we decided not to, as we would be together then. However the wedding had to be put off until next year, so I haven't seen the extended family for ages and we're not even sure if the wedding will be able happen. I dread the thought that the next time we meet up will be someone's funeral.
I can't see what the problem is with continuing your hitherto comfortable arrangement. An elderly neighbour of mine has an even more elderly gentleman friend who visits her house several times a day and stays over on a Wednesday night. They go shopping together. This has been their routine for years and has never changed since lockdown. They regard it as their 'bubble'. I'd say carry on regardless and don't worry about what people think.
I am beginning to feel a slight feeling of not panic exactly but anxiety I suppose, that we are facing a long and difficult winter and normality isn’t in sight.
I miss people accepting the way life is right now and making the best of it.
I'm not having a dig at any of you, but there are a lot of people either ignoring safety precautions or complaining endlessly about things that no-one can help.
It is discouraging.
It is the Sea that I miss most. I live slap dam in the middle of Scotland as far from the sea as is possible in a small Country. However, I seem to have salt water in my veins, regularly feel the need to C the C. Just to watch, smell and hear it come and go, to walk along the waters edge, paddle or swim, best of all to be ON the sea - ferry, day trip, cruise. makes me feel alive. Annual Holiday in the Hebrides postponed till next year (fingers crossed) and currently restricted to our own landlocked County), I'm constantly pining for the Sea.
I miss having lots of friends
And family together for dinner, being able to plan a visit to three children that live abroad and having less depressing news on tv! So many people in dreadful situations.
I was last allowed to visit my older sister ( who was in hospital ) in March. She has been in a care home for the past 2 1/2 years, with a deteriorating condition. I don't know when I'll see her. I also have several friends in care homes t!hat I can't visit. How old am I going to be before I see these dear people again if at all. That's what I miss most and I've discovered it gets worse as I get older and less fit myself.
I miss travelling. Spending time in other places in the world.
So much world. So little time✈️⛵️?
Two people I miss seeing most are my elder son and my pal of 61 years. First used to come north from his job in the Midlands every three months or so and we played scrabble together and generally lazed or visited some other family members together. My pal and I would regularly meet in the forces club in London and indulge in any new and interesting stuff we had both researched. I do, of course, speak to them both on a regular basis. As we all know, it's not nearly as lovely as physical but I am blessed with younger son's family closer by to meet up with. I am constantly aware of how much more fortunate I am than many others. It's chastening but doesn't take the inner pain away.
I just miss being able to potter around, looking in shops, catching the bus, and being able to nip in and out quickly if I need anything.
It's all such a palava with mask, glasses, handbag, shopping bag... and now a wet coat to add into the mix.
I miss the idea of safely flying off somewhere to have a bit of heat to see us through what will probably be a miserable winter!
Well we see our daughter she’s in our bubble. She on lives around the corner she pops in I can go shopping with her and Sunday we went for Sunday lunch
My sister on the other hand has 3 kids eldest lives further away middle one nearby so she’s in herand my brother in laws bubble, her youngest lives in Southern Ireland with his
Family. She’s very tearful (in her 80s, she can’t see her grand children or great grandchildren.
Very sad for a lot of people.
Just being out and about without the acoutrements we now have to carry with us.
To walk into my hairdresser on a bad hair day and get something done, without necessarily needing an appointment if I time it right.
Family - only see them a few times a year all together - usually have a family barbecue on what would have been my mum's birthday in August, plus a pre Christmas family meal out (that's not going to happen as there is 14 of us) and a post Christmas barbie on what would have been dad's birthday 30th December - even in rain, hail or snow !
I last saw my sister round about Easter when she brought me some eggs and flour ! My 2 brothers I haven't seen since 30th December.
I love that Maw - do you remember when ....
It really isn't so long but a long time in your DGS's life!
Where do I begin? I miss what now feels like a far distant time. A time when I met friends and gave them a hug; shopped daily picking up a coffee and a newspaper; spent cash; visited libraries, museums and art galleries; browsed in charity bookshops; took part in group activities; discussed books face to face with my book group; took part in real Pilates classes not poor imitation Zoom classes; had fun and laughter with my square dance group; hopped on a bus to Oxford or a train to London whenever I chose. I miss hugs with my family, holidays and the sea. I miss a time when my DH and I enjoyed sharing news of our day instead of quibbling over who forgot what on our online shopping list. I miss freedom - freedom to come and go as I please, freedom from fear and anxiety.
Apart from missing grandchildren, who I do see, just not as much, the thing I miss most is my singing! My barbershop chorus should have been in Spain in April and this weekend would have been our national convention when we get to see our friends from other parts of the country. Its a big part of my life and as chairman of our club it’s getting hard to hold things together on Zoom!
I think the problem with the extended restrictions is that every day is more or less the same and we can’t really plan things to look forward to!
I miss looking forward. Looking forward to weekends away, to parties, to the theatre, to meeting a crowd of friends, to big family get togethers, to Christmas...when can we look forward to something again?
Registering is free, easy, and means you can join the discussion, watch threads and lots more.
Register now »Already registered? Log in with:
Gransnet »Get our top conversations, latest advice, fantastic competitions, and more, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter here.
