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 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.
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 miss travelling. Spending time in other places in the world.
So much world. So little time✈️⛵️?
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 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.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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 ?
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.
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.
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!
The library!
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.
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.
Being able to have a leisurely browse round the shops, especially at this time of year.
Like many of you I miss spontaneity I also miss toilets being open I'm becoming a hermit and going from circuit breaker lockdown to Level 3 protection confines us to our council area so on it goes
I miss browsing the Public Library.
I miss hugs!
Hugging my children, and I ache to cuddle my dear little grandchildren.
Spontaneity,seeing my family and friends,simple things like walks and cups of tea with friends.Cinema,lunch out,again just going on the spur of the moment.
Going out,we are not going anywhere now.
However , some family and friends have had covid 19, so I would rather try to prevent a further spread of this dreadful disease.Sadly two of my acquaintances have died of this.
We were supposed to be on the penultimate day of our Med cruise today. However, looking at the maritime weather we’d have been in the Bay of Biscay today being thrown around by 20 metre waves. ?. Miss cruises, the Far East, my older children. Eaten out once since January. I’ve also decided online shopping is a lot more tiring than going into shops, There seems be no end in sight.
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