Are you planning on meeting someone

No you're right of course shysal- we are NOT yet allowed to meet up in our gardens- but the beggers are risking it anyway!

Last Wednesday a friend came round for less than an hour and sat outside . I am lucky that we have a view to sea and countryside from the house and I have a bench which I moved away from the front door. She arranged her time of arrival so I put a small cup of coffee on the bench for her before she got there and when she rang the bell she was sat drinking the coffee when I came out and sat on the path about 4m away! She is on her own now as her husband died last year and she really needed a bit of company not just a phone or Zoom call.
But we do have to be extra careful in these horrible times.

I could cry reading these posts too, polnan. I live alone in a miserable rented flat while I wait for solicitors/agents to get back to work and complete my long-awaited move. I have no family, and no neighbours here apart from the young woman upstairs with running/stamping children. I have friends who phone, but no one who lives near. The last time I had a face-to-face conversation with someone was last Saturday morning.

Yes, I have met up last week with 2 friends, on separate occasions, and then DSD and GD for a walk. It was so lovely to see people face to face and talk to them. I have to admit I felt a bit strange with the first one but it gets easier and easier. Just trying to organise a meeting with my other DSD - hoping a few more places open up. Slowly getting some normality into or lives. x

Nannan2 I understand your concerns and we are taking all possible precautions to keep the risk low. Social distance, covers of books cleaned and returned books not put back on the shelves for a week.
It is entirely personal choice as to whether or not one uses the library. I feel strongly we have to start taking steps to get life back on track.

I'm meeting a friend for a walk in our local park (tomorrow). It's lovely there, with a pond, geese, ducks, etc. The cafe and toilets are apparently open, with safe distancing measures.

I met up with a friend at the weekend for a walk - it was bliss to catch up with the news and enjoy the fresh air, whilst being careful to stay 2m apart. It lifted both of our spirits immeasurably

Thank you Nannantwo for your good advice it’s appreciated

Can’t wait to see my son and dil in Derbyshire, not seen them since Christmas but too far to travel yet.

We are further ahead with the lifting of lockdown here in Portugal and most shops are now open. Last week I asked my palliative care doctor if it would be okay for us to drive about 120km to visit my DS and DDiL. She thought it would do us both good and to go ahead. My DS has only been out to the supermarket every 3 weeks or so and DDiL has been busy making her garden even more beautiful. It will make a lovely change because since mid February I have only been in the house or having treatment at the hospital.
My closest friend here wants to meet up next week in a cafe in the village yet I feel very wary about that. Dont know why.

The message has now changed from “stay home”which we followed to the letter to “stay alert”which we intend to do, making our own decisions as to what is safe for us which is exactly what Dominic Cummings did.We will now invite our daughter and grandson to enter our garden to visit but still keep social distancing.
I am alert to any danger re.the virus.

The situation with Dominic Cummins has blown the rules out of the water, hasn’t it?
We were thinking of driving a few hundred miles to see our Grandchildren.
We are also arranging to travel 70 miles to a hospital (where one of them is a Doctor) In the event of becoming ill. Because we will be doing the best we can for ourselves and using our instincts and damn everyone else. Lol

I went to see my DD and GC 8 and 4 on Sunday. I did hug my DD on arrival and the children throughout, though we spent most of the time in the garden. You have to assess risk: my DD and children have not been to any shops in 6 weeks, they’ve been at home or out for exercise. My SIL does all the shopping and takes stringent precautions. I’ve been to a garden centre this week so I could be a risk to them I suppose but I also am meticulous with hygiene and keeping away from people. For these reasons I felt perfectly risk and guilt free when having contact with them. It will be an entirely different matter when the kids go back to school, which my DD has decided won’t he until Sept.

Aw Bizzle, I just read your so sad post. There must be organisation ps around you that will help. What about Silverline ? 0800 4 70 80 90 At least there would give you someone to talk to.
Let us know how you got on. Hugs

blzzle and polnan,feeling so sorry for your suffering and hoping things improve for both of you.
Mal44 I agree with what you say, regarding D Cummings.
I would give anything to see my gd. Ex Dil took her away at a year old and broke all contact. No reason given. She is nearly twelve years old,now. In fact,she said when they divorced,she would never stop us seeing her.

Polnan and BIzzle and also hugs.

I met a friend today for social distanced walk and takeaway coffee. Even more excitingly on Friday will see my DD for first time since February for the same (longest time in her life we've not seen each other! ) And as extra bonus have the excuse to go shopping in waitrose which is local to her!!?

Virtual hug and ?polnan x

and also bizzle ?

I saw my daughter on Sunday (we were good with the social distancing!} as she was moving and we are storing some of her things for her in the mean time. It was so nice to see her in person, but sad not to be able to give her a hug - she works for the NHS and we are self isolating due to age/health. I really miss physically seeing people, and since this all started my anxiety levels (which I had prior to lockdown) have gone up with the lack of people to talk to.

travelsafar I know what you mean - I met with my sister at a halfway point, first time since the first week of March. It felt so weird not to hug, but I had to remember that my enjoyment was not worth possibly killing her for! (We are both vulnerable due to illnesses which less immunity). It was easiest when we were sitting (at different picnic tables in a country park) as when walking it was hard to talk if we had to go single file so it was more tempting to lessen the 2m distancing. As with all things easier to say than do, it's best to try and appreciate what you have rather than regretting what you still don't!

NANNAN2

Yes I DO understand the asymptomatic / symptomatic/ pre-symtomatic question.
If you read my post properly the point I was making was that people who have not got the virus and who have clearly NOT had the virus can not pass it on. Even if they had had it unknowingly the contagion period has well passed.

SHOUTY CAPITALS DOES NOT MAKE YOU RIGHT.

The risk is not huge

I have met my DD and DGS three times now. First time I resisted a hug with my DGS but the last two times I have been almost as I was before. The only difference is that we wash hands and face before I touch him and then before I leave him to go home. I was suffering terribly not seeing him and felt this was better for me. I am in no way in the at risk category and don’t know or see anyone who is, neither. In light of recent events with our government I feel that I will just do what I want as long as I don’t put anyone else at risk. I am very upset by some of our people in charge who are telling us what to do then doing what they want?

Bizzle that is a dreadful situation to be in at the moment.

and polnan ?