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How are things where you live!

(22 Posts)
Kupari45 Wed 01-Apr-20 14:24:01

Yes I know there are similar threads already, but as I am running out of ideas how to amuse myself I thought you wouldnt mind indulging me.!
Well walked down the hill from our village this morning, and on to Embleton Bay with the dog. Cold and very windy- the sea looked Navy Blue with the dark clouds overhead. Just two walkers in the distance. Dog is enjoying the extra walks these days, now that I'm at home.
Went into Alnwick after breakfast for my weekly shop. I queued for 20 mins outside Morrisons , but got everything on my list. Then joined the queue for 15 mins to get into Wilco. Got my bag of compost to plant up plugs that were delivered last night, so thats something for my to do list.
I've been baking (which I enjoy) specially when I've got lots of time.
However and here we come to the point of it all, I really miss seeing my friends and going to the various groups I belong to, plus going to the swimming pool, I dont think I realised before lock down just how much spending time with friends and going to the various "groups" etc adds to the quality of life.
So , having done my weekly shop I shall find things to do in the house (though its never been so tidy)., and take the dog on yet another walk. Yes, I know I'm fortunate to live in a village and have places to walk near my home.
Tonight I'm trying out a new recipe on O.H. for Greek chicken. Though to be honest he would rather have Mince and Dumplings.
I'm going to sit down tonight with my new book my Daughter sent me for Mothers Day. Its called Saving Missy by Beth Morrey.
Will Look forward to hearing from you all in your neck of the woods.
Hope you all stay well.

silverlining48 Wed 01-Apr-20 14:48:58

I wrote a list if things to fo when this started, was it only a vouple if weejs ago, seems longer. So far I have not ticked anything off the list though seem to have been busy most of the time.
I walk every day, would love to get to see the sea but that would mean using the car which has sat outside unused for the duration.
Yes you are right Kupari, i miss my friends and family too and learning that they do constitute much of our activity. I miss my two young grandchildren too as i could do with a hug.
However keep doing whatever you do and keep safe.

rosecarmel Wed 01-Apr-20 14:56:00

I'm used to isolation and spending time alone- Now even more so- I go outside for walks and short drives- Its spring, so little by little there are more signs and sounds of renewed life-

I noticed the car acting up yesterday and I got all bent out of shape inside thinking about the fact that a mechanic would have to get inside my vehicle and drive it into the shop, which isn't something that tested my patience in past!

I miss interacting with people but continually find different ways to adapt and learn something new- The circumstance has changed my perception about some stuff and reinforced others-

MerylStreep Wed 01-Apr-20 15:10:52

I count myself lucky that my best friend lives next door but one. All the neighbours are off work and because the weather is lovely everyone is in and out of the garden.
Also, because we are only allowed to have garden fences no more than 4ft we can all see each other and chat.

AGAA4 Wed 01-Apr-20 15:21:54

Things are very quiet here in my part of the world. I can go for a long walk and often see no more than one or two people.

Trying to stretch out my provisions as I don't want to ask anyone to shop for me too often.

At least Mother Nature hasn't been affected by Covid and there are lovely spring flowers and buds on the trees making life a bit more tolerable.

Because of lots of hand washing I now have painful eczema on my hands. It is giving me an excuse not to do the cleaning jobs I have on my list!

May7 Wed 01-Apr-20 16:00:55

Well apparently where I live things are tickety boo. After last nights briefing and the chart on hospital admissions the North west was represented in the Key but not on the graph. We looked and looked checked and checked. Enlarged the graph? No definitely not there. So it appears were all right in this part of Gt Britain us North Westeners. confused
This is NOT an April fools joke

sodapop Wed 01-Apr-20 17:35:48

Very quiet in our village too, I don't see anyone at all when I walk the dogs. One neighbour walked past the house today and said he was going to hold a party for all the village in his garden when we are able to socialise again. Something to look forward to.

MrsJamJam Wed 01-Apr-20 17:47:41

Three mile walk with the dog this morning, spoke to one farmer up in his tractor cab. Saw one car and the posties van. Have worked out how to use Skype to talk to one son and his family, lovely. My Ma, aged 92, is in a care home 150 miles away. She is well looked after and happy with daily phone call. Unfortunately in spite of many efforts over the past couple of years she has never managed to master any new technology. We feel very lucky to live in a beautiful part of the world and to have a house and garden we enjoy. Have not yet ticked off a single job on the lockdown list, though there are less weeds in the garden!

BBbevan Wed 01-Apr-20 18:01:35

It is very quiet here in SW Wales. We go on a walk most mornings along the coastal path. We meet a few dog walkers and1 or2 cyclists. Everyone seems cheerful and says Good morning. However there are some over 70 neighbours who are finding it difficult to get shopping.

Soupy Wed 01-Apr-20 18:04:59

Very quiet here in my small town in mid Bucks. DD came over at 8.30am to collect our butcher's order and was the only one in the shop and then one of only 3 people in the small supermarket further down the High St.

We've been out for a walk after lunch for the first time for a week and passed a couple of dog walkers and a few others in the distance and chatted to out next door neighbour over the wall.

Been knitting and printed off a rainbow to go in the window for any children walking past. Going to do some online jigsaws later.

WOODMOUSE49 Wed 01-Apr-20 18:08:10

I live in a very rural area and can't see my nearest neighbour. So all's quiet.
I have plenty to do when the weather is good as I grow a lot and walk the dog in our woods.

We're self isolated so only go out to collect medication for DH (once a month).

Don't even see the postie as they leave it in the box at the end of the track.

Delivery arrived today from Morrisons. A lot changed in it and a number of items out of stock including eggs and our soya milk. This means a trip out - first time in 10 days.

Thank goodness for IT. FaceTime my daughter and WhatsApp with my brother. Good to see their faces.

grannysyb Wed 01-Apr-20 18:21:42

Went to the allotment this morning, a few more people there, but all well away from each other. Went for a street walk this afternoon and picked up some Nytol for a friend who isn't sleeping well. She is a single lady and quite a sociable person. She has some health issues, so is trying not to go into the shops. Our upholstery group are meeting on Zoom tomorrow morning.

GabriellaG54 Wed 01-Apr-20 19:00:31

My small town us the same as most towns, ghostly silent except when homecoming trains from London and elsewhere, disgorge their mask wearing commuters and they either collect cars or mount their bikes and race home to a warm welcome and (hopefully) dinner.
On the other hand, in my part of the area, it's peaceful, with fields stretching into the distance, sheep, alpacas and horses, depending on which route I take, an abundance of trees, bushes and beautiful gardens behind high hedges.
I do miss going to the leisure centre at Stoke Park, Guildford and can't imagine that the lido there will be open any time this side of Christmas.
I've taken many a picnic, sun cream and blanket to stretch out under the trees and enjoy the atmosphere and Olympic size swimming pool.
Small pleasures will suffice for now, as long as we survive, that is the most important thing.
Keep safe and...and...just ? for some sort of normality to resume before winter sets in.
?

Washerwoman Wed 01-Apr-20 20:13:26

Our dogs need a good walk every day and I'm lucky enough to be straight out of the house and into woods and open countryside in minutes. That takes up most of the morning.And I go early and hardly see anyone.Then late morning in our cul de sac anyone who feels the need for a chat go into their front gardens with a coffee and we shout across to each other and check who needs shopping or help.The garden is large so there's plenty to do.Plus I've been cooking a lot and using every scrap to make meals for the freezer.Today I had a few lovely chats with friends -keeping each other's spirirts up.DH is working from home but there's a limit to how much business he can do so money is a bit of a worry.Every other day I go to check on my very elderly mum and take her a home cooked meal and do her cleaning.So plenty to do really.
But we're far luckier than most .We have savings and are mortgage free.I worry so about all those with no income and little ones in houses with little or no outside space.And for our DCs who are all key workers.

Marmight Wed 01-Apr-20 21:33:03

Very quiet in my neck of the woods. I try to get out and walk by the river each afternoon. I feel exhausted and headachey, probably as I’ve just returned from Sydney. It’s very quiet being in isolation after staying with my family of 6. I get up late because it shortens the day, fiddle about achieving not a lot and unable to settle, although today I made a fruit loaf & a carrot & courgette cake. I had WhatsApp chats with friends, 2 daughters and a chatty call from the Vicar! I fell asleep while watching Escape to the Country (& missed which house they chose ?) and now I’m trying to stay awake as long as possible before going to bed. I need to get into a routine and achieve something, however small, each day. Maybe more baking - my neighbour is bringing me some duck eggs in the morning which are great for cakes!

Scentia Wed 01-Apr-20 21:43:10

In my industrial town where I live it is deathly quiet. We are dominated by breweries and pubs so that is why. Our factory is the only one open on our part of the estate, the next door unit relies on restaurants for all of their work. He is closed ? I am pleased that most people in my town are doing as they are told, the roads are empty and people are keeping their distance. We are in the West Midlands so we have a problem with the virus and it is worrying. I fear the worst for our vibrant town when we come out of the other side of this strange time.

annodomini Wed 01-Apr-20 22:12:30

It's almost eerie, isn't it? There's almost no traffic on our road which is a through route through the village. My DS, said what no-one would normally say - that driving up the M25 was a pleasure! He has to go in to work tomorrow (key worker) and is looking forward to riding his motorbike on an empty motorway.

FlexibleFriend Wed 01-Apr-20 22:21:56

I'm in London and my son went to the chemist today to collect his medication, he's currently off sick but not with corona virus. The only person he saw was the pharmacist. We've had several deliveries today, from Amazon, Boots and John Lewis but all the delivery drivers kept their distance. We had a large food delivery from Ocado yesterday with only 3 items missing do we're good for food for at least a week. We've been busy attacking the garden as it's been somewhat left to go mad over the past few years due to my lack of mobility. I'm limited as to what I can do before needing to rest but with help we're making progress. Quite shocked to see several geraniums not only survived the winter but are already in bloom. We have a massive problem with the virus in London so happy to hear people are staying home and the shops are not heaving like they were last week.

May7 Thu 02-Apr-20 21:15:35

Well I went to the chemist today and it was heaving. Only 2 people allowed in at the same time, except for people who thought yes but they dont mean me surely? Markers up outside. 20 people in queue all trying not to get too close. Pharmacy staff about 10 of them trying to keep 2mtres apart with only plastic gloves for protection.
No Ocado shop for me either even though I'm a regular (6yrs) customer. I've given up on them and I will continue to do so when this is over. I guess it depends where you are in the country?

TerriBull Thu 02-Apr-20 21:47:40

Everywhere is very quiet where I am, about 12 miles or so from the centre of London, equidistant between a very large town and a smaller one, the latter where I went this morning to shop has very nice high street with many smaller individual shops as well as a lot of independent coffee shops. Like everywhere else all closed. Today, mask and gloves on I went to our local Marks as soon as it opened. Under normal circumstances, I would spread my weekly food shop between Sainsburys and Waitrose and a few things from Marks. I haven't tried either of the other two supermarkets since the lock down began, I'm concerned they were very busy just prior to that. I've picked up a few things from a smaller Sainsburys local in the last week, but their stock is limited, and whilst there will be only one or two customers first thing in the morning, the down side is they appear to have their deliveries later in the day. Marks are very good at marshalling customers, I expect most supermarkets are now, but it didn't seem that way a little while ago. I pretty much got nearly everything I needed in there today, albeit more expensive than spreading my custom around, but the object of the exercise right now is to get everything in one place so as not have to shop again for a while. The shop was well stocked and the unloading of a delivery was underway whilst I was there, items such as eggs were being put out on the shelves. I managed to get most of what I needed and enough to keep us going for a week. The only item, I would like to get, which I usually buy in my larger Sainsburys is flour, that seems like gold dust right now.

BradfordLass73 Thu 02-Apr-20 23:23:57

I live in a suburb of Waitakere, about 25km from the centre of Auckland.

My cul de sac of 14 houses, is dedicated to over 60's, with one exception, a Burmese refugee family who are temporary.
So it's reasonably peaceful but for the occasional deep bass boom of rap, or the DIY fanatic with his drills and hammers across the creek in the next road. smile

I don't live near any pleasant walks but I do have (inaccessible) bush right next to the house where there are a variety of birds; less now since the Council began an ongoing project of laying rat poison 2 years ago. sad

In NZ, there are 723 confirmed cases of Covid-19, only 74 of whom are hospitalised.

We have had one death: a 77 year old lady who already had breathing and heart problems, there is no confirmation at present that her demise was definitely C-19 but it's been assumed (by the press).

Our borders were closed as soon as Covid-19 was identified and all incomers were isolated from then on.

At the moment, people are allowed to fly out to go home if they already have a return ticket and their country is accepting people back in. So some tourists stranded here can leave.
The rest must remain isolated as we are.

New Zealand has a population of 4.9 million.
Plus me grin

Floradora9 Fri 03-Apr-20 16:09:02

Our small town is quiet apart from the chemist shops . They are on reduced hours and the queues have been long. I was lucky that we all had notes put in our doors with a contact if we wanted anything so I got y prescription collected for me . I see on facebook for the town people complaining about others doing multiple visits to our one supermarket. I am waiting for a Tesco delivery soon so that really will be exciting. A friend was telling me they had soup to-day which had been in her deep freezes for quite some time and we are getting through our stock too .