It's already depressing me

Oh Billybob So sorry to hear of your loss. My heart goes out to you.

Billybob4491 Truly sorry to read your sad news, it must be an awful time for you. All our thoughts are with you.

I’m never bored so isolation isn’t a problem there is a lot you can do I suggest downloading Pinterest app and finding lots of crafts you can try.

Or write the book you always meant to!

We are in lock down here in Spain. All bars, restaurants, meeting places, beaches and non essential shops are closed. We are only allowed one person per household to go shopping. The supermarkets are regulating the number of people in the stores, one in one out. The people outside have to stand one metre apart. Payment is requested by card wherever possible. You are not permitted to go for a walk or bicycle ride. The police have the power to stop your car and request proof of your need to travel. Fines have been issued. If you own a dog you can take it out for a toilet break but then you must return home. There is talk of the lock down being extended.

It is going to be a very long two weeks but my goodness my house will be clean.

There is always some one worse off than you well that's my thinking so l will get through this and maybe appreciate the little things in life much more Take care every one

Short, interesting , online courses where you engage with others from all over the world are fantastic. No experience or qualifications required. Do as much as you want.
Try Futurelearn.
Also, the radio is great company.

My husband retired recently and I am retiring next week. We had planned to travel through France/Italy for a few months and were looking forward not to being tied to annual leave. Now it looks like we won’t be able to travel.

I’m feeling a bit upset and it’s taking the edge off looking forward to retirement but I’m trying to remain positive and reminding myself that there are people far worse off than me.

Thank you Gran, we may have to make other plans if the funeral is cancelled, so much worry.

So sorry Billybob4491 to hear of your loss. Could you have a quiet service and a gathering at a later date?
Heart felt thoughts are with you.

Last week my husband passed away, funeral arranged but have been told it may be postponed due to virus etc., group gatherings, so when you are feeling down spare me a thought please I am going through hell.

Wishing you all the best Anniebach. I have carpel tunnel in both hands and awaiting surgery - I suppose this will be a long wait now! Fortunately I have a lovely garden and shall enjoy lounging and reading there when the warmer weather arrives. Also all that decluttering to do?

Come on ladies we need that war time spirit
Let's make do and mend everything that we would normally throw out. Lets grow our own in the garden and chat over the fence with a loud voice and lots of distance.
Back into the modern world and skype family and friends , research places we might like to go when all is back to normality. Cook and fill your freezer and order crafts from amazon. Love my new (cheap) pom pom maker , plan on making a rug with them for granddaughter.
We can do it ladies. We are strong.

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

I would be fine cutting social contact and self isolating on my own but husband already climbing the walls whilst recovering from chest infection and I will be homicidal after a few weeks of his nasty grumpiness NEEDS MUST lets all just stay calm and stay home !

I too, am begibnning to feel somewhat "down" at the prospect of being obliged to stay in. In common with some other posters, hubby and I are in our 70's and have the "underlying conditions" oft mentioned! We can't get out much now, due to mobility issues - our worry is not having anyone nearby who is younger, to take care of us, should we need it. We live in a rural village, no bus service, no shop, no pub and not even a Church (we get Communion once a month at home). I rely on hubby to drive us to the nearest town for shopping - I understand that delivery services from Supermarkets already have only advance delivery slots, now - we use Lidl or Aldi, neither of whom offer this anyway! Hubby can't walk far (he has a spinal nerve injury and Arthritis) and I am partially sighted. Provided it's not too warm (hubby also has Skin Cancer and can't tolerate warm temperatures), we can perhaps sit in the garden for fresh air. Happily, we spend all our days together anyway and rarely fall out - so at least we're OK in that regard. I've got lots of books to read, and even a jigsaw or two - but as Roly can't bend very far, this latter activity would exclude him. We always keep a reasonable amount of food in (but not a month's worth), as there is nowhere we can "pop out" to, should we run out of something. Just hoping we don't get ill and that we will be allowed out for food as and when necessary!

Esspee I really needed that laugh. Thank you. Glad I'm not the only one with a dark sense of humour

I know where you are coming from curvygran. We too have our only son in Oz and should have been going there this Friday.
Our young neighbours have offered their help.
Today Iceland have put a notice on their doors saying on a Wednesday, 10-12am, 70s and over only in shop - well done Iceland. My hubbie said that I’d better take my birth certificate! Nice one.

Wise words bluecat. I have decided today to cut out social contacts altogether and just get on with it. It may be four months or even longer, but we have more chance of coming out of it in one piece by doing this. I won't be going for walks outside, as some people plan to, as I live in a built up area and couldn't be sure I could maintain a safe distance from others. I usually shop online with Sainsbury's but I see today they have no delivery slots available for the next 3 weeks and none showing after that. I'm fairly well stocked up so fingers crossed. Already a facebook group has been set up in my area to help those self isolating - that's quite heartwarming.

Ginger girl,
Please contact your GP regarding your shingles,I believe that mediation such as zovirax may be of help to you, other medications may help to relieve symptoms.
The isolation is going to be difficult enough without the discomfort or pain of shingles.
To everyone one else, look after your physical and emotional health as much as possible.
Gransnet is a great benefit to us all.

Bluecat, excellent post thank you . Almost word for word what my doctor son (emergency medicine) told me to do. Sadly he’s the other side of the world which makes the whole situation so much harder to cope with for both of us , and absolutely no possibility of travel either way .
Sorry granless, not in the mood for jokes just now .

I've been home from work for almost a week with the "normal flu". I haven't dressed or put my head out through the door. Today I'm feeling a little more like myself, so have spent some time reading and knitting. I've also found a site on line where I can do jigsaws. We have a park just 200 m away, so hubby & I will take a short walk there either early in the morning, or later in the evening. Our council are sorting out a list of volunteers for shopping/picking up medication etc and I've volunteered to be at the end of the phone for anyone who needs a chat.

To digress. I hope, given that it looks like we oldies might be grounded, that all Gransnetters who post give us something to smile about and some belly laughs even jokes - certainly no doom or gloom

It’s much harder for us seniors who live alone. I spent 5weeks on my own over Christmas due to chest infection which was allowed to develop because I couldn’t get doctors appointment. That nearly drove me round the bend. Can’t see how I will cope for 4 months. Us seniors are just being written off, out of sight out of mind.

Just noticed this for any who may need it -
covidmutualaid.org/local-groups/
May help.

As I have said before I have low immunity. I have been out today for some last minute bits. Sainsburys was chaos. Aldi not much better. There was a woman in there with a heavy cold (I could hear her) and I dont understand why she had to be there? I have seen many elderly people no doubt thinking that Monday would be a better bet to shop than the weekend. So now I will be staying in. My understanding is that you can go out for a walk but keep distance from any one else. I expect a drive in the car would be ok too. I am sure I will be corrected if I am wrong.

Can I add that I do hope everyone here keeps well and at least we can chat on here if we do have to stay in.