The Lockdown Gang - not setting foot outside!

I’m on the shielding list too because I’m on immunosuppressants. I’m in with DH who doesn’t need to be but it’s safer and easier for both of us to stay in.

It strikes me how lucky we are to live in the middle of nowhere. We have been in lockdown for three weeks and have had no contact with anyone. Our supermarket drivers know us well because we’re normally party central for the family. They drop our weekly delivery in the drive so that they don’t even touch the porch door!

It’s just a long period of Sundays but we’re content with each other, the garden, books, diy, needlework.....and good red ?

I'm on the shielded list too. It's ironic that I'm having a particularly good run of health at the moment and could be buzzing around, having days out, spending time with grandchildren/family, celebrating our wedding anniversary with a weekend break and so on. Instead, I'm faced daily with something I loathe - housework.
I love being in my garden too but I don't like gardening much either.

I have spent several hours over the last few days trying to track down supermarket delivery slots, with very little to show for it. Also, I've been trying new medication but the follow up appointment has been cancelled so I've been asking for advice by writing letters to specialist and GP. A generous volunteer collected a prescription today for me too. All these things take time and my house is getting cleaner . Oh and I'm getting fitter - I'm revisiting my 60’s hula hoop skills as well as following fitness videos.

My husband of 40+ years has opted to self isolate with me as we don't think we can, or even should be expected to live separate lives in our home. He's trying to keep me cheerful and if I do some housework, so does he (his choice).

We're lucky, ostensibly healthy (at the moment), with a supportive family, albeit at a distance. I'm staying put and trying to live in the moment.

Marydoll, I've worked out that with a bit of luck, Lockdown will end the day before my birthday.

So, will there be a pub/restaurant that will be up and running because I will be fed up with cooking by then.

I'm worried there might be a stampede.

Our flat isn’t so tidy at the moment as we have set up a personal gym in our hall. We have a step machine (two step kitchen ladder) weights (1lb dumbbells) yoga mat for workouts (bath towel) and an exercise video for oldies. I told DH I would need to get matching leotards if we’re going to do it properly ?

Violets have appeared in my little patch of rewilded 'meadow', ie what was scrubby lawn where I threw wildflower seeds last year.

Ah, I have a vision of a little chap bringing his shoes and wanting to go out. Do you have a garden, Gagajo? Can you find some 'playground toys' anywhere eg a slide, a swing?

Do take care of your back merlot. Having some vegetables sounds like a good idea at the moment.
I used to love the Secret Seven. I can remember trying to make invisible ink with lemon juice and using a magnifying glass to look for clues. ?

I'm on the shielding list too. When I am eventually released, I will have been lockdown for 18 weeks.
Poor DH is locked down with me, so as not to compromise me.
I'm quite enjoying the freedom of not having to go to medical appointments two or three times a week, I've already had two phone calls today from hospitals advising me that I must not attend any medical appointments.

The house is tidy and very peaceful, there are usually visitors coming and going. An added bonus is no one is raiding my fridge. ?

The worst part is not seeing my wee granddaughter, however, we are lucky to be able to facetime.

Like all things, it will pass

It's very hard, Doodle. We used to have help two or three times a month but of course that's not possible now.

Our one acre field will have to be left to 're-wild' as we can no longer get it professionally cut and our ride on mower won't cope. The veg garden is taking priority (natch) but shovelling a mix of well rotted horse shit manure and home made compost into all the raised beds is pushing my luck with a dodgy back but it's holding out so far.

Weeding and mulching the borders will have to wait for a bit but I really want to get them done before May.

I'm not grumbling though. We're very, very lucky to have something to keep us busy and hopefully fit, not to mention taking our minds off worrying about the family.

I haven't been in a gang since I was nine and read the Secret Seven!

cherry did you have to hide under a blanket in the back in case anyone saw you ?

cherry what an exciting day you’ve had ?.
We had a delivery of food from Waitrose today. It took me ages to wash all the packets (try washing a bag of lettuce) and dry them before putting them away. I can’t decide if I’m going over the top or not.
I wish we were in the Lock up Pub. I’d be at the bar getting a drink right now.
At least we haven’t got round to forms yet carillion . That must be hard to manage.
merlot
GagaJo I’m so sorry about your little grandson. It must be so hard trying to keep a toddler amused all the time. Do you have a garden he can play in?

That's what it felt like today BradfordLass. Perhaps I've been activated from one of those sleeper cells ?

CherryCezzy Gosh, you sound as if you live in a spy story - how exciting.

I was told I could be picked up, taken out to the pharmacy and jabbed against flu (not Corona) but I declined the "kind" offer.

I like being in a gang, it's my first experience.

I looked the word up and its from the Old Saxon for 'going'. Interesting. This gang'll keep us going!

We were extremely naughty today as I was smuggled into the car and taken to the carpark of the chemist ?. Shouldn't have done that but my partner's meds had to be collected and the volunteer doesn't start until Monday. I'm on the shielding list but couldn't be left alone long enough for him to go and do it on his own. It was a semi clandestine affair, he checked the street was empty, ushered me into the car, drove to the chemist, he got out of the car as quick as he could and left me in the car. He stood ( 2nd in queue ) about 10 metres away from the person in front and gave a friendly glare at the person who came behind him and that person stood very well back. He kept his eye on me the whole time. Did what had to be done and smuggled me back into the house. Locked in now, that's it! We are sitting in the same room ? but technically shouldn't be but we are sitting a long way apart . It's so surreal!

The Lockdown Gang sound like a band of ' old lags' planning an elaborate heist ?. There used to be a pub near the nearest men's prison called the Lock Up but it's no longer there. I am thinking about it though. The Lockdown Gang hiding out in the Lock Up pub ?.

I too am on the vulnerable list but managing Lockdown quite well and don't feel vulnerable at all .

I live alone, so no one would be at risk if I went out for a walk but so far haven't managed it as our small cul de sac, seems to have someone strolling each time I decide to do so.

I email my son and grandson every day, the latter to swap interesting links to Science and Astronomy, subjects he enjoys - and a few silly jokes.

Overseas ex-students and friends are still contacting me.
Phone calls still come in, even my doctor e-mailed - so it doesn't seem that much different from normal really.

GagaJo are you teaching remotely? I used to do that with Korean students.

I've been indoors since 13th March. I'm not 'on the list', but I do have asthma and another autoimmune condition (and was waiting for tests to diagnose another problem when all this started) so have decided not to take any risks.

Normally, I am 'healthy', in the sense that I am out most days and don't find that my conditions get in the way, but I am very aware that my body would struggle to fight back if I got more than a slight dose of the virus.

Luckily, the work I do in the summer can be done from home, with the use of Skype or similar, so I'll still be able to do that when the time comes.

I'm getting fed up, though. My husband is here, and we are tending to do our own thing in different rooms for a lot of the day, as though we were at work, so we aren't getting on one another's nerves. It's good to have someone to talk to in the evenings, and knowing that there is someone in the house is comforting too.

My mum is on her own, and I worry about her. She is 86, and 20 miles away. She is used to going out to volunteer a couple of days a week, and had an active social life outside of that, so is taking badly to being cooped up by herself. I am speaking to her on the telephone every day, but it's not the same as seeing people.

My DH is also on the vulnerable list but we are kept busy with home schooling as we have the 12 year old twin grandchildren living with us at the moment. We have all been on lockdown for nearly three weeks having taken them out of school early so that we could self isolate. We are all adapting quite well .

I'm abiding by the rules..but idiot H is still going for a newspaper every morning..therefore putting me at risk as well..

Hello Doodle
DH and I have been in lockdown since 15th March. He's in the vulnerable group and was to be allowed to go to physio until the rules were tightened again in France and physios like dentists were closed.
I've been shopping twice but can't go again until I print off the new permission (attestation) form which is to be used until at least 15th April. On the form you now have to state the time you left your house, why you are out, you have one hour from the time you have stated and try to travel no more than one kilometre.
If you are stopped by the gendarmes and don't have your permission paper there's a fine.
It sounds extreme but if it works it's worth it. DH is coping very well but if I'm honest I have had a bit of a wobble as dear Gn's have been describing it, just the last day or so.
Doodle, sending best wishes to you and your DH. Xxxx

DH is on the vulnerable list so we're in our third week of lockdown with the dog.

Thankfully a large garden is keeping us busy and sane.

He misses fishing, I miss having the day to myself when he goes fishing.

We're on lockdown. Haven't been out since the 16th. I think myself and my daughter are coping reasonably well. My poor GS (2) isn't though. He keeps begging to go 'Dout' and bringing us his shoes. He climbs in his pushchair and looks sadly at us or begs to go in the car.

The up side of it for him, if only he knew, is that I'm ONLY here because of CV. I was working overseas and came home just because of CV. Given that he missed me a lot and was quite disturbed by my absence, he's benefitting. He just doesn't know it.

I have been indoors for 3 weeks now and have not been out since a week past Monday and that was to deliver online shopping to two households. I did not go to any shops.

I cannot get an online delivery and I have tried until the end of April so eventually, I will have to go to one of the stores.

N&G are you both staying in? I don’t normally miss having a garden as we go for long walks every day but now that we aren’t allowed out I really miss not haven a garden to walk in. Mustn’t complain though as we do have a balcony and a good view.

I have decided to stay in as well at least for the time being so that I keep DH as safe as possible.
I have taken over the nightly task of putting the rubbish out but as we live on the second floor it means a quick dash down the stairs to the bins and back again trying to avoid people. I’ve got quite good at it except for last night when I got to the bins and realised I’d left the rubbish on the kitchen floor

That would be me Doodle .

I’m missing our regular trips to trundle through the forest on my scooter but we are very lucky , I’m in prison with Grampy and the dog. We have a lovely garden and have taken to sitting outside for a coffee every day even if we are in our coats .

Other than missing the family we are just doing what has to be done, no point in moaning , there are others in a far worse condition. Our village has a well organised helper system and the baker, butcher and greengrocer all deliver. And our lovely postman picks up post from the door step to take back to the post office.

So all in all - we’ll get through this .

How are you coping?