Do you ever feel this will never be over?

I'm going to stop feeling guilty that I haven't improved my Spanish or read War and Peace. I just live each day and survive. That will do me for now.

I agree that nothing will be the same as it was before. I always appreciated the life I had and appreciate it even more now. What I thought of as the simple things were the important things - a trip to the coast, a walk in the countryside, a day with my grandson, visiting my adult son. Can't do any of it at the moment and trying to be strong. But feeling quite low actually.

Unless people keep to the rules it will carry on as at present.

House parties, groups on beaches, do these people not think the rules apply to them?

When those in power can't provide the correct PPE in the quantities required we can't expect it to come to an end quickly.

Welcome, Catcarolam.

Twig14 . I hope your dad pulls through.

I have never posted before and confess that I was so furious with the general tone of passivity that I hadn't read all responses but for * sake, just get a grip. some perspective and just a bit of backbone.

Twig because I don’t know what to say to help during this horrible time you and your family are enduring.

Twig14
Thinking of you, your dear father and mother.

Thank you Bridget I rang my neighbour who is a volunteer coastguard he has alerted the authorities. Hopefully they will be stopped. The police have had cars in the village moving people on. This is only Saturday I can't believe some people.

Yes I’m feeling it too... some days worse than others. The hardest part is the distancing which started out as physically but now has moved into my emotions. Part of my family seems very removed from me physically and emotionally.
I have to pick myself up by practicing gratitude for what I do have.
It has to end sometime... if for nothing else the economy! Keep hope! Don’t ever give up!

Grandmafrench Thank you so much for the suggestion, I really appreciate it. I had a look but unfortunately they don’t have the colour I need - it’s a colour that matches part of the kitchen, the hallway and landing so I wanted to get the same paint again

Last night my elderly father was taken into hospital with coronorvirus symptoms and now on oxygen. At 4.am this morning a lovely consultant contacted me to say he’s seriously ill. She was so lovely and kind. She told me to prepare my elderly mother whose currently staying with me as it’s best to be straight. I have phoned the hospital and each time the lovely loyal hard working staff have been so kind. We are fortunate that we have our wonderful drs and nurses who all have families but go each day into work to assist while this virus is rampaging through our country. I asked the consuktant will it end she said it will but the next week or so are going to be very difficult. Bless them all for what they do. Keep safe keep inside and hopefully we will come through.

Nona4ever I am so sorry at your terrible loss. Please hang on in there - your family need you to still be in their lives. Xx

nona, I absolutely apologise from the bottom of my heart if I said something silly and insensitive.

I'm so sorry.

Nona4ever. as there were so many posts I did not read them all before my last post - now I have and wish I hadn’t been feeling sorry for myself. One of my sisters moved house when her husband retired - they moved away to their dream countryside retreat away from several really good friends, and their family. Within 4 years my brother in law died leaving my sister alone and isolated, as, like you, they were self sufficient - even more so as they had no children.

It took her a long time but she eventually began to lead a full life and make new friends. As they say, you never forget your loved one, but you learn to live with the memories. It may be a while before you believe this. How very sad for you and your children that you could not visit your husband at the end. Please don’t pray to die, there is a future for you - your daughters, grandchildren to come? to wrap their little arms around your neck and listen to your stories of their unknown grandpa. Hang in there. ?

I'm in the U.S. working very hard at my job still. I'm scared. Scared to get sick, scared to not work, scared for my adult children and my grandchildren. I don't know what tomorrow brings and that scares me too. So I go to work taking every precaution I can. My job was deemed "essential" so I do not get to hide. Yes, this will be a long road...this will take ALL of us (globally) to get through it and it will not be easy! Chin up!! We are a mighty force and we will all look back one day and say we walked this path of darkness and made it to the other side!!

I am sure that this is the same feeling many will have had when we were at war 39-45.This time the enemy is unseen which makes it harder to defeat.I am fortunate to have my food delivered although much prefer getting out to the shops myself but feel am doing my bit in keeping away. I resign myself to my garden although only a ten minute walk to a sandy beach. It is sunny but a breeze and can hear the waves at this moment as the tide will be coming in. I dread to think how crowded this beach will be by those who believe it can never happen to them.


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It will end sooner or later, one way or another because as my mother used to say: Everything comes to an end, even a day in a train with a sick child. (We used to go by train every Summer to stay with her brother in Wales and I would throw up all the way there and all the way back!)

Greymar, I feel the same in the US. Scared, no motivation, hard to concentrate, poor sleep. Your description of “wobbly” is perfect. We live in a rural area of Michigan, 2 hours north of Detroit, which is a huge hotspot right now, and people from there who have cottages up here are moving up to feel safer. I understand their fear, but our numbers are now going up too. It’s like there’s no place safe. How will it all end? I also judge all the TV shows and movies for people standing so close!!!

We have only really been in this different world for two months. Nobody knows what the outcome will be, even the scientists. We can only follow their advice which changes daily.
I expect this is how our parents must have felt during the war years. Our isolation is quite tame compared to theirs, blackouts at night time, air raids, evacuations, my mum was from Liverpool and was evacuated to Norfolk for five years. At least we have modern technology to keep in touch.
I suppose I am used to it really as I am on chemo and have self isolated for four years.
As long as we have each other, and we can communicate, we will be alright.x

SirChenjin. Have you thought to order it through Brewers Paint suppliers? They are bound to have a branch near you and their online service is 2nd to none. Every type of paint you could wish for. We have always ordered ours from the south of England and it's packed and send via DHL. (French paint is like using coloured water!!) Hope this might help you get on with your conservatory work.

I’ve been on lockdown in a small for 28 days now. Healthy enough and under 70y. But not even allowed out for a walk. No garden.

Perhaps I’m just going stir crazy. Life is seriously on hold.

I’ve not put the tv on today. I don’t want to see the figures worldwide.

I worry that vulnerable people aren’t getting necessary treatment for other conditions - cancer, mental health, as everything is so virus concentrated. No GP consultations, just telephone appointments. Some illnesses are going to be missed.

Why the draconian measures?

Is this something far more than we’ve been told?

It'll be a different kind of normal but it'll be OK. Maybe we'll all be more careful with money as there will be a huge hole in the economy but that offers opportunities too. Maybe the youngsters will be less starstruck by trashy 'celebrities'. Maybe there will be positive improvements in all sorts of ways.
I wonder what the first step in lifting the lockdown will be? Schools back maybe? Something to discuss.

I was being very pragmatic about things - a couple of little wobbles but nothing much. That was until four hours ago when I decided to paint the conservatory, a job that’s long overdue. I have the gloss for the sills but I have been completely unable to buy sodding paint for the walls - something that I took absolutely for granted until 4 weeks ago. I cannot properly express my loathing for this virus, for the people who still don’t heed the ‘stay at home’ message, for the politicians - everyone and everything. It’s beginning to feel like this purgatory will never end. Yes, I know paint is really really not important and yes I know what others are going through and yes I know I need a kick up the bum but all I want is five litres of paint .

We have to find a vaccine before it goes back to normal

I am with you all - it just seems never ending - if we had a set date to work towards it would be different - and I know that’s not possible anyway. I am looking at my garden - lots of things to do - started planting - now it’s too hot - which I love - but have put down tools as what’s the rush - it will be there tomorrow ! That’s what I feel about housework - no rush so I am getting slower and slower. I had a wobble the other day as it’s ages since I seem to have cuddled grandchildren - which I know most of us feel - they all keep face timing - Skype etc but then it’s great to see them then if hits you again afterwards. I tell myself to be positive and be thankful that we are all okay. Two daughters both in hospitals - one on the front line - the other not so close - they never moan bless them - so grateful to them all. I am ranting I know... be positive - try to keep smiling it will end one day we just don’t know when.