Thank You Covid

 

We are almost out of it !

The pandemic I mean.

Ok I can’t book any Airbnb’s in Rome in the middle of the night because the owners have to physically assess you covid wise and The Archers still hasn’t returned to it’s Friday night spot, but things have almost gotten back to normal.

Almost

How quickly have we forgotten the lockdown eh ? Quite quickly is my response , but having said that I’ve noticed that many of us are now wanting happy endings in our films and tv and social media….just look at the burst of popularity of the sweet Heartstopper and the fact ( note spoiler) that Miss Baxter and Mr Mosley finally get it together in Downton.

They say air travel will be more difficult given the numbers flying versus the airport staff in place. For me this is yet to be seen. 

I’ve booked a ferry over to Ireland in Bluebell later in the year and will meet up for a family party at Nu’s cottage in the far west of Ireland . This seemed simple enough to book  and cheaper than I expected. 

I’ve got an apartment of my own in a farmhouse in Kenmare . 

Theresa, the farmer’s wife has already told me that she’ll have some homemade scones ready for me on my arrival.

There was no talk of swabs or covid passports .

Again, it will be seen if things are as straightforward as I hope.

I’ve bought a sat nav too…..one who copes with Irish roads.

Like I said, for some the pandemic will be forgotten quickly. 

For me…less so.

Now, I think,  I’m taking from it a more proactive stance on things because of covid

I am grateful for the lessons it’s taught me.

It was a lonely and sad time to have been living in a single person household and I don’t want to venture back there again. 

And so I’ve stopped saying no to things, when no was the easy go to.

I’m pushing myself  out of my comfort zone with travel and events and with people and new experiences.

It’s a work in progress…like we all are.

But thank you covid 

You’ve taught me a lesson 

Now BBC  Please bring back The Archers on a Friday.

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Rowley

Stained glass window reflecting historical  link with Rowley, Massachusetts

Another trip to see Simon in hospital today. He was lying peacefully on his bed with a feeding tube and saline drip attached. He hasn't been able to find the energy necessary to take a shower in the bathroom which is located right next to his corner of the four bed ward. I brought him shaving gel, a book of crosswords and some small lemon sweets to suck. He told me he hasn't read a word in the last five days. His situation is of course depressing. There's talk of a stent to aid his breathing and of course he knows that he should have vacated his rental cottage by today. I will be phoning his landlady tomorrow morning.

A view of Skidby Village Hall

I left him at 2pm and then Clint transported me to the nearby village of Skidby ahead of a three hour walk.  My circle  included Risby, Little Weighton, Rowley and Westfield Farm.  That area is on the edge of chalk downs known as The Yorkshire Wolds. It is good arable land but the fields are dotted with billions of pieces of chalk and flint.

As I walked along I noticed how dry the landscape was. It must have been one of the driest Aprils on record in this part of the world. Whatever happened to those April showers?

Rapeseed flowering on the Yorkshire Wolds - near Little Weighton

Rowley Church sits in splendid isolation up on the wolds. Fortunately it was unlocked this afternoon so I went inside. The church was in existence before The Normans arrived on these shores during the reign of William the Conqueror. I took a photograph of a stained glass window that is evidence of the church's special link with the town of Rowley in Massachusetts - between Boston and Newburyport. It was founded in 1638 by the Reverend Ezekiel Rogers who led a group of non-conformists to New England having previously been the vicar of Rowley parish here in Yorkshire.

St Peter's Church, Rowley

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