Day 342 – Reflections on Lockdown

Didn’t get to bed until after 3am last night and it has left me with less energy today.

After another massive long lie, Honey and I went on our regular morning walk, although it was now the afternoon!

Then I caught up on some emails, before going on our afternoon walk.

I had planned to get up early this morning, to cycle to my flat to check my post and take a meter reading. If I don’t give a meter reader, my utility provider gives me an estimate, which is way higher than what I am currently using!

So, I decided to incorporate our afternoon walk into a trip to the flat.

You may remember on Day 337, I showed photos of two trees that had been blown over from the strong winds on Bruntsfield Links. These have now been chopped up and turned into logs for people to sit on! I’ve noticed other logs like this around The Meadows and now know where they come from 🙂

The Meadows was not as busy as yesterday, but still quite a lot of people out, with quite a few groups of people sitting on the grass, reminding me of the days last year in June, July and August on Holyrood Park.

We then jumped on the bus heading to Leith and got off early to have a walk through Montgomery Street Park.

After a short visit to the flat, we had a walk round the cemetery, before jumping back on the bus to the boat.

Things We No Longer Use / Do

Due to popular demand (from Gez), this section is BACK !! See today’s Readers Corner for what Gez said.

What do you no longer use or do since lockdown restrictions began nearly a year ago?

So far we have covered – Kilts (Day 300), Irons (Day 301), Suit and Tie (Day 302), Passports (Day 303), Massive Travel Delays (Day 304), Clothes (Day 305) High Heels (Day 311), Taxis (Day 312), A Random Snog in a Nightclub (Day 313), Karaoke Clubs (Day 314), Cash (Day 315), Handshake (Day 316), Head Lice (nit comb and medicated shampoo) (Day 317), Pinworm Infections (Day 318) and Offering to take someone’s photo (Day 319).

Today we are looking at Overnight Suitcases.

Has your overnight suitcase been sitting dormant in your home for nearly a year? Gez says her “roller bag overnight suitcase” is on longer used “which would normally be in use at least once every two weeks”.

I did an internet search on this one and no articles about a decline in overnight suitcase sales or anything related to Covid. But I haven’t used mine, apart to move house!

Nostalgia Corner

Have you got a favourite blog? Or a memorable feature or section or ‘Corner’ in the blog? Maybe one of the photos I have shared you love.

Yesterday (Day 341) I kicked this section off from Day 104 and my poem ‘A Word’.

Today Jill has said “Did love honey in the snow though”.

Thanks for that Jill !! I am not sure which blog that is, but here are a couple –

Day 305, when Honey, Hannah and myself went on an adventure through the snow on Arthur’s Seat.

Check out the video below –

Then on Day 327, when Honey, Danny and myself went sledging on Arthur’s Seat.

Check out the video below –

Readers Corner

Two posts today.

Gez

Gez posted a comment on yesterday’s blog (Day 341) saying:

“Hi Jim – not read for a while but wonder if you continued with the “things we don’t use anymore”. I thought of another two…
1) my roller bag overnight suitcase – which would normally be in use at least once every two weeks… and..
2) perfume!!!

Is funny isn’t it how conditioned we are to little routines and they are easily superseded with new ones;
1) a min 30 min walk/cycle outside..and
2) 30 minsof yoga everyday!

I loved the posts after the Energy gathering in midsummer which we all organised despite everyone being busy and me not being able to stand up!! – “best day of lockdown ”
Gez”.

Thanks Gez – welcome back to reading the blog!!! Any section can return to the blog, if readers submit things to share!

What has a 30 minute walk/cycle and 30 minutes of yoga replaced? Travelling to work? Could that be something we no longer do anymore?

Thanks also for your ‘nostalgia’ I’ll put that in tomorrow’s blog 🙂

Jill

Jill posted a comment on yesterday’s blog (Day 341) saying:

“Not sure I could pick a favourite blog,it’s all good. Did love honey in the snow though! I get what you say re living in a flat. During lockdown I have realised how much folk don’t pass by (for a walk within restrictions) can’t believe I still haven’t bumped into you to say hi!”.

Thanks Jill! I’m less often on Easter Road these days!!

It Made Me Smile

A brand new song from the Marsh Family, that made me smile 🙂