In 2020 there was an outbreak of 'flu. It started in China, and by March 2020 the WHO labelled it a pandemic.
The UK government's response was to restrict people's activities in an effort to slow the spread of the virus. These policies meant many people, myself included, were unable to go to work.
I decided I should spend some of my spare time writing this journal. There will be no theme to individual entries; just whatever I feel like writing. The images are (with a few obvious exceptions) taken within a half mile radius of our house.
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Day 100 of lock-down was actually yesterday (Wednesday). The club was shut down on Friday, but total lock-down did not take effect until the following Monday.
I walked by the local children play area. These areas are still shut, but increasingly I have seen teenagers inside. They are not at all bothered about the social distancing thing. I think they are bored now, and ideally should be back at school.
People seem angry on the road. There are more car horns sounded. Is that an effect of being let out after such a long enforced period of inactivity? Or is it people having to adjust to the busier roads now more people are allowed on them?
The topic appears to be anti-social people. The weekend marked another record: the most litter ever picked up on Brighton beach. 11 tonnes in a day rather than the usual 3 (the usual is bad enough). Bournemouth beach suffered even more than that. I have heard some excuses for people's behaviour, but I find it sad the human race seems so hell bent on self destruction.
I had a bit of an accident doing my Zoom gymnastics. I kicked the radiator coming down from a handstand. My foot is now discoloured and swollen. It's not pleasant to walk.
There was a new statement from the government today. It refers to the confirmation given on 23 June that indoor clubs can resume activities at the start of the school holidays. I don't remember that being said. I read the statement again, and after school clubs are not mentioned. Indeed, the only quote that refers to us is "premises, such as ... indoor gyms, must remain closed for now". What did I miss? BG have already asked for clarification.
Today's statement suggests these activities should only be for children under the age of 13 (these children are apparently less susceptible to the virus symptoms, but I suppose they will still spread it).
The Prime Minister's father is not a politician, but someone who should know better and set a good example. He did this by flying to Bulgaria then driving in to Greece to service his flat. We are only allowed to fly for essential reasons, and Greece will not allow even that. His essential reason? To get his flat "Covid-ready" for the letting season. Some people live in an alternative reality.
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It's been incredibly windy, which has knocked things about a little over the past week. One of the Echium plants was damaged, and the runner beans look like pennants waving in the breeze. It is still warm though, and finally, the allotment is beginning to pick up and plants are beginning to produce.
This week, we picked our first courgettes and dwarf French beans from the allotment. We also picked our first chilli pepper (indoors).
We met with some of the boys from gym in the park in Crawley. The parents were there as well, making around twenty of us in all. We maintained our social distance and managed cartwheels and jumps and turns; things which which are not so easy in the lounge.
The session was so much better than Zoom. It was easier to see what the boys were dong, and easier for them to understand. Video sessions fulfil a purpose, but the will not be a long term replacement for activities in the gym.
I refuelled for the first time since 13 March. I think I probably had enough fuel for another week or so at my current rate. It will save me going for another 3 months or so!
Today's picture is hollyhocks from the garden.
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Good news! Gyms can reopen on 24 July. Now we have a frantic dash to ensure everything is ready by then. The government has published a document detailing what needs to be done in order to open. It's along read. I will try and plough through it next week.
My mum came to Sussex to visit her sister, so I went there for lunch. It was a chance for more socialising. Talking face to face is so much better than trying to communicate though the tiny window provided by Zoom on a laptop.
On Saturday night we had another barbecue. We have been lucky with the weather during this lockdown period, but I gather July is on target to be one of the coldest on record. So many months seem to be labelled as extreme; coldest, hottest, driest, whatever. Climate Activists just say "told you so".