Easter Monday

Monday 5th April, 2021

A ferocious almost gale force wind has raged all night and is still with us as I write early afternoon. It is bitterly cold also. I was hungry at breakfast as I had no supper yesterday after the exhausting preparing, cooking, eating and celebrating of Easter plus the clearing and washing up. I slept after a hot bath for nearly ten hours.

I felt I needed a walk but decided not to go up over the hills behind the village as it would be very blowy. So I grabbed the empty bottles and my litter grabber and walked to the recycling bins behind the village hall. I noted the library was open and called in to find if they would be open tomorrow. I recycled the bottles and then headed up the hill and through the local park. On then in to Wormit the next village along. On the way I encountered a couple who kindly stood back from the path so I could pass and observe Covid rules. They noted my grabber and we chatted for a short moment re litter bugs! It was not complimentary.

As I turned down a road I passed a car park and there were three ambulances and four attendants and a large sign saying 'Covid testing'. No one was queueing even though lines and signs were in abundance. It was 12.30. So I went over and asked to be tested.

I was asked if I had an appointment? No

Are you prepared to have the test then follow up with phone calls to the NHS etc? No

This is a test which has to be sent to the laboratory and will have results in a few days. It is not a quick test. Do you want it? No

I then asked how many had been tested that morning. None.

I asked about a second jab for the vaccine. No idea when or where, was the reply.

So on I went pondering the system which must be so hard to run and organise and galvanise people to use.

Back through the village I came and noted that the hairdresser was open. Three masked and coiffed ladies came out preening themselves and looking renewed and revitalised. No one was in the male barbers!

Back home for lunch, a film and now a siesta. The sun is still out, the wind still strong and I have a piece of simnel cake and a mug of tea.

The garden looks blown about. Three large pots have been knocked over and the rhubarb has been broken. At least no snow as forecast for elsewhere.

I count me blessings. I read a brilliant meditation on Julian of Norwich this morning. She was an anchorite, so walled up and locked down for life. She lived at a time of the great plague which killed over half the European population and probably the world. She embraced death without fear and had some powerful mystical insights into God and His love. Not once did she despair and ever knew all would be well. A lesson for our times from a 14th century female mystic.