Holy Week

Monday 29th March, 2021.

Breakfast a little ruined when I was informed that not until Friday could one leave home. The 'Stay at home' order I have never understood. Yes, do not enter other people's houses etc but exercise, essential shopping, pharmacy and medical emergencies I thought allowed. Stay within a five mile radius, someone had muttered. Always stay distanced and wash hands regularly. Wear masks where apposite. Now I am told on Friday we can go out for exercise, go up to five miles etc.....it is so confusing especially as the various countries in the UK differ in regulations and much else. Are they speaking on some radio phone in about us, them or theory or is it just hysteria and false news? Whatever I am fed up with the negativity and politicians are losing the sympathy vote because of that negativity. Ms Sturgeon the supposedly Iron Lady who is keeping the infection at bay by her ruthless determination now has the highest rate of infection in the UK, or so it is said. What to believe?

I drove to Dundee to sort out money with my bank, needing to transfer some to a solicitor. I do not do Internet banking! I felt the Inquisition had been reinvented. I had to answer dozens of questions as to provenance and to my situation. Was I under duress? Had I been emailed as to the monies? Had anyone given me cash? Had I been hacked? Was I being hoodwinked? Have I lost monies before? What was the purpose? Who was X and Y? Did I have identity and on and on the kindly lady went. Finally she had to get a superior to authorise something. When I mentioned that I might be moving south and need another bank she looked horrified, as if the money was not mine, as if I was holding a gun and she stammered ' we can do nothing here about that !' Nor was she prepared to set up a meeting with a manager for me to discuss my position. Do banks serve us or we them?

In fact the monies did get through as my solicitor let me know!

Dundee was empty as ever. I popped in to Marks and Spencer to buy Guinness as a birthday present for a friend who is 50 tomorrow. Also I found a pair of socks! What does one give a man who has everything?

Fortunately the road bridge was open even though the wind was strong. Back home I finished a letter to the solicitor and enclosed more forms. So off I went on my walk with my litter grabber. I saw the library was open so over a barricade took out a book and had a muffled conversation behind a mask. Then I posted the letter, popped in to a shop and bought a chicken and bacon pasta salad reduced by £1.50 for lunch. Also a fungi pizza to have for supper reduced by £3.75. Then the walk up over the hill appreciating the views over the Forth of Tay and North Sea as well as the usual glorious lands of Fife. I turned in to the Scotscraig Estate. No one was about at all. Primroses were bursting forth, trees were getting clothed in leaves and losing their filigree nakedness, lots of little flowers were around and bluebells and hyacinths....it was as if each walk each day was to see a new display of Nature's glories and unexpected fruitfulness. To crown it all two red squirrels crossed my muddy path and ran on ahead. They were really deeply red. They were beautiful.

Back down to the Tay path and in to a truly heady blustering strong wind. It was a fight to walk and I tired quickly. Yet so worthwhile.

An email told me of a friend who had just had a baby boy, all well and the child healthy and Mother fine and Father ecstatic. More of Nature's bounty.

My mind is turning to this Holy Week. It is the story of that man, that son of God and during the week we go through every emotion known to man. Betrayal, despair, murder, torture, mockery, political corruption, forgiveness, abandonment, fear, cowardice, indifference, hypocrisy, ruthless callousness and so much more to the pinnacle of absolute self sacrificing love and undiluted joy. I find it utterly draining. God with us is truly terrifying yet awesome.