What's the new normal?

Saturday 22nd August, 2020

For the second time in four months I walked from my home to the local High Street to buy a newspaper. It is bought purely for the crossword. I do skim the articles and read a few. Previously a friend had done the purchase wanting to protect her Mother in whose house I live. She had now persuaded her Mother that perhaps it was not a death sentence if I went and it would save her much angst. So last week I bought it and have not succumbed as a result to Covid. So today I again ventured out. In fact the friend has a cold and is feeling listless so just as well a precedent had been set.

The sun was shining and the fresh wind blowing off  the Tay. It was a refreshing walk with only one person sighted and she with a dog near the Tay shore. The shop had only six customers and the masks, gel, distancing were all available and in force.

I decided to come back the long way through the local private Park open to the public. As I approached the entrance so two acquaintances from Church appeared. We chatted and she spoke of her childrens' return to school. There were problems of social distancing among the pupils but overall it was vital to have them back. The rumour was that one school had already been locked down. It was a school for special needs children and had been open all through the lockdown until now. Ironic..

I passed on in to the park. First the large pond of moorhens and overhanging trees where the heron often perch. Then to the small lake where on the swans and cygnets glide. Through the high and mighty trees and the dappled colourings of the sun. I sat for a while, alone, and simply breathed deeply.

Continuing homeward I came across two more church acquaintances. They were heading for a pub lunch. We spoke of faith, church attendances now they are partially opened again and gay marriage, as one does!!

Further on another acquaintance heading to the High Street to buy flowers for her daughter. Her daughter teaches at the special needs school and is having to isolate. She had taken a week off as her grandson was coming to stay with her. They had not seen each other for three months or more. It had had to be cancelled as she isolated. So my acquaintance was off to buy her flowers in an attempt to cheer her.

On home. I then read some depressing articles in the newspaper.

I searched my emails just now and have one from the friend staying at home to nurse her cold. She feels better. I had offered to help in any way. My offer has been taken up and I am about to go to water her greenhouse next to her allotment. Also to pick courgettes, beans, tomatoes and rhubarb. I shall be delivering a sponge cake from her Mama. The sun has gone in but no rain expected.

Yesterday I had snuck in to town unbeknownst to anyone but myself and now you. I am hoping to go to Rugby in mid September to live in a friends' house as they go on holiday.

I went to the National Express coaches office. Very few coaches running and none to Rugby and few expected to run in the near future. To the railway station where I was informed a train would take 7 hours, with two changes and cost £130 return. No advance bookings as passengers are being ' actively discouraged'.

People speak of the 'new normal'. To me nothing seems new and little seems normal. I speak of living life as it is.