The obvious is that we have learnt how to live a quieter existence. We have learnt how to stay at home. We have learnt how to live with lower expectations and lower needs. We have learnt to exercise more but perhaps less often (only one outside piece of exercise per day).
But the real question is have we become accustomed to our new way of life?
What will happen when lockdown is eventually lifted? Will we find it difficult to become social creatures again? How will we feel stepping into pubs and restaurants? What will it be like going to sporting events or the cinema or concerts? The list is endless. And with Spring around the corner, will we be able to meet up with other people outdoors and perhaps have barbecues?
The one thing I have learnt during lockdown is not to assume that everyone else's life is like mine and not to assume that my worries and concerns are the same as other peoples. Everyone will be coping (or not coping) in different ways. There will be depression, confusion and even anger. How we deal with it is unique to us.
The thought that keeps going through my head is "please let this be over so that we can live again." Then I become angry and frustrated.
Nobody told us this would go on this long. When we went into lockdown almost a year ago I think we thought it would be for a maximum of two or three months. To think that in a year's time we would be worse off than ever was just too difficult to contemplate.
But of course we now have the vaccine and I am hearing from more and more friends and acquaintances that they have had their first shots. I would love to think that by the end of February we would have at least had one vaccination - that's if politics doesn't get in the way.
All these arguments surrounding the vaccine have really got my goat (not that I know what or who my goat is).
I have nothing but contempt for the people playing politics with people's lives. If ever there was a reason for the world to work together, this is it. But these muppets couldn't work together if they tried. This is no time for petty squabbles and national rivalries.
You will know by now that I like to back up any ideas/arguments with song lyrics and this one from 10CC came to mind:
"If all the people in the world would say together
We're all black and white, we're all day and night
If all the people in the world could sing together
How would it sound, what would we feel
We'd all feel the benefit."
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I mentioned during the week and also included pictures of various birds seen on a trip along the banks of the River Tiffey at Wymondham.
Cousin Belinda was hoping to see the mysterious Kingfisher that seems to be as elusive as the Loch Ness Monster or the Yeti. I began to think that sightings had been of a stuffed bird nailed to a tree by some prankster.
Well, armed with a new camera, she finally came across the blighter and has given me permission to reproduce some of her latest batch of photos in this blog. Hope you enjoy them.