Easter Sunday 12th April 2020

It is day 20 of the UK Corona virus lockdown. 19 days since I last went to work.

It is another beautiful, warm sunny day. In many ways it has started like a typical Easter Sunday.

The Easter bunny had made a deivery to the kitchen table.

I marinaded the lamb, which I had been provided by Harveys and delivered by Catherine. Peter will be cooking it on the barbecue later.

Then I did my 30 minutes exercise on the cross trainer. This is a new habit since the lockdown. I had wondered about giving the machine house room, but it has been of real benefit since gyms have been closed.

My lockdown present to myself was a tablet. I have been motivated to exercise for longer than previously, by watching films and programmes.

I am currently watching ‘It’s a Wonderful Afterlife’. It’s a lighthearted indian food related murder mystery.

Then Peter & I tried something new with sour dough: crumpets! They were delicious with butter alone, with cambembert and with ginger marmalade!

We are lucky in many ways, having each other,our home and garden, our health and being able to walk (or in Peter’s case, cycle) for exercise. We have enjoyed getting to know our local area, where we have lived for almost 6 months, during our daily walks.

Many people are not so lucky. Some are key workers, in the NHS, in supermarkets or emptying our bins. They do not have the new found spare time to enjoy new hobbies, or enjoy the sun. They are working long hours and risking their lives. Some have lost their jobs or risk losing their businesses and face financial hardship.Some are ill, some have lost relatives. Some are elderly or vulnerable due to health conditions so they cannot leave their homes. Some are lonely, Some are in crowded apartments, in difficult, or even dangerous relationships. It is definitely not the same experience for everyone.

So, my thoughts and prayers are with everyone who is struggling through this time and I am counting my blessings.

It would usually be a time for meeting up with friends and family. Modern technology has certainly been a blessing, enabling us to feel connected with our loved ones and the wider world.

Happy Easter!