Coronavirus week 15 - 28th June to 5th July

Well tomorrow is the day that we in Wales are released from the "stay local" restriction which has generally been taken to be five miles with a little leeway for those people living in rural locations.  We already have trips planned to the three of our four children who do not live locally.  We haven't seen them and their families since February which feels like a very long time.  In Wales other restrictions remain in place with hospitality businesses, hairdressers and many non essential retailers still closed although schools reopened on a part time basis here at the beginning of this week.  In practical terms this means that ten year old grandson had one day in school this week and another one planned the week after next before school breaks up for the summer.  Nearly five year old granddaughter will have two days in school this week.  While it is nothing like full time education it is a start and a way of being back in touch with friends and teachers before the long summer holidays.  In England pubs reopened on Saturday 4th July and there is a big push to get as much open as possible.  The Education Secretary announced the reopening of schools in September with compulsory attendance.  I much prefer the approach here in Wales which has focused more on getting parents to be comfortable with arrangements and less on compulsion.

So my big project of lockdown, the blanket for Joseph, has had to move on apace ready to be handed over this week.

This has meant many hours working away, even in the day time.  What is it about the work ethic my generation grew up with that makes me feel that to crochet in the day, like reading in the day, is faintly self indulgent?  After all when Ian goes out to the workshop to make or mend something he doesn't seem to feel that it should not be a daytime activity!  Somehow I find myself feeling that I should be weeding or cleaning out cupboards, something which I would enjoy much less than making blankets! It must be the difference between something which feels like a duty and something which is a pleasure in itself!   But this week I have felt entirely justified in pushing on.  It was finally finished yesterday, just in time for delivery this week!

Wednesday was Ian's birthday and we had a visit from younger daughter and her children to celebrate, outside of course!

Maddy had made a cake so we sat outside under the gazebo and sang happy birthday.  There is something entirely delightful in the joy little children take in cake and birthdays!  

There is now the scope to make an "extended household" in Wales by combining two households.  This would allow for shared time inside without social distancing and even overnight stays.  Should we do this or not?  I am finding it very difficult to make these judgments about risk.  In some ways the virus feels very distant and unreal.  The traffic on the roads has pretty much returned to normal.  When we go to the supermarket in Mold or Denbigh very few people are wearing masks.  It would be so easy to slip back into the normal life of pre-lockdown times.  And then I watch the news or read the papers and see interviews with medics or with survivors of coronavirus and am reminded that it is still out there, still a threat.  It looks as though we will have to find a way to live with it, at least for the moment.  My Spanish tutor ran this week's on line class from Spain where he has had to return because his mother is ill, fortunately not with coronavirus but nevertheless ill enough to be in hospital.  He reports an easy flight from the UK but I would still not wish to fly.  Am I too cautious?  Are others not cautious enough?  Only time will tell!

But this week will see us venturing further afield than we have since March!  What will the world look like?  How will it feel?  Will we be able to manage to see grandchildren without hugging them?  That will be a challenge!

How about you?  Do you feel the world is opening up again or are you still at home?