My London is a strange place today. As Coronavirus numbers increase so the city and the country as a whole shuts down. In the last twenty-four hours the streets are quieter, buses run almost empty and tubes and train station have been deserted. Here, like in other countries of the world, we are being told to go out only if necessary – for work (though companies are being encouraged to allow their staff to work from home), food shopping and essentials, to avoid bars or to socialise in groups. This is a weird world right now.
Although I don’t live in the centre of London my own town is no different. Presently schools are still open, cafes, normally very busy places, have a handful of customers, yet the supermarkets are struggling to cope with the number of people stockpiling food, toilet rolls and cleaning products. I walked out of one supermarket on Monday because the queues were so long. I refused to join in with this crazy lot and went somewhere else.
I had to visit the dentist yesterday. I was worried they would cancel, but no. It was only for a routine check, but it was evident while I was there that people were cancelling left, right and centre. The receptionist told me that theirs has to be a sterile space and people were cancelling unnecessarily. I wonder how long they can continue like this.
Already I am getting confused with the days of the week. My usual groups that meet regularly in the week are now all cancelled. They were my routine, my pointers for each week ahead. Now there is nothing in my diary to look forward to, and for someone who loves to be out and about, this feels strange. At home, life goes on. You wouldn’t know anything was wrong unless you turn on the TV and watch the news. I guess this is the time we see if humankind adapts to enforced isolation. A week, yeah, okay, months?
So what am I going to blog about? Perhaps I should re-name the blog through my window!
I thought I might blog about places I have been to in the past and post some inspiring photos. We have a garden and spring is here. I take lots of photos of flowers, the sky, and often the moon. So, while I may not be able to travel around (all theatres, museums and galleries have closed anyway) I hope I can still find something to blog about. If you would like to respond about how things are where you are, please feel free to do so. Let’s keep positive. Stay safe and well everyone.
My London+ 