The number of known infected in the UK now stands at 19,522 and the number of deaths 1,228. Scrolling through Twitter is just depressing with tales of people losing their loved ones, doctors dying or having nervous breakdowns and people begging for help.
On Thursday I had to go into the office as I needed some information that was stored in a hard file for the pensions regulator or we would have received a fine. I was actually over the moon to be going into the office. After just two days of working from home it was incredible to actually be in a room with real people again. There were only 3 of us there in total and we sat 4 metres apart and used lots of sanitiser and soap. I got lots of work done but was still working hard at 6.30pm when the person with the office key demanded that we lock up.
Before heading home I raced down the road to a friend's house to return his driving licences and then ran back to the car. Yes, I actually ran, well jogged for the first time since the hip replacement and I enjoyed it.
The drive home was incredible. Hardly any traffic and as I zoomed down the dual carriageway I thought, this must be what it's like driving down a deserted highway in the USA. I really want to do that now!
I had a junk food dinner (potato waffles, fried eggs and beans) and cracked open a beer. At 8.00pm I ventured out on to the front step to take part in the 'Clap for the NHS'. Next door was already out there with her little boy. I had to fight to choke back the tears it was so emotional. You could hear clapping and whooping and cheering coming from all directions. I had a chat with my neighbour and told her I'd see her in the garden at some point.
On Friday I finally got to enjoy a day off. I mowed the lawn and cut back some shrubs. When I came inside the breaking news announced that both Boris Johnson and Matt Hancock had tested positive for Covid 19 and were now self isolation. Wow!
I popped over to Lidl to do my weekly shop. They had just started to implement social distancing that day, so there was a long queue of people up the side of the building standing two metres apart from each other. I ended up in the middle of the zebra crossing and joked to the woman in front that we should start singing The Beatles. Everyone kept their distance. Some people wore masks or gloves or both. We waited about 15 minutes to enter. It was one in one out with a maximum of 60 people inside at any one time. I got everything I needed apart from crumpets and hot cross buns and didn't have to queue at the checkout.
I had a nice lunch of salad and garlic bread in the garden. That afternoon Luke saw me in the garden and shouted in to his mum 'Nicola's in the garden, Nicola's in the garden' and when he didn't get a response he raced out to say 'She doesn't want to speak to you.' So Sian ran out to apologise and say that she hadn't said that at all. I told her not to worry and I thought it was hysterical. We had a good chat, then she asked if I needed anything from the shops. Crumpets, I said. They still didn't have any though. I went for a walk just before sunset then drank wine.
On Saturday I had a pretty standard Saturday. I faffed about online and didn't leave the house. I FaceTimed Liz in the afternoon and in the evening had our first attempt at House Party. One friend didn't make it on time and another friend joined in unexpectedly with a question about her dogs suddenly starting to eat dog poo! Hysterical.
I spent the afternoon following a video tutorial on how to design a candy skull. It took hours but I enjoyed every minute and learnt a lot on the way.
On the Sunday I finished the candy skull project in the morning. Here's the result. It's supposed to resemble a vintage matchbook.
The boss finally announced her plans for the business via WhatsApp. Most staff would be furloughed expect me, Alex and Amanda. FFS! I wanna be furloughed and get paid 80% of my wage for doing bugger all. Well, at least work should die down over the next few weeks now. I've got so much that I'd like to do at home. I still haven't got round to washing the windows yet.
Had a nice three mile walk around the estate and cemetery. There were lots more people about and I had to cross the road and take evasive action to avoid people a few times. Now for a relaxing afternoon with Johnny Walker and sounds of the 70s. He's broadcasting from home with his wife, bless him.
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