Saturday 18 April 2020

Saturday

We seem to have all got used to this lockdown.   Here the streets are empty and few walkers venture out - and it is to be like this for at least another three weeks.   On the News at tea time we saw the situation in Moscow where the outbreak is very bad and where the line of ambulances waiting to get into the hospital with patients stretched so far back that there was a four hour wait to get in.   It all seems so surreal and yet bit by bit we are getting so used to it that it is becoming part of our lives.

One way for me to avoid  sitting thinking about it is to read one of my travel books - to get immersed in going over the Sahara with Michael Palin or reading of Shackleton's journey or of Carol Drinkwater's adventures on an Olive Farm - sheer escapism all but pleasant escapism.   And a short spell in the garden digging up the odd weed on a part of the garden I can reach safely.   And today is the day The Lady magazine with its two cryptic Ladygram puzzles arrives and I have spent part of my day doing those (1 and a half done - hopefully the rest tomorrow).   They really are splendid puzzles - I can really recommend them to anyone who is into Cryptic puzzles.

There was another virtual Coffee Morning with Zoom this morning but after ten minutes with my friends I lost it again - 'Server not found' however hard I tried.   Interestingly when I switched on again later in the day Firefox immediately took five minutes to update and I couldn't help wondering if that had something to do with it.   Has anyone any ideas?

The sun is going down - half past seven - perhaps another hour before it is totally dark.   Living alone and in isolation the days do seem to be long and I do feel ready for bed by this time but have to stay up unless I wish to wake at about four.   See you again tomorrow.

16 comments:

Sarah in Dorset said...

Oh I am with you on the long days, without any point at all, just endless. I don’t think those of us over 70 will be allowed out until a vaccine is found, so could be years st home staring at the walls. Sarah Dorset

VC said...

I have read all of the Olive Farm books and also all of Michael Palin's books too. I was talking to my mum on the phone earlier about how lucky we voracious readers are as we have the ability to imagine ourselves anywhere. A great form of escapism.

Sheila said...

Thank you for continuing with your blog posts. I always look forward to reading what you have to say, just as I have for many years.

We don't get much in the way of reports from Russia so that news of Moscow is certainly interesting. Putin, I'm sure, wants to keep as much of that under wraps as possible.

Now going to Amazon to check out Carol Drinkwater.

Sue said...

I remember the Olive Farm books. I wonder if Carol Drinkwater is still out there in France.

Bonnie said...

How nice you were able to spend a little time in the garden. A bit of fresh air always helps I think. It does sound like you are enjoying your travel book. A good book can take us many places and pass many hours. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Heather said...

I read the Olive Farm books and thoroughly enjoyed them. Armchair travelling is so relaxing, very safe and inexpensive!
Enjoy your virtual coffee mornings.

Theresa williams said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Tom Stephenson said...

I am told there is a high demand and drain on the internet services now, for obvious reasons. That could be why you - and many others - are dropping out of things like the zoom connections, Weave.

Joanne Noragon said...

It's half past eight here and just going twilight. I wish I had someone to Zoom with.

Alphie Soup said...

What a shame you lost your Zoom connection again. Maybe you could talk with some of your Zoom group and see of anyone else has a similar problem to yours.
Alphie

the veg artist said...

Re Firefox, we find it helps to turn our computers completely off at night, not leaving them on standby. Updates then sort themselves out after switching on again, and are perhaps less likely to interrupt during the day. Just an idea - I'm sure there are more tech minded people who can advise.

thelma said...

I expect the weather in your part of Yorkshire is as beautiful as it is here. Perhaps many older people are enjoying this lockdown. Those that need a salary to keep the family going are of course worried as to the future, and there is a tension in the air, should we open society again and run the risk of another wave of the pandemic. Difficult times.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Thanks everyone. It is early on Sunday morning, the sun is shining, there is a nip in the air as the wind is off the North Sea - but still a bright day and the garden gets more colourful by the day, which helps. Enjoy your Sunday.

Librarian said...

You too enjoy your Sunday, Pat. It was windy here yesterday but warm (23 C) with the dust been blown about on the dry fields when we were out walking. Sunny again today but no wind.

Sue said...

Firefox doing updates later could explain part of it, but also perhaps you were using the system when there was a high volume of other users.

Maybe get everyone together for a dawn coffee morning on Zoom when it's nice and quiet online ... but then of course you would have a whole lot of day to fill up after that!!

Thank you for your birthday wishes. xx

John "By Stargoose And Hanglands" said...

Your coffee mornings must be a bit like one of our local cafes - their servers are hard to find too!