15th March 2020: A new chapter: Coronavirus Day 1

It's been a while since we went to Cadiz and put anything on this blog.   Christmas has come and gone and we were looking forward to Spring, holidays and family gatherings when the Coronavirus pandemic made life suddenly rather serious and depressing.

BBC news 15.3.20

I'm not writing here about the virus as it's in every newspaper, online, on TV and radio worldwide.   The news at lunch time was sobering.  Over 70s (that's us!!) may be asked to stay at home for 4 months.  It's difficult to imagine the impact on the very old and the lonely, or indeed how Peter and I will shape our lives if this happens and over such a long period.

We went to the cinema last Friday and had dinner with our cinema club friends.   It may be the last such outing for a while.  We were prompted to start thinking about protecting ourselves and so have opted for 'social distancing' - basically keeping away from other people.  It started yesterday.  So far the virus has affected us in the following ways:

• Peter has had meetings cancelled and his 2 trips to China are off for the foreseeable future. More 'phone calls and conference calls are planned.
• Son no. 1 and partner cancelled their trip away and we are not now going to London to look after our granddaughter Pearl.  His business is in jeopardy as so many of this clients are in the restaurant and entertainment industry.
• Our son who's in the advertising industry may find looking for work more difficult. 
• Our trip to Nantes for my birthday will be cancelled as the French museums and restaurants are now closed and what's a holiday in France without those? 
• My birthday lunch with friends may be cancelled as the restaurant, a new French bistro in Norwich, is tiny and we wouldn't be able to keep our distance sufficiently.
• I've done an online shop and bought a few extras, but have followed the advice and not stockpiled.  We are assured that there is enough food if people shop normally.  Anyway I have cupboards full of stuff and it will be a good thing to go through them and use them up even if the best before dates are alarming!  
• This morning the delivery man put the groceries on the door step, as requested, and stood a good metre away.  
• I've already got chapped hands from washing them so frequently - which reminds me! 

For the future:

• The family gathering at Easter/Passover may have to be cancelled. 
• We may turn down the invitation to supper at a friend's.  We haven't really got our heads round not seeing people! 
• We're worried about not seeing our youngest grandchild who is only 20 minutes away.  Should they come round? 
• We'll make more WhatsApp, telephone and Skype calls as it will be important to actually talk to people rather than text (which is a very poor form of interaction in my view and leads to all sorts of misunderstandings!). 
• I've ordered more bread flour! 

On the brighter side:

• We may read more
• We'll have time to clear the loft and do some decorating at the Southwold house
• I'll be on top of the gardening
• I may talk to friends every day!  

So, today we got up late.  Ate homemade bread for breakfast.  Took in the online grocery order, did a load of washing.  Went for a walk at the university.  Talked to a friend who lives round the corner. .  Tried to talk to friend in Italy. Rang brother in law. Exchanged chat on WhatsApp with my cousins and second cousins one of whom lives in Hong Kong.  Had lunch. Went down to The Plantation Garden (here's a link if you don't know it) to put some money from the sale of guide books at my talk last week into the box for the treasurer.  Made chicken soup. Wrote the blog and then did a pile of ironing.   Watched the news - twice!