Livin’ la vida lockdown…

As some sort of an end, or at least significant change to our current situation approaches, it is clear that life under lockdown has been attritional for some, challenging for many and an opportunity to flout the rules for a few. My hope was that perhaps, just perhaps, as a nation we would learn lessons about values in our society and change our way of thinking for the good of all; sadly I fear this will not be the case…. But getting off my high horse and to bring this down to a personal level, a few observations about how the last few weeks have gone and what I now know…

1. Before lockdown started, after much badgering from all the family, I went to the opticians, where I was rewarded with a large bill and a pair of reading glasses. But how hard is it to see anything when you open the oven door with them on? The family has banned me from pushing them up onto my forehead, as this stretches them, so they just fog up with the heat and I can see neither the dish in the oven nor where I can put it down safely on the table. Any suggestions gladly welcome!
2. With exercise allowed, I have continued to run. The country lanes, normally relatively quiet pre lockdown, have been quieter still. (The photo at the top is half way up the hill out of the village, between km 1 and 2 on the way out and km 8 and 9 on the way back.) However, there has been an increase in farm traffic and running shortly after a slurry tractor has been on the road means that: there are significant ‘spills’ all over the road to be avoided at all costs for the good of my trainers; the smell, whilst not unbearable, is at best unpleasant, especially at a time when taking on large gulps of air; there is a significant increase in flies and, whilst I am not vegetarian, I’d rather not be swallowing too many….
3. With the family all here with us, I often have an assistant when cooking. I have come to realise that the kitchen is designed in such a way as to make it impossible for more than one person to cook at any one time. This might sound churlish, but it can make for some difficult moments with hot dishes and sharp knives. Added to this, the pampered city pooch has become even more of a scavenger, so is constantly at our feet, hoping for something to drop into her mouth. The only think she won’t have a go at is vegan cheese. We used to say: ‘I bet Jamie Oliver doesn’t have this sort of problem when he’s cooking’, but having seen some of his recent tv series where he is cooking from home, his kids provide a similar level of distraction now, so I can’t blame the dog for dishes that have gone wrong!
4. To a certain extent, having given up full time work to move down here over a year ago, lockdown hasn’t impacted as much as it will have for many. Combined with the good weather, I have been ‘allowed’ to potter in the garden with few interruptions. A very simple routine has become the norm and I can almost ‘lose’ days unless I am to careful . More than once we have said: ‘Is it clapping time already again?’ Part of me feels guilty that I have quite enjoyed elements of this new regime, part of me worried that I am becoming an ‘old man’, or perhaps even slightly institutionalised in this way of living. On the bright side, the garden has never looked so good and the lettuces, cabbages, peppers and broccoli I have planted are still all alive!
5. Zoom, facetime, Skype etc. have been a constant source of contact and I have really enjoyed keeping in touch to a greater extent with people than before. I have also been in much more regular contact with my mother (who is not online) and, whilst what we talk about isn’t substantial – and trust me it isn’t in any way!- I do feel more connected with her ironically…
6. I never realised how much tea some people can drink. We appear ‘single- familied’ to be trying to drink our way through the world’s supply of tea. The upside is that our twice weekly milkman has been able to keep up with the increased demand for milk and we are therefore putting substantial amounts of money into the local economy.

I’d like to think that lockdown has provided us all with the opportunity to take stock, on a personal level – we’ve certainly had time and space to think and that perhaps we all know ourselves a little better… Anyway, another sunny day, so, time to put the kettle on before a potter in the garden to check out how well the nettles are growing!

Eating: Tried a different aubergine recipe this week, from the Guardian 10 best aubergine recipes pages. Not convinced that this moussaka really is, but the tahini, yoghurt and za’atar dressing was a success!

Drinking: Given the warm weather, I love a chilled rosé and this is nice and dry on the finish and certainly evokes times spent in Provence!

Listening to: The Nightfly by Donald Fagen. I tend to listen from start to finish, in the order on the album, as I just love the last track – Walk between Raindrops.

Reading: Sebastian Faulks – Where my heart used to beat. Loving the description of the calanques in the south of France in an area of which I am very fond.