Ben and went into lockdown on March 16th 2020 along with much of the world, we had to quickly negotiate the world of online shopping (not something I’d ever really done) and I had to hone my tech skills rapidly as I’m the sort of person who can order a match box and end up with a garden shed, or vice versa!
We stayed at home for close on eighteen months with only the occasional early morning ninja trip out for a coffee, or a visit to get vaccinated. We grew used to staying at home and found ways to keep ourselves healthy, happy and entertained.
We planned a virtual weekend away at the seaside, and even went on a virtual holiday to Amsterdam, boat trip and cycle ride included! We watched far too much TV, journaled, listened to music, had craft sessions discovered the joys (and tribulations) of Zoom, and moved most of our furniture around several times ( much to Bens dismay) 
We’ve danced in the rain on our balcony, had film nights sleeping in the living room and have been blessed by FaceTimes, WhatsApp chats and phone calls. Unfortunately, the only skill I acquired during this time is the ability to bake, rather well! The cakes, biscuits, muffins and cookies have I admit been delicious but the damage to our hard earned slimmer selves has been significant! We’ve vicariously enjoyed following friends holidays at home and abroad through photos and videos until, finally…
We’re now venturing out and about and have enjoyed a couple of birthday gatherings, DEN (our Bible Journaling group) and Cafe Church, we’ve had lots of coffee dates and the odd breakfast out, all greatly enjoyed. We remain slightly cautious choosing to wear our masks and not meeting with others in crowded indoor spaces. All in all the last two and a half years have treated us well, we’ve stayed busy in our own way and have been blessed by all those many people who worked so tirelessly to keep us safe.
…In June 2022 we finally went on a little two nights away holiday of our own in a Hobbit Hole! It was short but we packed a lot into our days and were blessed by absolutely superb weather.
We were not stuck at home, we were fortunate enough to be able to stay at home, and blessed to have a lovely home.
As the world continues to go “back to normal” (whatever that was) I hope we can hold on to some of the lessons we learned, particularly relating to those people who have been housebound for years for whatever reason. All of a sudden, church, theatre, cinema became accessible for most people (technology permitting) I wonder now how many of these services will be discontinued now that the general population can once again go out and about, the isolated, unwell, lonely forgotten once again?
