Today is our youngest grandson’s seventh birthday. I’ve been with him every year – even this one albeit in a different way! Disappointing as it is not to be there physically, we were up at dawn to Skype call as a family. Both my daughters (more on that below), our son-in-law, two grandsons, Barry, me and Rob’s parents Dave and Diane from the Wirral. It really was quite incredible in a surreal way.

To prove I was up so unusually early, here’s the magnificent sky and sounds of around 6.10am (if it works!) …

Today they had fun Nerf gun battles in the back garden; plus they all have their own scooters, so will have been out along their country lane on those. A new in-ground trampoline in the garden has been dug in readiness too – I’m excited to try it out too one day if it’ll take my weight! Rather different to the previous plans understandably. But they’ve done the best they can with what they have – que sera sera. It is what it is, and we just have to learn to make the best of it, and be grateful we’re all still healthy and have homes.

Meanwhile …

Moving For Essential Supplies

CRT today emailed another plea to the public to restrict use of the towpaths because of the number of boaters trying to keep their distance. If they have to use the towpath to only use a local one. We’ll see how that goes as the forecast is bright for the weekend.

We moved for the first time in a week, to fill up with water at Calveley Services.

We’ve spotted Pip and Mick walking past a few times recently, from NB Oleanna, and today I even got to have a brief chat with them at the water point. I find it helpful to hear how other boaters are navigating the waters, literally and metaphorically, during our enforced down time. One-to-one is a blessing, rather than via social media for a change, despite the 2 metre distance!

The more observant of you will notice another person on board our Areandare bubble? It’s my younger daughter, Kimberley, who we thankfully persuaded to leave her Lagos, Nigeria, home on Sunday 22nd March. Her boss called her on 21st to say their employer was recommending they leave the country asap. Shortly after booking a flight for the Monday evening, Kim received updated information to say Lagos airport was closing to air traffic on Monday 23rd! So we swiftly got her to pay more to change the flight. I’m so grateful we had money a credit card to be able to do that. We’re saving thousands on not going on the previously planned trips for the next few months, so it’ll be fine! Thankfully she was able to board late on the Sunday evening, just before the cut-off, and safely arrived in Manchester the next morning. Others haven’t been so lucky …

Once again thank goodness for selling The Home Brew Boat (which of course is still trading under new ownership), which enabled us to get the back cabin ready and waiting for our fellow coronavirus isolation buddy. We’re adoring having her on board. Such a blessing in these uncertain days.

A Few More Essentials ..

We haven’t had to visit the supermarket since Friday 27th March – today we found a few essentials in the garage near to Calvely services …

The generally busy A51 heading north to Chester was spookily quiet. Just an occasional car or lorry passing by, or coming for petrol. It was only a small store, with sparsely stocked shelves, and a distinct lack of any fresh fruit or vegetables. But we were extremely grateful to have it not too far away – we got bread, eggs, and chocolate! So a few essential items there …

I’m sure I’m not alone in being fearful of supermarkets at the moment? It’s not about the likelihood of shortages, more about having to be so close to others even with the ‘new way of shopping’. Any of whom could be transmitting the virus. Or anything you touch, including the packets of food, could be. It weirdly feels like I’m in a horror movie set!

Sitting in our boat, miles from civilisation, cocooned and comfortable, is what we’re becoming accustomed to. And I feel ‘safe’. The thought of that colourful virus with those suckers (you’ve seen the images in articles yes?), ready to attach themselves to my insides gives me the heeby jeebies! I realise even if we caught it and got ill, our chance of dying is just under 4%. We’re both over 60. But I’d rather not risk either of us being in that 4% thanks very much. I’m definitely doing my best to see the bright side. To look for the opportunities amongst the doom, gloom and despondency. The positives both today and tomorrow. But sometimes it’s not so simple. I guess we just have to acknowledge this is completely out of our comfort zones …

Checking In Not Out

For now all’s well, and we reported no symptoms once again via the COVID-19 Symptom Checker this morning. As of today, they’ve got 2,091,102 people contributing. Still a way to go to reach the 5 million …

We’ve sadly heard of a few deaths from coronavirus of friends of friends in the past few days, which is concerning. It feels like ‘it’s’ getting closer all the time. I’m doubtful things will return to any semblance of ‘normality’ for many weeks, or months yet.

How are you doing out there in the world? What are you doing? How are you feeling? What’s helped you to get through today and look forward to tomorrow?