Walking during a pandemic (March 2020 to April 2021)
Since March 2020 my walking has been restricted to the local area (Reading and West Berkshire) apart from breaking out for a multi-day walk in Wiltshire (The Great Stones Way) in September when virus cases were low. Missing out on my cycle commute when the office closed and working from home became a necessity, I made time for a daily walk. At first the rules were that we should only leave the home once a day for exercise (or grocery shopping). Eventually restrictions were eased but public transport was (and still is) strongly discouraged and, in any case, with the virus still circulating, face coverings compulsory on buses and trains, I haven't yet felt comfortable to venture further than walking (or cycling) distance from my doorstep.
Surprisingly, I enjoyed the simplicity of life under lockdown. Working from home did prove challenging at times but there was less of it and there was always a ready excuse for not getting something done. When frustration got to me I turned the computer off and went walking or pottering around the garden. The weather was glorious all through Spring and when it did rain or drizzle I enjoyed the change and solitude as most people stayed in. In Summer the virus retreated somewhat and suddenly, in August, we were encouraged to 'eat out to help out' to ease pressure on the struggling hospitality industry, while still sticking to social distancing rules. Then, in October, the virus rebounded, and now, in December, it is spreading faster than ever. Christmas and New Year celebrations have been cancelled and we are once again told to stay at home and no social mixing.
I retired from my job at the end of 2020 and the restrictions are gradually easing. May 2021 has arrived, I have had both shots of the vaccine and look forward to exploring new pastures.
Surprisingly, I enjoyed the simplicity of life under lockdown. Working from home did prove challenging at times but there was less of it and there was always a ready excuse for not getting something done. When frustration got to me I turned the computer off and went walking or pottering around the garden. The weather was glorious all through Spring and when it did rain or drizzle I enjoyed the change and solitude as most people stayed in. In Summer the virus retreated somewhat and suddenly, in August, we were encouraged to 'eat out to help out' to ease pressure on the struggling hospitality industry, while still sticking to social distancing rules. Then, in October, the virus rebounded, and now, in December, it is spreading faster than ever. Christmas and New Year celebrations have been cancelled and we are once again told to stay at home and no social mixing.
I retired from my job at the end of 2020 and the restrictions are gradually easing. May 2021 has arrived, I have had both shots of the vaccine and look forward to exploring new pastures.
Lockdown images March/April 2020
The paths that were turned into quagmires by the February rains and storms started drying out in March and walking became more and more pleasurable. The virus news continued to be grim but the spring flowers started blooming and trees awakened - it was hard to believe that the world was anything but normal. Nature thrived in the reduced pollution, bird song was no longer drowned out by traffic and hedgehogs were able to cross roads safely.
The paths that were turned into quagmires by the February rains and storms started drying out in March and walking became more and more pleasurable. The virus news continued to be grim but the spring flowers started blooming and trees awakened - it was hard to believe that the world was anything but normal. Nature thrived in the reduced pollution, bird song was no longer drowned out by traffic and hedgehogs were able to cross roads safely.
Lockdown images May 2020
The weather continued to play its part in keeping depression at bay. Lockdown restrictions are slowly easing and with corona virus cases reducing week by week, hospitals better able to cope, optimism is returning. However, the novelty of staying at home is wearing off, and I am now going on longer walks, and armchair travel has become more important too. Have made a bucket list of top 10 travel and walk experiences I would love to be able to do soon.
The weather continued to play its part in keeping depression at bay. Lockdown restrictions are slowly easing and with corona virus cases reducing week by week, hospitals better able to cope, optimism is returning. However, the novelty of staying at home is wearing off, and I am now going on longer walks, and armchair travel has become more important too. Have made a bucket list of top 10 travel and walk experiences I would love to be able to do soon.
Lockdown images June/July 2020
Still working from home but preparations are being made for our partial return to the office. Strange as it sounds, I'm actally looking forward to the day when I can leave my house with a purpose other than just a good walk. Many shops, restaurants and hairdressers have now reopened. The economy needs to get going but, because of the restrictions in place, compulsory face mask wearing on public transport, and the fact that the virus is still circulating somewhere, I have not yet been tempted out of my safe environment.
Still working from home but preparations are being made for our partial return to the office. Strange as it sounds, I'm actally looking forward to the day when I can leave my house with a purpose other than just a good walk. Many shops, restaurants and hairdressers have now reopened. The economy needs to get going but, because of the restrictions in place, compulsory face mask wearing on public transport, and the fact that the virus is still circulating somewhere, I have not yet been tempted out of my safe environment.
Lockdown images August to October 2020
As the virus retreated, and restrictions on travel and eating out were eased in the summer, I took the opportunity to go for a multi-day walk from Swindon to Salisbury in September - along the Great Stones Way. Sadly, virus cases are now increasing again.
As the virus retreated, and restrictions on travel and eating out were eased in the summer, I took the opportunity to go for a multi-day walk from Swindon to Salisbury in September - along the Great Stones Way. Sadly, virus cases are now increasing again.
Lockdown images November/December 2020
As virus cases increased dramatically, a new lockdown came into force on Bonfire Day, to last until 2 December. Then we were put into Tiers: Tier 2 (medium risk) for Berkshire; two weeks later into Tier 3 (high risk) and then, just a few days before Christmas, into Tier 4 (highest risk); family reunions were quickly cancelled.
As virus cases increased dramatically, a new lockdown came into force on Bonfire Day, to last until 2 December. Then we were put into Tiers: Tier 2 (medium risk) for Berkshire; two weeks later into Tier 3 (high risk) and then, just a few days before Christmas, into Tier 4 (highest risk); family reunions were quickly cancelled.
Lockdown images January to March 2020
January brings another strict lockdown as a new strain of the virus is spreading throughout the country. We are all hoping that the vaccine programme that is now gathering pace will help control the spread and allow us to return to some sort of normality.
Lockdown images April/May 2021
The lockdown together with mass vaccinations have improved the situation considerably and restrictions are gradually easing. I am therefore hopeful (not promising anything) that these images will be the last ones under the Lockdown Walks heading.
The lockdown together with mass vaccinations have improved the situation considerably and restrictions are gradually easing. I am therefore hopeful (not promising anything) that these images will be the last ones under the Lockdown Walks heading.
