What a strange times we all find ourselves inhabiting at the moment. Its hard to get a grip with the fact that my next adventure lays in tatters as the world retreats to fight off the virus that’s seems to have run rife across it.

Indeed the various things planned for this year have now started to be shelved as we enter a period of uncertainty. Festivals & family gatherings all have been cancelled or rescheduled. However as we readjust the expectations of what we will be able to do I have discovered that it is possible to find a positive way forward.

Having only just managed to get back from the USA where I should have met up with my daughter for a spot of shore leave. Plans abandoned we entered a scramble get rebooked albeit on separate airlines before the travel bans came in to effect. Thankfully now back at home she has thrown herself into cooking tasty meals for us so that’s a bonus.

Some people I know were not as fortunate & we are awaiting news of whether they can also return. As it stands we have been to date extraordinary lucky it would seem so I am not grumbling & my heart goes out to anyone who has not had such an easy time.

As a retired nurse I have former colleagues who are currently working really hard to combat this in probably very trying circumstances. I hope they all are able to remain safe & well as indeed anyone else currently performing an essential roles too.

Curiously though with the on my hands I will have an opportunity to reconnect with my garden & the beauty that is within it. The spring bulbs are poking their way through & some already flowering.Mother Nature is a curious thing for on one hand is reeking such destruction one minute at the same time as producing wonderful vistas of colour to enjoy.

Whether the result of being an only child I know not but I have always enjoyed my own company especially if armed with either a playlist of my favourite music or a good audio book. The sunshine has beamed down on me whilst I have started rebuilding a small dry stone wall that surrounds a flower bed.

My daughter & I have challenged each other to complete a 30 day shred exercise programme on a dvd that she found turning out a cupboard. I believe that it is good to fill the time with positive activity rather than become overwhelmed with information & start worrying over aspects which I realistically have no control. I think it better to keep informed but not obsessively checking as a coping mechanism.

It was strange having to go to the local pharmacy today & queue in a line where everyone was 2 metres apart & what normally takes a few minutes took nearly an hour. Buying a pint of milk was an equally lengthy process but at least everyone seemed in good spirits & considerate towards one another.

It may be a while before I can write about new places visited & things that I have experienced on my travels so for the next few blogs I will probably just report on things a little closer to home.

Here is hoping that if you are reading this you, your friends & family all stay safe & well.