You know things have gone from bad to worse when the main task getting you out of bed in the morning is cleaning. I've written myself a long list of all the jobs that I should have done that I've been putting off. I've already cleaned / smeared all the windows inside and out (I could definitely see through them better before I started - but on the plus side, I can now do my aerobics classes with the curtains open and without fear of being spotted by the neighbours).

These are desperate times but I never imagined that I would find myself breaking Government guidelines! I think I can get myself off on a technicality, but here's how easy it is to slip into the role of 'rebel' when you are in a lockdown.

When I first heard about Corona Virus on the news, I thought it all sounded a bit exaggerated.  Then it started being news around the world, I still thought all the measures were a bit extreme, and expected my Mum’s 70^th birthday celebrations to go without a hitch.. we had friends from abroad, and my sister flying over as a surprise.

It's really quiet everywhere in Mortimer. I see hardly anyone when I go for my daily exercise walk.

Given all the children are home and the weather has been amazingly good, I am surprised I don't hear more noise of children playing in gardens. They are certainly staying away from the closed playgrounds:

I have never kept a diary, in fact, I'm not a really a book person either... back in the day I blagged my Senior School English exams by reading only the Exam Revision Guide. The family joke is that I have only ever read one book; it's not true, but nearly. By the way that book was "Pillars of the Earth" by Ken Follett about 20 years ago, a gripping read. Now I think about it, I read the follow up too "World Without End", so that has crushed the family joke straight away.

As a chronic asthmatic, I've found over the years that regular exercise has helped my lung function. In my youth, I was a keen county swimmer, 100m sprinter and singles tennis player. As the years have progressed, I've taken to exercising a few times a week in the form of running on a treadmill and playing doubles tennis. Although, those who have witnessed my tennis performance of recent times would probably argue that there is not much exercise taking place, and that my game is more reminiscent of a musical statues....but without the music interlude.

If you are a government registered extremely vulnerable person you are sent a box of emergency supplies. This box contains:

I need an antibiotic for something. No problem, called Mortimer surgery and they're sending me the prescription over to my house later today. I feel like a Queen, waited on. Our local NHS service is excellent. Mortimer is lucky.

Time Changes

Lots of people are struggling to find time to work from home, keep children amused and educated and care for elderly relatives at a distance. I’m in my mid-sixties and no longer have a job, children at home or elderly relatives. My time is usually dominated by looking after grandchildren and various local activities. None of that is now happening. Which leaves me with perhaps too much time to think!

I'm currently sat at home, about to enter into week 3 of lockdown. I'm in my 40's (which is not middle-aged for those who think it is). I'm in the "vulnerable" category due to my chronic asthma, which means I have not left the house properly since shortly before lockdown. I am an eternal singleton (not through lack of trying but Mr Darcy just hasn't knocked on my door yet) and am locked up on my own.