From Covid Isolation into the Storm!
As my self-isolation due to Covid was ending Storm Eunice was battering the South West. Even if I could get out I couldn't! I started isolating 11 days ago, I had symptoms: a sore throat but nothing else. I probably wouldn't have isolated if my family had not all been getting positive lateral flow tests, one by one the 2 lines appeared. Mine carried on being negative but their symptoms started with a sore throat and several days later the cough appeared. I knew where this was heading and suspected I already had Covid. Strangely it was a bit of a relief, a chance to retreat and not be plagued with decisions about what to do or where to go! With no questions about what we were doing for the weekend, we set up our hot tub in the garden (powered through our green electricity tariff) and settled back into relax mode. Now don't get me wrong, I know Covid is not like this for everyone. We are all fully vaccinated apart from my youngest daughter who is too young. We had mild symptoms and have the privilege of a comfortable house in which to sit them out. In some respects this was less isolating for me than the experience I have been going through for the last 17 months. A couple of days before symptoms appeared, I was in bed almost all day struggling with the exhaustion of trying to rebuild my life after cancer. The day before I cried due to the sheer exhaustion and isolation of it all. So, to then get Covid symptoms it was a bit of a relief to have something tangible, with a definite end point in sight (I know for some it is not like this). To focus on the Covid recovery, some how, placed less strain on me to recover from cancer. Don't get me wrong it wasn't all a spa-like retreat! As I took my Covid test on day 9, hoping just hoping for a walk the following day, the very faint second line appeared and I cried. Schools shut down around this moment as Storm Eunice was coming and with a red weather warning it really was time to hunker down, once more, and sit out the storm.
However, today I am on day 12. Current government guidelines state this is the time I no longer need to test for Covid and can finally leave the house! I wanted adventure, to explore a part of Devon I've not been to yet but I woke tired, my husband was struggling as well and with a yellow weather warning we decided to stick closer to home. With the mention of going out for breakfast, the children piped up "McDonalds!". This seemed like an easy option. We headed to the drive through for hash browns, pancakes and no cutlery please! We were in our camper van and certainly didn't need the single-use plastic knives and forks. We headed from the relatively calm of the outskirts of Exmouth to the wilds of Budleigh Salterton! The storm was still battering the coastline, with waves crashing on the beach and a few brave walkers getting pushed around by the wind. I poured out the tea from my flask and ate my pancakes with my metal cutlery, watching the gulls attempting to fly through the head wind - freedom!
On the way home we could finally stock up on a few items. The main one being guinea-pig supplies, namely wood shavings. Since swapping the piggies out of their cage and permanently into their run we hardly ever need to buy this as we only need it for their litter tray. As always, a trip to Pets at Home includes spending most of the time looking at the guinea-pigs with wishes of getting more!
Across the road is Home Bargains, a shop which appeals to the kids so we had a little browse. It's somewhere you can pick up a few staples like bread, cheese and cereal as well as plastic-free chocolate. Soap is almost down to nothing at home so I was pleased to spot some in cardboard, though containing palm oil it won't become a regular purchase.
Returning home from our not very adventurous outing it was, of course time for a cup of tea. I've just picked up the book 'Dougnut Economics' by Kate Raworth again which offers an alternative economic roadmap for bringing humanity into a sweet spot that meets the needs of all within the means of the planet. Have you read it?
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