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    Lockdown Life - Reading Between The Lines!

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    Some great weather again yesterday, perfect for a few hours walking, visiting yet more places I haven't seen before and others I have only visited briefly. Many of the crowds I had witnessed over the weekend were gone, as children went back to school, so reassuringly, there were very few people around first thing in the morning when I went out for a stroll. I felt a lot more relaxed than I have done for a while and for once, didn't have to dodge people walking up and down the promenade.


    It was good to see the Hovercraft and Isle of Wight Ferry still running, even during this pandemic. Sadly however It is likely I won't be able to use this service myself to get away for the day, since it is mostly reserved for essential staff and there would be nowhere to stay or visit when I am on the island. With two weeks off, after just three days I am climbing the walls already. I am of course walking as much as I can, but being able to do a few more things would be a bonus.

    I have visited most areas of Portsmouth now, so may venture elsewhere over the next ten days and do a bit of walking, if I am able. Looking at various travel websites, I can use public transport at my own risk, but with this being a 'lifeline' service only, working on a reduced timetable, I am mindful of the restrictions in place. Something to think about, while I consider what to do, if anything at all!
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    Discussing the pandemic, looking at this graph above, Britain still has more deaths than the whole of the rest of Europe put together. That is shocking to me, especially from a Government who constantly keeps on saying how well they have done during this pandemic. They haven't done well, we have the second highest death toll in the World and I really am getting sick and tired of the lies they keep spouting during their daily press conferences. Sometimes I think those in charge believe we are stupid. You really don't have to be that intelligent to see through the selective figures that are published each day.

    Why would any other country want British tourists holidaying within their borders, when we don't have this virus under control? I am literally finding the propaganda issued by the Government rather tiresome and a complete insult to those of us who have been following guidelines, to protect others for the last two months. The failure of Boris Johnson to stem the tide of Coronavirus, because of his unwillingness to do the right thing, is etched on the lives lost and all of us should be up in arms about these terrible figures.

    In Parliament today, during Prime Ministers Questions,  the new Labour Leader Sir Keir Starmer, began the process of scrutinizing the PM and his ministers for their handling of this crisis, and about time to. Anyone can see just how bad things are and with Mr Johnson's failure to sack his discredited advisor Dominic Cummings, for flouting the lockdown laws, their inept, incompetent handling of this pandemic is exposed for all to see!

    I was a supporter of the Conservative Party, especially over Brexit but today I no longer consider them competent and trustworthy and have withdrawn my support. I am disappointed at the lack of action and risks taken with peoples lives as circumstances overwhelmed this inexperienced, self-serving bunch of hypocrites. The best all of us can hope for, is we don't have a second larger spike in deaths and opening up the country too soon, doesn't risk the lives of even more vulnerable people!

    Walking does give me the time to think and with the pandemic at the forefront of my mind, politics is always top of my list of things to write about. Luckily I can offload my thoughts and feelings on here. The one positive aspect of my life, that has got me through these last few months is blogging. Documenting this difficult period is important for me, and as restrictions are gradually eased, I hope I will once again begin to write about the more positive and pragmatic aspects of life!

    Stay Safe Y'all!
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    Australia House!

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    Waking up in the morning felt different. We were finally a couple, starting out on a big adventure together; the World was ours for the taking and as a team, we could achieve anything we wanted. As I pulled back the orange curtains, letting light flood into the room, I gazed hopefully across the rooftops of London. In a few short days I would be saying goodbye to this great city and beginning a new chapter in my life, with my partner and the motivation to stay together at all costs. Love does tend to happen under the strangest of circumstances and if I am honest, I never believed for one minute I would be running away to Australia with a man I barely knew!

    I didn’t have far to walk to the shower, a green avocado cubical sat imposingly in the middle of the room. The sound of knocking copper pipes and antiquated plumbing had kept me awake for most of the night, so I wasn’t expecting the power shower of my dreams and I wasn’t wrong. As I turned the dial to hot, a rather lukewarm, tepid affair forced its way out of the head of the hose, just enough to wet my hair. Fiddling with the switch further, a gush of cold water knocked me back against the side. Exasperated, I gave up and had a rather vigorous wash instead, moaning and groaning to myself, kicking the shower door. Finally, getting dressed, I shook Darrell into life, eager to start the day, bleary-eyed, he reluctantly got up. The dilapidated nature of the Heritage House Hotel, is a memory I will always cherish. At the time it drove me mad, but today it is an enduring resonance, that makes me chuckle to myself, every time I think about it!

    There were only few days before our departure, so today we had planned our journey to Australia House, the Australian Embassy in The Strand, (a place I would get to know well over the years) where I would get the necessary paperwork for travel to this island on the other side of the World. I had flown little over the years, so undertaking a twenty-four-hour flight was a little disconcerting, but as a young twenty-four-year-old, nothing fazed me. I was unsettled yes, but I was also exhilarated at the same time. Nobody knew where we were going, not even my family, this was an adventure like no other and a story without end!

    Excited, we arrived at Australia House early, and started to queue outside. I was really unsure what to expect, but was prepared for a grilling by a member of the embassy staff. I have always been a worrier and on that day my anxiety was as high as it had ever been, Not only was I embarking on a new life, but I was leaving without preparation and no belongings in tow. Standing there waiting to be seen, I was consumed with introspective thoughts, feelings of apprehension and reflections of a life that would soon be history. There was so much muddled information racing through my mind, it was difficult to remain composed and relaxed as I reached the desk.

    Somehow, I managed to get through the morning relatively unscathed and was eventually presented with my passport and visa, after a few hours. This small stamp would allow me to stay in Australia for three months, I couldn't be happier. Neither Darrell nor I had any idea what would happen when the three months ran out, but we didn’t care, we just wanted to be together. Both of us had discussed long term plans and believed that we could quite easily start a new life in Australia as a couple. Of course the reality of our situation was far more precarious than that, but both of us kept any thoughts of failure to ourselves, always hoping for the best and expecting the worst.

    The next few days in London were wonderful. This vibrant city gave me a renewed sense of purpose and an interest in the future, something I had lost in recent times. As we ate in restaurants, visited national monuments, shopped in Soho and spent time, getting to know one another, without prying eyes and judgemental people, I began to realise just what was important - a normal life, accepted by society and the love of someone who made me feel special again. Undertaking this next exciting phase in our journey together, I put all signs of negativity to one side; nothing was insurmountable, everything was possible, as long as we stayed together, fighting against a system, determined to keep as apart!
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    CORONAVIRUS - Achieving Targets!

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    And so the lockdown continues. As we are entering June 2020 I have days when I’m struggling to remind myself of what normal life was like prior to this global event that has affected virtually the whole planet.

    It has been a strange couple of months (putting it in such an understated way). I’ve not seen many members of my family and friends since we went into lockdown and that has been tough. I’ve been working really hard on putting things into perspective and really appreciating what I have got in that time. I’m using the resources that I have at hand and have had to change many things so that I am not going into moods that are low and a potential downwards spiral.

    Exercise is really important to me and I’m continuing to challenge myself by seeing how fit I can get at the moment. After completing ‘Dry January’ at the start of the year I’ve also completed ‘Dry May’ (if that is a ‘thing’) and had also abstained from alcohol for the majority of April as well – I think I had 3 cans of lager in the early part of the month. I think that has really helped with my fitness, motivation, and outlook on things.

    The exercise and having a goal (completing the Appalachian Trail Virtual Challenge) has really helped out as well – rather than just exercising for the sake of it I’m working towards a target that means I have to push myself as well.

    The training is going well and the mileage has certainly increased over the last couple of weeks. I completed my longest run for a few years over the weekend – 10 miles. I’m really lucky that I have some really nice places where I can train and get out for a run. I spoke to a friend recently that said they would love to be able to run by the sea. I must admit it is something I have taken for granted but as some photos show it is a nice place to be able to run (or cycle or walk for that matter).

    I also did a 4-hour session on the bike trainer as well – they are not the most interesting of sessions believe me (no scenery, no change in terrain, uncomfortable, and pretty hot as well). I’ve now completed 827.4 miles (ca. 1,332 km) of the challenge and have a mere 1,140.9 miles (ca. 1,836 km) to the ‘virtual finish’ line. I’m starting to have a serious think about what this means when life goes back to ‘normal’. Considering the time and effort I have put into the training – I’d basically start from scratch again – I don’t really want to let all the hard work and effort go to the wayside.
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    When I started this blog a while back I had a target of finishing an ultra-marathon and that still remains a key goal. At the moment (and especially within the current climate) I have no specific event in mind (though I have a few ideas). I’ve also looked at some Ironman-Distance triathlons, and I am having a serious think whether to challenge myself again to race that distance.

    The lockdown has taught me a few things actually. Along with finding inspiration and motivation within adversity and challenging times I have also learnt that I’m able to fully function without certain things I would normally take for granted. I’ve usually been pretty good at adapting to changing situations or a changing environment and again have proved to myself that by adapting the abnormal becomes normal and familiar relatively quickly.

    On the whole I’ve remained really positive and that is good.

    This lockdown has thrown up multiple challenges and I know that sometimes it can be really, really tough (especially with no end in real sight). If you are struggling please be kind to yourself, accept that some days are going to be difficult, give yourself small targets to achieve, and most importantly stay safe and keep well.

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    Lockdown Life - Familiar Places!

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    Some photographs from Sunday and today, walking in and around Portsmouth. I've been to these places before, but have done a bit more exploring than usual. I had never realised Portsmouth has so many open, green spaces. The city itself is one of the more concentrated urban areas in Britain, so to find so many parks, wooded areas, gardens and playing fields has been a bonus.

    I am off for two weeks from work now and intend to do a lot more walking. Sadly I am unable to travel to any of the surrounding areas, but I am hoping there is more than enough to see in Portsmouth itself. Obviously I am still very disappointed I am not in Japan at the moment, but luckily the weather is unseasonably hot here, allowing for some much-needed sun. In truth, I haven't actually had two weeks off from work and done absolutely nothing for years, so in many respects this will be a welcome change

    I am also nursing a serious bout of IBS, so having two weeks off isn't ideal. My IBS tends to flare up when I have little to do, and my mind goes into overdrive. The disappointment I am feeling today has rapidly turned into stress and anxiety, which of course exacerbates IBS symptoms. I have every pill, potion, lotion and technique possible to deal with these occasions, but presently nothing seems to be working. The worst part about dealing with it, is the fear it is something more sinister; the extra worry that gives is immeasurable.

    Once again I have changed my diet, which is helping somewhat. I have had to cut out all spicy food and dairy products, which does seem to  inflame my IBS symptoms. On top of this I have diverticulitis and a hiatus hernia, all of which require very different diets. So trying to find the right balance between all these conditions can be hard, and I am just trying to play safe at all levels, just, so I don't suffer any more pain. As yet I haven't found the perfect medicine if you will and try all alternative - from prescription meds, off the shelf remedies and turmeric tea to multivitamins, lots of fibre and of course the biggie, plenty of walking and exercise.

    Since I have started a more healthy regime, I have begun to feel a lot better; when I am walking I don't suffer with any pain at all. This is great for motivation and just makes me walk even more, which is what I have to do. I have always had a rather addictive personality, and I am finding all this walking quite compulsive, pushing me ever forwards in a quest for good health. This isn't something I have done before, so I am finding the weight loss rather hard to sustain, which is probably due to my age, but in time, the harder I continue, the more results I will see.

    This has been a difficult time for all, as COVID-19  ravages our nation, but it has taught me the value of the simple things in life and reminded me of just how precious our time on Earth is. Coronavirus attacks the vulnerable, ill and unfit and I don't want to be its next victim, so it's more of the same for me, more walking, eating healthy and staying well. Using this period positively is something all of us should do, building strength for the future and memories that will last a lifetime!
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  • Published on

    Photographs of Hope - Joanne Hurst

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    Inspirational photographs at a time of crisis, creating positivity for the future!

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    Following on from Joanne Hurst's post on 16 April, Joanne has finished making her rug, and I am delighted to include this photograph. She has worked hard during this lockdown, to keep herself occupied and produce a wonderful piece of work. Well done Joanne and thank you for taking part in photographs of hope!

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    Photographs of Hope - Thursday Family Toast!

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    Inspirational photographs at a time of crisis, creating positivity for the future!

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    Another Thursday family toast, giving hope for the future during difficult times. We were once again joined by familiar faces from all over the World, as well as another welcome appearance by Cousin Carrie-Anne, all raising a glass to one another. This is one family tradition, I'm sure we will be carrying on, long after COVID-19 has retreated.

    Cheers to family everywhere!

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