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    CORONAVIRUS - Last Day of Self Isolation

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    Having to stay at the garden gate, while my Aunt stood on the doorstep and I  waved from the upstairs window was the amount of contact we had today, on my little Cousin Lennon's Birthday. Family and friends can only be seen from a distance if at all and everyone has to continue practising social distancing, remaining at least two metres apart at all times. I haven't seen anyone in my family, apart from my Aunt for about four weeks now, so it was wonderful seeing Lennon, Cerisa and baby Rosie, even if it was from afar. This really does reinforce the stark reality of life at the moment and the unusual times we are living in. Cousin Emmy, whose Birthday it was yesterday, also came over briefly, to drop some much-needed supplies off outside, before quickly leaving again. This may well be my last day in quarantine, after acquiring COVID-19 symptoms, but my Aunt will still be in isolation for another seven days yet!

    More than anything, I am just feeling tired. I have been feeling under the weather since 23rd March, when I lost my sense of taste and smell and although my other symptoms came on later, I haven't been able to function properly for a long time. At least I have been able to use these last seven days as a stepping stone to getting well. I do feel shattered, but I have been relatively lucky so far. This may not be the end of Coronavirus for me or people in my position. Until adequate tests are employed by the health service, we all just have to keep guessing whether we have COVID-19 or not.

    I did read in a national newspaper a few days ago, that up to fifty percent of the UK population could be infected with Coronavirus already, but many people just don't know it yet or are quite possibly asymptomatic and won't have any symptoms at all.  The Government really does need to up their game in the testing stakes, or else Britain will be at a virtual standstill for months to come. It really isn't my job to criticise the response of our Government, because as a nation we haven't been here before. As a layman looking in, even I can compare our reactions to this novel virus to that of Germany, where deaths are far fewer. At the moment all of us have to fight to get through these dark days and it will be many years before we really know the conclusions in our battle against COVID-19; so for now we have to support those in charge and continue doing the right thing.

    On my seventh day of self-isolation, I am feeling alright, not perfect, but much better than I have been. I understand that the next seven days can also be crucial in the way my body reacts to this virus and I can only pray I will be fine. I don't seem to be suffering any more, but then I have no idea what is going on deep down, so like everyone else, I just have to keep hoping for the best outcome possible. Tomorrow is another day, and I will finally be able to go outside, for the first time in over a week. This should be the beginning of a return to normal life and my desire to move forwards positively, mindful that this may only be the beginning of the end!
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    CORONAVIRUS - Appeal for Del Knights!

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    Please click on picture!

    This fundraiser is to raise some money to help our good friend Del and his family while he is unfortunately very poorly with Covid 19 in the critical care unit, until he is fully recovered and back on his feet again.

    The money raised will help with travel expenses too and from hospital and any other costs incurred as a result of Del being hospitalised.

    The money will be given as a gift to Tracey, Del’s wife to show her that we all want to help anyway we can, with the cost of travel to and from hospital, car parking costs plus any additional expenses that arise along the way. So every £1 will add up so please give whatever you can.

    Every penny that is given will make our friend’s recovery easier for his family, his lovely wife Tracey, his beautiful girls Kim, Ellie and Charley, his wonderful son Marcus and his gorgeous grand daughter Brooke. Anything you can give will be gratefully received. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH

    Jo Donaldson
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    CORONAVIRUS - A Disease That Doesn't Discriminate. Self Isolation Day 6

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    On Sunday Queen Elizabeth broadcast to the nation, for only the fifth time in her 68-year reign. This was an historic speech, given by a Monarch, who has devoted her life in the service of her people and the country she loves. Like many others, I was glued to the television, despite feeling unwell myself. As a Monarchist, I have much admiration for Her Majesty and believe passionately in the work she and her family do. For Queen Elizabeth to give such a message to the UK and Commonwealth, the situation must be serious; her words were spoken at a crucial time, as the pandemic reaches its peak over the next few days.


    The Queen's broadcast was emotional, poignant and historic; just what the country needs at this time. She praised the good work of key workers and spoke candidly about her own childhood. Appealing for unity and resolve, Her Majesty struck a chord with all of us who watched on Sunday night. I was personally left feeling comforted and determined to do what I can to help with the efforts, ensuring normality returns as soon as possible. If we were in any doubt of the seriousness of the situation, we were given a hard dose of reality by the time she concluded her words.

    In times of national crisis it is important to hear from any Head of State. At 94 years of age, The Queen is vulnerable to COVID-19 and is in self-isolation herself, so her words were even more important than ever. Her encouragement and sense of duty, has been unwavering at this time and for those of us, not following the rules, still sunbathing in parks or browsing in supermarkets, this should be the wake up call to finally do the right thing. HM The Queen will remain paramount in the fight for hearts and minds, as this pandemic reaches new heights. Her words should be the focal point for the battles ahead; all of us should look towards our Monarch as the voice of reason and stability in these uncertain times.
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    Just as The Queen finished her broadcast to the nation, the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson was taken to St Thomas' Hospital in London. His COVID-19 symptoms were getting worse, and he was no longer able to cope with them at home. The PM's office at number 10 stressed that it was a precautionary measure, while Mr Johnson undergoes tests. By early yesterday evening Boris had been taken to Intensive care, as his condition deteriorated further, and he was no longer able to breathe unaided. The crisis now engulfing Britain was turning into a national emergency, with the PM now unable to carry out his duties.

    I watched the television in horror yesterday along with everyone else, as Boris was admitted to Intensive care. I can not remember a period where I have felt so scared for the future. It does seem like we are living in the middle of a nightmare, one that just will not end. Whenever I switch on the television set, there is nothing but death, doom and destruction, and I am becoming more and more depressed as the days go by. Life all across the World has been disrupted in a way, none of us have experienced before and I feel mentally drained every single day. None of us know for sure when this is going to end and each of us just exist day to day.

    There is no protection for any of us, rich or poor, we are all equal in the eyes of this virus and everyone just has to do what they can to survive the next few months. Despite having my own symptoms, I still have no idea if I have had the virus or not. The Doctors I spoke to on the phone said I have COVID-19, but I just don't know for sure. That is what makes this journey so much harder, not knowing! I have become a slave to Coronavirus and whether it's washing my hands forty times a day, cleaning surfaces time and time again or wearing masks and gloves on every shopping trip, I am literally spending my life living in fear. This really isn't living, this seems like a bad dream, that I will never wake up from.

    Not having my partner around at this time has made my life unbearable. He is phoning me every day, making sure I am OK, but it isn't the same as having him here. We have been together for 24 years, so being separated, in the middle of a pandemic, with Darrell in Australia and me here has been the biggest challenge of our life and believe me, we have had obstacles to overcome. It isn't until you lose something or someone close that you truly realise their importance. Together Darrell and I are inseparable and always working hard to achieve our goals, but with the World in lockdown, that has all but stopped. We no longer have the dreams we once had, we no longer plan ahead, and we no longer have the life we fought so hard to obtain.

    My fears and nightmares are now at the forefront of my mind. I do not have happy thoughts any more and that is sad. This bloody virus has taken away my security, sense of belonging and thrown me into a soup of boiling turmoil. With no end in sight, each of us are trying to survive until tomorrow. With each passing day, we are becoming more distant from our friends and family and less willing to take the step back towards normal life. I feel tired, shattered and fatigued; I feel upset and angry at the loss of loved ones and the people who are shouldering the burden of life and death most and I feel directionless, drifting in a sea of worry and stress.

    My hope is this ends soon, and we can all get back to normal living, my guess is it won't conclude for many months to come, and we will continue to live through this hellish existence. The support we give each other now, no matter how distant we are, is crucial to our well-being. Reach out to those in the greatest need - the old, infirm, ill and families of those who have died, and hold them closer than you ever have before (Not physically of course). Protecting the most vulnerable individuals in society is a mark of humanity and as institutions collapse around the globe, all we can do is grasp hold of what makes us all human; the good that keeps us as one!

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    Gran Alacant - The Square!

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    Gran Alacant had numerous personalities living and working there, people who became good and close friends. There was of course a large British Expat contingent, but there were many other nationalities represented, from Norwegians, Dutch and even Russians. GA was a diverse enclave, far more multicultural than its British equivalent and despite the many differences, there was very little trouble and everyone lived together in relative peace and harmony. Whenever I think about the years that I lived there, I am always amazed by the camaraderie and common sense of purpose everyone had, living in a place that we all called home, enjoying a life style that we could only dream of in our respective places of birth. This was a time to explore and get to know the locals and establish oneself as part of this welcoming neighbourhood that was very much the life blood of this urbanization near Alicante!

    Community life was centred around the squares in Gran Alacant. My nearest, just a short walk from my Casa was Sierra Mar, hidden behind a gated community, tucked away from prying eyes. Whenever I had the time, I would pop up the square and have a few drinks, chatting with the locals and staff alike; I found myself in a setting akin to home, comfortable, harmonious and full of good cheer. Like everyone else, we had our favourite bar and being the creatures of habit we are, we would spend our time settled, relaxed and chilled in our favourite setting.

    Zest was our Oasis and a place where we always felt welcome. The staff always went above and beyond and in a relatively short space of time became friends to unwind with, a shoulder to cry on and a catalyst for advice when things weren’t going so well. Despite living on my own in Spain, while Darrell cared for his Mother in Australia, the customers and staff at Zest were always there to lend a helping hand. This was a location that I returned to time and time again and somewhere I miss very much today.

    Saturday afternoons became a bit of a pilgrimage, as I made my way to Sierra Mar for drinks with neighbours Katie and Andy. These two became very close over my time living in GA and with both of our husbands away for a good chunk of the year, Katie and I established a great and important friendship. Katie was always on hand to take me shopping, the cats to the vets or to sit and have a glass or two of wine in the blistering Spanish sun. The square was also the perfect place to meet others and I gained many wonderful friends, while sat having a drink, many of whom still remain close today. The close-knit community wasn’t something I was used to, but it was a breath of fresh air coming from a large city in Britain. The locals and tourists did seem genuinely interested in me and were always there to offer guidance if they could. The reason we got on so well in Spain, was because of the encouragement we were given by others, when all else failed. Advice from people in the square was invaluable to us as we began to navigate our way around GA.

    The square was a focal point for celebration as well as a hub for local life. Ladies Day celebrating June's Birthday, Christmas Carols around a central Christmas tree, Bingo on a Tuesday afternoon, charity events, raising money for worthy causes, including Elche Orphanage and Sunday lunch with friends at Zest. I spent more time in The Square than I did at home; this was an outdoor lifestyle that we can only dream of here in the UK and it is a time I always look back on with fondness.

    Recalling my first tentative months living in Gran Alacant, I am reminded of just how important Sierra Mar was to my sense of well-being. I had arrived in Spain, shattered and broken after a year of torment living in the UK and this small square began my process of recovery and acceptance, giving me back my faith in humanity at what could have been a deeply damaging period. Within a short space of time, I felt accepted and a sense of belonging that I couldn’t have felt anywhere else. Spain changed my outlook forever and gave me back the life I lost. I long for the day when I can once again drink cocktails in the sun and enjoy the company of those who played such an important role in my life; reliving the good times, remembering the milestones and recalling events that made me the person I am today!
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