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Lockdown 2 day 1

Feels very different to the first time around. The kids aren’t with us. Joe went back to London this afternoon leaving just the two of us. I’m a pretty upbeat individual but it must be said that it is difficult to be motivated right now.

I don’t miss a lot of my old life. The jetlag, exotic bars and restaurants, long journey times and downtime in airport lounges. I do miss standing at the bar and my networking dinners in London. I am a people person.

The time between lockdowns was quite busy. Got the occasional game of golf in with the boys. A few trips to the pub, albeit table service, lots of swimming, and a busy time with work. All good. The kids gradually returned to whence they came in March. We all needed some space. All good.

Now I’m sat at my desk in the shed listening to trefset. This is a playlist I put together with the intention of playing it myself on the geetar at the private pre-festival party for Beyond The Woods 2020. Didn’t happen of course. There’s always next year to look forward to. I sense next year’ festival will be massive. Everyone will be wanting a release. I feel that we all want to be able to flap our wings and fly around a bit.

We are lucky. We have a big house with a nice garden and plenty of room to move around. It is the people stuck in high rise blocks of flats we have to feel sorry for. Our kids are confined to barracks in London and Birmingham.

Today is 5th November. Bonfire night. Lots of sounds of fireworks going on around us. Nothing in number 118 though. We moved on from that when the kids left.

The rain has moved on and the sky is blue. I can hear the cathedral bell tolling eleven. The wind must be coming from the West. Today all the kids will be home. We are all thinking of the Ward family. Their son Matthew recently died in tragic circumstances and the whole community is shocked. Although only thirty people are allowed in the church there will be a bigger cohort of mourners in the tent in the Morning Star beer garden and no doubt an overspill in another establishment or two. The service is being live streamed in the Star.

Ordinarily if the person has lived to a ripe old age I enjoy a good wake. It’s a good time to bring out fond stories and memories of the life that has passed.  On this occasion when the deceased is 21 it is a little different. It is even more important to remember Matthew for all the good times spent with him and his family and also to give more attention to your own loved ones. It is moments like this that make you realise the importance of family and friends. Really that is what life is all about. Your community and environment. That should be your focus.