(Written 00.40 hrs Monday morning.)
It felt very eerie on the coach journey from the port of Southampton to the motorway service station coach and lorry park at Knutsford on Friday 27th March. A taxi which I ordered en route picked me up not long after arrival at Knutsford. I had been surprised by the amount of traffic travelling home from the south, although it was much lighter than it usually is. Lorry traffic was more in abundance than private car traffic.
Monday 30th March. 22.15 hrs. I am getting myself used to the now global situation which is impacting just about everybody. It could be worse. It is for those affected by the pandemic and the friends and families of the increasing numbers of casualties.
At the moment, supermarkets and pharmacies remain open. Almost everywhere else is closed, even the churches on Sunday. I may have to wait months for an already overdue haircut! Fortunately, most food is in reasonable supply, and I had my first delivery today, from the excellent company who until very recently, cleaned my house. For the time being, I now have to do my own housework, but instead, I can have laundry and shopping taken care of. Also, the Church is very willing to help, which I am extremely impressed with, and very grateful for. There are no power-cuts, yet, and within reason, it is still possible to get around, but only as absolutely necessary.
The days seem to pass very quickly, and I have not yet completed my unpacking, read the post, or started my daily exercises. I have slept well, and am rested satisfactorily. Tomorrow or Wednesday, the fish man will call to offer me more fresh produce. You see, there’s no more going out for a meal, although restaurants will deliver locally. I still have much exploring to carry out.
My travel agent rang me to discuss my big world trip from mid August to early October. For about a year, I have been planning what might have been a “grand finale” of world travel. I would fulfill my ambition to cross the United States by train from New York to Chicago, Seattle and Vancouver. Decent hotels are booked with breakfast included throughout which is a rarity for North American hotels. I have the best accommodation on all the trains, and to begin with, one of those nice single cabins on Deck 2 of Cunard’s Flagship, Queen Mary 2. I have booked a balcony cabin for the 38 nights (39 days) of unbelievable scenic cruising in Alaska and across to Japan. I have been downgraded from First to Business Class on a lunchtime flight back from Tokyo to Heathrow. Will the virus be extinct by August? This particular arrangement cannot be postponed to the following year, although something similar may be possible in the future. But at the moment, my main concern is staying at home in an effort to ride out the pandemic as best I can.
My friend Freda now rings me most nights. Before the pandemic, and the start of my South America voyage, I would visit Freda, frequently, in her central Buxton apartment with close up views of the Opera House and iconic surroundings. Now, I can’t even cadge a coffee from my neighour over the road. But, I do find that I am on the ‘phone for much of the daytime. I made a start on the unpacking today; right now, the house is a tip, made worse by the recent and completely unexpected collapse of a bookshelf in my bedroom!
Tomorrow is Hannah’s birthday. We encountered each other on a transatlantic crossing last year on Queen Mary 2 at the start of yet another amazing journey, and remain in touch. I will sing “Happy Birthday” twice while washing my hands, an idea suggested by the “much revered” Boris Johnson. That poor bloke’s got the virus, but at the moment, he remains our “much loved” leader. Contractee Prince Charles seems to be making a recovery from Covid 19, and will soon cease self isolating. There’s hope for me, he is older than I am!
Here are some pictures of recent normal days….in South America!
Note, I have not yet started adding illustrations to my original blogs yet. I plan to continue writing daily during which I shall include some “holiday snaps”. I will let you know when I have started amending my original unillustrated blogs with appropriate pictures. Thanks for reading, David. 00.15 Tuesday 31st March.
David's Cruise 