Monday and Tuesday were ordinary routine days as far as I can remember. I wrote a little about Tuesday on Wednesday evening.
Wednesday 24th March, 18.15 hrs.
Yesterday saw the first anniversary of “day one” of the “inaugural” lockdown. This was marked extensively on the T.V. with a two minutes’ silence at midday. Last night, in remembrance of over 126,300 who had died with Covid-19, people stood outside their homes holding candles or with their mobile phones lit up.
Thursday 25th March 10.48 hrs
This time last year, my voyage to South America was coming to a slightly premature end, owing to the rapid spread of the pandemic which we all have been coming to terms with ever since. I am sure most on board Cunard’s Queen Victoria shared the same misgivings I was feeling; none of us had ever experienced this kind of lockdown before, nor had anyone else, anywhere. Two days later the coach from Southampton would be heading north along strangely clear highways, calling at a couple of deserted service stations as “comfort stops”.
Friday 26th March 2021, 11.05 hrs.
Until this morning, the weather had been quite agreeable with perhaps a bit of a cold ‘sting in the tail”. This morning, the wind howled outside, but quite unexpectedly, the skies cleared and for the first time, it was possible to enjoy lunch in the “conservatory” converted from being a carport some years ago.
21.10hrs. This time last year, our ship, Queen Victoria had arrived at Southampton two days ahead of schedule, having sailed directly from Fort Lauderdale without calling, as scheduled, at Ponte Delgada (The Azores). By now, just about every cruise destination was refusing passengers from cruise ships because of the alarming spread of Covid-19. The late afternoon sailing along the Solent towards Southampton was beautiful and strange simultaneously, knowing that by now, the familiar land masses each side were deserted; and Red Funnel ferries to Cowes, although maintaining an established timetable, appeared bereft of travellers. What nightmare were we sailing towards, we dreaded to think. We docked at teatime; it was still light. P & O’s Britannia had already arrived by the time we docked, and the first of the passengers disembarked. Most chose to stay on board till the next day, as I myself did. Just a few stayed until Saturday, the original disembarkation day. Cunard had provided optional coach travel to the North of England, which I chose to take advantage of, as far as Knutsford, where a Buxton taxi was waiting to bring me home.
I remember fine weather as we sailed along the South Coast and on the following day, travelling north on almost deserted roads. This year, it has been similarly bright, but much cooler with occasional “wintery” showers. Nevertheless, I did manage to get some walking done, even after dark when Harpur Hill is incredibly quiet.
Note: Today should be Day 365. Somewhere in these blogs, I missed a couple of days. March 27th 2020 was Day 1. None of this really matters. Usually, I write blogs about my travels and unusual events. The Pandemic, I felt, was one which I wanted to document from my perspective. There is much that I have not written about, some of it intentionally, some, I wish I had included. For many, I think there are now some reasons to be optimistic. I may or may not try out one of those mystery voyages in the summer. I shall continue to write until we eventually come out of lockdown. If nothing else, the weather should warm up soon.
Thanks for reading, David, 22.31hrs 26/3/27, Day 365!
David's Cruise 