The ADs seek joy and aubergines

[BogRollBOGOF]

We got a bit cut off there didn't we? Thread 15 now.

In Primark yesterday the staff were all wearing face masks, but taking them down every time they wanted to speak to someone, and then pulling them back up again. I mean. really, what is the point of that?

Not as simple as going from one to the next though we can veer between these things apparently.

Sounds like the kind of day a 75 year old would have

Indeed. We're all retired now. Including children.

Oh! Apart from the pension

I guess they had been told to wear them perhaps

If they do this '1m plus' thing the plus is meant to be mask wearing or other things - I don;t think people here would do that in pubs would they. (?)

They would have to take it off to have a drink as well,

Morning all. Musing on masks. Feels much more like they'll be the trade off for 1m but how will that work in hospitality? We'll all be completely pissed if have to drink through straws. What about restaurants? Liquidised food with a straw side order? And masks would put me off going. So business gets to open but doesn't get the customers as people don't fancy wearing a mask all evening? Honestly can't see how it would work

Well my two are in school for their very part time sessions in fact one back at lunch so might take a walk to the botanical gardens also rocking the over 75s life here. But it is a bit hot so perhaps not- it may be too much excitement to cope with!

Cross post @orange!

Our Crete holiday hasn't been cancelled yet. If current rules on quarantine in Greece stay the same, we won't go - 7 days isolation in an air conditioned villa with a pool would be fine, but a positive test and 14 days with two small children in "government accommodation" is too high a risk to take! I'm hoping that they will relax this before August but we'll see.

Yes I know Ibake masks do not wound much fun do they the idea of straws made me laugh! what next.

I saw something about in another European country (can't remember where) they worse one in to the restaurant then took it off for the food (?) I think. Sounds a bit daft really.

sound not 'wound'

The idea that we have to wear masks as a trade off for being able to live our lives is infuriating.

No. I will not.

I will go to the speakeasies that are already opening if I'm going to be coerced into anti-social distancing in the regular establishments.

We're hoping to manage our usual summer trip to my home country (Ireland) in summer after all. Will aim to go by ferry to hopefully avoid trying to get a mask on a 5yo The Winged Tubes of Death. My family all really want us to come and have sounded the playgrounds-are-open-here klaxon .

I’m not comfortable with wearing a mask either.

We usually head to the islands in the summer - but they’re very worried about the plague. My usual mainland campsites will be overrun by the wealthy grabbing any holiday they can - so it’s very likely to be wild camping for us.

@Nihiloxica 🤬 re:retirement, my dad rattling around his 5-bed house, playing golf and going fishing - all with his enormous pension coming in every month. Moaning he’s running out of books and walking 30k steps/day.

I have this mental block about referring to it as grief, because in my head that means when something has gone forever. The thought of not getting my old life back, which was just starting to show promise and hope after several years of grieving for my lost future (babyfail), my dad getting Alzheimer's and slowly dying, then my marriage break up is just awful to think about. It will tip me over the edge.

I'm still trying to think of it as a pause. A really fucking annoying one.

Orangeblossom we were musing about the fact we were meant to be flying to Gatwick on Friday, then Costa Rica this Saturday. I don't think I could cope with such a trip right now - Costa Rica was 5 different locations with activities and sightseeing at each one. I feel I couldn't cope with the explosion of experience and movement after so long doing very little at home.

Instead in July we're hopeful we may get to a shared house we've been to before with SIL and family and that suits my mood totally. I like the idea that I know what the place will look like and what there is to do nearby. I can't cope with too much excitement right now - which is completely unlike my normal holiday plans.

@Hester I hope you're feeling better. I had a shitty week last week and it really made a difference to see friends on Saturday for a very merry drinks in the park.
Definitely dreaming of a holiday - we should be in Spain this week. @orange - care to share where you can swim in gorges in France or is it w secret? Want to research a few options as I need something to look forward to. Thinking of Greece in a few months maybe? We had a wonderful trip there in October last year and would love to go back.
Also read in the times today that Scots do not want beer gardens to open as everyone is too scared... Im desperate for our local to get going!

I have this mental block about referring to it as grief, because in my head that means when something has gone forever.

Me too.

Although I recognise the extreme tiredness from when my Dad died a few years ago.

I hope you are feeling better this morning. I know we are no substitute for actual real people, but we miss you when you are not around.

That's a shitty few years to get through. Absolutely poxy that this has happened just as things were coming good.

@HesterShaw1 virtual handhold from this side of the county.
I am generically mad AF this morning but recognise that all the rage does is break things (and I still have a perfect set of teethmarks in my arm from the last lot) so I'm going to channel all that fury into words and force some writing out.

• as an aside, did you know that wombats shit cubes?

I had a lovely email from a reader yesterday asking about new books, so I have that to hold to.
The rage will pass. And if it doesn't, I can always kill people....fictionally.

So sorry to read that so many of you have been struggling over the past few days. I took a break from Mumsnet over the weekend as well as other forms of SM as it was becoming too much. Then yesterday I went for a bike ride on my own and pushed myself really hard for 26 miles. Couldn't get off the bike for 5 minutes at the end or even speak but I felt so much better afterwards.

Didn't last long - when tidying up the garage with DD(20) yestrerday evening we sorted out all our camping stuff and she was so excited that she and I could now go away in July. Until I reminded her that I wasn't able to take any time off work for the forseeable future -work with Dad who is now full time carer for DM who had a stroke - he would normally cover any time off that I had to an acceptable extent but now there isn't anyone. it will obv have to change but in the current climate I've just had to accept I can't take more than a day off at a time. The thought that I can't even get a week in Cornwall has brought my exercise induced high of yesterday crashing down and now I'm wondering why I bother even waking up in the morning if all I'm doing is work and home. Not Covid related as such but still feeling like the rest of you for a different reason!

Sigh. Have just ordered some masks. There's a seller on amazon that's selling 10 for £1.99 including delivery so decided to get 1 pack just in case. I don't really care about the quality as it would be more for show than any real purpose. I've a feeling it's coming and that's pretty cheap. Anyway, thought I'd let you all know too.

The mask thing really grinds my gears - I work for the NHS so have been on many Zoom calls with our infection control teams. They are really clear that the moment you have touched your mask/pulled it under your chin for a drink or a chat/hung it from your ears you need to take it off, bin it and get a new one. Otherwise you might as well not bother. If people want to wear them, fine, but please use them in a way that is actually going to be effective!
Ok, I will climb down from my soap box and do something more productive pop to the shops for more biscuits

I agree @shoe. The way I see them being worn is utterly pointless which I why I'm so vehemently against. The ones I've ordered will purely be to 'tick a box' if that's what BoJo is about to move us to, and I cba getting my sewing machine out!

Speakeasies? @Nihiloxica where? I want to go!

Yes, @Nihiloxica, where are they and do they have jazz bands and old style champagne glasses?

@Cattermole, meant to say several threads ago that I love your username. And I am curious as to what sort of books you write because I am always on the lookout for new authors especially if it is crime fiction.

@Ghostlyglow

Speakeasies? *@Nihiloxica* where? I want to go!

There are pubs open for sure.

Some are serving "take away" drinks that nobody takes away. This is within the rules.

It was pretty foolish to drag the arse out of lockdown like this - it has just given people enough time to find ways around it.

Which of course they were going to.

Now if an actually dangerous virus happens, we've blown all our fear, obedience, and financial capacity on this drama of performed anxiety.