What are you doing about socialising in autumn/winter?

[Racoonworld]

I have just about been coping with lockdown so far and have been socialising in small groups in gardens or parks. However with autumn getting closer I’m wondering how this will be possible in the bad weather and am dreading months of not being able to socialise. What are you planning on doing? Any good suggestions?

I’ve bought a waterproof gazebo with sides. Thinking about a patio heater but would prefer something environmentally friendly if there is such a thing.

I'm hoping I can push the boundaries of what weather I'll go out in with some appropriate clothes and shoes

Once schools are open everyone is mixing anyway so it will make little difference!

Thermals and fingerless gloves!
Many of my friends are hillwalkers and others are reenactors so we’re used to being outside in freezing weather as long as properly dressed. I don’t know what is going to happen with my craft group, though, as a lot of the members are elderly and will feel the cold and are going to have trouble knitting with numb fingers even if multiple layers allow them to sit outside/by an open window.
We will just have to see how we get on. People managed in the past when houses were properly cold and didn’t have glass in the windows.

Carry on as we are. Sometimes we see people outside, sometimes in the house. Depends on the activity

@SellFridges

I’ve bought a waterproof gazebo with sides. Thinking about a patio heater but would prefer something environmentally friendly if there is such a thing.

So is it open at the back and front?

Hot water bottles and blankets for warmth? Fun fun fun.

Carry on as we are ,seeing people inside ,within the rules

@SellFridges

We bought a bunch of hot water bottles and we already have loads of blankets

I’ll be socialising less as I’m not keen on being indoors with other people too much. We’ll prob meet friends for walks, just won’t see them as often

@Racoonworld

I have just about been coping with lockdown so far and have been socialising in small groups in gardens or parks. However with autumn getting closer I’m wondering how this will be possible in the bad weather and am dreading months of not being able to socialise. What are you planning on doing? Any good suggestions?

Lockdown is over. Just go inside within the guidelines

I was thinking about this the other day. A friend wants to go for dinner for his birthday which would normally be 7 of us - 4 households. I had to remind myself that we can’t do that at the moment. I guess the only things we can do as normal are outside like fireworks night. My ILs are still very paranoid (despite being in a lower risk group than me and living in a tiny village) and won’t do any indoor visiting.

I've bought some decent wellies.

But really, unless we have a very harsh winter it isn't usually that cold for very long. We'll carry on going for walks, just well wrapped up, and accept that we won't see people if the weather gets bad.

@Discobar unfortunately it’s not over and there are still big restrictions on socialising. Fine if you have a big house and want to socialise with just one household at a time but my house is too small really and I usually socialise with a couple of households at a time. So need to come up with some good ideas for outdoor socialising in bad weather

We’ve just accepted that if the weather turns really bad we won’t be socialising and it’s not a big deal tbh. There are others ways to keep in touch and we will ensure we have lots to do in the home.

You are allowed to see people from another household in your house

@Tartan333 you’re allowed to buy not everyone wants to and sometimes we want more than one household at a time. Plus possible local lockdowns/additional restrictions.

It's hard to say whether things will get more or less restricted over the winter

We already have a gazebo and I love the idea of blankets and hot water bottles.

I'll continue to use my own judgement and see whoever I like in my own home. 12 people died with Covid yesterday. 1488died of other stuff. Anyone still buying into the hysteria needs their heads read.

@SnuggyBuggy

It's hard to say whether things will get more or less restricted over the winter

I think they may restrict again, the news today had an article that says its transmissions in homes not workplaces that are spreading cases.

I think using own judgement and will probably hibernate a bit if/when infections take off again. I'll be travelling to work but outside of that, have quite young children so in some ways it'll probably be easier to just stay local and take it easy at the weekend.

I'll have the same three people in I've had in for the last couple of months, my daughter, my cleaner, who is a good friend too, and my best mate.

Well, I’m sure plenty of people will just meet in pubs and restaurants, and some others won’t socialise at all.

Restaurants and Cafes less often than we used to though. Friends round to our house as normal.

Using Covid as the perfect excuse never to see my extended family!!