It's hitting home again this weekend

[User133847]

It's hitting home just how much our normal lives have gone for now.

Easter weekend is effectively the start of summer. The weather is picking up, you've got a long weekend, if not working, to either go away for the weekend, or have nights out or whatever. Instead it's 4 days either stuck at home, going for a walk or perhaps sitting in another garden.

June still feels ages away.

I agree. Last Easter was shit but we consoled ourselves with the thought that this Easter would be very different. But it's not, not really. If you have friends or family you can theoretically spend time with them which you couldn't last Easter, fair enough - but if you don't have either (I don't) there's not much else you can do. Usually me and DH go away for a night or two, or go for meals/cinema/drinks or whatever so this Easter will be just as shit as last year.

What makes it worse is the knowledge that even when these things begin to return it'll be a bit like in Friends when Monica says 'But rules control the fun!'. There'll be nothing spontaneous about nipping to the pub and it'll be vaccine passports and signing in everywhere - DH won't be getting his vaccination for ages (he's 37) and anyway he doesn't own a phone so won't be able to flash his passport. So much for the roadmap and all restrictions lifted on 21 June.

They’re talking about a paper version for people who don’t have smartphones.

Easter this year is great because we gave up Christmas to save Easter. That was after giving up November to save Christmas.

Oh wait....

@TheCountessofFitzdotterel

They’re talking about a paper version for people who don’t have smartphones.

Not much use if you haven't had the vaccine eithe because you're too young/can't for health reasons. The implications are incredibly worrying.

Well my neighbours one side have been shielding virtually all year and all 3 of them have been vaccinated and they have gone out today. The other side they have their grandchildren round in the garden, they have 4 daughters all with children, so they have all been round on different days this week. No change in our house, except my 2 adult sons have a long weekend from work. I’ve been in 4 different shops this week, as I am post 3 weeks vaccine, which is more than I’ve done for a year.

@TheVampiresWife

"If you have friends or family you can theoretically spend time with them which you couldn't last Easter, fair enough - but if you don't have either (I don't) there's not much else you can do. "

Firstly you really have no family or friends? If that's the case I would say you are in a very tiny minority.

And it's not theoretical. You can spend the day with another household. Ok it's in the garden but this is a vast improvement on where we were a few weeks ago and certainly at Christmas. I for one am feeling much more positive.

I saw my parents today (for the first time for months) and we're meeting friends tomorrow. And the DC have been able to do sports. None of which was possible last Easter. So I'm happy! But sorry to hear things are still rubbish for you OP.

I'm genuinely delighted to see gatherings in gardens, parks etc. No it's not cinemas, pubs etc etc but it feels like a good start, combined with slightly warmer weather.

[quote unchienandalusia]@TheVampiresWife

"If you have friends or family you can theoretically spend time with them which you couldn't last Easter, fair enough - but if you don't have either (I don't) there's not much else you can do. "

Firstly you really have no family or friends? If that's the case I would say you are in a very tiny minority.

And it's not theoretical. You can spend the day with another household. Ok it's in the garden but this is a vast improvement on where we were a few weeks ago and certainly at Christmas. I for one am feeling much more positive. [/quote]
No, no family other than DH and DD (neither does DH) and we have no friends. Yes, I know I'm in a minority but I was pointing out that without a social circle not much is different to last year - no outings with DH/DD, no pubs, theatres etc.

And it's theoretical inasmuch as you can only visit if you live locally enough to get there and back the same day, given overnight trips aren't permitted. Plenty of people have family living hundreds of miles away (or further). And garden gatherings when there's snow forecast for BH Monday don't sound too appealing, particularly for older/very young/vulnerable people.

Last Easter Sunday was the peak of the first wave wasn't it? Was about three weeks into shielding,and no idea how it when wed get out of it: second jab next week,and seeing some family and close friends throughout this week.oh,and,back to the office for a day a week after a year. Feels pretty positive to me.

@TheVampiresWife

I agree. Last Easter was shit but we consoled ourselves with the thought that this Easter would be very different. But it's not, not really. If you have friends or family you can theoretically spend time with them which you couldn't last Easter, fair enough - but if you don't have either (I don't) there's not much else you can do. Usually me and DH go away for a night or two, or go for meals/cinema/drinks or whatever so this Easter will be just as shit as last year.

What makes it worse is the knowledge that even when these things begin to return it'll be a bit like in Friends when Monica says 'But rules control the fun!'. There'll be nothing spontaneous about nipping to the pub and it'll be vaccine passports and signing in everywhere - DH won't be getting his vaccination for ages (he's 37) and anyway he doesn't own a phone so won't be able to flash his passport. So much for the roadmap and all restrictions lifted on 21 June.

Don't worry - they've already said they won't implement passports internally until everyone has been offered a vaccine and for those medically unable to obtain one, they'll probably be exempted. I'm not aware of anyone in this group though??

I don't understand how it stops it being spontaneous though? People under 30 have for a number of years had to carry proof of age cards around with them - don't really see how this is different?

Still, I can't see it working in pubs anyway for the simple reason that they won't have the technical infrastructure to cope. In order to work properly you'd need everyone to swipe in like they do with boarding passes at airports and for that to work, pubs would need to have scanners and the software to use them, hooked into Test and Trace and I don't think anyone has started writing such software yet - by the time it's ready and working, I'm sure covid will be a distant memory lol.

So far DS and I have had a great week.
Stately home gardens and playground and picnic, Garden bbq play and wine, riverside trail, NT Easter egg hunt. All with friends to chat to. DS did 2 days of fun holiday club too.
Tomorrow another NT and more friends.
I agree next week looks harder if it’s cold and damp but even so this is the first properly fun and relatively normal week we have had since last summer holidays.

My Easter feels pretty normal. Two days of seeing friends in gardens, with nice weather, and then seeing family for the other two days. Actually doing more than we usually would trying to catch up with everyone. We have the next few weekends booked out too.

Today I needed do some food shopping and housework this morning, but found myself suggesting a walk as well - good for exercise, the sun today and lovely views we have from our local hill. This afternoon we've been around to my BILs. It was great to see my niece and nephew playing out in the garden, rather than a distanced talk at their door, better still my BIL immediately thrust a glass of wine into my hand without asking. We do have a way to go, but just being able to see others and get ourselves out for exercise and fresh air has been lovely.

Seeing my Mum tomorrow, but we'll go out for a walk together again. I love the boat race, often have to work then it's on, so really looking forward to that - also a roast on a Sunday as I normally do a long shift.

I have a lovely group of friends and we're able to celebrate a birthday in the week - we're buying sandwiches, lots of cake treats and having afternoon tea. The last time we all got together was August, so will be great to see them, even if I'll need my blanket.

So nice to hear about all these normal Easters.
Ours has been brilliant so far doing completely normal things- tea in the garden with a friend, bacon sandwich on the beach and birdwatching on the cliffs, walk at a beauty spot with loads of daffodils followed by sausage sandwich takeaway. Today we went to pick up some new chickens and tomorrow db and family are coming for lunch in the garden. The only difference there is that rather than going inside if anyone’s cold we will just fetch some more blankets!
We are so lucky it’s dry even if it is cold.

I’m feeling so much more positive than last Easter! I’ve been off work all week and it’s been lovely, walks in national trust gardens, picnics in the park, mini golf.

Going to see friends for the first time in about 6 months for a garden party tomorrow. Saw my parents in the garden last night and seeing DHs family for an Easter egg hunt in the garden on Sunday. Can’t wait!

We’ve had two families round today (at different times). The children played and the parents sat at a distance but in chatting zone. Compared to the actual terror of last Easter weekend, I’ll take it.

Easter feels pretty good compared to last year here! Today, we went on Easter Egg hunt in a nearby village with my parents. It was a bit chilly but we wrapped up. Was busy (but not terribly) with families & friends all doing the same! Tomorrow, we are off to another Easter event in a country park about an hour away with friends. Sunday, are having an Easter Egg hunt with the kids on my estate & then going to my parents garden for another & to meet up with some family as well. Monday, it’s forcast snow 🙄 so a quiet day of TV I imagine.

Last Easter, we were just at home. Allowed an hours exercise. So I’ll take this one any day. Might not be exactly the same but we can see friends, family, go on day trips .. marvellous!

You can’t do anything about family I guess - you really have none? Or just not nearby? But it’s sad to have no friends ☹️ Not even a friendly chat/walk with one of your daughters friends mums? I don’t have a large social circle by any means but I’d be lost without the few good mates I do have! Can you join some local hobby groups once things open up a bit? There’s a lovely group running in my area to overcome loneliness it lockdown.. it’s been really popular. I hope you can enjoy some of the weekend, maybe go to the coast? Or a NT garden? I know it’s still a walk & a bit cold but a change of scenery?! And hang on in there, only a couple weeks until 12th April when lots more opens up (please play ball weather 😂)

I understand that some people don’t have family local that’s fair enough, but to say you have no friends is really sad in my opinion. Is there no one you usually socialize with? I say this as a really social person with a big friendship group but I really don’t know how I would cope if DH was my only adult for company. It’s also possible to make friends if you really want to.

Holme hour exercise was not the law.

Katie i have lost friends because they're terrified.

Lucky people with gardens, that must be good. This Easter isn't much different to last for me. Outdoor meetups can be impractical for many reasons, not least loos. Friend who lives nearest to me won't go in her garden if neighbour is there and won't mix with me anyway because I use public transport.

Where do you all live?
Bloody freezing here on ne coast
Anyway, my decorator and his mates turned up and my house and garden wall are looking fabulous

Dowser - my flat really needs work but the risk of a decorator naming me as a contact for T&T is too high. I wish I knew people I could trust not to do that, but I'd just be getting strangers in.

It's Costa del Garden. Playa Bedroom. Costa del Sofa with Netflix
Funny except it is not funny.

Yes it does feel a bit more shit today for sure. Suns out, kids off school and fuck all to do.

I live in a beautiful village. Site of special scientific interest but I'm sick of the bllidy place right now.

I've had covid, my vax and a weeklong emergency stay since January. To be honest my emergency hospital admission was the most exciting thing to happen to me for 12 months and there was a moment there when I thought I might die.

A desperate measure to not sleep in my own bed for a week 😂

I'm sure it will all be much more sweeter if we ever get back there.

I already have a shopping list for the shops reopening and that's going to be like Christmas by the time it comes.

I'm also really sceptical we wont just go back into another lockdown.

[quote unchienandalusia]@TheVampiresWife

"If you have friends or family you can theoretically spend time with them which you couldn't last Easter, fair enough - but if you don't have either (I don't) there's not much else you can do. "

Firstly you really have no family or friends? If that's the case I would say you are in a very tiny minority.

And it's not theoretical. You can spend the day with another household. Ok it's in the garden but this is a vast improvement on where we were a few weeks ago and certainly at Christmas. I for one am feeling much more positive. [/quote]
You can only spend time with friends and family if that is physically possible. My children are in the USA - I am in Scotland. My best friend is in Wales. My other friends are spread across the globe. My b**ch of a sister is in Devon and my worthless brother is in Wales - I wouldn't give either the time of day even without a pandemic. In "normal times" I and my family/ friends travel a lot to see each other - that isn't possible. And whilst I have some more local acquaintances they all have others to bubble with, and it's too cold to sit in a garden if I wanted to.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining. Me, the dog and the Kindle are well ok; and Zoom / Teams is ok. But in todays society many people have dispersed family and friends or reasons why they don't have people to spend time with.

Obviously, I am one of those people who will be on a plane the minute I can fly, but that's a whole different thread that someone will whine at me for.