I think that a lot of us expected that by now, the impact of COVID-19 might just have begun to abate. Back on 1st July I wrote 'things are just beginning to ease, although there seems to be growing evidence that we may have a second wave of the pandemic on the horizon'. Well, they did ease for a bit, but now parts of the country are going back to a state of almost full lockdown, and where I live in London has seen the number of confirmed cases double in the last ten days, and is on the so-called 'watch list' for further restrictions. In addition, the Prime Minister has announced that it may take at least another six months before life will begin to return to normal ... whatever that means.
So, what have I achieved during the last three months, and what plans do I have for the next three ... or even six?
Looking back, I can see that I have actually done quite a lot as well as failed to do some of the things that I planned to do. Amongst the latter is finishing THE PORTABLE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY WARGAME book. I have the text pretty well completed, but the hiatus surrounding the changes Lulu.com introduced continues to rumble on, and I do not yet feel confident about publishing a new book with them until they have sorted out the ongoing issues with my current books.
On the positive side:
- I have helped to stage the first VCOW (Virtual Conference of Wargamers), and I am taking part in the planning for another one that we hope to stage in February.
- I have drawn a campaign map for my planned Eastern Front/Great Patriotic War campaign, drafted a set of appropriate campaign rules that I am currently play-testing, and I am also play-testing a World War Two version of my PORTABLE WARGAME rules.
- I have taken part in some online wargames with Gary Sheffield.
- Sue and I have managed to have two 'away days' to Rochester and Sandwich as well as a short break in Tiverton.
- I have managed to print and distribute the two issues of THE NUGGET that were delayed by the lockdown as well as the two most recent issues.
- I have begun the process of redrawing a colour version of Eric Knowles's Madasahatta map.
- I have finished reading all George Simenon's Maigret books, and have begun reading my way through the Bernie Gunther books by Patrick Kerr.
At first glance, I don't seem to have achieved as much during the last three months as I did between April and June, but the good weather was a welcome distraction, and helped me to avoid some of the impact of the ongoing pandemic on my mental health. Being outside in the warm, fresh air did much to raise our spirits, especially as we were able to leave home to go somewhere other than to the shops.
What does the next three months hold for us? Who knows? I suspect that it will be more of the same, with more restrictions being put into place by Christmas. Luckily, I have plenty to do, and as long as I do not have a visit from the dreaded 'Black Dog', I hope to carry on much as before.
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Yes I don't think 'The fat lady has sung yet' with this pandemic and the ramifications of it will alter all our lives one way or the other in the coming years - remembering that old Chinese proverb/curse - 'may you live in interesting times' , Tony
ReplyDeleteThe Good Soldier Svjek (Tony),
DeleteBack in March, a friend of mine who has been a member of SAGE told me that he expected the pandemic to affect normal life in the UK for at least a year, and possibly a lot longer. It looks as if he wasn’t wrong, and I’m preparing myself for this being something that we will have to live with for the foreseeable future.
Keep safe and keep well,
Bob
It was thought that a second wave would hit with the arrival of Autumn, which sadly seems to be true. The whole situation hasn't been helped by sections of society simply ignoring the guidance, which is IMHO insane. there has been a case at my wife's school so we are waiting to see if it may have spread to other support bubbles, but we're hoping not, so we can avoid another lockdown chez nous. Thank God we've got open countryside by us to allow us to get out in the fresh air and to help keep our sanity. Fingers crossed we'll all be fine and wish all the best to you and yours Bob.
ReplyDeleteSteve J.,
DeleteThe sheer irresponsibility of some people is mind boggling ... and yet they are often quite adamant that the whole thing is either a conspiracy or that the impact Of COVID-19 is very overstated.
I understand that research has shown that over 50% of children who tested positive showed no symptoms, and that schools and colleges are currently the greatest source of infection. The latter was predictable, and yet they ploughed ahead with getting pupils back to school even if there was no possibility of restricting the chances of infection being transmitted. Schools with support bubbles seem to have coped much better with the situation, but some of our local schools are beginning to crack under the strain as staff become ill and the cost of maintaining the necessary hygiene standards is seriously eroding their budgets.
We are lucky that besides having a garden, we have several large parks and woodlands within easy walking distance, so getting exercise in the fresh air (and in the sun) is available to us.
Keep safe and keep well,
Bob
A good list of achievements! Having this hobby has certainly helped to focus attention onto something lighter and more entertaining than the disasters (both natural and man-made) that surround us. Let's hope we can continue to wish each other Good Health.
ReplyDeleteMaudlin Jack Tar,
DeleteLooking back at my list, I must admit that I’ve done more that I had thought that I had.
Wargaming has really helped me to cope with the affect of the pandemic, and judging by what I’ve read online, it has helped a lot of fellow hobbyists. Let’s hope that it continues to do so.
Keep safe and keep well,
Bob
Hi Bob,
ReplyDeleteYes- Stay Well and Stay Safe. We're travelling well here in New South Wales with NO new cases of COVID ....restrictions are still in place though somewhat eased. We've not been anywhere - except we traveled to Picton and had lunch in a park - also some time back we went to Mt Annan Botanical Gardens and had a Picnic- just Chris and I. Not a lot -though very good to get away from home for a bit. Stay well there in London. Best Wishes. KEV.
Kev Robertson (Kev),
DeleteThe number of cases in our part of London continues to rise, and we are expecting a lockdown within the next fortnight. It might not be a total lockdown, but some of our local supermarkets have reinstituted controls on shoppers accessing their stores.
We were able to go to Sandwich yesterday, and Sue bought a lot of material from her favourite trader. She certainly has enough to keep her occupied until Christmas, and we made a special trip to Lidl today so she could buy a new sewing machine and a new overlocker. It was cheaper to buy replacements that it was to have her existing machines serviced and overhauled ... and due to the pandemic, getting the them serviced would have taken months as there is a massive backlog.
Keep safe and keep well,
Bob
I quite agree with your perspective. MrsJ and I are keeping out of the way unless it is neccessary to venture out. We've agreed to plan nothing for the next six months at least. then we will see.
ReplyDeleteJoppy,
DeleteIf everyone took the simple precautions that have been laid down, it would make life easier for everyone, but whilst some people continue to flaunt the rules, the situation will not improve. The best we can do is to minimise the risks to ourselves.
We have a cruise booked for neact April, but are fully expecting that it will be cancelled, as have the five we had booked for April to December 2020.
Keep safe and keep well,
Bob
G'Day Bob, you have been busy. The great think about our hobby is you don't need to interact unless you want too. I'm happy pottering and painting and Pam is the same with her craft stuff. Stay safe. Cheers Greg
ReplyDeleteDelta Coy (Greg),
DeleteI know a couple who are golfers ... and they are really finding things stressful. They can play each other, but cannot take part in competitions. They cannot socialise with other golfers, and cannot use their club’s facilities, even though they are having to pay for them. Furthermore, the TV coverage of professional competitons has been restricted, and they are watching recordings of old competitions. They are complaining of boredom ... which - in the circumstances - isn’t surprising.
At least our hobbies - and our wives’s hobbies - are mentally stimulating and we have an end result to look at and use.
Keep safe and keep well,
Bob
Bob, we are certainly lucky to have absorbing hobbies, as we speak my wife Sharon is upstairs on her sowing machine having spent a couple of hours knitting... the Grandchildren are getting a ready supply of home made jumpers and teddy bears! You mentioned that Sue purchased a new machine and 'overlocker' from Lidl .... funny enough Sharon mentioned one the other day, I had never heard of an overlocker before then and I still have no idea what one is!
ReplyDeleteRe the schools, entire year groups are being sent home to self isolate for 14 days, one positive test in the class has meant just that for a family friend after just 4 days back in school as in a class of 30 children social distancing is impossible, it's just so disruptive for them. My daughters youngest was sent home from her childminder on Tuesday because she started coughing and must self isolate for 14 days even though she has not showed any other symptoms or even coughed again! These are the guidelines applied to any registered childminder, which of course means daughter must be at home with her. Had she got a test (as advised by the childminder) a negative result would mean she could return, but a positive would result in her self employed Dad being unable to work either, and Track and Trace would also have meant my other Daughter and her husband would also be isolated and off work for 14 days. I'm told many of the young Mums are refusing to get children tested to save the family income, terrible situation.
Lee,
DeleteWe are extremely lucky to share a hobby that - in the words of Hercule Poirot - ‘stimulates the little grey cells’. It has certainly helped to keep me absorbed and busy over the past six months, and will hopefully continue to do so.
(It’s interesting to note how many wargamers have partners who are crafters, dressmakers, or something similar.)
All the problems with schools were predictable. Ask anyone who has actually worked in a school, and they will tell you that they had considerable reservations about how they were going to operate a school and make them COVID-19 safe. Furthermore, with liability for ensuring the safety of children lying with the school or childminder, it is understandable that they are sending children home ‘just in case’. That said, the strain that doing that puts on families whose financial resources are already stretched is potentially crippling for those families. The latter are in a no-win situation.
Keep safe and keep well,
Bob
In trying to stay positive I look at what has been achieved whilst I have been nowhere.
ReplyDeleteI have managed to stay healthy despite a heart scare.
I am painting at least twice as many figures as I used to including building up a stock of charity sale items.
I have also managed to paint some of the outside of the house and the wargames hut.
I have managed to add to our savings account.
I have managed to see my grandson almost every day as we child mind him whilst my daughter has to go to her workplace.
I try not to think of the negatives.
Jim Duncan,
DeleteI think that you’ve filled your time since March with a whole raft of positive achievements, with looking after you grandson probably being the most rewarding. Your positive attitude is an example to us all!
Keep safe and keep well,
Bob
At last being a bit of a loner with an interesting hobby is paying off for me. Unfortunately my wife's hobby of gardening is harder now we are older and the situation generally is getting her down I think, especially not being able to pick up our 6 month granddaughter. I am thinking an overnight in Marlborough might buck her up. Reading your blog (and those of other people's) does cheer me up as even a loner can be sensitive to the problems of others. Keep safe and well. Jim
ReplyDeleteJim Walkley (Jim),
DeleteWargaming is a great hobby for times like these. It helps to keep our minds active and encourages a degree of manual dexterity. I imagine that individual lead (or plastic) mountains are somewhat smaller than they were in March,
Hopefully, your wife might be able to hold your granddaughter soon, especially if everyone starts to comply with the simple but effective anti-COVID-19 precautions. That will bring the R-rate down and lead to a reduction of the restrictions that are in place.
I’d recommend getting away from home for a short break if you can. Our few days away really made a difference to my wife and I. The change of environment helped restore our flagging spirits, and we are already planning another trip away ... restrictions permitting.
Keep safe and keep well,
Bob
Stay safe and well yourself! And everyone who stops by here.
ReplyDeleteIn the US we never really got things under control and in many places rates are increasing. Early on I did have hopes for it getting more under control, allowing us a bit more freedom to get out and do stuff without risk of exposure. But it didn't take long before I realized it wasn't likely to get to that point this year.
I count myself fortunate in being retired, an introvert with plenty of hobbies I can indulge in at home, and so I have the means and ability to isolate and limit outside exposure. It does mean I haven't had any real contact with other people in person since March, but I often go days and even weeks that way even in more normal times. I can manage well enough with online contacts for a good long time. I do look forward to a time when I can have the option to go to local gaming meetups (or to choose not to - ha ha).
I have managed some hobby stuff. But have not read as much as usual. And I keep active.
Here's to all of us! cheers
Fitz-Badger,
DeleteI woke up this morning, and the news is full of the fact that POTUS and FLOTUS has both tested positive for COVID-19, and are going into isolation with immediate effect. This is just a week after he is reported to have said that Americans should worry about the virus because 'it affects virtually nobody' except the elderly and those with heart conditions. I wonder if this will change his mind?
I think that having a hobby like wargaming is a great advantage at times like this, as we can indulge in it on our own and are not dependent upon others to enjoy it ... although having a live opponent can make it more enjoyable!
Being retired also means that we do not have the same demands placed on us to have to go to work to earn money, and it thus means that we can reduce the level of contact with have with potential carriers. Add in a degree of introversion - something I also share with you - and it can help us to stay safer than many others in the population.
Stay safe and stay well ... and don't go shaking the hands of any politicians if you can at all avoid it!
All the best,
Bob
I haven't seen much of the news yet (just getting my morning started), but I did see a brief notice about the POTUS/FLOTUS. I'm not a fan of the man, but it would be good if this has some positive result in some way.
ReplyDeleteAvoiding shaking hands of politicians is probably good advice any time. ha ha
Well, happy birthday to me. :) I just added yet more miniatures to my pile of unpainted figures. ha ha
Fitz-Badger,
DeleteI’m not great fan of POTUS ... but I wouldn’t wish this virus on even my worst enemy. A good friend of mine almost died from SARS, and even a couple of years after he recovered, he is still not fully fit.
I’ve no problem shaking hands with politicians as it reassures me that they haven’t got a knife in that hand with which to stab me in the back! Mind you, I always check how many fingers I have afterwards ... and that my ring and watch haven’t disappeared during the exchange!
Happy Birthday! I hope that you have a great day.
Keep safe and keep well,
Bob