Pandemic Covid19 The first six month Mar to Aug 2020

Our style of living, our life  has changed since March 2020.  For the first month there were no cars on the road.  What a strange sight it was. There was an eerie silence when I opened a window or went outside to walk.

We were instructed by our government to stay home with the exception of travel to supermarkets for food or to a pharmacy for medication. No one could travel beyond 2 kilometers for exercise.  All other shops were closed.   Fasle news quickly circulated on social media of  food supplies running out. 

The supermarkets became very busy in the first two weeks as many people panicked and stockpiled.  Supermarket shelves quickly emptied and suppliers were working 24 hours to keep up with demand.  Supermarkets hired more staff and people stood outside in ques keeping 2 meters apart.  The government had to reassure everyone that there was no shortage of food, warehouses were full and we should shop as normal, the shelves would be restocked! It took about six weeks but people calmed down and did not continue to stockpile.

Young people volunteered to do shopping for the elderly in their area. We were lucky because a young neighbour did a weekly shop for us until my online order was eventually delivered three weeks after I first placed the order and even then many items were not delivered because the supermarket just didn't have them.  Flour was hard to get because with so many people unable to go to work,  they kept busy at home by baking and doing DIY jobs.  Everyone was staying at home   It felt like we were all living in a parallel universe.  Children were not allowed to visit grandparents. We didn't see any family members because they all live beyond the  two kilometer zone. The whole world was in this together. An unknown virus was killing doctors and frontline staff and they struggled to keep up with the demands. They watched from behind their masks and gowns helplessly as patient after patient slipped away without a family member at their side. The nation and the world watched their televisions daily as the death toll rose and the hospitals reached capacity. The scenes on our televisions had us all in floods of tears and a sadness filled our hearts.

We did what we were asked to do.  Many of my neighbours are over 70 years of age and they did not leave their homes at all not even for exercise.  Under 70's were allowed out to exercise which was good for us.  It felt strange when out walking.  People would step out onto the road rather than pass us on the footpath and visa versa.  It was safe to do so due to the absence of traffic.

By mid May the figures had decreased significantly and we were flattening the curve!  People started gradually going back to work but those who could work from home were asked to continue to do so. By June, July and August restrictions had been lifted and we started to live again even though it was far from normal.  We still had to social distance in shops and wherever there were groups of people. 

I went to the hairdressers and got my hair restyled, It felt great! Mr. D still would not take a chance on going to his barber preferring instead to let me trim his hair.  Restaurants and hotel opened up again. Campsites were booked out as many people wanted to get away for a break. Refunds were issued by the airlines because we were still not allowed to travel unless it was absolutely necessary for work reasons,

We could now travel around the country but still had to be mindful that the virus was still being transmitted. From May the allotment opened again and I moved my tomato seedlings to the warm polytunnel. It was great to have somewhere to go at last and we could do day trips to the beach and the forests.

The numbers were very low and plans were being made for schools and colleges  to reopen in September with reduced numbers in classes and work areas to be spaced out to enable students to keep their distance. Summer felt good as the garden bloomed and gave us lots of colour to enjoy.

The plan was good but with no hope of a vaccine, the cloud of Covid stayed with us and we lived and made the best of each day hoping  against hope that we would eventually get to see a light at the end of a very long tunnel........  

SUMMER 2020. .Exploring Southern Ireland

Summer is here at last and the Covid19  figures have reduced drastically. It's not in the community now just in a small quantity of workplaces.

We can travel around Ireland but not abroad unless for essential reasons like work or funerals etc.  We are happy to continue to obey a few simple rules. Two meters distance from other people, wear masks when shopping or going to the hairdressers.  Wash our hands.  We know the rules by heart. We can meet indoors in small groups. Restaurants and hotel are open again.  

 We start to do day trips.  We feel safe travelling by car, Mr D and I.  We walk on the beautiful beaches of southern Ireland. We take walks in the forest. We travelled to West Cork, Kerry and as far as Co. Wexford.  We are seeing parts of our country which we have never seen before. We appreciate the beauty even though sometimes we had to shelter from sudden summer showers!

                             The Dingle peninsula, Co. Kerry

Inniscarra Lake, Co. Cork

So many forest walks in Ireland

                                  Kylemore Quay, Co. Wexford

We spent a lovely afternoon at Fota wildlife park in Co. Cork. It first opened in 1983 and has one of the world's most successful breeding programmes of endangered speces.

Hook head lighthouse Co. Wexford

Kylemore Quay. Co Wexford

Johnstown Castle, Co. Wexford

Youghal, Co.Cork.  We brought a picnic lunch. My sister came with us. She and I dipped our feet in the water. It was cold!  We did managed to get down and swim a little which felt wonderful.  Our one and only swim of 2020.

Inch beach on the Dingle peninsula has to be my favourite beach in Ireland.

We have been visiting this beautiful magical beach since I was a young child.  My mother and grandparents lived about two miles from here. The sound of the waves on the shoreline is calming and constant. The beach goes on for miles.  I am always drawn back and find it difficult to leave. We love to have lunch at Sammy's store the only shop and beachside restaurant for miles. On this day there was a long line of people waiting to go in.  We decided not to join them preferring instead to get a take out meal when we got to Dingle.