Things I did in lockdown - what unusual ways did you find to keep yourself positive?

The Lockdown Project 

“I have 80 more days to go” were the words spoken by my octogenarian friend during our daily Skype call. Jennie was alone, shielding during the coronavirus outbreak, her family hundreds of miles way. In receipt of a Government food box, she was faced with what to do with a large bag of carrots every week not to mention tins of mushy processed peas and tomato soup. How to take her mind off the difficulties of self isolation in her little bungalow?

Little did I realise the impact of my suggestion to compile a journal for her of those 80 days. Having researched and found a précis of Phileas Fogg’s Around the World in 80 Days, I sent this to Jennie. I suggested she sent me a few words by email each evening and I would source images and create a a page a day. Thus  ‘Jennie’s Journal  Around the world in 80 days - Highlights from my travels - Courtesy of Coronavirus and My Self Isolation Armchair!! - was born.

So the journey began and Day 1 saw her arrive in London feasting on tins of mushy peas, relatively straightforward to google an image for. However Day 2 was slightly more tricky but google never ever failed. Who would have thought there would be an image of a bunch of carrots on a railway line!!!!. As in Jennie’s words ‘I travel from London to Paris by rail with a supply of carrots to keep me going’.

Each evening I awaited the ping of my IPad as her words came in and I miss that sound.  My early morning cup of tea is no longer the same as it was balanced by the side of me as I sat propped up in bed researching images to use.

Along the way Jennie very occasionally lacked heart but she persevered. She made me smile when she chastised me because had spent several hours poring over an old atlas she had unearthed in a  cupboard trying to work out where she should be!  I was also in trouble as she tried to read the actual novel.

So the 15th June 2020 saw her safely back home and a socially distanced celebration took place in her garden.

An initial crazy idea kept two people going and interacting in a very surreal time in our lives and indeed the World’s. The journal exists as a memento and a lovely friendship blossomed. Hopefully in the very near future I can collect her and treat to her to a lovely afternoon tea.

A word of warning when searching for images be careful how you word the search, some very surprising results appeared at times. 😂😂😂😂

Carol Smith

Carol Smith is a Retired administrator with two adult children. Active W.I member and U3A member. New found love and obsession with playing Mahjong. Very active member of W.I Bredhurst Mahjong group. Aptly named Jam, Jerusalem and Mahjong!