Diary > Sunday 16th August

[radstockjeff]

First Sunday back at church. All the Risk Assessments had been done and approved. Sanctuary and entrance lobby thoroughly cleaned.
Signed in at entrance, having pre booked; telephone number and name for Track and Trace.
Maximum number permitted, allowing for social distancing 20. We have chairs, not pews so it was easier to do the S D bit. 10 sets of two chairs, so that a family bubble of 2 could sit together, otherwise you sat alone with no one else on the adjacent chair.

Three hymns, but no singing, (unless very quietly behind your mask which had to be kept on at all times except the readers and the leader). About 40 minutes, which was long enough for being masked.

Very smobre with little or no "socialising" before or after. Slip quietly away home.

But it was good to be back and in fact the atmosphere was probably more conducive to reflection than the normal somewhat more lively sessions of days of yore.

Not sure when the next one will be , probably early September, but something to look forward to.

[Roobarb]

Annette, the weather certainly seems to be a bit random lately, the Met Office said last week that there would be scattered thunderstorms but admitted they were unable to pinpoint them. That seems to be the case this week as well, I look at the forecast every day and throughout the day to check - what has been forecast as a dry day suddenly acquires some rain! Good that you were able to enjoy some sunshine and a laugh with your neighbour, that certainly helps.

Jeff, lovely for you to be able to get back to church and enjoy it despite the restrictions. Let's hope it's not too long before you're able to join in the hymns and socialise with other members of the congregation.   

[louisa maud]

My church returned 3 Sundays ago, feels really strange, no hymns, the choir will  be suffering with no singing voices if they haven't been practicing at home, don't like wearing a mask for so long,   luckily I know the service off by heart so was able to take my misted specs off, no idea how long this situation will last,  no  socialising  as     such till we get outside and then at distance, but it was nice to return

RTL,  how do you manage to work a 12 hour shift with so little sleep, I don't sleep well at all but I don't have to do a 12 hour work day, you must have built in  stamina

Louisa Maud

[Roobarb]

Good to hear you've been able to get back to church LM, obviously a comfort to you in these difficult times.

[Viktoria]

Thanks for all your news folks, I look forward to it all and then wonder at your energy as you all do so much .
I imagine - and if I am wrong - someone correct me but sitting quietly in church must resemble the sort of “ service” Quakers have, with times of quiet meditation .
Bach’s Toccata and Fugue ,you know the most well known one ,on Classic FM
today, the windows were rattling .
I remember the resident  organist at  our church,started playing aged 16 and played until two,weeks before his death aged 80.
He had to be taken home from church part way through the service, he was so ill.
64 Years ,and it used to be morning and evening services when he started .
He often played the Toccata etc,and people used to joke with his wife” What have you put in his tea this morning.”
Ours is a big church and the organ used to make it feel as if it was shaking .
The organ was from Brompton Oratory ,magnificent .
People used to joke ,telling the organist he had loosened their fillings .
Sadly it needed an overhaul when lockdown came and will be in poor state now .

It is frightening when someone whose behaviour makes you uneasy forces their presence on you.
How forthright can you be ,yet subtlety is taken advantage of .
At the back of your mind is” is this person in need?” but crowding that out are the very natural warnings that come to mind.
What a dilemma after a long shift .,facing only a short sleep,and then another shift.
Hope you don’t meet her again.

Altered some trousers today ,all  tacked up for when I have a working machine .Think I will ask son to bring the old one downstairs ,I need to check it anyway if grand daughter wants it.
I can do that can’t I?Let my son come in ?
He does not come in when he brings my shopping .
I find the rules so mixed up so have acted as if we were still in total lockdown.
Chatted with friend on phone today , she too is observing strict isolation .
 Cheerio folks ,look after yourselves and I hope you all have as nice a day as possible tomorrow.
Viktoria.

[Roobarb]

Viktoria, your stories are always so entertaining, you bring a little joy into this strange life.

I'm sure it would be okay for your son to come in and move your sewing machine  I agree that the rules are confusing but I'm pretty sure that's allowed.  If you feel uneasy then perhaps you could ask him to use a hand sanitiser before he comes in.

[River Tyne Lass]

Louisa Maud, it is interesting that you ask how I do it.  Sometimes, I ask myself the same question.  I just put one foot in front of the other and hope for the best.  I must say, I don't recognise any 'built-in stamina' in myself.  Yesterday, when I woke up I could hardly move initially, I felt so exhausted.  I feel a bit better today though on this, my first day off.  I won't be seeing anyone socially today - no friends or family.  In a funny sort of way I am glad - I feel too tired to put a 'face' on or to engage in much conversation as yet.  Sleep deprivation has been my pattern of life now for a number of decades so I just accept this as how things are.  That is just par for the course for people like me who switch from days to nights and lates to early shift work.

I haven't seen that woman at the bus stand since.  Thank goodness.  It was a tad unnerving to be approached by an intrusive  person saying odd comments such as expressing admiration for a serial killer albeit a fictional one. 

That is good for some of you that your Churches have reopened.  The one I go to is unfortunately still closed.  I do really miss going to Church and hope to hear soon that mine can reopen again.