Last week we started half term in Wales. It was strange to approach half term without any plans for a mini break or visits to a theme park etc, as we usually would. I know we could, in theory, have planned either as places were still open for the first week. It’s just ingrained in me at the moment to stay local to stop coronavirus from spreading across localities. I haven’t left our county since March (actually I don’t think I have even left Pembrokeshire all year lol) and won’t unless we need to for an essential trip (if we require a hospital visit for Danny etc, which I’m really hoping we don’t).
We began half-term by going to Nanny’s house for lunch as it was a “half day Friday”. Saturday was a washout so we stayed home, sorted uniforms and clothes, made a start on homework and I cross-stitched and drank cups of tea- bliss!
On the first Sunday, we went out for the day, knowing it would be the last weekend we’d be able to go out in the car and meet up with family. We wanted to bring the dog so we were limited to finding quiet places to visit (long story cut short: he doesn’t like other dogs!) so we had a picnic and walked up to Treffgarne Rocks. I’ll blog this soon. We then went to Granny and Grampy’s for a chat and play in their garden.
Monday
We couldn’t do much on Monday as we had to stay in and wait for our Tesco delivery (exciting life, I know!). When Dave first came home, I stopped ordering online but even though Danny and others in the vulnerable group haven’t been told to shield again, the more we can limit Dave’s visits to a supermarket, the safer it is for him and therefore Dan. We did pop to see Dave at work and the girls were happy they got to see Dodge the dog! We miss him lots as can’t have him to stay with Sid. I actually forgot he was cuddling the girls in the back of the car and nearly drove off with him- oops! It made the girls laugh anyway!
Tuesday
On Tuesday it was my sister, Ceri’s birthday. It was hard not getting to see her and still not knowing when we will be able to see her again as she’s currently living in a lockdown area. But we had contact with her all day and tried to send nice surprises throughout the day. We Facetimed and listened to the Tuesday Night Rock Show together and I even had an alcoholic drink “with” her. I went over 100 days with no alcohol and didn’t drink on my own birthday. It was nice to enjoy a glass of bubbly but it reminds me how I feel tired the next day and get less done even if I only have one or two drinks in the evening so it’s back to no drinking for me for now as I really want to feel full of energy again!
Wednesday
On Wednesday we met up with friends for a walk, chat and an outdoor play.
Thursday and Friday
I think it rained on Thursday so we had a day of homework, crafting and watching Halloween films.
On Friday we visited Nanny for a chippy lunch to make the most of seeing each other before the Welsh Fire-breaker would begin at 6pm.
Saturday and Sunday
We spent the weekend watching films, making pom-poms for our Halloween garland, walking the dog just down to the beach and staying home, safe and cosy together.
Welsh Fire-Break
I admit I hadn’t worried too much about the Welsh Fire-Break. We spent over three months not leaving the home and garden at all so I thought this would just be more of the same really but with getting out of the house daily for exercise.
As we heard more about the Fire-Break rules I realised that it wouldn’t be a case of being able to jump in the car and drive to our quiet favourite Pembrokeshire attractions. We are being encouraged to only leave our own home on foot and return home on foot for exercise. We’re also not allowed to meet up with others, so I can’t plan to meet my mum for exercise etc. There are exceptions and adults living on their own can meet up so that’s good. We also have a bit more leeway and would be allowed to travel by car to exercise due to additional needs but we don’t need to take advantage of this, so won’t.
Wales Ban Sales of “Non-Essential” Goods
It wasn’t until Friday that I realised we wouldn’t be able to buy “non-essential” items in our local supermarkets. I don’t mind about this and I understand how it will firstly, hopefully, mean fewer people go out shopping and secondly, make the market fairer for the “non-essential” shops that were forced to close. I do wish we’d been given more noticed and a list of what we would be allowed and not allowed to buy before the day it was enforced.
There has been a lot of anger about this issue. I know it’s hard for some people. There are many circumstances when you do need clothes, bedding, electrical items and so on. I know people with children coming into their emergency foster care, people being admitted to hospital, premature labour and sudden breakages of household electricals have struggled with this. However, I also know that if these things were available to buy lots more people would be out buying them. If we were told not to (and in our case, it wasn’t an emergency) many of us would pop a few non-essential items in our trolleys. Hands up, I would have bought some craft items, puzzles, books and Halloween treats. Now, I have to do without and of course I can do without quite easily.
There’s also been a lot of confusion. Staff in one Tesco store refused to sell sanitary products as they regarded them as “non-essential”. The Welsh Government confirmed:
If anyone encounters an emergency situation and these “non-essentials” become your essentials, please reach out in your community. I know people would want to help. Many shops are still offering a click and collect too and you can still buy online.
The part that really upsets me is there are people today with loved ones in hospital suffering from Covid-19, there are people who have lost loved family members to Covid-19 and have to lay them to rest this week. They have to see people moaning about not being able to walk into a shop and buy “non-essential items”. It’s heartbreaking. It’s disrespecting the people who have tragically died, their family members and the nurses, doctors and NHS staff working so hard as always.
The second week of the fire-break will be strange as two of the kids are expected to return to school. I struggled to send them back to school in September, and it doesn’t feel right sending them to school during another lockdown.
For now, we’re going to enjoy the rest of half term. Dave is still working as he has to continue essential repair work. I’m still working from home, which is ideal in these circumstances. The kids and I are safe and happy at home.
Stay safe everyone! xxx
