The thousands of people who crowded the UK parks and beaches over the weekend; and the London Underground yesterday, gave the Government no option but to send us into compulsory lockdown, which was announced and came into place with immediate effect last evening. Again this morning the tube trains were packed.
All non-essential retail outlets are to close; everyone is to stay indoors except when shopping for essentials once a week or for outdoor exercising once a day; gatherings of more than two, except for family groups must stop. Clearly complete policing will be impossible. Much will still depend upon common sense and consideration for others.
At the moment the police are only able to use persuasion. The regulations will imminently be enshrined in law and fines for infringement will be introduced.
This afternoon Jackie drove me up to the highest point of Holmsley Passage and decanted me onto the terrain, where I walked for forty minutes in complete isolation.
She photographed the proof. This was my outward journey;
this the return.
I have mentioned before that we see things differently when on foot than when driving.
We had never known that, even on this high, albeit undulating and soggy, ground, There lay a deep, reflecting, pool.
I passed a recently toppled tree
in the woodland on the right hand side going down the lane
A pair of walkers
descended the steep slopes of the heathland;
a lone cyclist prepared to cast down the lane.
I crossed to the other side where bright yellow gorse
dotted the heath
where a small family kept their distance;
as did a cyclist disappearing on the pitted track.
I photographed trees in silhouette
while Jackie also photographed a tangle of lichen covered branches;
and a robin with its mate practising
social distancing.
Careful not to interrupt this pony’s slumber, I did poke my lens out of the window at Brockenhurst.
We took a diversion to Pilley on our way home, tapped on Elizabeth’s window, pulled funny faces, and bravely ran away. She came out after us and, keeping a little more than the requisite distance we enjoyed a pleasant conversation.
This evening we dined on luscious lemon chicken, crisp roast potatoes, crunchy cauliflower, and tender cabbage with tasty gravy, with which Jackie drank Hoegaarden and I drank Tesco’s finest Médoc 2016.