June 2020 Update

Garry McGivern’s June 2020 update. It’s not been a particularly busy month, but it’s still been good! I’ve been allowed to hold Indya again, with the introduction of “bubbles!” I went out on an excellent bike ride with friends, had a family meal in the garden. Social distancing observed on both accounts! Managed to get a haircut, and lockdown gets eased from next week! (July 4th) With pubs, restaurants, hotels and campsites all being allowed to open!

The government introduced support bubbles, and I was allowed to have Vicky and her family around, and not have to keep my distance! I was also allowed to hold Indya, it didn’t go too well though! Indya burst into tears! But then I suppose she’s only had her mum and dad for the past three months! Which let’s face it, is one-third of her life! It’s a bit of a shame because, before the lockdown, she was happy to go to anybody! Things have improved a bit, and she will now sit with me for a while, as long as she can see mummy! I thought it was going to be my excuse for not babysitting!

Man and Baby
Who are you!
Out and About

Not too much to say on the cycling front, this month, what with not being able to go away. Although I did ride to Portsmouth (for a change!) and had a good time there, watching the boats coming and going in the harbour. On the way home I went on a detour to Bosham, it’s always lovely there. On the harbour road, there was a pair of swans with their cygnets. Who I passed by without any problem on my way to the quay. On my way back, though, they had moved and sat all the way across the road. Leaving a narrow strip of tarmac between them and the water. As I tried to squeeze past them, one of the adult swans took umbrage and went for me! Causing me to end up in the water!

Swans
These were fine the first time I went passed

I went out on a lovely ride with my good friends Dave and Helen. The first time I’ve seen them since last year! It was only a short ride of 20-miles around the Southdowns, but very enjoyable. On the way home, we stopped off in a park, and managed to get a beer! It almost felt like things were back to normal! After that, it was back to Dave and Helens for something to eat, al fresco, where Julie also joined us.

Other News

We’ve had some superb weather with a mini-heatwave! And while there have been complaints from other seaside resorts, about overcrowding, and people not keeping their distance. I can’t say I’ve seen it here, yes it’s been busy. But on the beach, people seemed to be keeping their distance. It made me keep my distance! I’d generally cycle along the seafront at least once a day, but with it being so busy, I’ve kept away!

Pre-fab unit
A good sign that things are opening up

With the hot weather, I had my first family BBQ of the year, except it wasn’t a BBQ! I just made a simple Greek salad, which we sat outside to eat. And I managed to get Indya to sit on my lap, for a short while!

At the beginning of the month, barbers, and hairdressers had been shut for two months! And my hair was driving me mad, I was looking like the wild man of Bognor Regis! Not any more, after buying some clippers! Although I probably need to cut it again now!

On a slightly depressing note! It’s June, halfway through the year, we’ve just had the longest day! And I’ve not been away on one single camping trip! Or away at all for that matter! But to be honest, with all the problems, we’ve all had these past few months, it doesn’t matter. I’m just glad that everybody I know is safe and well!

Lockdown Easing

Good news with lockdown being eased even more in the coming week! With pubs, restaurants, hotels and campsites all being allowed to open! Not sure I’ll be rushing away though! The campsites are going to be heaving, and you probably have to book in advance, something I’m not too good at! And will they even allow solo campers, I mean, why should they? When they can get a couple or a family in the same area! It’s just not going to be the same this year! I know of at least one campsite that’s not going to open, their shower/toilet blocks! You have to be self-sufficient and have your own facilities! And one of my favourite campgrounds, Hollands Wood, in the New Forest, isn’t even going to open up this year!

Boats
Fishing boats in Portsmouth

As for hotels, what are they going to be like? Will they have restaurants open, could you get in there even if they do! And apparently, they’re talking about bringing breakfast to your room! Maybe I’d just have to do the hotel camping thing, although hotels these days all have heat/smoke detectors! It’s all going to be a bit strange! And as much as I don’t like it, I do understand the reasons behind it all!

June 2020update
Hotel camping in 2011

With all this in mind, I’ve sort of decided that I won’t be going away this year! Or maybe not until the end of the year. But then who knows, I may change my mind! And as I said last month, now would be a good time to get my hip sorted!

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2 Replies to “June 2020 Update”

  1. They’ve got it in for us. Some of those stiff winds can drive you mad and that alternates with days of 35 degrees. With your kinship system, I wonder you ever get out on the bike. You have’nt mentioned your health or even the prospect of a hip op. he! he!

    1. “Infamy, Infamy! They’ve all got it in for me!”
      Those winds have been a right pain! I’ve not been out on my bike for a few days now!
      Best not to talk about my health, I don’t think either of us has enough time!
      I hope you enjoyed Seaview and your cheese sandwich!

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