Tag: coronavirus

Coronavirus: Staying Indoors, by an Outdoor Person

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If someone had described the situation we’re in a couple of months ago I’d have thought they were describing some piece of weird, dark and never-going-to-happen literature (probably Russian). Yet here we are, confined to our own little corners and forbidden from going about our normal lives.

In January I was in Dorset, Guernsey and the French, Italian and Swiss Alps, in February I visited Kent, London, Birmingham and the Peak District, and in March I moved house from Hampshire to Wiltshire. Three weeks ago I stepped over the threshold of Hill HQ (my boyfriends’ parents’ house) and I’ve remained within running/cycling distance ever since.

As a hyperactive outdoor person, this is practically Armageddon. I live to explore and discover (hence curious) so being stuck within the same four walls is a little maddening. However, I’m very fortunate to be here for several reasons:

  1. I’m in the wonderful and incredibly hospitable company of Ryan’s parents, dog, two brothers and their girlfriends, so with eight (nine, including dog) of us quarantined together it’s never too quiet.
  2. Unlike my little cottage, Hill HQ has a garden.
  3. The New Forest is right on the doorstep, making this little corner of the outdoors just about accessible.
  4. The Hills are also outdoor people, so there are plenty of books, bikes and bits of gym, climbing and outdoor gear to keep me occupied.

So I’m in the best place possible, but I’m missing the mountains, the sea and all the wild bits in between more than ever. I’m guilty of looking wistfully through old photos, which used to make me twitchy-restless even in the pre-corona days. But I’m trying to make the most of having free time to spend creatively and productively.

Alongside working from home full time, I’ve played board games, card games, drinking games, darts, done quizzes, learnt crevasse rescue in the garden, made silly videos, started learning to lasso, read books, slacklined, been on several bike rides, lit a fire with flint and steel, slept in a tent, had my hair cut, had my ears pierced, gardened, written blog posts, ran, walked the dog, seen lots of wildlife, cooked, built a bird table, watched films, brewed alcohol, practised French, painted a deer, had an easter egg hunt, started painting a fish, caught up with friends, used the garage gym, painted a fence, mowed a lawn and started an environmental e-learning course.

My plan is to continue being productive: learn new skills, improve old skills, make things, keep in touch with people and do everything I’ve been meaning to do for a long time. I hope that this will keep me sane, at least until I can get away to the mountains again.

I hope everyone has the sense to stay home and make the most of having more of the greatest universal asset – time.

Update: excuses, activities and armageddon

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I’ll make the excuse now: I’ve been vlogging. Having written in January about how I’ll write more blog posts in 2020, I’ve failed to do so entirely. I went on holiday to the Alps, took loads of videos, and my train journeys (previously reserved for reading and writing) have been spent editing a hilariously amateur vlog, which I recently uploaded to YouTube – find it here (nothing can embarrass me now). But it’s done and I’m back.

I’ve had a busy couple of months as I’ve just moved offices from Reading to Bristol, which has meant moving house from Alresford to a lovely little cottage in Warminster. My new train journey is just under an hour, which suits me as it gives me the opportunity to write my blog, read books and do other productive things which require me to sit still – something I struggle with on the best of days. The town is nestled in the Wiltshire countryside, has plenty of pubs and shops, and is a good mid-point between work and friends/family in Hampshire.

Notable activities since I last wrote include a brief bouldering trip to the Agglestone (Dorset), a week in the Alps, walks round the New Forest, camping in the South Downs, a weekend at Butlins with the Hillbillies (inc. my first time powerkiting), a trip to London to see Touching the Void in theatre, a few days exploring/hiking/climbing in the Peak District, a weekend of rugby in Kent, work trips to London, Birmingham, Guildford and Taunton, and moving house. I also conducted my first court hearing and secured an environmental prosecution, which was pretty cool.

Now that this horrible virus is doing the rounds I’m not getting out as much so I hope to sort out all my admin, get my cottage ship-shape, do some creative stuff, get back into some kind of fitness routine and catch up with the blog. I’ll write again soon, no excuses. In the meantime, I hope everyone who is panic buying stops being a **** (choose your own word).