🎵🎶”Got up, got out of bed, dragged a comb across my head”🎶🎵.
Except I don’t do the latter very often.
It seems a long time ago we went into isolation. It was way back in mid January, our granddaughter had been diagnosed with Non Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and was due to start chemo. We wanted to be able to see her so socially isolated ourselves. Then, suddenly the pandemic arrived a few weeks back, and everyone joined us in isolation, socially distancing themselves and all the rest.
So – no riding with pals or club, no helping with our community cinema and so on and so on. Being over 70, we’re labelled as old and vulnerable, and with insistent and incessant news items pushed at us, I sometime thought of myself as aged, ancient and decrepit. I then thought !!&*%$&!!, I’m OK so far so no problem – don’t think this way.
Occasionally Groundhog Day creeps in and tries to take over. Another day, what day is it? Who am I? What is the meaning of life? I don’t really thing this way. But, we live in a fantastic village with folk keeping an eye open for us, goodies appearing and lots of FaceTime (or equivalent) communication by chat, voice or video. I’m just thankful we don’t live as hard as some, maybe in a refugee camp or poor township with no sanitation or water.
Daily life alternates between walking one day, cycling the next, but I’ve managed to record a couple of songs (1 complete) with the help of pals, passing Garageband tracks back and forward online.
So for your delight and delectation here it is on YouTube if you wish: Back to the Mountains
Now for some recent photos, as ever, but as they say: “Stay Safe”, by whatever rules your country asks you to abide by.
Alastair
Oh no! Too close
They’ve split up
And off to the side
A lovely local sign
Found nearby, a ceramic stopper from a Codd’s Bottle 100 to 150 years old. The kids used to break the bottles to get these out to play marbles
Highland coos, just out the village
A golden eye on a local lake
Skunk Cabbage – not smelly yet though!!
The fairy table
Plenty of spring time farming action
Photo time
The red deer are all sitting for a change
… behind the old bike
A local cormorant on our river, come inland
Just showing off!
fossilcycle 
I feel your pain, Fossil. Nice song, by the way. You’ve done a bunch of climbing, I see. I found myself dreaming of the Himalaya the other day for the first time in ages. I have decided that I will never again break the law – I don’t think I could handle a prison sentence! Take care up there. It won’t last forever.
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Thanks Gerry, as I wrote, despite everything I think we’re fortunate. Managed one day in hills on skis before my world shrunk, but been enough cycling in the sun this month (just)!
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How long have I followed your blog? Eight years? You were (and are!) a great role model for a young writer, trying to wrap their head around the purpose of a blog and what it might mean to people.
Now, Alastair, you don the mentor hat again. This post and your last were deeply touching. Your honesty, vulnerability, and positivity are a gift, and it’s inspiring me to use my writing as an outlet for pandemic stress and isolation blues.
I hope you and your family stay as healthy as possible. Sending love. Be well.
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Wow!! I feel totally honoured. I never, in any way, expected this. As a teacher I used to strive to help pupils to learn and grow, initially through maths and then through Outdoor Learning. I expected this to be in the past after retiring. So keep growing, keep learning and pass your gifts on to others. Doesn’t always work out that way, but it’s ace when it does. All the best, Alastair
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And thank you 🙏
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Lovely post. Keep staying safe and loving life as you seem to be doing. You are correct, we could all be a lot worse off than others
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Thanks, you too!
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