Strange

Events are moving so fast that a blog I started to write yesterday is out of date but I leave it here for you to see:

'Strange times. Shops with no karzi paper, empty isles that should be full of pasta and rice, working from home, gigs cancelled, sports cancelled, empty streets and now pubs, clubs, theatres etc told to close. Strange times indeed.
Pleased that Alec & Laura are home safe even though of course the last few months of their world tour have been completely buggered up. Alec & I took Ida for a walk this morning and he remarked that only a couple of weeks ago he was the only one that wouldn't have been  at home for Mothers Day and now he's the only one who is! We were going to have a family dinner here but thought better of it, just in case. Laura as a qualified teacher will be looking after key workers children for the foreseeable and popped in yesterday to more or less say goodbye for the next couple of months as she will be at risk of catching the virus and doesn't want to pass it on. Gary says Hilton Hotels are losing billions, with only one person staying at the Hilton on Lake Como last week its hardly surprising. I stayed in Lincoln earlier this week in the Doubletrees Hotel. Very new, multi story.....empty hotel! There was only seven people in the bar and no one at all in the restaurant.
In an unpreceded move the Government have said they'll pay 80% of peoples wages who can't work. Not sure how long it'll be before I get an extended un paid holiday so this is good news. There will be the detractors on FaceBook of course, there always is. But then you know my opinion of any politics on FB. It just doesn't belong there. Everyone is entitled to believe in whatever they want politically or otherwise but I don't need to know their opinion! FaceBook for me will always be the social side of social media and nothing more, as much as I really enjoy FB I've nearly left it a couple of times recently because of all the crap that's on it.
 Maybe they should have closed schools & pubs etc earlier but would any other party have done any better under these circumstances? I very much doubt it.'

Now today 23rd March 2020  the Prime Minister has put Britain on lockdown. I've had to re-read that sentence as I can't quite believe what I've written!
 Britain is all but on a war footing, it isn't nice and I'm worried but I know we will get through it. Mostly worried for my Love Tara who has health complications  that aren't good and worried for my dear In Laws who despite being old and venerable are  daft as brushes and don't get 'staying in' or 'isolation.' It nearly killed me ( and I nearly killed them!)   in trying to explain WhatsApp to them. Ella is trying really hard to get it and it shows, she's doing brilliantly.....However my Father in law isn't interested. What can you do old fruit?
Dark days ahead? Wish I knew, hope not. Hoping very much 3 weeks in lockdown will see it off so restrictions can be lifted to a degree. We have so many celebration this year , leave aside the gigs  that have been cancelled there's Ella's 80th Birthday, Julian's 77th Birthday, Laura's 30th Birthday, Tim's 85th Birthday ( :) ) . New Forest Folk Fest, Glasto,  our holiday escape to the Cotswolds. Nothing has ever turned life upside down as this. I hate it  and aside staying in there's bugger all I can do to help. Even if volunteers are requested  to do  things how can I if I bring home a potential virus to Tara!  As a Dad  you always look to keep everyone safe, hey, the boys don't need an old git like me but that doesn't matter,. I am there for them, as is Tara. Always. No questions. Always. But I can't protect anyone and I think that bothers me more than anything.
Our first night on lockdown was bit of a laugh tbh, played a game, had a drink. Blimey it was a good night! Moments after the PM spoke I felt compelled to send a quick WhatsApp  to our loved ones. I print it here:
'Unfortunately we are all involved in something that will go down in the history books. It will get better and we will have our family get togethers soon again. Keep safe. keep in! Love you all!!'
Never have a sent a more heart felt message to those I love. Funnily enough it then started a very quick fire bit of banter!
 I can only hope things don't get too much worse. We are all warm, got enough food and drink, plenty of games to play and our dear Ida to walk for exercise.  Keep safe folks!