Coronavirus came onto our world radar rather like a slow moving tsunami bringing with it strange, challenging and surreal times for us all. It became increasingly clear that it was to be a marathon not a sprint and that our freedoms would be curtailed. It started in Wuhan China January and the World Health Organisation warned of a global pandemic. Covid-19 cases soared in February. UK early measures varied from no handshakes, football matches being cancelled, advice not to travel abroad. Wirral Arrowe Park hospital was used as quarantine centre & Hilbre High school had a covid-19 case . It produced a dawning daily realisation of the enormity & the profound impact on all our lives … everyday life was changed dramatically meaning in reality that by the 3rd week of March the UK was facing & the middle of the biggest crisis since the 2nd World War.

My life under lockdown

Were going to be living in strange & very challenging times
I needed to make sense of what was going on at a fast moving pace
I needed a radical rethink and to monitor my moods
I needed a routine & structure & variety to my day
I knew that it’s going to be an unpredictable world

Early Key Questions

How am I ?
How are you ?
How is Coronavirus affecting me, my family and friends ?
Who is classed as a key worker ?
How will I cope ?
How will you cope ?
What is my new normal ?
How long will we be locked down ?
Where is this going ?
When will it end ?
What will happen in the weeks ahead ?

My Mental Health ..

I felt very unsettled and very alone at times
daily mindful moments helped as did finding a new routine
I got my GP medication organised online which the pharmacy delivered
my garden fresh air green space was invaluable to keep my spirits afloat
coping with change is difficult and I had to create my own positive framework
I tried hard to maintain social connections and found new ways to connect
my job is my website work = Coronavirus 2020 webpage on Mental Health section
doing things step by step & moment by moment began to work
I needed to fill my time in a meaningful way
I got used to washing my hands much more often & using hand gel & social distancing
I decided to focus on what I could do … not what I couldn’t
it was very important to maintain key relationships
I decided not to watch or listen to too much news re Covid
have some feel good tv to counteract the tough coronavirus stuff
I had to accept the new reality

What I was grateful for

not having to worry about my mum & dad who have both passed
my special Bobby cat sitting on my knee & by my side in the garden or on my bed
my car to get me to my village
my tech stuff working
my website work
my spring garden projects
my support group keeping me going in different ways
my village shop staff who know me
my website to share when I am ready
my iphone camera

Keeping us connected … keeping me going

Martin Mark Claire
Kim
Phil
Marj
Jackie
neighbours Dawn & Mark / John & Tricia
Dr Sing / Occupational Therapist keyworker Helen / Psych team social worker Michael

Bobby big boy … my Covid companion

LOCKDOWN (1) MARCH 23rd ( for x3 weeks)

Early spring deaths at start = 281

SPRING Government Advice

stay at home
except for essential shopping/one form of exercise/a medical need/work travel
work from home wherever possible
wash hands often
don’t go to GP or hospital
go online to nhs.uk & follow advice
only call NHS 111 if symptoms worsen or persist
reduce social contact
stay 2 metres apart
do not meet friends or relatives who do not live in your own home
protect older people
protect those with existing underlying medical conditions
protect the NHS
don’t gather in crowds
police will issue fines & disperse gatherings
don’t visit your mum on Mother’s Day
do it for loved ones who will die if you don’t
disinfect frequently touched surfaces & objects
wipe trolley handles

CORONAVIRUS UPDATE March

Prime Minister daily briefings / Chief Medical Officer & Chief Scientific Adviser announcements
live sport cancelled or postponed / golf courses closed
Bank of England base rate % cut twice in same week
pubs clubs cafes theatres cinemas restaurants gyms leisure-centres told to close
schools to close except for children of keyworkers
govt strike deal with private hospitals & asks 65,000 retired doctors & nurses to return
NHS letters go out to 1.5 million re x12 week isolate
NHS Nightingale 4,000 bed temporary hospital
launch NHS Volunteer Responders scheme
weddings cancelled
gatherings of more than two people banned
Chancellor self-employed workers £ help
weekly Thursday 8.00p.m nation Clap for NHS carers
visits to care homes stopped
garden centres & nurseries forced to shutdown
growing national anger at the lack of testing
50% increase in people listening to the radio
Thursday 8.00 p.m. front doorstep clap for carers
ongoing PCP supply problem
1 in 4 doctors off work / 1 in 5 nurses off work
Police nice weather warning = don’t gather in parks beaches & beauty spots
weekend stay at home is an instruction … not a request
Scottish Chief Medical Officer visits her 2nd home twice ! then resigns
Sunday 8.00 p.m. Queen’s broadcast to the nation = watched by 24 million

Death toll = 4,934

My New Normal

At first I felt very unsettled = all my normal things became increasingly off-limits … couldn’t drive to Port Sunlight for photography / garden centre closed / golf club closed / not daily shop & chat to Gina Coop staff. But there were things I could do at home and I badly needed a structure to my day and gradually I settled into my slower, quieter & calmer new way of life My daily routine consisted of morning productivity on my website and in the garden & afternoon relaxation in my den.

Downtime

What I missed & lost

my normal routine
hugs & kisses from friends & family
family & friends visits to my home
live tv Sky sport in my den
daily shopping staff chats in the village
golf club peaceful putting
Port Sunlight photo walks
Port Sunlight garden centre plants

House Plant Care

Bipolar Contrasts

loved and supported / alone and isolated
calm and coping / overwhelmed and not in control
safe and secure / stressed and anxious
too much energy / no energy
strong and confident / weak and fragile
good days / bad days
professional head / emotional head
clarity / confusion
calm sleep / disturbed sleep = very vivid dreams

Covid challenges & complications

£ Equity Release / Lifetime Mortgage
Garden
New Bathroom

CORONAVIRUS UPDATE April

Boris Johnson admitted to hospital for tests / goes into intensive care
World Health Day 2020 = Year of the Nurse & the Midwife
Government £750 million for charities
Police warning re Easter weekend
120% rise in calls to the National Domestic Abuse helpline / 24% fall in overall crime
58,000 locations for PPE / not enough PPE
Care homes symptomatic staff and residents to be tested
new procedures to let families say goodbye to loved ones
99 yr old Capt Tom Moore = 100th lap of his garden = £27 million for NHS
x3 week lockdown extension announced
Govt = 5 tests before lockdown is lifted
close families can attend funerals
parks ordered to stay open
free on-line lessons / BBC on-line learning
laptops, tablets & 4G for vulnerable children
not enough PPE for 58,000 institutions
5 fold increase in care home deaths
virtual PMQ / House of Commons social distancing
greatest single logistics challenge by the armed forces ever
ONS care home deaths daily statistics
first Oxford patient trials
test track trace strategy / testing starts for key-workers with symptoms
outcry re US Trump inject disinfectant to treat the virus !
seek medical help if you need it
current measures to be reviewed on 7th May

Deaths = 16,060

Key Symptoms

new dry persistent continuous cough
high temperature /
fever
loss of sense of taste or smell

GOV.UK = Lockdown rules x3 weeks

only go shopping for basic necessities
one form of outside exercise a day
any medical need / care for a vulnerable person
travel to & from work only if absolutely necessary

My Music project

I badly needed a project that was going to occupy my increased lockdown inside time in a positive way and music seemed the thing. I hadn’t listened to any classical music since my lovely mum died in 2013 because I found it too emotional after choosing the music for her funeral. However I had lots of Classical cds & Classic-fm boxsets and felt & thought it was time to revisit them all one at a time with the aim of compiling a 20 track playlist (from over 200) which would be on my desktop Mac computer . Twenty tracks seemed appropriate … firstly to keep my bipolar over productive creative tendencies under control. I knew it would help to get through the Coronavirus months in 2020 and my Psychiatrist Dr Singh agreed. Plus I wanted to share it in cd form later whenever I could meet up with friends & family again or even perhaps send someone special to me a copy in the post . The next step was to burn a copy of the playlist for my back bedroom cd player that bother Chris got me for Xmas .

It took me a month of daily Mac morning time and I did not get emotional at all as I viewed because this as a work project. The end result was in equal measure … calming, reflective, inspiring, mindful, beautiful, joyful & relaxing and soothes my troubled soul whenever I need help on a difficult day or just in mindful moments or envisage others close to me hearing it for the first time.

Calm Classics 2020 mac playlist

Beethoven Moonlight Sonata
Grieg Morning Peer Gynt Suite
Myers Cavatina
Albinoni Adagio in G
Einaudi Nefeli
Schumann Kindserszenen Traumerei
Pachelbel Canon in G
Vaughan Williams Fantasia on Greensleeves
Einaudi Le Onde
Debussy Clair de Lune
Mozart Eine Kleine Nachtmusik
Schubert Ave Maria
Delibes Flower Duet
Puccini Nessun Dorma
Massenet Thais-Meditation
J.S.Bach Air on the G String
Satie Gymnopedie No. 1
Barber Adagio for Strings
Allegri Misere mei Deus
Enrico Morricone Gabriel’s Oboe

Dr Singh / Psychiatric advice = 9th April by phone

maintain your new structure & routine
well done re webpage Coronavirus 2020 = reflects your world & wider world
watch out for CV webwork or Calm Classics 2020 project becoming stressful
talk to brotherMartin about phone contact with brother Chris
My Calm Classics cd = soothing background music in the house good for wellbeing
My Calm Classics cd = gift for my support group
focus on moments … focus on day by day
maintain contact with family & friends in different ways for support
well done using Skype & WhatsApp video calls
do what works for you to keep you calm, confident & safe
you are doing very well coping in these challenging, uncertain & fast moving times
don’t hesitate to get in touch if you are struggling … our team is here for you

Government 5 tests before lockdown is lifted

Protect the NHS ability to cope
See daily Covid death rates coming down
Have reliable data which shows the rate of infection is decreasing to manageable levels
Confident that testing capacity & PPE is being managed with today & future demand
Need to be confident that any changes made will not risk a second peak of infections

STAY HOME … PROTECT THE NHS … SAVE LIVES

The Queens broadcast to the nation 5th April

I am speaking to you at what I know is an increasingly difficult time. A time of disruption in the life of our country. Disruption that has brought grief to some, financial difficulties to many & enormous changes to the daily lives of us all. I want to thank everyone on the NHS frontline as well as care-workers & those carrying out essential roles who selflessly continue their day to day duty outside the home in support of us all. I am sure the nation will join me in reassuring you that what you do is appreciated & every hour of your hard work brings us closer to a return to more normal times. I also want to thank all of you who have stayed at home, thereby helping to protect the vulnerable and sparing many families who have already felt the pain of losing lost ones. Together we are tackling this disease & I want to reassure you that if we remain united and resolute then we will overcome it. I hope in the years to come, everyone will be able to take pride in how they responded to this challenge & those who come after us will say the Britons of this generation were as strong as any. With the attributes of self-discipline, quiet good humoured resolve & of fellow- feeling still characterise this country. The pride in who we are is not part of our past, it defines our present and our future. The moments when the United Kingdom has come together to applaud its care & essential workers will be remembered as an expression of our national spirit, and its symbol will be the rainbows drawn by children. Across the Commonwealth & around the world, we have seen heart-warming stories of people coming together to help others, be it through delivering food parcels & medicines, checking on neighbours, or converting businesses to help the relief effort. And though self-isolating may at times be hard, many people of all faiths, and of none, are discovering that it presents an opportunity to slow down, pause & reflect, in prayer or meditation. It reminds me of the very first broadcast I made, in 1940, helped by my sister. We, as children, spoke from here at Windsor to children who had been evacuated from their homes & sent away for their own safety. Today, once again, many will feel a painful sense of separation from their loved ones. But now,as then, we know, deep down that it is the right thing to do. While we have faced challenges before, this one is different. This time we join with all nations across the globe in a common endeavour, using the great advances of science & our instinctive compassion to heal. We will succeed & that success will belong to everyone of us. We should take comfort that while we may have more still to endure, better days will return. We will be with our friends again, we will be with our families again; we will meet again. But for now I send my thanks and warmest wishes to you all.

My world … finding a different way

accept I have to stay at home & not feel trapped
becoming used to not seeing people
no live tv sport
x2 food shopping a week in my local village Coop & Sainsbury’s convenience stores
accept not driving to Port Sunlight
aiming to speak to someone on the phone each morning
not using taxis
Steve can’t work in my garden
council not collecting brown garden bins
speak to Dr Singh on the phone for Psych review meeting
Claire weekly Sunday Skype
Marj What’sApp video call
spring & summer £ bedding plants in village shop
financial advisor phone meetings
Equity Release electronic house evaluation
Wiltshire Farm Foods home delivery service

My local village shops

I went out shopping twice a week early to avoid people local Sainsbury’s & Coop & felt supported by staff who know me. 2 metre spacing tape on floor & one way systems worked well with x6 people maximum and one in one out.

2020 … A Year in my My Wellbeing Garden

I am blessed with a beautiful garden . My garden has always been important to me … but when the Corona virus first 3 week lockdown kicked in it became crucial on a daily basis to give me a purpose and help my wellbeing. It quickly became a very quiet & calm safe space … the only sound was the beautiful birdsong from the resident robins & blackbirds.

My garden is at its best in Spring and the universe gave us gardeners beautiful sunshine day after day to counteract the stress & anxiety of the lockdown. I love camellias, azaleas & rhododendrons and especially my lovely cherry tree and acers and early clematis.

Spring through to summer

Week 10 was also important to me because of my roses because some of my lovely mum’s ashes are in them & they all have a special meaning to me. Last summer me & my neighbours Mark & Dawn embarked on a massive task to take out a 20 year old ivy & big rotten fence. I remembered being very anxious at the time because I feared me & my roses would not survive the onslaught of the drastic cut back.

Well they did and have never looked better … just wonderful ! Every day brought new flowers which went on for weeks and was such a boost to lift my spirits ashes are in them & all have a special meaning to me. I have a mixture of Old English Tea scented which are repeat flowering/ a mini patio & a fabulous pale pink climber which I just let it go wherever it wants to on the new fence. They like it where they are in my summer border because they are sheltered from the wind & enjoy full sun all day.

I became very attuned to & appreciated the variety of wildlife that shared my garden whether big or small. Bird visits included robins, blue tits, great tits, goldfinches, blackbirds, wood pigeons, wrens, sparrows, magpies, collared doves. Also honey bees, bumble bees, hover flies, butterflies & brightly coloured beetles plus occasional squirrels, bats & hedgehogs

Stressors

I had to accept that the lawn would quickly become a lush weed patch so I decided that I would out of necessity just let it become wilder. Succession of Daisies, dandelions, clover, tall grasses which the birds loved hopping about in & the hedgehog came in the evening .I also had to accept that the weeds would invade my big borders so I decided to just keep x1 metre around my special plants , roses & bushes and focus my attention mindfully on the beauty of a single plant or a single flower or the best plant of the week.

the lawn getting out of control
no fortnightly brown bin garden waste collection
local tip closed
gardener Steve not able to work
tackling the weeds with my dodgy knee
feeling overwhelmed … losing control of the weeds
hearing neighbours conversations
the gale force winds over x3 days in April & early June
front garden plants / bushes dying due to drought through March , April & May

Steve

Steve is my maintenance gardener . He got back in work in June plus Wirral Council resumed their garden waste bin collections again my garden spirits were lifted. He arrived with a smile on his face & power strimmer & petrol mower to tackle the lawn & reclaim control of the borders.

Why my garden means so much

it’s like stepping into a different world
a world of ever changing colour & beauty
sunshine
Bobby at my side
sunsets
talk to my good neighbours on either side
birdsong
fresh air
daily garden gym work = walk / bend / stretch / arm strength
job of the day = sense of achievement
stars
colour
big blue skies
weeding system = compost corner
hoe hoe hoe little & often
tactile
scented herbs & roses
projects and purpose
my sanctuary
future social space

TV / Radio = Daily Gardening Delights

Big Dreams Small Spaces
Gardener’s World BBC 2
Love Your Garden ITV
Garden Rescue BBC 2
Gardener’s Question Time Radio 4
Around the World in 80 gardens BBC 2

Summer through to Autumn

Autumn is a special time in my garden … but when Wirral went into Tier 3 very high covid category and then moving into November 2nd national lockdown it took on a special meaning for me.

SELF HELP

NHS Every Mind Matters … 10 tips

Stay connected with people
Talk about your worries
Support & help others
Feel prepared
Look after your body
Stick to the facts
Stay on top of difficult feelings
Do things you enjoy
Focus on the present
Look after your sleep

Anti – anxiety

My Psych Team Covid-19 Pack

listen to or watch less daily news
allow my rational mind to outweigh my emotional mind
don’t beat myself up … accept there will be difficult days
keep to my daily routines
stay connected to my family & friends
practice the 5-4-3-2-1 Grounding Exercise
give myself extra time for daily stress relief
draw on my coping strategies that have got me through some tough times
keep myself busy
have a daily planner
understand properly how anxiety & stress affect my physical & mental health
identify with my cycle of anxiety
guidelines & ways to better sleep

SUMMER

CORONAVIRUS UPDATE May

Boris Johnson back to work
small business loans up to £50,000
restoration of NHS cancer & mental health services
one third of virus deaths in care homes
11.00am one minute silence for dead key-workers
need to keep R less than 1
North West highest Uk death toll outside London
Wirral population = 325,000 … 1,000 in hospital
Bank of England warns of deep depression
Furlough scheme extended till October
still not meeting 100,000 tests per day
golf & tennis clubs reopen to members
Antibody test approved
teacher unions concern re reopening schools plans
25% of deaths in hospital re type 2 diabetes & obesity
Mental Health Awareness week
anyone over 5yrs old with virus symptoms can now be tested
add to key symptoms = loss of smell & taste
knighthood for Captain Tom Moore / £31 million for NHS
mandatory 14 day quarantine self isolation for those flying into UK
Football = Govt approves close contact training
Boris Johnson under pressure to sack Dominic Cummings
lowest virus death rate for x6 weeks
Track & trace begins in England
people flock to beaches & parks

Deaths = 38,489

Covid Conditional Plan / Roadmap to Recovery

UK Govt Guidelines for England
Covid alert system
5 alert levels / traffic light colour system / Description & Action
50 page document
Step 1 = monitor R rate / Wednesday 13th May
Step 2 = reopen some shops & schools / Monday 1st June
Step 3 = Pubs restaurants cinema / Saturday 4th July
keep social distancing / handwash hygiene
keep working from home if you can
return to work if feel safe to do so
reversed if R rises

PEPPER

Wednesday 13th May New Government Guidance

wear face covering in enclosed spaces
meet one person outside household
drive to open spaces
travel to work if workplace is open
avoid public transport where possible
UK Govt Guidelines for England
Covid alert system
5 alert levels / traffic light colour system / Description & Action
50 page document
Step 1 = monitor R rate / Wednesday 13th May
Step 2 = reopen some shops & schools / Monday 1st June
Step 3 = Pubs restaurants cinema / Saturday 4th July
keep social distancing / handwash hygiene
keep working from home if you can
return to work if feel safe to do so
reversed if R rises

May … Port Sunlight Garden Centre

Week 10 was a big positive step for me as the Govt lifted the restrictions a little allowing me to get out of my house into my car & back to my beloved Port Sunlight. I wanted to checkout the garden centre in terms of queues & social distancing and it all looked ok. I waited a few days before I felt ready to go to the garden centre . The queue was short & staff greeted me giving a trolley which helped to reinforce social distancing because there wasn’t an obvious one way system in the plant section.

JUNE

CORONAVIRUS UPDATE June

can meet up to 6 people outside
schools reopen for some reception, Yr 1 & Yr 6
open air markets back trading
face coverings to become mandatory on public transport
regional lockdowns likely
all hospital workers to wear face masks from June 15th
hospital visitors & outpatients to wear face coverings
social care task force to be set up
some dentists reopen
plan for non essential shops to reopen Monday 15th June if Covid compliant
outdoor attractions = Zoos, Safari Parks reopen & Drive in Cinemas start up
people living alone can create a support bubble from one household
BAME draft report
Queen’s 94th birthday at Windsor Castle
Govt aiming for balance between Health & Economy
shielded can go out / last daily Govt briefing
4th July = sweeping changes & easing of restrictions
absorb impending changes = hairdressers / shops / pubs / restaurants
social distancing = 1 metre plus
expect a second wave / local lockdowns likely
balance between science, politics & economy
Thursday = hottest day of the year so far
thousands flock to overcrowd & overwhelm beaches
Liverpool FC Premier League champions

All deaths = 44,268

My baby steps

will I need to wear face masks in shops … where do I get a mask from ?
where do I get hand sanitiser from ?
need to get car tyre fixed so don’t have to be close to taxi drivers for food shopping
can drive to Port Sunlight for exercise
Port Sunlight garden centre reopens
meet one person outside household … who & where ?
can my gardener Steve work in my garden ?
brown garden waste bin collection resumes monthly at first

New Lockdown lift measures (2) June 1st

is it too much too soon ?
concern & confusion re pace of change
inconsistent advice dividing opinion
coping with significant changes
dilemmas & decisions
cautious or carefree ?
common sense needed
science not politics must lead the way
if get any symptoms go to Govt.UK website or phone 119

Dr Singh advice = Thursday 11th June by phone

very impressed with your Coronavirus 2020 webpage … especially the garden section
shows how you have adapted & modified & been flexible to find ways that work for you
ups and downs / highs and lows are understandable
your routine is working well = a.m productivity & p.m. relaxation is the right balance
you are dealing with stressors well
glad you are able to get to Port Sunlight again
attempt to contact brother Chris again with Martin’s help when you are fully ready
agree that the Golf club is not the right place for you at the moment
your support system is working well & is reassuring you that you are not alone
Covid isolation plan is essential in case you are unwell or are traced
enjoy Wimbledon tv coverage in whatever format it is
glad £ Equity Release is sorted
delighted with new bathroom start date 6th July = make contact with OT Helen

My Personal Covid Plan

As everybody’s world all of a sudden got bigger I knew that I needed a comprehensive plan to be prepared for if I get any symptoms of coronavirus & become unwell, or get contact traced & subsequently have to self-isolate for fourteen days. Practical issues had to be addressed such as medication / fresh food / freezer food. What do I need to do step by step ? Who needs to know ? What will I need help with ? What support will I need ?

If I get symptoms

use my NHS & Govt web links
inform psych team / family / friends / neighbours
order GP medication & paracetamol
order frozen meals from www.wiltshirefarmfoods.com / Phone = 0800 046 5004
self isolate immediately
order a free home testing kit on Day One
use NHS 111 online if worried re symptoms or not sure what to do

If I get traced

will be contacted by NHS Test & Trace
by email / by text NHStracing / by phone 0300 0135000
will be asked to sign into contact tracing website www.contact-tracing.phe.gov.uk
stay at home & self isolate
get a home test
negative test result = self isolate for 14 days
positive test result = self isolate for at least 7 days from when symptoms started

ELLA

CORONAVIRUS UPDATE July

Leicester to be locked down after surge of coronavirus
one off Govt briefing = all schools expected to fully reopen in September
Saturday Moment of Remembrance
Sunday 5.00 p.m NHS birthday clap
face masks in shops mandatory from Friday 24th
Captain Tom knighthood
new public transport guidance
going to work measure relaxed
PM roadmap to xmas
local councils to have new powers re local lockdowns
Govt ensures full holiday refunds
x1 visitor allowed into care-homes with PPE
face coverings compulsory in shops / £100 fine
door gyms & pools reopen
Govt announce 14 day quarantine for those returning from Spain
Govt obesity plan
10 day self isolate instruction if have symptoms or test positive
we have worst excess deaths numbers in Europe
confusing messaging
lockdown restrictions enforced in Greater Manchester re households

Govt Roadmap … new stage = Saturday 4th July

pubs restaurants cafes reopen
hairdressers can work
PM asks public to be responsible
social distancing =x2 metres or 1 metre with mask
local lockdowns to be expected

Stay alert … Control the virus … Save lives

All deaths = 44,788

HOME & GARDEN IMPROVEMENTS (1) July

Steps to my new wet-room

December 2019 Dr Singh referral to OT / OT Sharon Roberts home visit assessment
January 2020 OT Sharon report to Wirral Borough Council Social Services
March £ HAG Home Adaptation process
March D&R contractor Martin Jones home assessment
May provisional start date = 11th June
May £HAG Home Adaptation Grant awarded £5,800 for major works
May new OT Helen Hunt wet-room shower stool
May 11th work date deferred due to Covid
June firm work start date = Monday 6th July
June new window / OT seat issues
June Pre Site meeting / Martin & Dennis / garden meeting

Contractors = D & R Services

builders of distinction
award winning family construction business
30 years Wallasey based
valued approved contractor for Wirral Borough Council
Trader of the year award
specialists in adaptations for the elderly & the disabled
complete construction service
Oldershaw School connection

It took x2 weeks to have the old bathroom removed & new wet-room installed. We were all very covid aware & masked up or met in the garden to discuss progress or any issues that arose. Day by day the work continued = removal of old fixtures tiles & window then it was rewired retiled, new fixtures level access shower , non slip floor and new window added. Both me & Bobby cat were very unsettled with the noise & disruption. At times I was quite overwhelmed and felt wired & tired throughout. I was very glad when it was all over and although it took me x3 weeks to recover I was grateful to everybody for helping to keep me going step by step. I also knew I had a team of builders who knew me well , were very aware of my anxiety & how stress affects my Bipolar but most of all who I could trust and depend on for future work.

CORONAVIRUS UPDATE August

10 day self isolate instruction if have symptoms or test positive
we have worst excess deaths numbers in Europe
confusing messaging
lockdown restrictions enforced in Greater Manchester re households
advice is not to travel abroad / quarantine x14 days if back from Spain
Govt quarantine list of countries under constant review
Monday to Wednesday = Eat out to help out £10 off scheme
Govt message is that schools are the national priority ahead of pubs & shops
UK officially in recession
France on quarantine list
Beauticians, soft play & live music performances can resume
Govt do big U turn on A level results re algorithm public outrage & injustice
Marks & Spencer to shed 7,000 jobs
Govt = PHE / Test & Trace replaced by new National Institute of Health Protection
Covid-19 testing to be increased
GCSE results to be based on teacher predicted grades
UK debt reaches historic high
BTech students will have to wait a further week for their results !
Head of England exams regulator steps down after A level & GCSE chaos
mandatory face coverings in Scottish schools = corridors & communal areas
top civil servant in charge of education is sacked
test & trace keeps failing to meet targets
big rise in Covid cases since June = 1,522
rave organisers fined £10,000

Deaths = 42,724

Dr Singh feedback = August 19th by phone

resilience & strength to cope with a very challenging time
faced major disruption during wet-room work
perseverance rewarded by a fabulous new self care space
webpage wet-room section well described
well done facing up to & coping with dentist
it is the right time to declutter to make house more user friendly & accessible
allow yourself to be emotional at times which is ok
take things one step at a time re french doors/furniture & garden clearance
recognise when you are trying to do too much & getting overwhelmed
it’s time to let go of old folders & journals = it’s all on your website
hopefully next time we can meet face to face

Home & garden improvements (2) August

The other key people I needed to involve were Matt & Darren from my local Lawns & Leaves who had done garden clearance work for me in the past and knew about my bipolar and how important my garden is to me. I had a vision and a clear idea re what I wanted to achieve but needed £ pro help to enable me to achieve it step by step.

Ikebana

I don’t know if I found Ikebana or it found me …

Ikebana is the art of Japanese flower arranging which I discovered whilst browsing in Port Sunlight garden centre. I like Japanese garden acers & haiku poetry and was attracted by the simple beauty of the ceramic pot & the concept of the weighted spiky Frog (kenzan) pin holder which literally means ‘sword mountain’ . This appealed to my creative side both in terms of simplistic beauty / photography and flower arranging and would give me a new interest … I chose to go with freestyle so I wouldn’t be constrained & just let it take me wherever my creativity went

minimalist
less is more
elegant or quirky
deep respect for nature
incorporates many styles … mine is free style
the kenzan can hold heavy or delicate stems
use flowers and foliage either from the garden or houseplants or florist
key aspect is balance
can use any sort of container
so simple … so satisfying
keeps me calm
lifts my spirits

AUTUMN

CORONAVIRUS UPDATE September

Bolton out & then back into lockdown on the same day
quarantine confusion
pupils students teachers back to school / parent anxiety
need for rapid testing system to work
Bolton in full lockdown = highest covid rate in England = 179 per 100,000
some schools open then shut again
Wirral very high = 61.7 per 100,000
testing problems
don’t book a test unless you have symptoms
remember the basics
the law of 6 maximum … multiple households indoors or outdoors
exemptions = schools/work/team sports/weddings/funerals
inconsistent time lag between testing & getting results
North East stricter measures
Tuesday 22nd September = Boris address to the nation
6 month timeframe on restrictions
pubs & restaurants to close at 10.00p.m. table service only
mandatory wearing of masks in taxis
work from home if you can
England test mobile app launched Thurs Sept 24th
chancellor announces Job Support Scheme
covid outbreaks on student campuses = locked down for 2 weeks
grim milestone = worldwide deaths = 1 million
Boris misspeaks re North east restrictions
covid confusion

Deaths = 43,646

MAGGIE

Home & garden improvements (3) September = French doors & furniture

The next key D&R job entailed taking out the old patio doors which hadn’t been opened for x2 years and were there when I bought the house in 1987 ! I knew I needed to take this opportunity to change the way my den & front room looked so that involved removing the big family unit that I brought back from Mum & Dad’s house. I also knew that meant letting go & decluttering the contents of the unit & the emotions that it would stir up so I talked that through with my OT keyworker Helen and psychiatrist Dr Singh. It took a while for me to get clear idea of which order to get the jobs done and space them out so I didn’t get overwhelmed but I knew what I needed =

Matt & Darren = garden clearance left border high shrub
D&R builders = french doors design/unit removal/furniture rearrange
OT Helen = Mum & Dad unit declutter steps
Matt & Darren & neighbour John meeting re shape cherry tree / cut back ivy/ phormium
D&R builders = garden block paving pressure clean & sand
D&R builders = kitchen stable door

CORONAVIRUS UPDATE October

daily news conference reinstated
all stats heading in the wrong direction
Wirral increased restrictions
infections rising
US president Trump covid positive = military hospital
hospital admissions doubling
testing shambles of 16,000 missing covid cases
North South divide
talk of tier restrictions
10th October = World Mental Health Day / Theme = Mental Health for All
Chancellor announces enhanced £ Job support scheme
Wirral placed into Liverpool city region tier 3 (very high) restrictions for x1 month
Marcus Rashford steps up re free school meals over half term
Govt remains firm that no extra £ money over half term of Xmas holidays
Boots announce £120 rapid asymptomatic nasal swab test
furlough scheme to end 31st October

Deaths 46,413

Hands … face … space

PABLO

Dr Singh feedback October 22nd = face to face consultation

keep talking to keyworker Helen every x2 weeks
keep a diary of mini bleeds & headaches for one month then contact GP Dr Charles
keep new look kitchen decluttered
keep doing support groups daily texts & Claire sunday skype
balance between a.m. productivity & p.m. relax
family puppy pics & Ella pics from Kim are doing you good
remember you are loved even though you can’t see your family or friends on birthday

Home & Garden Improvements (5) October

LOCKDOWN (2 )

CORONAVIRUS UPDATE November

lockdown (2) = 5th November – 2nd December
Boris Johnson self isolates for x14 days
US vaccine 95% effective
Oxford vaccine 70 – 90% effective
Dominic Cummings leaves the government
Government sports bailout £ package
schools to stay open
pubs & restaurants to close
no golf or tennis
no non essential shops
Furlough extended to March 2021
new vaccine trial 99% effective
Dominic Cummings leaves the government
over 50,000 deaths grim milestone

Deaths = 53,724

My Autumn lockdown

It was a relief that Port Sunlight garden centre would remain open . Gina’s village florist shop had to close but she could still trade for phone collections & deliveries. We came up with a solution that on each Tuesday (when she gets her fresh stock in ) she would send me Whatsapp pictures so I could make my weekly choice which she would then deliver to my front door. It was so important for me in many ways.

daily structure
weekly structure
my autumn garden
family pics & video clips of Maggie & Pablo puppies & Pepper cat
Tuesday / Wednesday weekly… my ikebana flower choice & Gina doorstep delivery
daily ikebana mindful flower time
Martin builder completing current key job
me planning the next builders key job
houseplant care
Friday Port Sunlight Garden Centre £ weekly best plant treat
Mantra (1) = I am warm & safe & supported
Mantra (2) = Just Breathe & Believe
Mantra (3) = Step by step
daily texts & pics share to & from my family & close friends
Claire weekly Sunday Skype time
pottering round my new kitchen courtyard / utility area
dealing with Arrowe Park hospital Gynaelogical investigations

Remembrance Day … for my Dad, Grandpa Marsh & Uncle Les

Home & Garden Improvements (6)… November = Kitchen stabledoor

Turning Points

Autumn is a special time of year for me and my garden … but when Wirral went into Tier 3 very high covid category and then moving into November 2nd national lockdown it took on a special meaning for me.

WINTER

CORONAVIRUS UPDATE December

Wirral = tier 2
Family in tier 3 so can’t visit
mass testing in Wirral with army support
from 14 to x10 days self isolation
furlough extended to April 2021
Brexit deal signed
lorry drivers stuck at Dover re brexit
new covid virulant variant
south east hospitals start to struggle
international travel ban
schools call for clarity re schools reopening & pupils being tested
Oxford Astra Zenica vaccine approved
football matches start to be postponed
big rise in new cases & deaths
stay at home plea

Deaths = 73,512

Dr Singh feedback = December 17th = by phone

well done coping with Arrowe Park hospital Gynae post menapausal bleed investigations
pleased & relieved that are you cancer free
you can still use Helen if you need to
good idea to make a will with brother Martin help
hope you have a calm Christmas
aim to meet someone outside around Xmas
pace yourself to finish Coronavirus 2020 webpage
good plan for webwork 2021

Covid Christmas

tis the season to be jolly careful
the virus doesn’t care if it’s Christmas
2020 Christmas my way
my Christmas den
Dr Singh plan / space out contacts / avoid being overwhelmed
how to cope with the emotional whirlpool

Calm Christmas

local shops for presents & food
Port Sunlight for Xmas hologram lamp
Gina florist spruce flowers
Gina turquoise & silver wreathe
festive ikebana
Kim & Ella Port Sunlight pram walk & talk
friday Xmas Day plan … talk to Chris Martin & Mark / text Claire /
Chris was well
text friends
den red & green theme
Jackie text bubble
feelgood tv not xmas tv
Maggie Pablo & Ella pics
sky arts musicals
Claire picture : The boy, the mole, the fox and the horse
Claire sunday skype
was glad when it was over
Sunday = decorations out of my den

Tough Times

There were some very difficult days along the way. Days when I was stressed and wobbly and felt scared fragile and very alone. Days when I overdid the knee garden work & was in pain after, or drank too much white wine & beat myself up.. Days when I didn’t want to talk to family or friends. Nights of disturbed sleep when I had bad anxiety dreams or when I just couldn’t get to sleep & had to take extra sleep medication. Times that I knew my body was physically suffering from stress = headaches,neck pain, confusion, fast heart rate, heart pain. Certain times were particularly difficult …

accepting that the £ Equity Release process was going to take months not weeks
told that my much anticipated bathroom work was to be deferred to future unknown date
car with flat tyre on my drive from Easter Weekend for x8 weeks
3 days trying to speak to brother Chris in his care home
waiting for mobile Kwikfit guy re new tyre = arrived amidst Clap for Carers at 8.00 p.m.
the week of & either side of the lifting of the lockdown Phase 1
July overload = wet-room/£Equity Release funds/ Wimbledon/Teacher breakdown triggers
endless talk & news about schools
old bathroom ripped out & wet room builders x 2 weeks work noise disruption
constant pain = left side teeth / jaw / temple = feel the fear & take action
facing up to dentist Jane appointment
Callie family cat had to be put down re cancer
Wirral covid heightened restrictions = tier 3
the reality of not being in anyone’s bubble
birthday solo
lockdown loneliness
brother Chris Royal Bolton Hospital psych section / caught covid on general ward
GP Dr Charles mini bleed examination & referral to Arrowe Park gynae dept

Good Stuff

Claire’s regular weekly Sunday Skype time
Doctor Bromley starts work at Tameside hospital
Marj video call / Brackenwood golf girls playing on line bridge
driving my car to my village shops
driving my car to Port Sunlight again
Port Sunlight Garden Centre £ open again
sorting out 2020 car MOT & Tax online
Wirral Golf Club course re-opens
Jackie being able to play club golf again with her best pals
Phil family time at Eastham Woods
Wirral council garden waste brown bin resume fortnightly collection
Steve resuming his £ garden work at mine
family reconnect through tennis & garden
Mark trusting his dad to give him a buzz home haircut
Martin & Richard spending tennis hitting time together at Markland Hill Tennis Club
Martin being able to go & be with Ros in Lytham
Gina village florist shop £ opens again
bathroom start date = Monday 6th July … wonderful !
coping with months of Equity Release process £ financial advisor, surveyor and solicitor
dealing with new wet-room steps
baby Ella born Monday 29th June 7lbs 11ozs
wonderful wet-room finished !
talking to psych team OT Helen weekly
Dr Singh feedback
big box declutter
discovering Ikebana = the Japanese art of flower arranging
Martin & Mark decision family puppy Maggie
Matt & Darren garden clearance
builders den french doors
new patio furniture
puppy Pablo for Claire & Richard
weekly puppy pics
both family puppies meeting in the park
car MOT & service
D&R builders Martin & Robert = kitchen stabledoor
cancer free diagnosis

My Website work

Doing my Coronavirus webpage gave me a daily purpose & became a source of self support. It also helped me process and make sense of things in very challenging and ever changing times. It gave me a focus and a structure to help understand what was going on & evolved day by day, week by week & month by month. It mapped reflected chronicled my world & our UK journey & provided a timeline. Dr Singh and my family & friends encouraged me. It helped to keep me going & was an outlet for my photography and helped me deal with the loneliness of lockdown.

Review of 2020

rules and regulations
strange and at times surreal
facts & figures
ups and downs
tough challenges for every family & their friends
valuing our NHS every single day
keeping each other going in different ways
everyones world became much smaller
an emotional rollercoaster ride
felt like i was in a parallel universe
an achievement to get through
increasing use of online £ purchases & delivery
coping with change and uncertainty
one step forward two steps back
having to adapt our behaviour
increasingly high levels of mental health issues especially in children & young people
started with 281 deaths & ended with 73,512