If You Can't Go To The Pub ......

Bring the pub to you 

Well, since my last blog post I've fully recovered from what I believe was Coronavirus. It's difficult to know for certain that I've had the virus, as there is no routine testing, but I've pretty much followed the sequence of expected symptoms apart from a persistent cough. It took until day 5 for me to feel back to my usual self, most of the symptoms passed within the first 3 days, but I was just left feeling very tired, I don't think I've slept so much or so well for a long time.

My recovery was confirmed by my wife who said "you must be feeling better you are back to your belligerent and cantankerous self", now I'd like to think this was an expression of endearment rather than any personal feedback, but if not at least Oscar the Dog appears happy to see me up and about especially as his walk schedule is now back on track.

I felt quite giddy about the end of  my 7 day isolation but it dawned on me this morning that nothing really changes, as everywhere is shut, even the pub. So there is no 7 or 14 day self isolation, there is just isolation. Period. It's amazing how your world contracts, my social life is now taking the dog out for a walk. This is generally something I enjoy, apart from when he gets the scent of rabbits and just decides to bugger off, leaving me standing like a muppet, with a dog lead in hand bellowing his name. Although it's never said you can sense the thoughts of passers by and other dog walkers. So I decided I needed a new less stressful interest and the best I could come up with was taking my chair and sitting outside the pub, chatting to Oscar, wistfully looking in through the windows and reminiscing about the good times. However, just before I could get going with this new and exciting activity, the pub decided to start offering takeaway food, plus carry out flagons of real ale. Now that's more like it, if you can't go to the pub, then bring the pub to you. A cracking idea.

Conference call bingo card

I don't know if many of you are working from home, I am lucky enough to be able to do that, but I have been stressing about the etiquette of video conferencing ie webcam on or off. I must admit I default to voice only, but if I'm on a one to one and the other person has their camera on then I tend to reciprocate. I'm not sure about anyone else, but I do start to find myself becoming distracted by the decor, pictures and bookshelves in people's homes. In fact sometimes I've drifted off to such an extent, that if I'm asked a question I have to default to a box from conference call bingo, "sorry you broke up, can you repeat that" - I think that ticks two boxes. I've put the full card to the left, so if you are on a video call for work or even if you are Skyping friends and family use it, it will make you smile, it's amazing how many times the phrases and expressions pop up. But don't get too distracted and remember if your camera is on, it's not like watching TV, everyone else can see you, so please watch out for what you are scratching or picking.

According to my wife the advice from Borris is that, if you are in family isolation then you should try and keep as far apart as possible and if someone has started showing symptoms then you should sleep in separate beds. Now I've not seen that advice, so I'm not sure if Mrs Riley has made it up just as an excuse to escape the grunting and snoring noises that I'm told I make most nights. Not one to miss an opportunity, Oscar the Dog has seized the moment and replaced my wife as my sleeping Partner. Ever since Oscar started having seizures last year, he has been sleeping in our bedroom. He isn't usually allowed on the bed, but I think he sensed my weakness and thought, right I'm in here.

My new sleeping buddy

This sleeping arrangement works quite well except that I'd say 2 or 3 times a night Oscar decides to get up and have a stroll around the bedroom, a drink from his bowl in the ensuite and then patter back to bed. Sometimes he just snuggles back down on his own cushions, but if he wants to come back to me, he won't jump up, but he has developed a 4 stage process to let me know he is waiting to be picked up and lifted onto the bed. Step 1, is the cold and wet nose nudge on any part of my body exposed from under the cover. If there is no response he moves into phase 2. I can only describe this as a loud nose blow, it's a bit like a toned down version of a humpback whale exhaling through its blowhole. Step 3 is a stupid whining noise. For those who were around in the 70 's it sounds a bit like Charley the ginger moggie who starred in the public information films 'Charley says', warning against the dangers of things such as matches (if you have never seen him it's worth a look here, it's a bit of insight into my childhood). Finally step 4 is a full on bark, I can tell you if you are in a deep sleep and he barks, you wake up like a shot and have a moment of disorientated panic, until you realise it's just the bloody dog who can't be arsed to climb on the bed. Nights with Mrs Riley are never this eventful.

I know some of you were concerned about my pre isolation food shopping priorities, but to be honest we've done ok. Although I'd never admit it to my wife, we have been saved by our weekly Hello Fresh food delivery  which is a bit like meals on wheels but you have to do the cooking yourself. However moving forward, I have started a Red, Amber, Green ragging technique for priority items; Toilet rolls are currently amber, no immediate panic, but if you see some get them bought,  tea bags are green no immediate risk of running out, but following the announcement that pubs are closing, alcohol is flashing red. Although we have alcohol in the house it's going down faster than it's being replaced. So it's mandatory for everyone in the family who leaves the house and goes shopping to buy beer or wine, just to make sure we maintain current safety levels.

Fresh air and exercise

At this time keeping fit and healthy is essential and walking is an excellent way to do this as you are benefiting from both fresh air and exercise*. There are many ways to do this e.g just a walk round the block or a walk to the park, I am fortunate that I live in a village in rural Lincolnshire close to lots of open countryside. For people who live in and around Baston, or anywhere between Peterborough and Stamford, I have captured a few walks in my blog here. Alternatively you can find walks on the Ramblers and LDWA websites. The Ordnance Survey app shows all public footpaths, although there is a fee for the app

Well that's enough for now, I need to leave you to make sure I don't miss Tipping Point, The Chase and Richard Osman's House of Games. It's a whole new world of television viewing for me.

Stay safe

*Official Government advice states that, apart from people who are in households with symptoms or who have pre-existing health conditions that put them at increased risk of contracting COVID-19, going for a walk independently can continue and is an excellent way to maintain health and wellbeing - provided independent walkers stay more than two metres from others.

I hope you have enjoyed reading this blog, you can read more of my Coronacrisis Blogs here, or my Blog Home page here. If you have any comments please leave them in the box below.