Lockdown Easing
Lockdown has been
eased for just over a week now and I have to admit it has made a huge
difference to my life, so I very much hope that the anticipated spike
in infections is low. The gardening that I enjoy hasn’t been
affected by lockdown except to the extent that my plants have
probably never had more attention. However, two other pleasurable
aspects of my life, boules and socialising, most certainly have and
lockdown easing has made both possible again. I have had friends to
eat here, have been invited by friends to eat with them and hope that
that part of my life can thrive again. On all such occasions we have
observed reasonable distancing and the classic French «bise» (kiss
on the cheeks) has been all but outlawed. However, social
intercourse is back and is a great boon. So far I have played boules
only twice but the public spaces are now open and social distancing
is not difficult while playing. So I look forward to more of that.
The front of the
house is looking good and the climbing roses at the back are in full
bloom, as also is the dwarf blue campanula that I have plugged into
the terrace wall wherever I could. The balcony has been running
through its repertoire of scents, startiing with the lilac briefly
followed by the honeysuckle which is now just going over while the
jasline has started to bloom. It makes sitting out on the balcony in
the evenings a real olfactory pleasure. The weather is doing its best
to get the good feelings going with plenty of sunshine and warmth and
the frogs in the river are in full song.
In the shops
asparagus and strawberries are in full flood, melons are plentiful
and the first peaches and nectarines are beginning to appear.
Cherries will be next and I will have my fruit heaven. Life feels
good again.
