New place to live, first dose of vaccine

 So we achieved our move,  completing on the 15th February, and here we are in our rental property.  It has been strange partly by not seeming strange.  After fifteen years and a deep attachment to our old house I had thought it might be a real wrench to leave but no, the long slow build up seems to have produced something where it was finally a relief just to get on and do it, make the move, get ready for the next stage.  The week before we completed was the hardest with boxes everywhere and the job of cleaning to do at the old house in readiness for handing it over.  Now things are falling into place, the boxes are being emptied and moved out to the garage and the house is emerging into some sort of order.  I do miss our stunning views but there are things about living here that I like.

From the rental house is a short walk through the churchyard to the main street and the shops.  Today the sun shone and I took a detour right through the churchyard.

Snowdrops drift out from the wall and as I walk I can hear the birds beginning to ready themselves for spring.  I decide that while we are living here I will make a  real effort to get fit again having let my running slip away over the cold of winter and amidst the clamouring demands of boxes and packing.  In the last week I have run three times, well a mix of running and walking if the truth be told.  Nearly a year ago today I ran the Chester 10k, to my total astonishment and delight.  I could not even run 5k without walking a bit at the moment so that is my aim: to get back to the stage where 5k is routine and longer distances are possible.

I have had my first dose of the vaccine too, the Astrazeneca vaccine.  I am delighted to have had it and had no side effects.  Now I am simply longing for the whole world to open up.  It looks as though that will be a gradual process.  Boris Johnson will explain the "roadmap" plan to take England slowly out of lockdown in gradual stage, beginning with restarting schools on March 8th.  It looks as if the plan is for the whole process to take until the end of July with each stage being followed by a few weeks in which the impact of the release of restrictions is examined.  Here in Wales we are likely to be a little bahind that timetable although the first two years of primary school have reopened today for Welsh children.

I would forgo foreign travel and non essential shopping in exchange for being able to spend time again with our children and grandchildren.  Perhaps by the end of March that might be possible outside.  I hardly dare to think about it too much.  I have managed to remain reasonably calm and positive throughout the many months of restrictions mainly by focussing on what I can do each day.  If I lift my head from the immediate present and look forward I am too aware of the yearning to see people and the desire to plan.  I need to sit on it hard.  One day at a time.

Sunshine on daffodils.  One day at a time.