A day out!

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Today was our first actual day out since the start of lockdown (so 12 weeks I think it is).

I must admit that I was really nervous about it. I’d had a few anxious nights with very little sleep thinking about it. I know that part of that is that I always do when visiting my in-laws as I don’t cope well with dogs that I don’t know well or haven’t got used to. We don’t see their dog often enough for me to have got used to it and become comfortable in it’s company and it does do the getting a bit too close stuff that I don’t cope well with in dogs.

The other big thing was that it was the first visit we’ve had since all of this began so I guess I have the anxieties about whether they have the virus and may pass it on or vice verse to some extent but more than that I think my worries come from the fact that the situation we were putting ourselves in was pretty unusual - being in someone’s garden that is family and you know so well but not really being allowed in the house or to get anywhere near them. Anyone who knows me will know that I’m a huggy person and  also that I go to pee about once every half hour as well so arriving and leaving will be weird. Also doing the whole car journey without a break for a loo stop and then trying to somehow limit how often I go while I’m there was also a worry (not because you can’t go as I know you can but it’s a bit of a faff having to wipe everything on your way in and out).
On the way there we went through Melton Mowbray and past the Saturday morning market which I think to some extent alleviated some of my worries. Everyone appeared to just be living life as “normal” - there didn’t seem to be much social distancing going on really - not a great thing but it did make me less nervous about all of the virus stuff. I know I still need to be sensible and try to keep distance and things for my own sake but perhaps I don’t need to be quite as nervous about it as I have been...? Especially with family that I know (or am fairly confident) don’t have the virus.
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Well what a lovely day that was! There was absolutely nothing to be worried about what so ever. I didn’t need any of my emergency tablets. The dog was kept inside when we got there, brought out on a lead and then released very slowly only when treats were brought out and given to him by everyone (other than me) and he calmed down straight away. I even got the chance to play with him a little bit by kicking his ball for him although it was too hot and he didn’t want to play for very long.

The tables had been set out at a distance too so we could all eat comfortably. And there’s a brolly out for old pasty face here to stay in the shade too!
We got to admire and appreciate the pond a lot as we were outside more than we would normally be and it was so nice to see so many birds and butterflies in the garden too.
Check out this huge koi carp in the pond!
We also had a lovely BBQ cooked by Dad L
And were pleased to meet the resident squirrel (I know they’re a pest really but they’re so cute!)
We even tested out my phone’s waterproof-ness and got this little video of the fish!
It was an all round lovely day - very chilled - absolutely no pressure to do anything and just great. Thanks to Mum and Dad L and to Adam and my brain for making it as easy as it was. Here to many more after-covid meet ups with people in the future.

Ooh - and on the way home we also drove by Ruddington Water - I think it might have been a bit wet in the distance but we’ve been very lucky and have had gorgeous weather all day.
I think it was much more needed that either of us realised to get back to some sort of normality and to see some lovely countryside on the way too.

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