I usually have a couple draft posts waiting for me to finish and publish but, in the current situation, they no longer feel appropriate.
Normally, we would be planning our return to France, at the beginning of April, but this is obviously out of the question. Strangely, this doesn’t bother me, as much as you might think, because I would rather be in the UK, close to my family and dearest friends.
Yes, we have friends in France but it is on a diferent level to the connection with people here whom I have known for a very long time.
So, how am I filling my time now that dance classes are cancelled and social distancing is taking place?
Keeping in close contact with friends and family.
I have several friends who have self-isolated because they have underlying health issues, some of them live alone so I am on a mission to phone them on a regular basis. Social media is wonderful for keeping in contact. I’m a fan of WhatsApp and FaceTime and both of these are free but sometimes there’s nothing like a good old phone chat (which can be done through the apps I’ve already mentioned) especially with elderly relatives, for example. My aunt and uncle are both in their nineties and I am phoning then more frequently at the moment.
Exercising
This is a no-brainer for me. I love the two dance based classes I attend every week but I have found alternatives on line. YouTube is brilliant for this.
Walking is something that I love and I can go a bit stir crazy if stuck indoors for too long. At the moment, I am walking every day and there are plenty of routes to chose from in the beautiful Surrey Hills where I live. I am only too aware that I’m very fortunate to have a garden where I can always sit and have a cup of tea when thoughts start to spiral out of control; not everybody has this luxury.
Mr FF has also decided to become my personal trainer. This could end badly…
Learning something new
Here’s my proposed list:
*Yoga – there are some brilliant examples on YouTube. I have also started to do alternate nostril breathing; very good for anxiety and lungs
*Language Learning – I have always maintained my French. At the moment, I am watching some excellent French films etc on Netflix. My Spanish (O level!) is sadly weak at the moment, so I will return to using Duolingo, an excellent language learning app.
*Cork Crafting – over the years, I appear to have amassed a rather large collection of wine corks! Luckily, one of my Christmas presents included a glue gun and I am intending to make lots of wonderful items with my corks. Pinterest has lots of helpful suggestions.
I shall also be:
Reading – I have always found solace in books and now’s an ideal opportunity to read, in the day, without guilt! Recommendations welcome but nothing too dark, please. I have some book reviews in previous posts, should you be interested.
Spring Cleaning – Somewhat less appealing but necessary.
Blogging – both writing posts and reading other blogs. I find the blogging community inclusive and supportive.
I’d love to know how you are occupying your time!
Stay safe x
Fancying France 
Privileged to be one of your friends that can face time chat to on a regular basis and support each other
Rxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Likewise! J xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, challenging times. It’s important to have a routine. I stick to a morning at the laptop, emailing and writing, other bits of admin. For lunch I cook a homemade soup at least 4 times a week. At the moment we have enough food but I always have online deliveries and those seem to have collapsed – a shame as what do people in self-isolation do. We are taking the social distancing seriously but we still get out for walks along the seafront together that blast of fresh sea air. Stay safe and well xxx
LikeLike
I’m not sure if my comment got to you – so just in case here it is again 🙂
Yes, challenging times. It’s important to have a routine. I stick to a morning at the laptop, emailing and writing, other bits of admin. For lunch I cook a homemade soup at least 4 times a week. At the moment we have enough food but I always have online deliveries and those seem to have collapsed – a shame as what do people in self-isolation do. We are taking the social distancing seriously but we still get out for walks along the seafront together that blast of fresh sea air. Stay safe and well xxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Penny! It’s good to see you back blogging. I did comment on your post but you’ve had so many responses, I imagine it will take you ages just to read them all! One of your comments ended up in my spam folder and the other one where it should be – very odd. We should have been in Hove this week, housesitting but this has been cancelled of course and I’m missing the sea. Take care and be safe xxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
So important to line up a list of activities that we CAN do rather than dwell on those that we can’t. And aren’t we fortunate to have the opportunity for video calls? There are so many ways to stay in touch even if we can’t see (and hug) our families. Take care. X
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, we are lucky that technology gives us the ability to stay in touch. I am naturally quite a ‘huggy – feely person’ and I had no idea how often I touched my face! Stay safe x
LikeLike
Haha, I am a face toucher……right at the top of the range that makes the average number of times per day! In fact, I wrote a post on face touching yesterday (!!) but decided it was too depressing so I deleted it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Corking? I’ll definitely have to pass although it’s a great idea for France. In lock down, my wine’s in a big box! Hang in there, June. Stay safe with family.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha! I like the sound of a big box of wine. You hang in too and stay safe. Thanks for commenting.
LikeLike