The aftermath of enforced lockdown.

 Been nowhere; done nothing, therefore nothing to write about and the only photos show how well the weeds have grown in my garden. .  But all this time of obeying the Prime Minister's orders to 'Stay At Home' and 'Keep Your Distance' hasn't done me much good at all.  Yes, I might have avoided catching the dreaded Covid bug, but the rest of me seems to be falling to pieces.

Attempts to take Benji 'walkies' along the local lanes ended in failure when too many people wanted to stop and chat or fuss the cute little dog, while I worried about how close they were.  So I bundled him into the car and headed a little further afield.   Foiled again because every beach, every (formerly) secluded, quiet beauty spot was bursting with crowds of people.  So many, like thousands of holidaymakers have flooded into this little county, hoping to find the sun (ha !) which travel restrictions have denied them this year.  To make matters even worse, many have travelled down to Cornwall in their hastily bought Motorhomes or Caravans, then found that our very narrow and twisting lanes are almost impossible to negotiate in anything larger than a Mini. 

So my car has been parked on the drive out of harm's way and our world has been restricted to the house and garden.   Actually, lockdown hasn't been too bad for me; I like my own space and it's been a different kind of freedom, knowing that no-one would be calling unexpectedly and if I fancy lounging around in my dressing gown all day, then I can. My groceries came by weekly deliveries and I succumbed to online shopping.

 I could have sunbathed in my birthday suit, knowing I wouldn't have to answer the door to anyone.  (I didn't because I have neighbours!)  And I don't want to frighten the birds. So - although it has been quite frustrating, living in Cornwall yet not being able to even see the sea, it has been quite relaxing, enjoying the sunny days (there have been a few), the wonderful birdsong, seeming louder this year through the lack of traffic and as long as I kept the birdbath topped up I was free to sit and read in the garden with just a bit of weeding, dead-heading and occasional mowing of the 2 lawns. Not a lot of watering to be done - we've had plenty of rain, thanks very much, in gentle drizzle, torrential downpours and epic floods

But like I said, it's not been good for my health.  My FitBit has been redundant - it counts steps and there aren't many between the kitchen door, the garden chair and the bathroom.  All this time without any exercise - BAD! Muscles - GONE! Along with constant dull headaches (I never get headaches), dizzy spells and fatigue. The worry increased - have I caught Covid?  If it's not that, then what is wrong with me? So the tension mounts and the headaches increase in strength and numbers.

However, I sent off for some Covid Flow Test kits; used them, they're negative. The dizziness? I suspect my blood pressure medication could need changing or at least adjusting, so I've had blood tests (results next Monday. )  Fatigue?  I've realised that every time I eat bread, I can - and do - fall asleep in the chair, no matter what time of day.  Googled, as you do and searched online and found it's probably gluten intolerance.  Since switching to gluten-free foods, the sleepiness has almost stopped.  And because I've done something positive, the tension has eased, along with the headaches.  

The nurse 'tutted' when she realised I'd had no tests for almost 2 years, but in my defence I had assumed that with the Covid pandemic and the regular reminders not to put extra pressure on our doctors, it wouldn't be possible to ask for blood tests, etc.  But I was told that I should have arranged regular medication checks and blood tests. Ooops! 

So I now await the results and learn whether my diabetes, blood pressure and thyroid function is under control and hopefully that my forthcoming appointment for cataract removal can go ahead. There's light at the end of the tunnel at last.