For me, lockdown has been one really big gap in my social life. I went to band practice as usual at 6:30 pm on 16th March to find only 8 people there instead of the usual 35 – rehearsals had been cancelled for the foreseeable future. We were supposed to be going on tour to Belgium –  now booked for 2021. Nevertheless, I’ve now been playing outside every Thursday evening during Clap For Our Carers in support of the NHS.

Another interest of mine is railways – both full size and model. I’m a member of the East Anglian Railway Museum and was involved with the rebuilding of a passenger-carrying narrow-gauge railway – this has ceased at the moment. I’ve got a layout of some 130ft of 00 gauge model railway – over the years it’s become a bit rundown since the kids/grandkids have grown up. I’ve spent a lot of time up there over the last few weeks.

Being over the age of 70, me and my wife are self-isolating – fortunately, we have both sons living closeby and so shopping’s not a problem. My smartphone has been really great – being able to do Facetime with family and friends and Zoom meetings with band members. I’m also a radio amateur, G3YWM – in recent years it’s very much taken a back seat, having no time with hobbies and volunteering to pursue it … that’s all changed too!

I’ve always attempted to do a short walk a few times and week and this hasn’t changed – 20-30 minutes… what has changed is the route to include a small wood – it’s been very therapeutic listening to the birdsong and trying to identify them by using a birdsong CD that I have. As a keen motorcyclist, I’ve been for short rides, not stopping anywhere and not going too fast – I see this as part of my mental wellbeing.

I’m not averse to cooking my own dinner when my wife’s busy but lockdown has inspired me to do some baking – resulting in making some buns – they were very edible!