It has been a strange time for everyone over the last seven weeks, and in that time we have been privileged to explore our own yard. We speak to many of our family and friends using all the technology that we can, speaking to those in the U.K, New Zealand, Australia and America and the same question we get asked by everyone is how are you coping in the lockdown?
We have reflected on this question every so often, and after the initial shock and worry, when we realised that our business was definitely not going to open, we started to adjust. When your income is reduced to zero as a business the government support has been invaluable, and we have really appreciated all the local support to help us. Then we adapted as everyone has done, we were in lockdown in our boatyard, our own holiday destination.
Since we brought the business six years ago, we have never had a sunny spring day in the yard without sharing it with our guests, and it has been a unique experience. We sincerely hope this will never happen again, but as we have it all to ourselves we decided to make the best of it. We have tried out nearly all our accommodation, having a night away break at home, and enjoyed the changes we have made. We particularly love the new floor to ceiling windows in Coot Club and Swallows. Nate has been enjoying home schooling and we have made use of Jo Wicks PE for the nation, and we have all improved our fitness. We are intending to carry on with Jo once it’s all over and make it a lifestyle change. I joined an online choir and really enjoy rediscovering singing (not since a child have I properly joined a choir). Nate has watched Greg & Maddie live and we made a bird feeder. Perhaps this or the natural order, has opened my eyes to how many birds their are in our yard. They normally hide themselves in plain sight, but with the reduction of humans in their garden this April and May I have easily seen, the Reed warblers, yellow wag tails, robins, the swallows have returned, and of course our kingfisher, to name a few. I really wish I had been able to get a go pro camera to capture these moments for everyone, but maybe soon.
Wildlife has been roaming around the yard. Mr and Mrs Swan are nesting again (5th year here) and sitting on 6 eggs. There was a recent run in with a mink who dared to venture in one evening, but Mr Swan saw him off, and has kept guard with greater vigilance since. They are definitely missing all of you visiting them as they only get fed twice a day by us, there is no longer a constant stream of delicious healthy swan food. There have been many pheasants wandering around the yard, across the caravan site, and one was even trying to board a day boat last week. The birdsong that normally starts at 5ish and then quiet end as the working day begins, is still ringing loudly in my ears at 8.30am, and doesn’t really go till the sunsets, and we sit and watch the glorious sundowner in top of our barge. I come back to my original question - how are we enjoying lockdown? Well, yes we have zero income, and yes we are following all government guidance; but we are getting to holiday exclusively in our own home. We are spending quality time together, learning things about each other and for the first time in six years I guess we are nesting in out yard. We are discovering our home and loving it. I know, compared to family and friends, some with no garden, we are abundantly privileged and we are living proof that money doesn’t happiness buy, but spending time in our little oasis certainly goes a long way towards it. We are looking forward to reopening and seeing you all again, and hope you get to see a little of what we are living, it really is relaxing, and an entertaining place to be. Wildlife watching definitely provides its own little story.
