The gift of time



Dearest readers, thank you for joining me again today. 

Like the majority of the UK population I was furloughed this week. Up until the announcement on the TV, I'd never heard the word, but it shall remain one that will forever remind us of this historical time. I do hope that you are well, staying at home and coping with this new life of confines and restrictions. Never has there been such a drive to help us all do the right thing and by so doing we are supporting our NHS staff. I put a video up on my instagram feed the other day about how important it is for us to keep well, giving a wee tip on how to boost your immune system - please take a look if you haven't already.




Suddenly we've all been given the gift of free time. Surely this has to be the most wonderful silver lining of all times? I expect many of you would rather have the freedom to come and go as you please, visit family as normal and go about your working lives, but I'm all for silver linings. My to-do list at home is as long as my arm, a fact which overwhelms me most of the time given that I am a workaholic and am often at my work computer by 5am so that I can do a couple of hours before my morning swim. And now my world has shrunk into this place where my daily work is my home. I'm now pulling a schedule together of my short, medium and long-term plans for all of my projects, ranging from spring cleaning, dejunking the loft, finishing a long awaited sewing task on to starting a vegetable plot. Thank you Boris for giving me home time, and for paying me for it too.




I acknowledge the fact that I'm so incredibly lucky to live in this tiny island paradise, one where my daily exercise can be out in the fresh air on a beach that I have completely to myself. I always count my blessings, in fact, every morning as I emerge from my swim I stop and look out to sea, sending my thanks out to God or Mother Nature or the Universe, whichever you please. I never take my life here for granted. I'm humbled by the beauty I see in my daily swim and know how easily and quickly that could all change - this was always my thinking, even before the Coronavirus came along. 




Another joyful discovery for me is that I no longer have to rush to the beach on my bike, thrash along the bay and back at breakneck speed and dash home again so that I can get into work on time. No! I can take my daily exercise at any time, which now means I can have a walk on my way to the beach at my leisure. At My Leisure. That's my silver lining for sure!




Much as I'm giddy with excitement at this new departure in my life, I'm still feeling waves of anxiety about the global situation. As I strolled along the shoreline of Pentle Bay yesterday afternoon in the sunshine, I was suddenly gripped by the thought of those struck down by this disease. Last week I visited the pharmacy on St Mary's and was shocked to be served by someone wearing a full gas mask, the likes of which I've only seen on war movies. The enormity of the situation struck home then. This wasn't hysteria or scaremongering. Our tiny island health practice is very vulnerable (see another intsta-rant of mine here). I dread to think how we will cope if the virus infiltrates our island life. 





So, it's coming up to time for today's walk. I'll finish now with this shot of a rather large jellyfish I came across yesterday. Needless to say, I didn't stop to swim on that beach!


Take care and thanks for swinging by!

Anna x

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20 comments

  1. What a good attitude you have Anna! I'm trying to, but as you probably know, here in the US if you aren't working you're not getting paid. The winery I work at was shut-down and all the employees are just plain out of work with no compensation because none of us were full time (40 hours or more) employees. I'm ok because my husband is able to work full time from home and still is working but I worry for several co-workers who are probably struggling right now. I'm glad for you and hope your island stays safe. I will say I am getting lots of projects done and my house will be the cleanest it's ever been! Take care friend!

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    1. That's another blessing for us over here in the UK Julia - I wouldn't be in such a happy frame of mind if I weren't being paid. Goodness knows how these people will survive - so frightening for them in this terrible time.

      I reckon that we'll all have very shiny, clean houses over the forthcoming weeks. And all of those chores we didn't have time for .... Silver linings eh?

      Take care x

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  2. My goodness what a huge jelly fish. You and your morning swims. Amazing.

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    1. Suddenly I'm in the position when I can follow the tide and swim on the high tide every day now - no matter what time it is. What joy!

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  3. I'm seeing this as a bit of a test-drive for me to see what retirement might be like - I have maybe 10 years of work before I'll be able to retire. I have found that I require structure in my days and little goals of things to do. I actually appreciate that I'm working all of this out now instead of later!

    Good for you for taking care of yourself, Anna. I love seeing the pictures of your gorgeous island. That is a massive jellyfish!

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    1. Like you, I need structure to my day so that I can function. My first day at home was a huge learning curve where I drifted about, achieving nothing apart from my swim/walk. Today I'm going to get some chores lined up on paper so that I can create a better plan.

      I'm not sure if I'll be one who wants to retire - I love my job too much!

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  4. Hi Anna, once again I smell the sand and the salty water in your words and photos. Thanks a lot for the insight in your life. You are so blessed to life at such a wonderful place…
    We here in Cologne are positive people (the most of us) and it hurts, so see the sunshine, the spring flowers, the blossoms at the trees, the rhine river, glittering in the sunshine and: stay indoor. Not to be able to see my sisters (both over 70 years) and my mum (93 years) in the senior house is not so easy.
    But, I'm still working in the office, some of us changed to home office modus. Everything fine untill now - we hope we flatternd the curve!! Together with distance- the magic slogan!
    Keep yourself and your loved ones save!!! Air kisses!
    Susa from Cologne

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    1. Dear Susa, it's times like these that we all need to reach out to others, spreading kindness and hope - thank you for your lovely update on your life. Every day I hear of another form of kindness within our community and further afield. I love that saying, together with distance and will keep it in mind too.

      We all have to count our blessings and find a little bit of joy in our daily life. Hopefully the blog offers a bit of enjoyment to your day xxx

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  5. Je vous remercie de partager avec nous votre façon de voir la vie.
    Certes, l'île sur laquelle vous vivez est magnifique, mais c'est surtout votre optimisme et votre dynamisme qui vous permettent de trouver du positif dans chaque situation. Vous savez apprécier ce qui est naturellement beau mais vous savez surtout embellir tout ce qui vous entoure.
    En ces temps difficiles de confinement,cela nous apporte beaucoup de joie et d’énergie. Encore merci!!!

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    1. Merci Vero pour vos bon mots et sentiments. Losque je compris ce que vous ecrivez, je cherche les mots difficile a respondez. C'est longtemps depuis je parle Francais a l'ecole!

      And so, I'll say thank you for exercising my brain with these french conversations - I always love a challenge! I do believe you can always find a grain of goodness even within the worst situation. A positive outlook is the least I can have given the wonderful life I live. That's not to say I'm perfect - I do struggle to maintain a good balance sometimes.

      A bientot!
      Anna x

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  6. Your island retreat looks so serene and inviting. I certainly understand the anxiety and fears from the virus. However, it sounds as if you are getting some much deserved down time, so I hope you can enjoy it!

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    1. Thanks for this Kim. I do hope that you're managing to keep yourself and your family safe and well occupied during these tough times.

      Take care x

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  7. I'm admiring your attitude and mindset, Anna! Maybe I should look for that silver lining too. I was still working 5 days a week, in an almost empty office, and glad of the routine it gave me. Now it seems I will have to adjust to being at home for 3 days. I too have quite a lot of projects - those if I ever have time ones - so I'll have to muster my get up and go and establish some kind of routine. xxx

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    1. Cheers Ann. I must admit it was a terrible shock to be told that I was being furloughed as work is my everything. I love my job; the challenge, the creativity it affords me, the contacts within the role and most of all, the routine. Next on my to-do list is to create a timetable for my days as I'm prone to having fits and starts of energy and focus when I'm at home.

      Good luck with your new routine x

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  8. Lovely to read your post and how are you managing your free time!, I totally agree that having a list of tasks, a structure in our days, makes a difference.
    And it's pretty refreshing to see you in these fab landscapes!, it's like a breath of fresh air!.
    I'm missing my walks under the trees, but managing it better than expected!
    besos

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    1. Thanks for dropping by again Monica. These are such strange times and the constant news updates can be so draining - it's good to have blogs to visit and the daily walk to look forward to.

      Stay safe my dear x

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  9. A great read, stay safe and well my friend. x Jacqui

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    1. Cheers Jacqui! I hope you're coping with a houseful of family. Stay safe x

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  10. Oh your beautiful post! You make me happy with the photos of your sea joy! I don't doubt that you know every inch of how fortunate you are to have this as your backdrop and I hope and pray that the virus does not come to these beautiful islands. It is a wonderful place for sure and such a tiny community IS very vulnerable.
    Time is great. I have managed to catch up on sleep this last week or so which I was severely lacking after a busy January, February and initially March. I really miss my kids though- feeling sad at the thought I won't get to teach my lovely year 6's- I don't want them to leave before more lessons. And we were doing so well in orchestra with Havana and the National Anthem!

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    1. We all of us here feel very fortunate to be safe in these islands. There's a vetting procedure in place to make sure that no-one is trying to take refuge here who ought not to be here. Our GP practice is working hard to keep us all safe and well too.

      I'm pleased to hear that you're benefiting from this time away from work. The joy of good sleep! I really don't fare well with a lack of sleep. Very sad for you to lose the connection with your kids. I do hope you get to see them again before the end of summer term x

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