3rd UK Lockdown: November 2020 - March 2021

NOVEMBER 2020 to MARCH 2021

Since the epic all day drive from the far north (Scottish Border) to the far south (Brighton & Hove) of England, in November 2020, we have been in Hove following the rules dictated by the third National Covid-19 Lockdown. Those rules meant we could only venture out for food shopping and local exercise. We were also not allowed to see anyone outside our household. Schools and universities were closed and people were encouraged to work from home where possible. This was all very depressing but we counted ourselves lucky, as many people had it far worse than us.
At the start of January 2021 things looked very bleak and the NHS was at breaking point. There were around 60,000 new cases per day, hospitals had a daily intake of up to 4,000 new patients and the average daily death toll was 1,500. Fortunately this was the worst it got and by late January the situation began to improve. The lockdown and a rapid Covid-19 vaccination program was having a positive effect. By the end of March we had seen a massive improvements. Daily cases were down to around 4,000, hospitalisations around 200 and deaths were averaging less than 50 a day.
The speed at which vaccinations were being given was particularly impressive, with over 30million people receiving their first dose by the end of March, more than half the adult population of the UK. I had my first dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine in mid-February and Anne received her first dose of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine in late March.
On 22nd February the British Prime Minister (Boris Johnson) set out the government roadmap out of lockdown and back to some sort of normality. He set out various dates at which normal service could resume, all dependant on an improving Covid-19 situation. The vaccination program was the key driver of this. The first cautious step was to allow children to return to school on 8th March. This progressed to small groups (up to 6 persons) being able to meet outside from 29th March. The key date for us was 12th April, as this was the day self-contained accommodations were able to re-open. We were now able to travel again, but only in the UK and with the knowledge we could be invited for our second vaccination at any time.
As for going abroad that is still a bit of an unknown. May 2021 was initially suggested but that was soon ruled out and now it’s a matter of just wait and see. The original optimism was based on the rapid progress made with the UK vaccination program. But this now seems to be exceptional when compared to other parts of the world. The situation was also compounded by a new wave of Covid-19 infections in mainland Europe and a chaotic roll out of the vaccination program in the EU.

So, as it stands, we have another tour around the UK planned. Starting on the 12th April and extending until the end of June. During that time we will monitor the Covid-19 situation and make a decision as to whether we can continue our travelling lifestyle.

For now we conclude with some images taken during lockdown and hope our next blog portrays a more upbeat message.

Coffee & Walnut Birthday Cake. Baking kept me busy during the lockdown

Lockdowns meant an end to our world exploration and I got confined to the kitchen to cook for the boys

When not cooking, board games were our other pastime, this one seemed particularly appropriate. We lost more often than we won

On windy days, paragliders take off from Devil's Dyke, South Downs NP

South Downs National Park (on our doorstep), on one of our many local walks

Another walk on the South Downs NP

South Downs NP Scenery

2021 was a cold winter for South of England. Dusting of snow on the South Downs NP

Made walking a bit slippery on the South Downs NP

Wintery scene on Hove sea front, a rare phenomenon in Brighton & Hove

The same tower i360 (aka the Donut by the local) 162 meters or 450 feet

The Donut of the i360, the 360 degree tower dominating the seafront

Hardy bathers, this is January 2021

Paddle borders, perfect day as no wind and no waves, not a common occurrence in Brighton & Hove

Hove Beach which goes on and on and on for 4 miles

Low tide on the beach, a different outlook

Reflection in the wet sand of Hove beach at low tide

During lockdown businesses came up with initiative ideas to attract customers back whilst still complying with lockdown rules

Shoreham aircrash memorial: Eleven distinctive steel arches - each uniquely commemorating the men who died when a Hawker Hunter jet crashed on to the A27 during an air display at Shoreham Airport in August 2015

Adur River at high tide

You can decorate your houseboat in any fashion you wish

Some houseboats look like are in need of TLC

There are ever more bizarre example of houseboat

More conventional ones as well

Shoreham pedestrian bridge over the river Adur

River Adur at Shoreham where houseboats are moored. This one is an old WW2 mine sweeper

Murmuration of Starling over Brighton Palace Pier, one of the few places you can see it in the UK

Murmuration always changing shape

Brighton Pier, or Brighton Palace Pier is also a favourite for murmuration of Starlings

Starling gathering at the end of the day above the West Pier

Winter time is the opportunity for fantastic sunset in Brighton & Hove, West Pier mades a beautiful setting