Coronavirus diary, Sunday 14 June

I enjoyed reading the family experiences in lockdown. Thank you!

It set me thinking, looking back over my life, reliving momentous days, marvellous moments.

Let me tell you a few of them.......

I suppose my earliest memory was my first day at primary school. As I was going happily through the gates my mother was crying - she was losing her little Bob! 

Granny Skinner

Grandparents often have a strong influence in our lives.
I knew only two, and one, Granny Skinner, only very briefly, when we lived at her house, 20 Bushey Road, West Ham where I was born.

Granny Dymond

Granny Dymond, happily, was with us for many years.
My fondest memory was her sitting in her room in 50 Burnaby Street, Splott, reading the South Wales Echo.

Bob with his father, Margate, 1938

Dad died young, at 52, which makes my memories of him more poignant. I remember him handing me a surprise present, a cricket bat with the signatures of the England and New Zealand teams.

That wonderful bat, 80 years on

Bob's mother Gwen at her 100th birthday party, 1991

As for Mum, my favourite memory of the 68 years we shared was the family party at South Glamorgan headquarters on for her 100th birthday.

Owy as a young reporter

Thoughts on Rosemary - Owy? Innumerable. 
Boarding the plane bound for Ireland on our honeymoon, 23rd August 1952.

Weddings were standout days - ours at Christchurch, Penarth, now demolished, Bert and Jean, Dorothy and George, Beverley and Julio, Robert and Karen.

Of our days at Lakeside, the three cousins, Valerie, Brenda and Beverley playing in the garden at Lakeside Drive, firework night parties.

Siân, Ria and Owy in Majorca

And of the grandchildren, Siân and Ria on holiday with Rosemary and me in Majorca when Ben was born, Owen's christening at Chalfont St Giles church.

Looking at Adam and Daniel now I recall them as young children scrapping on our lounge floor in Penarth, and, recently, playing football on their own pitch at home in Tidenham. 

My day out with Mylo when his team won the Welsh schools cricket cup at Sophia Gardens.

One pleasure I miss now is seeing Rosa and Claudia at Sunrise, 'riding' my scooter in my living room; another chatting with Rosie Dymond - I spoke to her recently on Zoom after she gave a service for Sunrise residents. 

That is just a handful of my cherished memories. 

Not all have been happy, of course. Age brings inevitable sadness and loss.

Beverley's death was a cruel blow for all of us, especially Rosemary and me. I love to remember her, seriously ill but determined to get better, teaching patients knitting at the Wiltshire hospital.

Taking stock of my 93 years, I cannot believe I have been so fortunate, that I have had such a lovely, interesting life. And still have, thanks to the family. Thank you, again.

Coronavirus diary, Saturday 13 June

The economy: falling off a cliff

Why has the UK suffered more deaths and is in worse economic shape than most other countries? 

We probably won't know the answer for years, until the public inquiry's findings and recommendations, but the inquest has already begun.

The outlook is bleak, especially for the government, assailed on all sides for their handling of the crisis so far.

From the start of the pandemic in January they have been repeatedly accused of reacting too slowly to the obvious dangers ahead, signalled by China and Italy.

Since then they have been alternatively bold - major decisions proving to be wrong - and timid, delaying and dithering over other matters, creating confusion by not giving clear instructions

Worst of all, and most dangerous, is the allegation of lack of open-ness, of misinformation, dishonesty with statistics, promises not kept, inefficiency and and not admitting mistakes.

So what should they do now?

The shock economic news gives them a stark choice: the economy or health.

One would be to be bold and to lift restrictions as fast as possible to get the economy on track. 

A daunting task with nine million workers - more than one in four of the workforce - being paid under the furlough scheme, and millions likely to lose their jobs.

But that could spell danger and a peak in deaths. 

The other is to be cautious, not try to get back to normal too son, which might antagonise the people, tired of being denied a normal life.

Chancellor Sunak

Chancellor Rishi Sunak says Britain's economic plight is the same as other countries and that the measures he has taken give us the chance to recover quicker.

 'Life will get a bit more back to normal when the shops on the high street reopen', he says.

Coronavirus diary, Friday 12 June

Here are the answers to the Wales quiz - questions here. 

Wales Quiz answers

1 1056
2 Dragon  Daffodil  Leek
3 Dragon
4 Severn
5 Caernarfon Castle
6 1969
7 Founder of NHS
8 David Lloyd George
9 Royal National Eisteddfod  Llangollen International Eisteddfod
10 1268-1290  (1200 )
11 Leaning tower
12 A food  (soup)
13 Menai Strait
14 Portmeirion
15 Under Milkwood
16 K Q V X Z
17 Caerphilly
18 1056
19 St Davids
20 St David    Bishop

Coronavirus diary, Wednesday 10 June

How are young adults coping with lockdown? Today, a guest post by my niece's son, Adam Taylor, 19. 

The year of the global pandemic: my thoughts on lockdown 2020

It is safe to say that even before the coronavirus first reared its head in the UK in March this year, 2020 was already proving to be turbulent with bush fires ravaging Australia and the premature death of basketball icon Kobe Bryant. However, it is arguable that lockdown has brought the most upheaval and uncertainty to the United Kingdom since the years of the Second World War.

Personally, lockdown has triggered many firsts for me. With finishing my final weeks of lectures and doing my entire first year of university exams in my bedroom online providing the most surreal experience. It felt particularly strange and anticlimactic to submit my final exam knowing that there would be no celebrations, summer ball, or end of season dinners to enjoy, at least not for a while. The end of my first year at university came almost as fast as my experience began and lockdown has provided the opportunity to reflect on the new friendships I had built, the new experiences I’d had and think about the things I want to achieve next year.

However, it would be unfair to say that lockdown has been only full of gloom, exams, and profound thinking! It has been amazing to see how the British population has responded to these measures that, particularly to my generation, are completely alien to us. The clap for carers movement, ‘Run 5, Donate 5, Nominate 5’ and Captain Tom Moore showing incredible flashes of humanity. 

On a slightly lighter note, weekly Zoom pub calls with my friends as well as football socials and quizzes provided much needed release and entertainment during the harsher stages of lockdown. I truly believe that only the British would go to such lengths to keep the pub alive! The first ever Taylor Family Physical Challenge that recently came to a close with Dan reigning victorious also provided a great deal of friendly competition with events from netball to snooker allowing us to spend time together having spent the majority of the last year apart with Dan away in Paris and myself in Exeter. If one member of the family has enjoyed the company, it must be Charlie with double the walks and attention coming his way!

As the restrictions have started to ease, some sense of normality has slowly begun to return. After nine weeks apart from my girlfriend Sophie, I have been able to see her whilst abiding by social distancing measures and I have met a few of my friends in town at a safe distance and enjoying communication unhindered by questionable Wi-Fi connections! We can only hope now that the statistics continue to improve, and the restrictions be relaxed further.

Socially distanced queues and takeaway meals have dominated many of our thoughts during lockdown as well as the grief of those who have lost family and friends and the stress of key workers who risk their lives daily. However, it appears that a new phenomenon is emerging with the protests for Black Lives Matter beginning to grow in popularity and intensity. I feel we can only guess as to where these protests will lead but what is very positive for me is seeing the growing awareness and willingness across all generations to educate ourselves about this age old and incredibly worthy cause. If this pandemic will ultimately increase awareness and equality in the wake of these protests, then perhaps we will see some positive change.

Overall, my experience of this pandemic has been a mixed bag of emotions dominated by uncertainty and confusion. However, I feel in some way that being part of history in this way will affect the lives of my generation for decades to come and it will be remembered as a hugely significant time in our lives. Through all the toxic politics and stagnant debate, I must say that it has been a truly unforgettable experience and despite the far from ideal situation, I have made some extremely fond memories.

Coronavirus diary, Thursday 11 June

You don't have to read the full newspaper stories to realise why defeating coronavirus is so difficult for the government, their committees and teams of experts - the headlines plainly spell it out. 

Look at these from today's Times:

Children to be united with their grandparents at last
Sunak targets two-metre rule and calls for spending spree
Customers will be scared to go shopping
Arrival of millions by sea adds to quarantine doubts
Prepare for second wave this winter advisers warn
Lockdown a week earlier would have halved toll
Tracing app cuts spread of virus on Isle of Wight 
PPE stocks were in chaos until army got a grip
Johnson says summer schools will help children to catch up

So much conjecture, recrimination, hope and, perhaps, wishful thinking? 

Coronavirus diary, Wednesday 10 June

                     Family in lockdown

Owen Skinner
Owen is enjoying a lie-in, not having to catch the coach into school which saves him two hours a day, although he says he used to start his homework on the way home. Not so easy, due to bad behaviour of some boys. 

His schooling has continued with online and exams.

Triking!

Other benefits? 'Spending time with Mummy - going for walks exploring the local footpaths across the fields and going for bike and trike rides with Daddy. Robert adds that Owen loves his trike and is faster on it than he is on his own bike. 
Owen has taken up cooking, making cakes with Karen and toasties for lunch with their new sandwich toaster - mozzarella is his favourite.

He has moved into his new, bigger bedroom which has room for a desk with laptop although he usually does his schoolwork in the loft. 

He misses going to the Pauline Quirk Academy of Performing Arts in Amersham on Saturday mornings with some of his friends.

Schooling on line can be difficult and more time consuming, he says, not having the teacher at hand to explain things, and no chemistry experiments. His favourite subject is design technology (DT). 'The school has an amazing DT building which we aren't benefitting from now'.

His present homework includes designing a chassis for a dragster car using computer assisted design (CAD) on the computer.

Working independently takes longer which means working later in the evening. 

Another big miss is holidays. 'We were due to have a 'family  adventure' holiday to the Scottish island of Barra last month, including a plane landing and taking off from the beach - the world's only scheduled beach airport. Even worse, our holiday to Disney in August has been cancelled but we hope to go to Tenby for a week in August.'

Celyn Ferris
Lockdown has been a very strange experience, says Celyn. 'I never thought it would happen and laughed at people at work who were preparing for it back in January. I thought it would be another bird or swine flue scare which seemed to come to nothing in Britain.

'When we started making contingency plans at work it was a bit more real but I still thought it would never happen. How wrong I was!

'The thing I have enjoyed most is spending more time with my house mates. We all have busy lives and our own interests, so normally we would only spend one or two evenings but now it is great.  It's brought us all a lot closer.

'The other good thing has been working from home. I'm lucky to have a boss who's allowed me to work very flexibly and been relaxed about work so I don't have to log on and work 9 to 5 as in the office.

It has not been all good, working at home, Celyn adds, 
'Our house is quite small and the dining table doubles as a desk.The  living/dining room is one space so we can't shut the office off and relax, You are are totally at work or totally at home. The worst thing is not being able to go and see my family and friends. I go to see Mum and Dad at least once a fortnight but sneakily - twice since lockdown and that was over the garden wall.

'I haven't seen Bethan since February.

'I am not sure that life will ever go back to what it used to be - we're all so aware now how easily illness can spread and have a devastating effect. I'm just hoping that nothing like this ever happens again.'

Coronavirus diary, Tuesday 9 June

Our carers have been busier than ever since the lockdown
In addition to their normal duties they have taken on unusual roles. They have helped keep the Sunrise daily events programme going  despite the loss of all the visiting experts and entertainers.

No harpist, guitarist, singers, keep fit trainer or church ministers, replaced temporarily by the carers helping Rhiannon and Diane, the programme supervisers.

Unable to take us on trips in the Sunrise coach, George has joined  the entertainment team, excelling as bingo caller.
Among other tasks the carers have turned to - hairdressing (my haircut was as good as any I've had) and nail care. 
They are Jack and Jill of all trades, including correcting blips on my laptop. 

It all helps make life at Sunrise comfortable and enjoyable, the time pass agreeably. Popular pastimes include flower arranging, bingo - especially with me: I have won nine prizes so far - and quizzes.

I recently produced one on Cardiff and my new one is on Wales. You might like to try it....  Here are the answers.   

                                         Wales 
1 When did Wales officially become a nation?
2 What are the national emblems of Wales?
3 Which is the oldest?
4 What is the longest river in or running through Wales?
5 Where was Prince Charles invested as Prince of Wales?
6 What year was that?
7 What was Welsh politician Nye Bevan most famous for?
8 What Welshman became Prime Minister?
9 Name two major annual arts/music festivals in Wales
10 When was Caerphilly Castle built?
11 What it is most famous for?
12 What is cawl?     A poem, food, a song, a small boat  
13 What separates the North Wales mainland from the Isle of Anglesey?
14 What famous porcelain is made in North Wales?
15 What was the Welsh poet Dylan Thomas's most famous work?
16 Which letters do NOT appear in the Welsh language 
17 What is the specialist cheese of Wales?
18 When was the Welsh dragon officially recognised as the             national flag of Wales?    1485   1959    1823
19 What is the name of Wales's only cathedral and where is it?
20 Who is the Patron Saint of Wales and what was he?
 soldier      bishop     writer