Friday October 30th. 5.5 miles. Longridge.
I’m stood at the entrance to Sainsbury’s giving my hands a good sanitising wash and wiping down the handles of my basket. Probably a half dozen other shoppers pass me going straight into the isles without even the most rudimentary hand sanitisation. The scientists say we have to go into stricter measures to combat the virus. The politicians vacillate. The public obviously can’t be bothered. Go back six months to April and I had stopped coming out to shop, home deliveries were the thing. People stepped aside to let you pass on the pavement. We clapped the NHS on a Thursday. What’s changed? The virus hasn’t, the scientific advice hasn’t – ‘way past the worst scenario’. Unfortunately the politicians have stopped daily updates, too much bad news – 274 deaths today. So the public have stopped listening.
I’m not sure I will be coming out to Sainsbury’s again, could it be classified as a superspreader?
*****
This afternoon as the sun came out I felt emboldened with my new boots to walk some sodden field paths around Longridge. I used these in the height of lockdown for relatively safe exercise as one didn’t meet anyone. Time to resort to them once more as the local virus count escalates. We have been in the third tier restrictions for a while.
Back in Spring, remember that lovely weather when we were all frightened, these paths were well-used by locals getting their daily exercise. Today I feel I’m the only one.
I splodge on through the wet fields.
I’m out in the open and free and get my fill of views to all the surrounding hills.
Longridge Fell.
Parlick and Fairsnape Fells.
One of the local pheasant/partridge shoots are relaxing at the inn, Ferraris Country House. Ironically another, The Dog and Partridge, has closed under the stringent economic circumstances. Incidentally today DEFRA and the government have been dragged into some sort of legislation of Game Bird shooting. We do not know the effect of releasing millions of Pheasants and Partridges into local environments. And can you believe we are still allowing the use of lead shot? https://raptorpersecutionscotland.wordpress.com/2020/10/30/licensing-scheme-for-release-of-pheasants-red-legged-partridge-in-england-following-wild-justice-legal-challenge/
I calm down and cross the road into Little Town Dairy who have continued to keep their shop and café open during the present crisis. Notice the clever use of milky flowers on their sign. I meet up with the matriarch of the family business, and we talk about past times. Somehow I end up in her kitchen where all the family decisions are enacted.
By the time I get to Sainsbury’s the sun is setting.
Sorry but I won’t be calling in to my local pub. The country needs an efficient lockdown now.
*****
It’s not looking good. I feel ashamed to be British among this wholesale transgression by huge chunks of our population and the stupidity of not following scientific advice.
I’ve just gone back to home delivery shopping.
That walk will no doubt be repeated many times in the coming weeks.
It looks really wet in that first picture! I was going to do another section of my coastal walk this weekend but don’t see the point of getting drenched for 5 hours. The planned section involved wading the River Esk, but low tide isn’t until after dark, and with all the rain I guess the river would be quite high too, so probably best to leave it!
Unfortunately I CAN believe shooters are still allowed to use lead shot. It seems they are exempt from any rules that affect the rest of us plebs…. no Rule Of Six, no ROHSS rules on lead, no rules restricting import of foreign species… no surprises 🙄.
Hope you’re ok in the new lockdown BC – could we see you climbing the walls of your house again do you think?🤣😂🤣
Good to hear from you Paul.
I don’t think it would be very pleasant in the Lakes this weekend. Everywhere is super-saturated around here. It always gets me worried when you start talking of wading.
Sorry to get the blood pressure up with the mention of ‘shooters’
Yes, I could well be climbing the walls soon. Incidentally we have a nationally famous bouldering quarry in the village – Craig Y Longridge. I go up there most days if it is dry for some exercise and a chat. I’m keeping well clear of the climbing gyms at present.
Normally at this time of year I go off to sunnier climes. I wish.
You may have got your new boots just in time. Could be classed as non essential goods again, but try telling that to those of us who need a quiet hill as much as some need the boozer or lead shot for pheasants. Good point about sanitising in the supermarket. I keep gel in the car then I can sanitise when I come out as well. All the best.
I have just gone back to online shopping because I don’t feel the local supermarkets, or the people who use them, are safe enough as the virus gets out of hand.
Yes those boots are going to be doing a lot of local tramping.
Pingback: WEATHER WINDOW ON A LONGRIDGE MISCELLANEA. | bowlandclimber
I’ve enjoyed catching up, BC. It seems that mud is somewhat ubiquitous just now!
Yes mud glorious mud was on my mind most of the time, that is until I reached Sainsbury’s. Then I had other things on my mind – just taken delivery of an on-line order which will be the norm from now.