Life in lockdown -A Pensioner’s Perspective

One of our old clients,  who we have known for many years and who has become a friend rather than a client, has agreed to give us their perspective of life in lockdown.

Marion is almost 80 (although you wouldn’t believe it) and owned an apartment in Sabinillas for many years. She is now living in the UK.

Here’s her blog:-

Like everyone at Hamilton Homes I, too, am in self-isolation at the moment.  I had planned to come to Spain this Spring, but alas all my plans have come to nothing, so here I am in the North West of England, enjoying a lovely Spring sunshiny day, being especially glad that I have a small garden to sit in. The daffodils and tulips are in full bloom and the primulas and cherry blossom trees look spectacular.  I am trying to catch up on all the jobs in the house, which are really boring, like cleaning out cupboards and getting rid of packets and jars which have passed their sell-by dates, to say nothing of clothes that are hanging in my wardrobe, some of which I haven’t worn for years.

I’ve made soup and stews, but I am not sure if that was such a good idea as I can’t invite anyone round to help me eat them!  I have only got a couple of bananas left, no grapes, apples or oranges, and only have a few potatoes, carrots and onions left, but my daughter tells me that to ring any of the supermarkets to order an on-line delivery is impossible, as there are “no slots” available for weeks ahead so you can’t even leave an order!  Well, maybe I will lose some weight, but not if I eat too much, especially as going out and getting some exercise is a bit tricky!

I had planned to go away with my family for a few days this month as my 80th birthday is looming, but sadly the hotel we had booked near Kew Gardens (somewhere I had always wanted to visit), rang me to say that they had to close the hotel and Kew Gardens has also closed.  So that celebration has been put on hold and we have decided that once we are all allowed out again, I am going to have an “official” birthday – like the Queen.  After all, if it’s good enough for the Queen, it’s good enough for me!

I also received a letter from the government Pension department to tell me that, as I am now approaching my 80th birthday I am entitled to a higher amount of State Pension and an Age Addition of 25p per week will be added to my Pension. I haven’t yet decided what to do with this unexpected windfall, any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

I am a very sociable person -I usually play Canasta and whist each week and visit family and friends and often go out for lunch? Well, that’s all gone by the board too, but hopefully, if we all behave ourselves we will be “let out” by Christmas.  Normally, on my avenue people are out and about on such a lovely day – I live on the edge of the Peak District with lots of lovely walks on my doorstep, but according to the news on the TV, a couple were spotted walking their dog in an isolated spot on the fells by a drone of all things. I suppose they thought that as there was no-one in sight for miles around, it would be OK,  but of course, it was not a good idea at all.

My daughter is the only member of my family still working – her husband who teaches handicapped children is at home, my eldest granddaughter, who was doing her finals at University and my youngest granddaughter who is at secondary school are both at home, but my daughter works at a Retirement Home and of course, the residents need to be cared for as usual, so everyone is adapting to a different way of life at the moment.

On my last visit to the Supermarket more than a couple of weeks ago now, I heard one man saying to a friend, “what are we going to do, now that we are going into lock-down” and the other chap said “well, I’ve ordered some games on-line to play at home with the family, monopoly has been mentioned – I haven’t played that for years!”  Since then, someone on the TV said, that once this crisis is over, they expect there will be an increase in divorces and a baby boom – that seems like going from one extreme to another to me, but only time will tell.