Friday 26 June 2020

A Grand Day Out

We have just enjoyed a lovely full day out, the first one for well over three months. As we packed the car it felt as if we had both thrown a lucky dice and been rewarded with a couple of "get out of jail" cards each. 
The day was hot, very hot.
1. Hand sanitiser
2. Factor 50+ sun screen 
3. Straw hats
4. Picnic
5. Drinks
6. Tickets
7. Navigation details
8. Something to sit on
The National Trust have opened up their parklands and gardens, but it is not possible to just turn up. Tickets for the following week at each venue are released on the previous Friday for all of the properties that are open. It is, therefore, necessary to go online first thing on a Friday morning if you want to secure yourselves a timed slot. Should you leave it until later in the day then you will probably be too late, they are all snapped up very quickly.
We have visited Croome Court, in Worcestershire before, and walked its beautifully restored Capability Brown landscape. I wrote a post about it then and included some historical information about the family who owned the property, the history of house and it's special landscape. Should you be interested in reading the post then it can be found here. 

In this SW region of England for some unknown reason we have had the lowest number of Covid-19 cases in the country. Currently in our county of Gloucestershire, there have been no new reported virus deaths for almost three weeks, which is encouraging, however, caution should always be the watchword.
I personally have never worn a mask to date, but did decide to purchase a couple of washable ones whilst we were out. Apparently they are needed, if and when, I finally do get an appointment with my hairdresser, and also should we decide to use public transport. I picked up a packet of two washable navy blue ones for just £2.50 a pair at Asda, which was far cheaper than I had anticipated.
Take care, we are all in this together, and stay safe.
P.S It is Friday morning and I have just managed to secure two more tickets for a NT garden next week💚

48 comments:

  1. Good morning dear Rosemary,
    What a great news about the Covid-virus in your area. It must have been a wonderful experience to go out after 3 month's of lockdown.
    I hope you will post about your gardenvisit.
    Have a wonderful day.
    Rosygreatings Marijke

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    1. I actually managed to fit in an unexpected garden visit today courtesy of my youngest son. He rang and suggested that we should meet halfway from our houses. I hadn't seen him, his wife, or one of my granddaughters for 7 months so it was such a joy to see them once again.

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  2. What a wonderful day out! Yes, getting out does feel like a release and I can understand why people want to get out, but I'm still being extra cautious about the ease in restrictions. I still feel the restrictions are being lifted to soon, but if everyone is careful ( and seeing what it was like here in out town yesterday a lot of people are completely ignoring the rules ) I watched out of the window yesterday morning as streams of traffic were going down our road to the beach and prom, having come in off the motorway :( I'm looking forward to your next post. Take care when you're out and about. Best, Jane x

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    1. There are no problems visiting a NT parkland and garden as there is such a strict limit and criteria on the numbers that are permitted each hour all throughout the day. Everyone has to follow the same pathway in one direction only so there is plenty of space between everyone.
      The beach scenes on TV were horrific, but mainly I noticed that they were young people. In a way I feel sorry for them as they have had there young life curtailed, had to leave their universities, jobs etc, and also they have no fear of the virus.

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    2. Yes, it's youngsters and young families mostly. I do feel for them as I well remember what it was like to be young LOL I don't want to feel I'm always complaining about it, but it scares me how they don't seem to understand the implications of the virus for others. We must all adapt in our own way and make allowances for our youngsters x

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    3. They don't fear the virus, and I think that is the main difference between them and us.

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  3. Hello Rosemary, Perhaps all the advance planning makes the outings even nicer, because you've taken responsibility for planning them. Taiwan is too hot now (usually 40C+) to consider leisurely outings; mostly I venture out at night when at least the sun is not shining.
    --Jim

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    1. Hello Jim - our weather this week has been 30+C and I find that more than hot enough, so I would really have a problem with your heat. You are very sensible to leave your venturing out until the night time.

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  4. What a beautiful place to go on your first big day out after so long. Out in the fresh air is the best place to be, we think, and we will all become accustomed to the ticketing systems. I feel it makes it all safer. I would love to see a Capability Brown landscape, having seen a few of them in TV programs. We have been enjoying the Landscape Artist of the Year series from the UK. I went to see our Art Gallery yesterday, ticketed and regulated, one way traffic through all the rooms. It will be strange when we commence working the guided tours again. Enjoy your next excursion and will look forward to some photos.

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    1. This particular landscape was the first one that Capability Brown did. It had fallen into disrepair but the NT spent a good many years getting it back to how it had been. They were able to achieve everything exactly as they still had the plans that he had done.
      Had an unexpected extra outing today Patricia so suddenly this gal is suddenly getting her itchy feet moving again.

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  5. What a perfect outing. You described so well the feeling I also have when escaping these four walls. We had to go to Houston this week to sign some important papers....it really made us nervous. Texas is a hotspot for covid and Houston is at the top of the list.

    Tom’s daughter and hubby were here for a short visit last week from Atlanta. I usually don’t post about that particular son in law...but. he is the chair of the covid task force at the CDC. He hasn’t had a break since Jan.and I have never seen him so worn out. We had a lot of questions for him...but he only shared that they are hopeful regarding vaccine research....and that this is a very complicated virus...I think we all need to be vigilant about staying safe and your outing sounded like the perfect way to do so.....Janey

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    1. Hopefully by the time you have both returned from your summer retreat things will be much better in Houston.
      A vaccine is the only real answer, but the research and testing usually takes far longer to achieve than many of us would like it to.

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    1. Just make sure that you go online as early as you can manage on a Friday. Both times I have tried at around 8.30am and managed to achieve both the times and days that I wanted without any problem.

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  7. Sounds like a great way to organize reopening to avoid stampedes at the gates, and what a lovely outing you had. Had I known that you needed masks Miriam would have gladly sent you what you need. She made and donated over three hundred in all, in addition to scrub caps for medical personnel. I hope that everyone will be sensible and that you will not be forced back into confinement. One of my sisters-in-law visited for a coffee on the patio yesterday and I have never seen her with long hair. She resembled a Greek muse! We invited her back for lunch in a couple of weeks, en plein air, where it is easy to maintain adequate distancing. No hugging and kissing yet!

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    1. That is very kind of you David, if I hadn't been successful then a couple of masks would have been very much appreciated. Miriam has done a great service for many in your area.
      It is really lovely to meet up with friends and relatives again. We met up with my son, his wife and one of our granddaughters today, all of whom we haven't seen for months. However, it is very strange not to be able to give them a hug, it feels so unnatural.

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  8. Lovely to see your photos and know that you have had a chance to visit a NT property. If memory serves the inside of Croome is rather empty but the gardens were beautiful . Have a good weekend. B x

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    1. You are right about Croome being rather empty, but the NT do have a large store of furniture and treasures from the house which they intend to place in the house eventually. None of the NT properties are currently open here, it is just the grounds and the gardens.

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  9. Great to hear of your "out and about"-ing. For folks who are used to jumping in their cars to go pick up whatever, this isolation has been particularly hard. I do hope a vaccine will be developed soon. Looking forward to your next trip out!

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    1. It has certainly been a very strange period Barbara which is sadly far from over, but it was great getting out.

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  10. Dearest Rosemary,
    Glad you managed to enjoy this outing into nature, which is very healthy!
    People will get sick when staying 'locked up' as we all need the sun to build up our natural immune system.
    Those masks do absolutely nothing for keeping virus particles out as they are way too small being some 19 to 50 nanometres each. One nanometre is 0.000001 mm. We just wrote an entire scientific chapter on virus diseases with enlargements of 80.000 x to make those particles visible.
    Using common sense will help us and strict sanitation and hygiene rules ALWAYS apply!
    Hugs,
    Mariette

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    1. Dear Mariette - I am with you on that point - I have seen a lady every week wearing the same mask which I think is particularly unhealthy - my thoughts are that it must be full of bacteria by now.
      I have just bought two which can be washed simply because they are required by law for the hairdressers and public transport.

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  11. Wonderful images, Rosemary. As someone who has done a lot of long-distance walking in your country, I can't get enough of your beautiful countryside, its sweeping landscapes, and its impressive architectural heritage.

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    1. Thank you George - I am pleased that you enjoyed seeing the photos, and I hope that you may be able to return again one day and take some more long distance walks.

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  12. You are right we do all need to be positive. Thank you for your comment.

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  13. Lovely that you are now able to go the National Trust properties as well as catching up with family.

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    1. Caution, I believe, should still be the watchword, but yes, it was lovely.

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  14. Lovely photos Rosemary, thanks for the link did visit it.
    Wonderful you can go out for the day now, good feeling to feel free once again.
    Your South East is doing well then, people must be doing the correct thing.
    We are about 41 days free of Covid-19, the border of the Island will most likely open in 4 weeks time if all is well with some States of Australia.
    Take care and enjoy your full days out.

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    1. Opening up the country to the outside world is the biggest problem that I envisage. We will never be really free of this virus until a vaccine is found which could even be years away unless we are fortunate.

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  15. Lovely photos of the garden, and I plan to visit via your link after commenting here. We were Covid-free (on Vancouver Island) for a couple of months, but a new case was reported this week. Tourists are coming and new cases are inevitable. I wish people would stay close to home. Enjoy your outings!

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    1. Dear Lorrie - that is obviously going to be the biggest problem facing every country. Many areas of the UK have had a very rough time, mainly due to Boris taking far too long bringing in lockdown. Most of the female leaders around the world appear to have been more attuned to the situation and taken the necessary steps far quicker.

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  16. It has all become so complicated to get out for a visit to a museum, theater etc. All those rules and restrictions pfffft.....

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    1. It's a learning curve, but once you have been able to negotiate your way around the internet bookings it is not too difficult. I think that it something that will be with us all for quite a long time depending on when the scientists succeed in finding a new vaccine.

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  17. Dear Rosemary - So nice to be out in the fine weather. As I feel strong sunlight, you definitely needed sun screen 50+. I also saw the old related post. I love the nicely-colored architecture made of Bath stone. Enjoy your next travel.

    Since June 13, there has been no infected people here in Nara prefecture. All the COVID-19 patients left hospitals; now beds are vacant. On the other hand, the number is increasing in Metropolitan area. Our summer is notoriously muggy. A mask made of cloth with cold-sensing function has gotten popular.

    Yoko

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    1. Dear Yoko - it appears to be fairly hit and miss with the virus, but my impression is that if you live in a city or place where habitation is more restricted then the virus is far more prevalent.
      Nara sounds to be similar to our area, but not all is rosy across the whole of the UK. I can well imagine just how uncomfortable a mask would feel in muggy weather.

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  18. Glad you managed to get back into the real countryside again. Feeling 'free' to go anywhere makes all the difference to your motivation on trips.

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  19. Dear Rosemary,
    You have all the right ingredients for a special picnic.

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    1. It was a very pleasant and happy day Gina.

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  20. It sounds like you were very organised and, therefore, enjoyed your day out all the more because of that. I think we'll leave it a little longer before we venture to our nearest NT property. It will be a real treat when we do manage it.

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    1. It is not a problem at NT properties as such a limited number are allowed into the grounds during each hour. Everyone has to go in the same direction so it is not necessary to actually pass anyone whilst you are there.

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  21. Good to hear you had a low number of Covid cases , so much more a good idea to get out in the warm sunlight and get some vitamin D . Here it is still obligatory to wear masks ( even though a considerable number of persons ignore it ) , and still necessary to take great care.

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    1. Yes, I did read that vitamin D is supposed to help you fight the virus, but with luck I will do all I can to avoid getting the virus and then I wont have to fight it.

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  22. Such a gorgeous place - if only I could have been there to enjoy a picnic! We still haven't been anywhere lovely to truly relax and enjoy the countryside such as in "the old days."

    Our cases have risen a little and there are so many young people refusing to wear masks and now going to restaurants - surely they have parents and grandparents who are in the danger zone regarding age - very selfish people not to concur with the mandatory mask wearing in public for everyone!!!!

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    1. Wish you and Bob could have been there too Mary - I understand today that there has been a bit of spike in Leicester. We can never be really sure with this wretched virus, that is until a vaccine is available.
      The problem with many of the young is that they do not fear the virus as it is extremely rare for it to have any affect on them. Many have been sent home from university, or lost their jobs, and they just have a devil-may-care and reckless attitude.

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