I seem to be dithering around in the morning and already almost an hour is gone until I am sitting comfortably at the kitchen table with breakfast and computer (in that order of course). Today is fresh linen day on the beds, so I also spent a little time removing the linen. Whilst I am letting the mattress air out I decided to relax and say good morning to everyone (although for those over the pond it is probably late evening). I am very aware of the world clock as I worked for 30 years in export, and if you wanted to contact your customers you had to be aware of office hours. I could contact the down under countries (Australia and New Zealand) early in the morning before they left the office for the pub and the Asians were only available during our morning.

Well, the sun is rising again and so it looks like it will be a good one.

Yesterday mid afternoon I was again on a shopping excursion. As I noticed that the trolleys were few on the upper part of my parking space, I decided to park at the main entrance where the trolleys are all parked. I entered through the main part of the mall, and saw only emptiness: right and left all was closed. Even the benches for sitting on were covered with black and yellow striped tape to prevent any human contact. The kiosk on the right was still open, although only one person at a time allowed entrance. I even saw a human filling in his lotto cards which are in the red stand at the entrance. I suppose old habits die hard. It can get quite depressing with time. Perhaps it helps me to get out with a purposes now and again.

I had a wonderful experience yesterday. I met a neighbour who lives in the same block as I but at the other end. We met once before. She is from Asia and we speak english together and she remembered me, even my name, and asked how things were for me and immediately offered her help with shopping. She said if I could not get out to the shops she would be glad to do any shopping I would need. Even bringing crates of bottles would be no problem. She gave me her mobile number and I was quite glad. I can manage quite well on my own, but you never know if I might have a problem. Mr. Swiss cannot go far alone and my handicapped son (autist) also would have problems. To be quite honest I am glad for the opportunity to get to the shops now and again and break out from my isolation. The store is quite big, the amount of people allowed in is controlled and there has never been an entering problem.

I also visited the chemists in the mall yesterday. Everything was cordoned off although I saw a couple of assistants on the other side. I called over if I could enter and she laughed, greeted my by name (who doesn’t know me?) and said to enter. I needed a refill of those little brushes for cleaning between the teeth and a bottle of hand liquid soap refill also caught my eye. I got the original small bottle as a birthday gift from the chemist shop, when I could choose from a few things, and now I have a half litre bottle to fill it up when empty. I hope I am not getting boring with all these silly details, but at the moment they are the big events in my isolated life.

After eventually picking up my groceries it was time to go. I had a word with the customer service lady about the availability of trolleys at my favourite parking  space as I noticed they were no longer depositing so many there. A few days ago I took the last one. She said it should not be the case, and if I would have a problem to report it at the desk. She would organise one for me, as I am a little handicapped with walking, and would now make sure that there would be enough of them ready. I was glad as I was not sure if they were now deliberately no longer bothering due to coronavirus. I just wish it would all come to an end some time. I keep an eye on the local developments. You have a feeling that there are now a few less cases, but only a few, and we are long not out of the woods.

As I stood at the main entrance I looked towards the entrance path which was also empty. It reminded me of the ghost towns in the wild West after the gold rush was over. It can give you a very strange feeling now and again.

Today is another day of isolation at home. Thank goodness for some bird life now and again to break the monotony. I even saw one of the crow population this morning choosing his walnut of the day. Keep safe and well and may it one day all come to an end.