Lockdown No 2 in Hampshire – Nov to Dec 20
WICKHAM
Our stay at Rookesbury Park, near Wickham, was very pleasant. Although we were not allowed to travel until 5 Dec, we were able to enjoy walks to Wickham village and around the woods. The site is set amongst woodland and there were lots of pheasants wandering about. There were only 12 units on site plus the lovely wardens. It was a really nice group of people and we became quite good friends. The woodland and site were very pretty in the Autumn colours.
Whilst at Wickham, after the Lockdown was lifted we visited Gosport and the National Trust run Hinton Ampner. Both are places we love and although we did not see any of our friends due to Covid restrictions, it was a comfort to be in our home area. I finally had my Carpal Tunnel operation on 12 November, which was a bit tricky as I could not get to the Covid test centre by taxi. I had to have a test on the Monday and could not park the van anywhere. Luckily, a lovely man on the site offered to take me. We both wore masks and had windows open. I was allowed to have a taxi to go to the hospital for the operation thank goodness.
December was a strange month. The country was still struggling to cope with flare ups of the virus. A tiered system was in place and was subject to change as the surges in different areas started to cause problems for the NHS. A more virulent strain was spreading rapidly and the decision was finally made to limit Christmas visits to one day and only 3 households. We changed our plan to visit family and ordered gifts online to be delivered direct to the recipients. The two family groups in Wantage and Havant had a flying visit from us on 22 Dec. At the farm in Wantage, we sat out in the cold and damp with hot drinks, ran about the fields with the children and tried to feel Festive. We then dashed to Havant to deliver the gathered presents and had a quick hello on the doorstep. All very sad.
Lockdown No 3, in Surrey – Jan to Apr 21
The campsite at Rookesbury Park had expected to give us refuge until 3 Jan 21, but the decision to have another lockdown from 26 Dec meant that we had to move. We were sent to Alderstead Heath campsite near Redhill in Surrey. Not a place we would normally have chosen but, off we went on Boxing Day. Some of our new friends also went there and we picked up where we had left off. We were now in the Surrey hills, again amongst woodland but with more open fields and about a mile cross a muddy field from the nearest village. Netherne is a village that grew up around a psychiatric hospital that opened in 1903. Its history is very interesting as it pioneered many of the modern treatments. It is now a large housing estate with large expensive houses surrounding the old hospital buildings, now converted into apartments and a gym.
I was fortunate to have made friends with a lady who grew up in this area, and she took me on many long walks with her adorable corgi, Merri. It was a challenge as we had so much rain, the footpaths were all thick with mud and huge puddles for weeks. I had to order, online, some wellies! We were then treated to a very cold, snowy period. The scenery was lovely and the walks became easier as the mud was frozen. Clyde and I were having to wrap up in layers, as we had left our Winter clothes in Bedford! Thank goodness for a warm and cozy motorhome.
We survived nearly 4 months at Alderstead Heath. It is most unusual for us to be in one place for so long. However, we made some new friends and kept ourselves safe. Clyde was fully vaccinated before we left on 12 April. I had my first jab before we left and had to return on 16 May for my second dose. It was a sad, but exciting, day on 12 April when we were able to leave and head for the campsite at Southbourne. All our companions were heading for different places around the country. At last we could see the children and grandchildren outside for the first time since 22 December. Restrictions were still in place – wearing masks, no inside mixing, no public events etc. The next relaxation date was set for 17 May, so fingers were crossed for an improvement in the data.