I was hoping to get up early and take my scoot for a spin tomorrow as it’s gonna be around 20° but think even early the plod will be looking to stop people. Shame as it would be good to get out for an hour.

Hahaha, bet it’s crazy out there woof. I go for a 28k cycle in the morning but just locally, in squally fairly quiet.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5P88TVa3q0Q&feature=emb_title

As this thing drags on people's behaviour is interesting to observe.

In what now seems like the carefree days of a couple of weeks ago, it was announced in the UK that restrictions would be introduced on non essential travel, pubs and restaurants closed etc etc, well, you all know the deal by now, unless you're Swedish - the last time I looked they were still carrying on pretty much as normal, those crazy liberated Scandinavians. Anyway back to the UK and a couple of weeks ago, the restrictions were announced on a Friday morning and that evening was to be the last night pubs and bars would be open. So, it's fair to say that a sizeable number of people went out and had a good drink in busy crowded waterholes. Of course health conscious Mr & Mrs Woof steered well clear of such dissolute behaviour. A couple of days later it was Mothers Day so it was all into the car for many and off to visit the old (and C19 vulnerable) parents, hugs and kisses all round no doubt.

Within three or four days, the same people ... were being a bit ... 'Eeagh get away from me - don't you care about social distancing?'. People who would usually nod or say Good Morning when they pass you on the river towpath now fix you with a glare and circle around like dogs do when they size one another up. Normally pleasant courteous assistants in the local shops became like Nazi prison guards barking 'Stand on the cross, if you don't stand on the cross I can't serve you'. As Patrick has commented elsewhere on this thread, social media brings out the worst in people. Social media + people with time on their hands = even worse. We are permitted to leave our houses for one period of exercise each day being a run, cycle or walk for most. This has divided society into two; those who have never done so much exercise in years and those who resolutely remain indoors. Social media is full of bitter posts from the settee crowd bitching about the irresponsibility of those who are out cycling etc. It would seem, if their missives are accepted, that you can be responsible for a couple of doctors or nurses being rubbed out just by the seemingly harmless act of going out for a walk in the countryside. Never mind; the dear old HM Queen addressed the country on TV last night and called for national unity. Only the fourth time in her 66 year reign that she has done this, so it must be serious.

I'm sure this crisis will change us. This period when we are denied our usual diversions and amusements, when many people are unable to go to their jobs, is an opportunity for pause and reflection. When its all over we will continue to be kind to elderly and vulnerable people. We will be grateful to go to work. We will shop at all the local shops who have kept us supplied, instead of the supermarkets who rubbed their hands together and did nothing to control panic buying until the shelves were bare and the government told them to get a grip. We will value health workers, shelf stackers and van drivers who kept things going instead of vacuous celebrities. Or ... maybe we'll just heave a sigh of relief and go back to the way we were.

Now we're all supposed to wear masks. Of course you can't buy one anywhere. So people are fashioning masks out of all sorts of fabrics. That a mask made out of a fabric that is designed to be breathable probably won't do much doesn't matter.

I have these things called "fishing buffs." I didn't buy them, a fishing gear company sent them to me. I didn't even know what they were at first. Found out you're supposed to wear them around your neck to protect from the sun. They can be pulled up over the mouth and nose. Zero practical value as a mask, but at least I'll look silly.

I'll wear a Brooks mask, as long as it's not non-iron and says "Makers" on it