TPTB are making it up as they go along, so who knows? See what they say tomorrow...but I guess everyone is totally confused by now...
Not quite everyone. For us it has clarified what we were thinking already. Nenlet2 and his partner can't travel to us as planned as they are too far away to get here and home again in a day. Nenlet1 and son in law are nearer so it's just a case of how we do The Day with his parents, who are also local. A Nen Family Consultation will be conducted tomorrow morning.
I am concerned about people who may be rushing to get out of the south east before midnight and have already had to step away from a text conversation with one friend who is clearly going ahead with her family's plans. I know it's not up to me to police other people's behaviour but .
We’ve just had a call with our son and he’s coming home tonight. We were going to leave it and chat to him tomorrow but he sounded so sad we phoned him back and said just come, dirty washing and all.
I'm not sure what I'll do now either: I don't see why either my brother or s-i-l should have to stay sober enough to drive me home, and there wouldn't be any trains on Christmas Day or Boxing Day anyway.
If I'm allowed to visit on Christmas Day itself, what possible difference will it make if I stay overnight? And I wonder how many people will risk driving when they've had a couple of drinks, as they've been told they must go home the same day?
I am concerned about people who may be rushing to get out of the south east before midnight and have already had to step away from a text conversation with one friend who is clearly going ahead with her family's plans. I know it's not up to me to police other people's behaviour but .
Yes ... I was due to go from London to Derbyshire. My friend begged me to travel tonight and whilst I was very heartwarmed that she wanted me to do as such, I just couldn't.
I feel so very sad about not seeing my friends but it's a small price to pay and the consequences could be awful. And this, to me, is a community affair, it's not just about me and my friends, it's about the bigger picture. I am hurting at the decision but I would hurt far more if I infected anyone. And then there is the solidarity with those who aren't doing the quick hop out of the S.E England to see loved ones before midnight.
So much confusion tho for a lot of people. And I have worries regarding the mental health impact this might bring. I don't disagree with the decision taken now - it's the right one given the situation we are in (IMHO)
I think we're moving onto plan C now, as we're unsure that plan B is workable. Plan C will leave none of us seeing my mum over Christmas, and she'll be on her own.
Plan A was that the younger of my sisters (who has "bubbled" with mum since the beginning) go down and stay with mum, then they both go to spend Christmas Day with my other sister who's less than an hour drive away. I'll stay here with my children, and my brother (who's very close here) consider coming over here. We would all meet up on Zoom on Christmas Day.
Plan B came in more than a week ago. As above, but my younger sister stay with mum but they don't go anywhere, weather permitting a get together outside sometime in the few days after Christmas Day. Still have a Zoom meet up, my younger sister may need to renew her BT subscription to get online. I meet up with my brother for a walk outside somewhere.
Plan C would leave us all at home. Mum would be on her own and she won't be able to join us on Zoom (no computer or other means of accessing Zoom, at least including video). No meeting up for a walk outside.
But, that will depend on clarity on the rules. Will existing bubbles be honoured? Does my elderly but not particularly vulnerable or in need of regular care mum mean that this is an allowed (apparently) support bubble? What will rules on gathering in small numbers (eg: 4 people) outside be? It's very short notice, but at least a few days to call mum's neighbours to make sure she has enough groceries in, even if not something particularly special for Christmas, if my sister can't get down.
So sad for those who are experiencing disappointment about Christmas plans, it is perhaps a shame that hopes were raised in the first place. It is great, though, that so many people are being public spirited and have committed to avoid bending the rules
I have not been in the same room with friends or family since March, and it now looks like I will have to make it through a full year (or more) before the isolation is over. But I am still relieved and thankful that ScotGov is taking action before we reach a truly perilous situation.
I am also thankful for the lovely surprises that my sister posts to me to make me feel connected - especially her Christmas home baking. It is amazing how much love fits into a mince pie!
Son is now home. I’m so glad he’s here and we can hunker down for the next couple of weeks. According to him there were quite a few other people heading home tonight before the rules change.
The whole thing makes me even crosser with Mr Johnson and his government than I was before.
I think we're moving onto plan C now, as we're unsure that plan B is workable. Plan C will leave none of us seeing my mum over Christmas, and she'll be on her own.
Plan A was that the younger of my sisters (who has "bubbled" with mum since the beginning) go down and stay with mum, then they both go to spend Christmas Day with my other sister who's less than an hour drive away. I'll stay here with my children, and my brother (who's very close here) consider coming over here. We would all meet up on Zoom on Christmas Day.
Plan B came in more than a week ago. As above, but my younger sister stay with mum but they don't go anywhere, weather permitting a get together outside sometime in the few days after Christmas Day. Still have a Zoom meet up, my younger sister may need to renew her BT subscription to get online. I meet up with my brother for a walk outside somewhere.
Plan C would leave us all at home. Mum would be on her own and she won't be able to join us on Zoom (no computer or other means of accessing Zoom, at least including video). No meeting up for a walk outside.
But, that will depend on clarity on the rules. Will existing bubbles be honoured? Does my elderly but not particularly vulnerable or in need of regular care mum mean that this is an allowed (apparently) support bubble? What will rules on gathering in small numbers (eg: 4 people) outside be? It's very short notice, but at least a few days to call mum's neighbours to make sure she has enough groceries in, even if not something particularly special for Christmas, if my sister can't get down.
I may have misunderstood things, and have been round the houses a few times with it all this evening, but I believe you can stick to plan A, if you are in England. Existing bubbles can remain and you can meet on Christmas Day with two other households, but only for the day. No staying overnight. Your family and your brother can be another Christmas bubble (for the day) and you can Zoom with your mum's and sister's bubble (which can include your other sister, for Christmas Day only).
The exception is if anyone is in Tier 4, where no mixing is allowed except with your household and/or your bubble.
We remain in tier 2, and our arrangements are unaltered. Christmas Dinner to be brought to our door from Eder Son's kitchen.
Younger Son and family are now in tier 4, which will put paid to any arrangements made with his inlaws - but they may have decided not to socialise anyway, having a young baby in the house
So sad for those who are experiencing disappointment about Christmas plans, it is perhaps a shame that hopes were raised in the first place. It is great, though, that so many people are being public spirited and have committed to avoid bending the rules
I have not been in the same room with friends or family since March, and it now looks like I will have to make it through a full year (or more) before the isolation is over. But I am still relieved and thankful that ScotGov is taking action before we reach a truly perilous situation.
I understand where you are coming from. I have not seen my sister since my father's funeral at the end of January this year, and (way back when) we had been hoping that this coming Christmas would be a chance to bury the ghost of parental expectations and to do something of our own choosing (and to our own enjoyment/joy) . It is not to be, and we had come to this conclusion awhile back. I can't say that we feel we're being especially public-spirited, more that it is inevitable. And that, as key workers all, we (myself, sis and b-in-law) are the biggest risk to those with whom we might come into contact.
At one level (emotional & entirely separate from the reality of the science) , it stinks. But (rationally) I'm honestly not in the least surprised and shit happens. And I/we had already reached that conclusion before it was thrust upon us. I suppose that not having fallen into the "Hopes Raised" category is of itself both positively realistic and negatively realistic. I'm both unsurprised and saddened. And being on my own is not necessarily a big deal - at one level, it comes as a chance to press a pause and then a reset button on the past. On another, we can't do that because we can't be together to move forward... We will muddle through, and I have confidence that it will work its way out somehow, sometime...
I think we're moving onto plan C now, as we're unsure that plan B is workable. Plan C will leave none of us seeing my mum over Christmas, and she'll be on her own.
Plan A was that the younger of my sisters (who has "bubbled" with mum since the beginning) go down and stay with mum, then they both go to spend Christmas Day with my other sister who's less than an hour drive away. I'll stay here with my children, and my brother (who's very close here) consider coming over here. We would all meet up on Zoom on Christmas Day.
Plan B came in more than a week ago. As above, but my younger sister stay with mum but they don't go anywhere, weather permitting a get together outside sometime in the few days after Christmas Day. Still have a Zoom meet up, my younger sister may need to renew her BT subscription to get online. I meet up with my brother for a walk outside somewhere.
Plan C would leave us all at home. Mum would be on her own and she won't be able to join us on Zoom (no computer or other means of accessing Zoom, at least including video). No meeting up for a walk outside.
But, that will depend on clarity on the rules. Will existing bubbles be honoured? Does my elderly but not particularly vulnerable or in need of regular care mum mean that this is an allowed (apparently) support bubble? What will rules on gathering in small numbers (eg: 4 people) outside be? It's very short notice, but at least a few days to call mum's neighbours to make sure she has enough groceries in, even if not something particularly special for Christmas, if my sister can't get down.
I may have misunderstood things, and have been round the houses a few times with it all this evening, but I believe you can stick to plan A, if you are in England. Existing bubbles can remain and you can meet on Christmas Day with two other households, but only for the day. No staying overnight. Your family and your brother can be another Christmas bubble (for the day) and you can Zoom with your mum's and sister's bubble (which can include your other sister, for Christmas Day only).
The exception is if anyone is in Tier 4, where no mixing is allowed except with your household and/or your bubble.
I may be wrong. Stranger things have happened.
My younger sister is in Northumberland, my mum in Hertfordshire and other sister Berkshire (both those in the new Tier 4). So, though there's an existing bubble (which could be interpreted as a support bubble, though that term needs definition) that would also need my sister to drive further than Dom Cummings 'eye test' into a Tier 4 area (and, then a return from that area after Christmas). Does the support bubble have precedence over the no-travel restriction in/out of Tier 4, or the other way round?
And, for my brother and I we re-enter tier four on Boxing Day, with the government saying we shouldn't be meeting indoors at all on Christmas Day - though probably meeting up outside for a few hours will be within the rules and wishes of government. Hopefully the coronavirus rates will continue to fall through this period and beyond, and it'll only be a short period of inconvenience.
We're isolating (myself and my partner) and going nowhere over the festive season -- a close friend of mine turns 60 on New Year's Day and I'm gutted that she will spend it alone, but right now the infection rates are soaring out here. No bubble is safe enough.
A number of restaurants are trying to stay open by setting out open-air garden tables so patrons can eat alfresco. It isn't going to work because the high summer temperatures are now a heatwave, the Cape is one blazing furnace right now (veldfires early), so guests risk heat stroke sitting out in the sun at noon. And all restaurants have to close by 9am in accordance with the latest night curfews.
I think we're moving onto plan C now, as we're unsure that plan B is workable. Plan C will leave none of us seeing my mum over Christmas, and she'll be on her own.
Plan A was that the younger of my sisters (who has "bubbled" with mum since the beginning) go down and stay with mum, then they both go to spend Christmas Day with my other sister who's less than an hour drive away. I'll stay here with my children, and my brother (who's very close here) consider coming over here. We would all meet up on Zoom on Christmas Day.
Plan B came in more than a week ago. As above, but my younger sister stay with mum but they don't go anywhere, weather permitting a get together outside sometime in the few days after Christmas Day. Still have a Zoom meet up, my younger sister may need to renew her BT subscription to get online. I meet up with my brother for a walk outside somewhere.
Plan C would leave us all at home. Mum would be on her own and she won't be able to join us on Zoom (no computer or other means of accessing Zoom, at least including video). No meeting up for a walk outside.
But, that will depend on clarity on the rules. Will existing bubbles be honoured? Does my elderly but not particularly vulnerable or in need of regular care mum mean that this is an allowed (apparently) support bubble? What will rules on gathering in small numbers (eg: 4 people) outside be? It's very short notice, but at least a few days to call mum's neighbours to make sure she has enough groceries in, even if not something particularly special for Christmas, if my sister can't get down.
I may have misunderstood things, and have been round the houses a few times with it all this evening, but I believe you can stick to plan A, if you are in England. Existing bubbles can remain and you can meet on Christmas Day with two other households, but only for the day. No staying overnight. Your family and your brother can be another Christmas bubble (for the day) and you can Zoom with your mum's and sister's bubble (which can include your other sister, for Christmas Day only).
The exception is if anyone is in Tier 4, where no mixing is allowed except with your household and/or your bubble.
I may be wrong. Stranger things have happened.
My younger sister is in Northumberland, my mum in Hertfordshire and other sister Berkshire (both those in the new Tier 4). So, though there's an existing bubble (which could be interpreted as a support bubble, though that term needs definition) that would also need my sister to drive further than Dom Cummings 'eye test' into a Tier 4 area (and, then a return from that area after Christmas). Does the support bubble have precedence over the no-travel restriction in/out of Tier 4, or the other way round?
And, for my brother and I we re-enter tier four on Boxing Day, with the government saying we shouldn't be meeting indoors at all on Christmas Day - though probably meeting up outside for a few hours will be within the rules and wishes of government. Hopefully the coronavirus rates will continue to fall through this period and beyond, and it'll only be a short period of inconvenience.
Oh - I can see how it's not completely clear cut for your family then. So it is your younger sister in Northumberland who has been the bubble with your mum, and that's a long way to travel (and no one wants to be bracketed with Cummings, do they?!). I believe in tier 4 you can only meet one other person outside and I suspect that isn't relaxed for Christmas as things seem to be so bad, so maybe the sister near your mum could meet her for a walk and you could meet your brother for a walk?
It's very difficult when it becomes a judgement call between what's "allowed" and what's "advised" - rather like the difference between the spirit and the letter of the law. I think in your situation (as with any other) I'd be playing it ultra-safe with Plan C. It's a tough one, but as you say hopefully the end is in sight with the vaccine on its way.
We are having the Nen Family Conference About Christmas Day in the next hour or so. I'm hoping it will be fairly straightforward.
Maybe it's just because I look at it more regularly, but I think the ScotGov website explains things much more clearly than the UK government. But, looking through there it appears that travel into and out of Tier 4 is permitted if it's for a support bubble. We're still exchanging Facebook messages to sort things out ... but the younger of my sisters visiting for a couple of days does appear to be in the rules and then it's just seeing if she and mum think that's sensible and low enough in risk (if they stay inside, just the two of them, except for walking the dogs, I can't see any significant risks - there'll need to be a grocery shop because I doubt my mum has managed to get much in, though she may take that as a reason to get out of the house for an hour and walk up to Sainsbury's for an early morning shop, which will be the most risky activity).
Our d-i-l and family were due to travel from London to Devon on Tuesday, for a family funeral the next day. They're not going: they don't want to/can't stay overnight and don't want to drive both ways on the day (our son doesn't drive). They're also a bit worried about mixing with people, even though the funeral will be outdoors as it's a Woodland Burial (so no livestream either). Plans to stay with us in Wales over Christmas were abandoned weeks ago!
I wonder if we could clap carers on our doorsteps in lockdown 1, if we couldn't stand on our doorsteps and "share"/jointly partake in a mince pie and sherry (or equivalent) with our neighbours at a planned time on Christmas Day? It might make some of the people living on their own a little less isolated feeling.
Our d-i-l and family were due to travel from London to Devon on Tuesday, for a family funeral the next day. They're not going: they don't want to/can't stay overnight and don't want to drive both ways on the day (our son doesn't drive). They're also a bit worried about mixing with people, even though the funeral will be outdoors as it's a Woodland Burial (so no livestream either). Plans to stay with us in Wales over Christmas were abandoned weeks ago!
The simplest live stream I did for a funeral involved cobbling my phone onto a camera tripod, and
Live-streaming to Facebook. I set it running just before the (graveside) funeral and turned it off again after the blessing while mourners were casting soil into the coffin. It wasn’t hi-tech, but it enabled two grandsons in London during the first lockdown, and an elderly sister in Canada all to be part of the service. Fortunately the network coverage at the cemetery is fairly good.
I am so freaking crabby today. Half the church is out with something respiratory, and the timing lines up pretty well with them having caught it at Bible study last week--when they met in the too-small basement Vietnamese worship room rendered half its normal size by the fact that our American host congregation decided to throw random bits of furniture into it, under the mistaken belief that we were not using it (helped along by the fact that Mr Lamb nodded his way through a half-understood conversation with their pastor, his hearing aids not having come in yet, and they understood that as permission to do so). And I know damned well that at least one person wasn't wearing a freaking mask, because I wasn't attending, and I am the church sheepdog who goes around yelling at people to put their fucking masks on and KEEP them on. They think they're immortal or something. I don't know! I sat there in a half-empty church nave today watching the remaining half of the congregation (spaced about 18 feet apart, so there's that) pull their masks down, take them OFF for singing, or simply forget to put them back on after lectoring... And none of them are going to get tested, unless they get hospitalized, because they don't see the point and anyway, "I no English," and they won't go to the effort to organize an English speaker to go with them unless it's my husband, whom I do NOT want to see transporting likely COVID patients in our family car for hours and hours, even if he HAS been vaccinated, which we have no official confirmation of, anyway. Did I mention they're all late middle-aged to elderly?
I think it entirely possible we may have NO congregation for the Christmas service, except for my family.
Thank you! It's just so freaking frustrating, with this and my friend at work being mistreated, and trying to get my COVID-recovering son through his missed college work. Our tree is half decorated and likely to remain so for a while longer. I just can't even.
The simplest live stream I did for a funeral involved cobbling my phone onto a camera tripod ... Fortunately the network coverage at the cemetery is fairly good.
They thought of that, but reception in the area (edge of Dartmoor) is very poor, alas.
Maybe it's just a Concatenation Of Events - Covid, the new revised Covid, Brexshit, Yuletide (Is it on? Is it off?) - all adding up to a thoroughly ghastly sh*t SOUP, up with which we have to put...
The latest report I saw was that they were hoping to resolve the French border crossings with some kind of testing regime. However, to follow up what Bishops Finger say, I'd have hoped the percentage of UK hospital beds occupied would encourage more cautious behaviour.
Meanwhile, supermarket shelves here are rapidly emptying...
Really? *sigh* I'm planning to make my last foray to the supermarket before Christmas tomorrow morning and as they're open at present 24/7 I shall go when I wake up, hoping the shelves are as stocked as they're likely to be. Fortunately I'm not a great fan of lettuce so can leave any supplies for other needy shoppers.
I keep meaning to get myself sorted with online shopping but am pretty sure I wouldn't get a delivery slot just at the moment.
Sorry @Lamb Chopped , I meant to say - that's a horrible situation and I'm so sorry.
Sorry @Lamb Chopped , I meant to say - that's a horrible situation and I'm so sorry.
Thanks. My husband is on the phone with as many of them as he can reach now, trying to "round up his sheep" and see how everybody is doing. Don't want anybody lying unconscious or worse in their houses!
I wish the weekly delivery milkman of my youth would return. Were it not for dairy I would never need to grocery shop in person again.
My milkman delivers 3 days a week (my father worked in a Unigate dairy factory so I can’t imagine not having milk delivered). We also have eggs, yoghurt and cheddar delivered weekly. It was a God-send when we were all unwell for several weeks with covid in March.
We have a local dairy that does doorstep deliveries of milk, fruit juice, eggs (and probably a few other items). They refuse to deliver to me, though they'll deliver to houses on the street - a blanket "no flats" rule.
Though a local farm shop took up deliveries with lockdown and they do milk - plus bread, eggs, cheese, veg and a small butchery selection. So that's sorted. I still need the occasional shop on top though, and was going to head out on Wed afternoon (after aforementioned delivery so I know what gaps to fill) or Thur morning (I need to pop into work briefly).
@ Heavenlyannie, My grandfather was a dairy farmer, and my dad in his youth was a milkman. It runs in my family as well. They do deliver in the next county over but not ours. Hope they may expand.
I wish the weekly delivery milkman of my youth would return. Were it not for dairy I would never need to grocery shop in person again.
My milkman delivers 3 days a week (my father worked in a Unigate dairy factory so I can’t imagine not having milk delivered). We also have eggs, yoghurt and cheddar delivered weekly. It was a God-send when we were all unwell for several weeks with covid in March.
Yes, me too! We have milk delivered twice a week, plus a loaf of bread and half a dozen eggs once a week (as a safeguard if we can’t shop). My Dad was also a milkman for much of my childhood, though we children preferred it when he worked at the Fry’s chocolate factory for a while, as he was able to get cheap chocolate at Christmas at a time when money was always short!
Fret not, O beleaguered and pestilence-ridden people! Our Prime Minister assures us that the supply chain is *strong and robust*, and that only a very small percentage of the goods coming into England is affected by the current border problems.
Now, we all believe that what the PM says is 100% True™, don't we?
So far so good. A bit of a funny moment with one man, though, who was angry because the doctor refused to see his mother in person until she had been tested for COVID. His reasoning was "What do we pay you for?" Mr. Lamb was struggling to clue him in...
I went into Marks and Sparks on the way home from work, with the intention of getting milk and something for the work Secret Santa tomorrow, but when I went to go to the food hall, there was a queue to get in, and I thought, stuff that for a lark, so I went to Tesco's in Linlithgow instead.
I wasn't aware of the shelves being particularly empty, but perhaps it's early days yet.
What did seem very empty was Waverley Station this morning - there seemed to be hardly anyone getting off the train, and I don't think it could be explained just by the school holidays.
In a normal year (anyone remember that?) stores would be very busy this week. Put in social distancing requirements and I can see that many stores would reintroduce the one-in one-out system of limiting numbers causing queues even without any shortages or hording.
The empty shelves to which I referred earlier are to be found in emporia such as Iceland, whose supplies of fresh veg for freezing - or already frozen, I'm not sure which - are not as the cruse of oil of the Widow of Zarephath...
As to the empty Waverley Station, might it be that lots of people have either taken early leave, or are now working from home again?
I've an online grocery (mainly greengrocery) order due to be delivered tomorrow morning. I ordered it three weeks ago, but it will be 'picked' overnight tonight. What I actually get will depend on what the store has on the shelves.
As that company has, in contradiction of what the PM and the British Retail Consortium has been telling us all day, given a warning that there will be gaps on supermarket shelves of foodstuffs from Europe, I expect the panic buyers will have been in this afternoon/evening and stripped the shelves bare already.
I'm not wanting lettuce, nor citrus, but I don't suppose the shelf-strippers will confine themselves to those few items.
Just hoping they haven't been after cabbages, spinach and unwaxed lemons.
I think either or both of those could be the case, BF; the train hasn't been uncomfortably busy at all since I started commuting (I imagine those who can work from home still do), but today it was noticeably quieter.
I've only got one more work day myself - having discovered I've got nearly two weeks of leave to be taken by the end of March, I decided to take a couple of extra days before Christmas.
I just read that the new Amazon fresh will deliver any amount of fresh groceries to our new address for a $17.00 a month fee. I have mixed feelings. Happy not to go to a store in person but not happy about supporting Amazon. I will keep looking.
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Not quite everyone. For us it has clarified what we were thinking already. Nenlet2 and his partner can't travel to us as planned as they are too far away to get here and home again in a day. Nenlet1 and son in law are nearer so it's just a case of how we do The Day with his parents, who are also local. A Nen Family Consultation will be conducted tomorrow morning.
I am concerned about people who may be rushing to get out of the south east before midnight and have already had to step away from a text conversation with one friend who is clearly going ahead with her family's plans. I know it's not up to me to police other people's behaviour but
I'm not sure what I'll do now either: I don't see why either my brother or s-i-l should have to stay sober enough to drive me home, and there wouldn't be any trains on Christmas Day or Boxing Day anyway.
If I'm allowed to visit on Christmas Day itself, what possible difference will it make if I stay overnight? And I wonder how many people will risk driving when they've had a couple of drinks, as they've been told they must go home the same day?
Yes ... I was due to go from London to Derbyshire. My friend begged me to travel tonight and whilst I was very heartwarmed that she wanted me to do as such, I just couldn't.
I feel so very sad about not seeing my friends but it's a small price to pay and the consequences could be awful. And this, to me, is a community affair, it's not just about me and my friends, it's about the bigger picture. I am hurting at the decision but I would hurt far more if I infected anyone. And then there is the solidarity with those who aren't doing the quick hop out of the S.E England to see loved ones before midnight.
So much confusion tho for a lot of people. And I have worries regarding the mental health impact this might bring. I don't disagree with the decision taken now - it's the right one given the situation we are in (IMHO)
Plan A was that the younger of my sisters (who has "bubbled" with mum since the beginning) go down and stay with mum, then they both go to spend Christmas Day with my other sister who's less than an hour drive away. I'll stay here with my children, and my brother (who's very close here) consider coming over here. We would all meet up on Zoom on Christmas Day.
Plan B came in more than a week ago. As above, but my younger sister stay with mum but they don't go anywhere, weather permitting a get together outside sometime in the few days after Christmas Day. Still have a Zoom meet up, my younger sister may need to renew her BT subscription to get online. I meet up with my brother for a walk outside somewhere.
Plan C would leave us all at home. Mum would be on her own and she won't be able to join us on Zoom (no computer or other means of accessing Zoom, at least including video). No meeting up for a walk outside.
But, that will depend on clarity on the rules. Will existing bubbles be honoured? Does my elderly but not particularly vulnerable or in need of regular care mum mean that this is an allowed (apparently) support bubble? What will rules on gathering in small numbers (eg: 4 people) outside be? It's very short notice, but at least a few days to call mum's neighbours to make sure she has enough groceries in, even if not something particularly special for Christmas, if my sister can't get down.
I have not been in the same room with friends or family since March, and it now looks like I will have to make it through a full year (or more) before the isolation is over. But I am still relieved and thankful that ScotGov is taking action before we reach a truly perilous situation.
I am also thankful for the lovely surprises that my sister posts to me to make me feel connected - especially her Christmas home baking. It is amazing how much love fits into a mince pie!
It will be beyond wonderful to visit next year.
The whole thing makes me even crosser with Mr Johnson and his government than I was before.
I may have misunderstood things, and have been round the houses a few times with it all this evening, but I believe you can stick to plan A, if you are in England. Existing bubbles can remain and you can meet on Christmas Day with two other households, but only for the day. No staying overnight. Your family and your brother can be another Christmas bubble (for the day) and you can Zoom with your mum's and sister's bubble (which can include your other sister, for Christmas Day only).
The exception is if anyone is in Tier 4, where no mixing is allowed except with your household and/or your bubble.
I may be wrong. Stranger things have happened.
Younger Son and family are now in tier 4, which will put paid to any arrangements made with his inlaws - but they may have decided not to socialise anyway, having a young baby in the house
I understand where you are coming from. I have not seen my sister since my father's funeral at the end of January this year, and (way back when) we had been hoping that this coming Christmas would be a chance to bury the ghost of parental expectations and to do something of our own choosing (and to our own enjoyment/joy) . It is not to be, and we had come to this conclusion awhile back. I can't say that we feel we're being especially public-spirited, more that it is inevitable. And that, as key workers all, we (myself, sis and b-in-law) are the biggest risk to those with whom we might come into contact.
At one level (emotional & entirely separate from the reality of the science) , it stinks. But (rationally) I'm honestly not in the least surprised and shit happens. And I/we had already reached that conclusion before it was thrust upon us. I suppose that not having fallen into the "Hopes Raised" category is of itself both positively realistic and negatively realistic. I'm both unsurprised and saddened. And being on my own is not necessarily a big deal - at one level, it comes as a chance to press a pause and then a reset button on the past. On another, we can't do that because we can't be together to move forward... We will muddle through, and I have confidence that it will work its way out somehow, sometime...
And, for my brother and I we re-enter tier four on Boxing Day, with the government saying we shouldn't be meeting indoors at all on Christmas Day - though probably meeting up outside for a few hours will be within the rules and wishes of government. Hopefully the coronavirus rates will continue to fall through this period and beyond, and it'll only be a short period of inconvenience.
A number of restaurants are trying to stay open by setting out open-air garden tables so patrons can eat alfresco. It isn't going to work because the high summer temperatures are now a heatwave, the Cape is one blazing furnace right now (veldfires early), so guests risk heat stroke sitting out in the sun at noon. And all restaurants have to close by 9am in accordance with the latest night curfews.
Oh - I can see how it's not completely clear cut for your family then. So it is your younger sister in Northumberland who has been the bubble with your mum, and that's a long way to travel (and no one wants to be bracketed with Cummings, do they?!). I believe in tier 4 you can only meet one other person outside and I suspect that isn't relaxed for Christmas as things seem to be so bad, so maybe the sister near your mum could meet her for a walk and you could meet your brother for a walk?
It's very difficult when it becomes a judgement call between what's "allowed" and what's "advised" - rather like the difference between the spirit and the letter of the law. I think in your situation (as with any other) I'd be playing it ultra-safe with Plan C. It's a tough one, but as you say hopefully the end is in sight with the vaccine on its way.
We are having the Nen Family Conference About Christmas Day in the next hour or so. I'm hoping it will be fairly straightforward.
The simplest live stream I did for a funeral involved cobbling my phone onto a camera tripod, and
Live-streaming to Facebook. I set it running just before the (graveside) funeral and turned it off again after the blessing while mourners were casting soil into the coffin. It wasn’t hi-tech, but it enabled two grandsons in London during the first lockdown, and an elderly sister in Canada all to be part of the service. Fortunately the network coverage at the cemetery is fairly good.
I think it entirely possible we may have NO congregation for the Christmas service, except for my family.
Grrrrrrrrr, hisssssssssssssss.
I am so sorry and prayers are being wafted heavenward
Esp for a good nights sleep
Coping? Some I know are barely retaining a hold on reality...
I find the closing of the European borders extremely disturbing.
Yes, me too 😢. I can’t help thinking there’s something we’re not being told, but trying not to go down that road!
Maybe it's just a Concatenation Of Events - Covid, the new revised Covid, Brexshit, Yuletide (Is it on? Is it off?) - all adding up to a thoroughly ghastly sh*t SOUP, up with which we have to put...
That seems like a perfectly rational response to "there's a new strain of CoV-2 in the UK that seems to spread more easily" to me.
I don’t recommend stockpiling lettuce ...
But it does grow very quickly. I have a raised bed full of winter lettuce. Maybe I could sell it at £2 a leaf? 😝
Really? *sigh* I'm planning to make my last foray to the supermarket before Christmas tomorrow morning and as they're open at present 24/7 I shall go when I wake up, hoping the shelves are as stocked as they're likely to be. Fortunately I'm not a great fan of lettuce so can leave any supplies for other needy shoppers.
I keep meaning to get myself sorted with online shopping but am pretty sure I wouldn't get a delivery slot just at the moment.
Sorry @Lamb Chopped , I meant to say - that's a horrible situation and I'm so sorry.
Much less a leaf.
What are you growing them in????
Thanks. My husband is on the phone with as many of them as he can reach now, trying to "round up his sheep" and see how everybody is doing. Don't want anybody lying unconscious or worse in their houses!
My milkman delivers 3 days a week (my father worked in a Unigate dairy factory so I can’t imagine not having milk delivered). We also have eggs, yoghurt and cheddar delivered weekly. It was a God-send when we were all unwell for several weeks with covid in March.
Though a local farm shop took up deliveries with lockdown and they do milk - plus bread, eggs, cheese, veg and a small butchery selection. So that's sorted. I still need the occasional shop on top though, and was going to head out on Wed afternoon (after aforementioned delivery so I know what gaps to fill) or Thur morning (I need to pop into work briefly).
Yes, me too! We have milk delivered twice a week, plus a loaf of bread and half a dozen eggs once a week (as a safeguard if we can’t shop). My Dad was also a milkman for much of my childhood, though we children preferred it when he worked at the Fry’s chocolate factory for a while, as he was able to get cheap chocolate at Christmas at a time when money was always short!
Now, we all believe that what the PM says is 100% True™, don't we?
Yes?
No?
I wasn't aware of the shelves being particularly empty, but perhaps it's early days yet.
What did seem very empty was Waverley Station this morning - there seemed to be hardly anyone getting off the train, and I don't think it could be explained just by the school holidays.
As to the empty Waverley Station, might it be that lots of people have either taken early leave, or are now working from home again?
As that company has, in contradiction of what the PM and the British Retail Consortium has been telling us all day, given a warning that there will be gaps on supermarket shelves of foodstuffs from Europe, I expect the panic buyers will have been in this afternoon/evening and stripped the shelves bare already.
I'm not wanting lettuce, nor citrus, but I don't suppose the shelf-strippers will confine themselves to those few items.
Just hoping they haven't been after cabbages, spinach and unwaxed lemons.
I've only got one more work day myself - having discovered I've got nearly two weeks of leave to be taken by the end of March, I decided to take a couple of extra days before Christmas.
Is that any number of deliveries, or one delivery a week, or ...?