Cabin fever has struck.
Suddenly I want to get out of our small London flat.
The weather is getting better. The sun is out longer. I can feel its warmth every time I step outside. The once bare winter trees are now blooming with new flowers and leaves.
Everything seems to be calling for me to be outside; to go exploring this fantastic city.
But I can’t.
I’m stuck inside.
Safe where the virus can’t get me.
Every day is much like the day before. I go out for the lunchtime shop. I stand in line to enter the supermarket. I try to enjoy this brief period outside as much as I can before I walk quickly back home.
On difficult days I walk around our neighbourhood block or head to the park in front of our flat. I need to feel the sun on my face and get some fresh air. The outing is brief.
We walk a little longer when my husband is with us. We are allowed a period of exercise outside. We either walk to the next suburb to do our groceries or walk up to the Common.
We couldn’t wait to explore London when we arrived. We packed our bags and swapped the warm blue-skyed Australian summer for the cold grey London winter. We were ready to see and experience this remarkable city.
People worried we would struggle with the weather. But I didn’t mind. It was all so new. I liked the London winter. Coming from a dry country, we’ve learned to appreciate the rain.
The city is full of stories; of lives celebrated and lost. History is there in the old cobbled streets right next to modern buildings. London has been a big city for a very long time.
Colonised Australia was federated on 1 January 1901. Our London flat was built in 1900. History is all very new to us.
We bought a family pass to all the palaces and various heritage sites across Britain. Then the country locked down and restricted travel.
I am telling myself the lockdown can’t last forever. I try to console myself by saying these places will still be there when this pandemic is over. I need to be patient.
When this time of forced isolation is over, we’ll be out exploring again.
I can’t wait!
Nomad Online 
10 responses to “Something different. Something new.”
Somehow will pass someday. Now it is too soon and we are working at home but he economy falls steeply and i wonder how long we will be able to work that way. .. because except maybe the IT industry where working remote is an usual option, others cant work unlimited time from home
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It is quite isolating. I can’t wait to meet people face to face in the workplace!
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Hang in there – this madness will pass (that is what I tell myself each day). And the city will be yours once again. Meanwhile, don’t pay too much attention to the lure of sun – I suppose it will get worse as summer approaches.
Have a safe & healthy week ahead!
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Thank you! You too. 🙂
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Lovely post. I can feel your longing to start exploring London. I loved my years living there, and always love returning to visit. Alas the chance to do that again now seems to be in the very distant future – but my memories are vivid, and your blog helps me keep them alive.
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Thank you 😊! Hopefully we won’t be stuck inside for too much longer.
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Is there a quite place you can drive to and just feel the sun on your face? I need fresh air and nature every day.
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We don’t have a car. The common is about a twenty minute walk away, but we’re not supposed to linger. We do have a lovely park across the road. I do head out there when it gets too much. I think I should use our balcony a bit more.
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Great post! I adore history. Though my little town was established in 1652, old by American standards, it is new in the grand scheme of things. I want to see London and sites that have been around much longer than that. I understand your cabin fever–must be so tough to be right there and you can’t experience all the wonder that city has to offer. Soon enough, I hope (but not too soon, I guess). D.C.’s museums are calling my name loud and clear today!
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I love history too! It’s so hard to stay inside when there are so many good audio tours we can do too. And almost every street has a story. Like you, I am hearing the call of old sites and museums!!
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