New Costessey Evening

What was your reaction when lockdown was announced?	What have you missed most, apart from family & friends?	What have you been doing? Have you learnt something new or unusual?	Has lockdown been difficult or easy, could you get used to this way of life?	What is the first thing you will do/like when life is back to normal?	Anything else you'd like to say about your lockdown experience?
Relief! a) I was starting to get scared by the rumours, but people were still asking me to meet up and implying I was a wimp when I expressed doubts. b) I just had too much going on in life anyway, so it was a chance to completely unwind and relax.	Nothing else! My credit card bills have gone down and life is at a slower pace - thank goodness!	LOTS of reading (and I'm afraid lots of Netflix). On the plus side I have done more gardening and 'proper' cooking than at any time in my life. I've done Zoom yoga and line-dancing, and Facebook Church and Bible Study. I work from home, so that carried on with no change.	Easy! I could definitely get used to it. I'm not an enthusiastic driver, so now my social life is all Zoom/Facebook Lives/Chats and I don't need to drive anywhere. Also, if I need a glass of wine or whatever, no worries about drinking and driving. It's all so much cheaper than going out, I've been lucky in that I always work from home anyway, and lockdown brought me MORE work than usual.	A GOOD meal out with my son and daughter-in-law.	It showed me who my real friends were - those who bothered to keep in touch, when they knew I was home-alone. Also, I was thrilled to reconnect with long-standing friends (also line-dance and yoga teachers) from where I used to live 3 years ago. I have kept up my exercise activities with my teachers from back then, and our 'baby-sitting circle' of 40 years ago now has a regular 'Zoom supper' slot every fortnight whereas before, because of distance, our meetings had dwindled down to about 3 a year. I'll be interested to hear what others have to say!
My reaction to lockdown was probably relief as things were getting increasingly alarming and this seemed to be the safest option, although I also felt afraid of the unknown as everything was new and strange.	Apart from family and friends I've missed going to regular dance and yoga classes, going to pubs to see live bands and going on holiday.	I've been doing a lot of dog walking, reading and baking. I discovered online dance/yoga classes so was able to sort of carry on with that, also learnt to crochet and have made 6 blankets over the last year!	I'd say lockdown has been difficult for me as I've always been a very busy sociable person, I guess like most other people I've adapted to the 'new normal' but can't wait to get back to doing all the things I love to do in life.	The first thing I'll do when things are back to normal is hug and kiss all my family and friends and probably random strangers! And I'll be so happy not to wear a mask when I go shopping as it causes me to have migraines.☹️	I would say that although it's been a really tough year, I'm hoping that people will appreciate what they've got and hopefully won't forget to carry on being kind to others when we come out of this.
We will get through it.	Hairdresser!!	Knitting, reading, jigsaws.	No, unless I really had to.	Get my hair done. Give people a HUG.	Got my priorities right and appreciate what I have.
Disbelief, certain amount of fear and annoyance.	Hairdresser, family, Get Togethers, hugs, meeting friends.	Lots of crafts, some old, some new. Masses of gardening, reading.	Second lockdown harder than first. I could get used to it, but don't want to.	Have a family party. Meet all my friends.	I have slowed down a lot and need to get back up to speed.