Thompson

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?
A mixture of relief, after all the uncertainty and growing threat, but also worry about the future and where this was heading.	Freedom - to go where I wish, just the simple things like a day out with a nice tea shop at the end, or a girlie shopping trip.	I have had the time to do neglected things, like bring the garden back into shape. I haven't really learned anything new but have developed hobbies such as sewing, family and local history, or more baking. If there was anything new it is more about learning to adapt to the new way of living such as shopping online, having to think about sanitiser, masks etc when venturing out. I have been more disciplined about keeping a diary during this period.	If it wasn't for not seeing family and friends, I could get used to the way of life. As someone who is a trustee of a couple of charities and heavily involved in local life I am normally rushing out to meetings and events, helping to run events etc. It is quite nice to be at home doing my own thing but not sure I could put up with it forever! On the whole it has been fairly easy. I have a large garden in a rural area so am very lucky. I can be outside and get exercise while gardening but it is also easy to go for long walks from the garden gate. I can chat to other walkers over the hedge as they go past so am not entirely isolated.	See more of distant family. With a son in Wales, another in Cambridge and a new great- grandson in Northamptonshire that has been difficult. Just to be able to gather around a dining table as we used to would be really nice. Next on the list would be the same with friends.	I recognise that my lockdown experience has been better than many people's. However, when restrictions eased a little, I was appalled and ashamed of the behaviour of many of my fellow Brits who seem not to care about others and the risk they are creating. Locally the community has pulled together and been very supportive but there is a section of society who put everyone else at risk and lockdown has highlighted for me the selfish 'me' society we have created. I am appalled at the constant blame game that is played by so many whether it be politicians or the average citizen, and a warped perception of rights that lockdown has highlighted, e.g. the 'right' to go abroad for a holiday in the middle of a pandemic and then blame someone else when the situation changes and quarantine is imposed.