What did I learn in lockdown 2020 – 21?

The canal boat

The boat looms large in lockdown.  I can honestly say I learnt to drive a narrow boat competently.  I travelled up and down The Grand Union Canal from Whilton Marina into London and back again up to Braunston.  Captain Quirk bought out my share about Stoke Hammond on the return journey.

We failed to make it work as a business partnership where we could spend days in each other’s company, but we consolidated a friendship going through thick and thin.

I loved the boat experience.  You see the world from a different perspective from a canal boat.  It was lovely to be back close to nature even in the midst of a city and it was a complete blessing to have a positive adventure when there were such limited social opportunities.

 

The dog

I bought a white haired Lakeland Terrier I called Noah.  He was a return to dog ownership after the tragedy of Dingle  in honour of Dingle the dog – BORN 59 (hazeldurbridge.com).  I was going to get dog ownership right this time and signed up for puppy training, but when it all went to zoom I lost interest.  I still don’t trust him to let him off the lead and he certainly wouldn’t stay in one spot until he was called.  But he has huge character, continues to be a joy and has got me out daily in my local park along with hundreds of other people in my local community so that has been nice to be part of.

 

Work

I changed jobs in lockdown.  My time in Peabody came to an end when I got a new boss.  I’ll never know the answer, but I guess he didn’t like me, my working style or that of any of my team bar one.  They all went in various circumstances and I went last.  I tried the grievance procedure; I took it as far as a stage 1 tribunal and then gave up.  It was hours of collecting data and examples and in the end it begins to consume you with self-questioning and anxiety.  I was the only manager in my team to get furloughed so I decided to jump before I was pushed.

The solicitor told me that often one individual may not get the justice they seek, but if enough people raise issues, eventually they stick.

Once I left I was amazed how quickly I moved on mentally.  I like my new job and it’s a relief not to have the daily grief or the expensive commute.

 

My Faith

At the beginning I religiously tuned into church on zoom every Sunday, life group on zoom, Ladies’ Bible group on zoom, but zoom is not my medium for connection.  Seeing myself on camera in my bubble alone when others were not, only highlighted my single status.  Even once we could return to church in person by booking, I dreaded the idea of being separated physically rather than just being able to blend into a crowd.  The introvert in me prefers the anonymity of being part of a large congregation.  I appreciate it has been a great opportunity for churches to attract new people all over the world, but it’s not for me.

I maintained my Christian centre listening to UCB, reading Word for Today and being out there connecting with people who need others to stand alongside them in my new job.  I meet people from all over the world with amazing stories to tell and using my gifting to support them brings me peace and contentment.

 

Home

At the start of lockdown I was going to downsize to a flat.  I had my eyes on some flats in the local park and wrote to all the owners to see if any of them would sell.

Meanwhile I worked systematically through my house and garden painting sheds and fences, re-potting containers to take and generally clearing out.

Then I met a One and we idly googled a canal side property and were smitten.  I never thought I would get the opportunity to live in the countryside, but now I may.