We’re right back in

In Covid lockdown that is. From today until at least 1st December, so it could be longer. And it was announced at short notice too, giving hardly anyone time to prepare, unlike the last time. So that means probably no more flying this year, a hold on any more work that I might have done on my house and possibly making it impossible for me to sell my Ford C-Max as I hoped to do in the next week or so, among other things.

I had to rush but I managed to have a productive day yesterday by getting in a blood test (after I’d been told that I now needed an appointment and none was available until Monday, which would have been too late), a shopping trip and two visits to the local ‘déchetterie’ (rubbish tip) at Rouffignac. These allowed me to dispose of all the rubble and waste that resulted from my recent ‘baie coulissante’ work which would otherwise have been stuck outside my window in a trailer for at least the next month.

Once again, not only can’t we travel, we can’t even leave our homes except under certain specified circumstances and when we do, we have to carry a signed ‘derogation’ stating why we are outdoors, on penalty of a fine of 135€ for breaking the regulations. But this is so infuriating and frustrating. Covid ‘cases’ may again be increasing in some cities, notably Paris and Marseilles, but in our area the risk of being infected by Covid is probably less than being hit by a bus. And they only run twice a day.

Although people who can do will still be allowed to work (with their ‘derogations’ in their pockets or handbags) and schools will be staying open (although parents taking their children there will have to do so carrying their ‘derogations’) bars, cafes and restaurants will have to close again. So pity the poor beggars who’ve been struggling to keep their small businesses going as although they will get some support, it’s inevitable that many more than usual will go to the wall this winter.

What precarious times we are living in and our ‘leaders’ seem to have no real strategy or clue how to deal with them.