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Recent Articles
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Life in a Coronavirus Pandemic: Back to UK Lockdown in Dorset
It is week 20 of lockdown in the UK and some towns are experiencing spikes in the number of COVID-19 cases. They are now subject to restrictions to control these outbreaks. Fortunately, Dorset is maintaining a low rate of infection. I can escape the muggy heat of Hertfordshire and return to my…
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Life in a Coronavirus Pandemic: Week Two of my Italian Trip
Italy was one of the first countries to close down when it was badly affected by the coronavirus. It was also one of the first to open its borders to travellers early in June. Safeguards remain in place and are enforced. Face masks, hand sanitisers and social distancing are all part of the new…
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Life in a Coronavirus Pandemic: My COVID-19 Italian Adventure
As soon as the British Government showed signs of relaxing the rule that all arrivals in the UK had to quarantine for fourteen days I booked a flight with British Airways to Verona. I had no idea what to expect on my first COVID flight but I was determined to visit my friends in Madonna di…
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Life in a Coronavirus Pandemic: Week Sixteen and Goodbye Dorset
During week sixteen of lockdown due to COVID-19 more shops and businesses re-open in England. The debate about face masks in public places continues. Although the government has now decided masks in public places are a good idea it has not enforced them yet. My stay in Dorset is coming to an end. I…
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Life in a Coronavirus Pandemic: Week Fifteen of Lockdown is a Week of Uncertainty
The British government had promised to make an announcement regarding the lifting of quarantine, against COVID-19, for arrivals in the UK from some low-risk destinations. This announcement was postponed on several occasions. Finally, at the end of the week, a list of quarantine-free destinations…
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Life in a Coronavirus Pandemic: A Major Incident In Week Fourteen of Lockdown
After a peaceful start to week fourteen of lockdown due to COVID-19 we have a spell of hot weather and once again the crowds flock to the beaches in Dorset. As no limit was set on the distance people can travel for a day out people are driving from as far away as the Midlands. Crowded beaches and…
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Life in a Coronavirus Pandemic: Downs and Ups in Week Thirteen of Lockdown
We are now into week thirteen of lockdown due to the coronavirus. Even though it is the longest time I have stayed in the same place since I started travelling in 1996 it does not feel as though I have been here for three months. I continue to find a mini-adventure every day in my little world. …
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Life in a Coronavirus Pandemic: Lockdown Week Twelve and Goodbye to a New Friend
During week 12 of the lockdown due to the coronavirus a spell of cold weather keeps the crowds away. I continue my early morning walks sprinkled with greetings and short conversations with local residents I am getting to know. Rosmarie is absent for a few days as George, her dog, is not well.
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Life in a Coronavirus Pandemic: An Invasion of Inflatable Paddle Boards
Week 11 of lockdown and the hot weather continues. The residents of Sandbanks residents are seeking a solution to overflowing rubbish bins, illegal parking and boy racers late into the night. Large flotillas of inflatable paddle boards compete with an increasing number of kite surfers for the…
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Life in a Coronavirus Pandemic: Dorset Under Siege in Week Ten of Lockdown
It is week ten of lockdown in England. As the weather gets hotter so the surge of people to the coast and beauty spots gets out of control. Roads are jammed with traffic, beaches are littered with rubbish and the police are overwhelmed with the drunk and disorderly. Maintaining a social distance…
