Now that I have settled into lockdown I find myself in some kind of surreal routine – combining daily exercise, work and virtual social life, I am feeling institutionalised.
A couple of weeks ago I ventured into the local town of Oxted where I once had my studio to take a few photographs.
I hadn’t been to town for over six weeks because of being abroad and lockdown. I decided to take the half-hour walk as part of my daily exercise to take photographs to document the effects of coronavirus on the high street so I could look back on them in years to come.
It wasn’t until I arrived on the high street that the full impact of the pandemic hit home – it felt like I was on a desolate film set and the director was going to shout – ‘lights, camera, action’ and the actors would start performing, but no this was real life, there was no one around and no traffic. The shops all had notices to say they had temporarily closed, some windows were covered from the inside, the restaurant tables weren’t set for diners and coffee shops in darkness.
I had been living in a bubble, even though I had watched the news bulletins, somehow it wasn’t until now the reality hit home – our lives won’t ever be the same again.
I’d like to share with you some of my observations, I’m sure one day I’ll reflect on this time as if it were a dream.
In the meantime, lockdown continues with a few relaxed rules meaning we can venture out for more exercise, go back to work by keeping to the 2-metre social distancing rule and even meet up with one other person outside of our home in a park. Weddings, events and overseas travel continue to be off-limits for the foreseeable future!
Keep well and stay safe!
Stella
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