2020 in Pictures
2019 is available here
It has been an extraorinary year by any standards!  The onset of a pandemic - Covid-19 - changed everything and resulted in Lockdown 1.0 from March to June/July and Lockdown 2.0 in November.  We have been fortunate, thus far, to live in a beautiful area with very low infection rates and some fantastic scenery to enjoy during our daily walks, as allowed by (or encouraged by) the regulations.
As the virus was just a news story, taking hold in China and Italy, we booked a fortnight back at the Holiday Property Bond centre in Madeira in early February.  Although it was only six months since our last visit, there was plenty more to see and several different excursions organised by the centre.  We were accompanied by our friends, Jeff and Judith, with whom we have spent many weeks at HPB over recent years and were also joined towards the end by local friends, Mike and Christine, from the village who have recently joined the Bond.  We both braved the steep toboggan ride for the first time (and survived) and we had almost constant views from the lovely site which is 1800 ft up near the glass platform at Cabo Girao overlooking Camara de Lobos.
On our return, news of the pandemic started to become more prominent and it wasn't long before Lockdown 1.0 became a reality towards the end of March.  As it developed, we encountered split emotions - relief and gratitude for the environment in which we live and were able to enjoy, and guilt and sadness that, whilst we were so fortunate in having relative freedom,  we were aware of so many others who were confined, prison-like, to flats or rooms with no gardens.  The beach car park was closed off, holiday cottages and accommodation were off-limits and the local pub was restricted to take-aways (which were brilliant and hugely popular).  It was eerily quiet and the wildlife started to thrive, including the adders that became more visible than usual!  We found new walks, caught up on some redecorating, made our own bread, tidied the garden, became skilled Zoom and WhatsApp users and generally enjoyed the good weather and our beautiful surroundings.  The Village community came together to support each other with weekly updates, collaborative shopping, clapping for the NHS (especially our two paramedic neighbours) and cross-garden distanced wine or coffee sessions.  Church services were on the phone and petrol consumption plummeted. The roads were almost deserted and quiet.  We were very fortunate indeed!
Once Lockdown 1.0 ended, the anticipated rush to the coast became a reality and the beach and car parks looked like bank holidays every day, whilst there were almost constant traffic jams in the Village.  Unlike other areas to the east of us, we didn't experience the same lack of respect for the environment, and our visitors were generally careful and understanding. By way of doing things differently, there was a 'gnome trail' around the Village encouraging families to follow a prescribed route to find 30 differently-named gnomes located in gardens or windows.  Socially distanced church services resumed, albeit with no singing, although the telephone version has continued throughout the rest of the year for the benefit of those who are unable to venture to the building.  Julian got into training to take part once again in the annual Ride and Stride event in September in aid of the Historic Churches Trust and cycled round 17 of the local churches.  As summer changed into autumn, we were given masses of green tomatoes which heralded the annual Grandma Piper's Marrow Pickle brewing sessions, and the bungalow took on it's seasonal aroma (vinegar)! The sea reclaimed most of the beach in the early storms - leaving just the base clay layer which surprised many visitors.  It has, however, returned much of the sand and shingle in subsequent storms.
As restrictions eased, we were eventually able to enjoy visits and visitors. In August, we enjoyed the company of Julian's cousin, Marilyn, who arrived with a broken foot and her dog Teddy.  We had great fun together, although long walks were curtailed by the 'moon boot' she had to wear, but Teddy enjoyed the local scenery and meeting lots of other dogs. Then, in October, we welcomed Irene's brother, Dave, and his wife, Gill, for a few days before we headed off for a short return break with Marilyn in her lovely bungalow above Dartmouth. One of the unique sights brought about by Covid-19 has been the presence of a number of cruise ships anchored off Weymouth and also off Torquay - and these have been part of the sightseeing tours throughout the year.  We also met up with one of the former students from Kiev, Denis, who had visited Leicester and subsequently Dorset but who is now working for an American tobacco company in Southampton controlling production in a Russian factory!
Bell ringing has not been permitted since  March, but, undaunted, we have taken to ringing the hand bells outside for services instead, which has caused a great deal of interest. And so to Lockdown 2.0. Not as dramatic as Lockdown 1.0 but the pubs and cafes have been closed once again and holiday homes were deserted.  Travel restrictions not being so harsh, visitors have been coming to enjoy the open spaces and the beach, but in much smaller numbers.  Church services were confined to the telephone and take-aways became the order of the day rather than eating out (but they were still excellent!).   Following from the successful gnome trail of the summer, there will be an Advent window trail during December around the Village with a new display 'opening' each day until Christmas Eve.  The brief is to 'be positive' and early signs are encouraging.  Our Christmas Cactus has anticipated Christmas a little early this year with its cheerful display of colour.
The cancellation of many normal services has affected lots of people all over the country with dental services a prime example - and many friends seemed to have similar experiences.  When Julian developed a painful problem at the beginning of Lockdown 1.0, we had no idea that it would be 8-9 weeks before the removal could take place; nor did we anticpate the drama when otherwise there was little in our lives.  Whilst the extraction was relatively straightforward, it was the journey to Poole hospital that provided the incident as our fairly new car broke down about 10 minutes short of our destination.  Fortunately, with the help of the AA, who rescued the car to Dorchester, and a local taxi driver with minimal work until then, he was able to get to the appointment, followed by Irene who arrived later, and both of us came home with a very happy driver who was delighted to have an afternoon out (paid)!  Some things, of course, have continued as 'normal'.  Irene's work as Church treasurer has been different, but the need to manage income and expenditure, especially when there has been a good deal of work going on in the building (as restrictions have allowed), has remained important.  Julian's work with the schools and the Minerva Learning Trust has also continued although, with school visits generally impossible, meetings have taken place on Teams.  Around the neighbourhood, younger folk (eg Irene) have taken on the weekly shopping for elderly neighbours and Julian has 'adopted' two gardens of holiday properties, which has provided some active work to replace volunteering with the National Trust and the Village volunteers, both of which have been 'on hold'.  The 'permssion' to exercise in Lockdown 1.0 has become a regular habit and we try to get out every day, come rain or shine.  Apart from keeping us fit, it gives us the opportunity to catch up with other villagers and enjoy some socially distanced contact.  We've all become more or less competent with Zoom (something we'd never heard of until this year). Although infection rates in Dorset have remained low, the decision to place us in Tier 2 in December with no mixing of households indoors has come as a disappointment to many, especially those involved in the hospitality trade who have taken such a pounding since March.  Christmas will be different for everyone and we are sad for those who will miss the usual family gatherings.
We wish everyone a peaceful Christmas, however you are able to celebrate, and a happy and healthy New Year.