What a miserable start to the week, drizzly wet and overcast. Yet, it’s the perfect jogging weather and Lady and I love getting caught out on our walk, her excitement boundless, as she bolts around in the puddles. Yet, by evening, the sun is warm and welcoming, I bask in its rays, lifting our spirits I feel a skip in my step while Lady wags her tail.

Today on our walk we find a pound coin. I hesitate to pick it up, I am glad to report, with the use of a clean poo bag it makes it into the adventure fund. It just goes to show how more aware we are of personal hygiene and safety these days, an undeniable positive in my books.

Last week we decided, with my uncle and cousin coming to visit, it was time to have a meal out! It used to be a very normal activity, that stopped during lockdown, but has gained momentum through the governments ‘Eat out to help out’ campaign. The scheme sees registered eateries able to offer 50% off for customers sitting in during August. We have been weighing up how best to see them during their short visit. Meeting out seemed the safest, most sociable, and supportive of local business solution. And so, the mammoth task of booking somewhere on deal night began…with the scheme so popular, it’s no surprise that we struggle, and end up booking an Italian not on the scheme but with good offers, good food and good reviews.

Now the day of the meal is here, I’m still nervous. Seeing and hearing on the news about local places closing because of a confirmed Covid-19 case, has made me cautious. It’s hardly surprising that Covid cases are on the rise, as people start socialising again. As lockdown restrictions ease, the news has suggested a lot of cases have started in homes, where I guess it is easier to let your guard down – so going out might be safer.

We haven’t eaten out in nearly half a year, so it feels like luxury. Being waited on, having a wide choice of meals without any of the planning, prep or cooking. The set menu even offers healthier choices, with vegetables to accompany my main, we share a starter, so I don’t feel guilty about having a glass of wine.

The meal doesn’t disappoint, it’s to die for, along with the company: a long overdue catch-up. Yet it feels like no time has passed, reassuring me that normality is returning. We talk about how our lives are as busy as they ever were, time flying and in that theme it’s soon time to say goodbye. We elbow greet instead of hugs and depart. It felt like the weekend rather than a weeknight, a stolen chance to return to some normality.

However, I was and am still concerned by how normal things felt in the restaurant. Hand sanitizer greeted you at the entrance, track and trace forms were on the tables and yet only one waiter wore a visor. PPE seemed lacking, the restaurant was quite full of groups of all sizes. It was like someone had pressed play again and life was continuing as normal, with many of my fellow restaurant goers oblivious to the current pandemic.

Yet, we are facing the deepest recession on record and it’s no surprise. The job market is on its knees, with recruitment freezes. Shops are struggling as footfall is lower. I haven’t even thought to go browsing my local high street, and with the Covid-19 death toll still rising it is not surprising. But we’re not alone, countries all across the world are facing similar situations, so surely, we can come through this together.  Therefore, I guess at least the hospitality sector has been given a helping hand, that we, in a small way have contributed too.