Life during Covid-19 continues to be one filled with uncertainty. This week terrifying Corona news headlines: ‘100,000 people are catching coronavirus each day in England’. So, it’s no surprise on Saturday when Boris announces a four-week lockdown from next Thursday.

For a second time this year, we find ourselves heading into a national lockdown. No travelling, no leisure or entertainment venues, no non- essential retail. Pubs and restaurants can only run take out. We are only to leave our homes for exercise, medical reasons, food, essential shopping, caring for vulnerable people or volunteering. Support bubbles are allowed, and individuals can meet one other person from another household in a public place. But education and construction remain open. So, we won’t be left fully isolated from the world outside this time. Some lessons learned – perhaps?

While I agree the circuit break was needed. I can’t help but feel the governments approach is to muddle through. It feels like only yesterday he announced what we needed was the three-tier system, with different restrictions in place locally and regionally. Now we are all moving back into a lockdown as the virus rages. Yet, with Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland under their own rules it all feels very disjointed rather than a United Kingdom. But if the measures can help keep us safe then it is worth it, right?

A sigh of relief. Finally, I will know one way or another. It’ arrived. My Covid-19 antibody test arrived today as part of the research by Imperial College London. One skin prick later and the verdict, although not definitive, is in. I am clear. Definitely the reassurance I needed – I am doing all the right things to stay safe.

Yet, I haven’t felt very safe recently on my early morning jogs and it isn’t Covid that has me worried. My main route is through the unlit local cemetery and park. I did brave my route once last week – but was shaking at the knees the entire time. This week, with the clocks changing, I use the opportunity to explore well-lit routes before the dark mornings creep in.

Someone else who has not adapted to the clock change is Lady. Last week you couldn’t get her up, she was happy to chill and wait. Logging off time is a different matter, it is like she has a countdown timer or impeccable hearing, appearing at my side, poised for action as the lid of my work laptop closes. Yet, this week, I have toys galore piled at my feet, head nudges and puppy eyes to spare. Lady clearly missed the memo about the clock change, sending her quite loopy. But with Halloween this weekend and Bonfire celebrations looming, her excitement is soon to be replaced by anxiety from the noise. So, I fuss her silly and enjoy Lady’s energetic craziness.

And I guess we all appear a bit loopy. Our virtual Scout meeting this week is a Halloween extravaganza of crafts, edible games and more. Nothing beats the good old doughnut on a string game, and it was lovely to see my favourite Halloween tradition passed onto the next generation. Hallows eve has arrived and it’s time to get your spook on. My partner and I are supporting our local Scouts centre to run a Halloween trail. I arguably got one of the best jobs of all: it was lovely to see the excited faces, at 10-minute intervals on arrivals in the car park returning an hour or so later with smiles, waves and candy. As the night drew to a close, I took the opportunity to have a spooky walk through the woods, enjoy the festivities in the outside huts, toast marshmallows, watch youngsters shoot at pumpkins and knock down ghost toilet roll pins with root vegetables. A truly memorable evening spent outdoors under the full moon.