One ring. How hard can it be? I mean it’s not like I am looking for one ring to rule them all. Yet, following my proposal on the leap year, the search is still on for my engagement ring. I guess it’s only to be expected when the woman asks the man, then the country goes into Lockdown as a pandemic takes hold. And with the looming lockdown this Thursday time is not on my side.

But it hasn’t been wasted time. I now have more of an idea of what I like and would like to find. It’s just a few more shops – fingers, legs, arms and everything crossed.

Shop one and I think it’s success. But just to make sure we head into a few other jewellery shops. Nothing comes close. So, after picking up a few Christmas gifts before the lockdown starts tomorrow, we head back to shop one.

I have an engagement ring, just not on my finger. It needs resizing first, but I’ll have my ring to enjoy well before Christmas and before the end of the national lockdown (start of December).

Here we are Thursday and in a national lockdown once more. However, it’s also the 5th of November and we are running a virtual Bonfire Scout night. Firework pictures are a blast, zombies come to tea for campfire songs, s’mores made, adults and young people sit back to enjoy a spectacular recorded firework display from years past. Bonfire celebrations completed from the safety and warmth of home. If this pandemic has taught me anything it is that new traditions can be formed in the virtual world.

While trying to avoid Corona news this week, I am enjoying the hype on social media leading up to the Fenwick Christmas window reveal on Sunday evening. While in the news the ongoing results of the US presidential elections are currently monopolising all media channels. I personally am astounded by President Trumps un-supported claims of fraud. I would say a welcomed distraction, but let’s leave it as a reminder that life goes on even during a pandemic.

The weekend finally brings the results of the election. While the news continues to discuss what future international relationships might look like, at least it’s not Covid related.

And this weekend as Remembrance Sunday dawns, we remember all the fallen from our doorstep. As 11am strikes, we are uniformed up and following along to our local service over Facebook, coming to attention as the ‘Last Post’ plays. Even from our home we could hear the cannon go off in town, marking the end of the two-minute silence. I am disappointed by not being joined in our street for the doorstop Remembrance Day silence, however, I know a number of people stood inside to observe the two-minute silence and through the magic of social media we are joined by fellow Scouters and public to remember the fallen.

And Remembrance Day is not the only event going virtual. As the evening dawns it is time for the Fenwick Christmas window reveal, held virtually over Facebook live. A childhood tradition, I keep to this day, to visit the window display during the Christmas season. But this year my partner and I, along with so many other viewers have front row view to the unveiling. With barriers in place in Northumberland street Newcastle to stop masses gathering this evening, virtual online sessions are becoming the new normal. 

So, for the first time I am there for the unveiling: Wind in the Willows. Each window following the story of our well-known characters, on a cold winters afternoon before Christmas, stopping Toad, up to mischief (as always) from stealing Christmas. The highlight has to be the Fenwick’s car flying above the store with Santa delivering presents.