Will it end? Filling my time!!

I'm at the point now where I'm starting to ask myself whether this isolation will ever end. 

It's not that I don't like my own company. In fact, I do - very much. I'm a true introvert and this isolation has given me time to read books and do other things I enjoy doing alone. I'm also a very lazy person, so not being able to go out and about and get caught up in the fast pace of normal living has also been a bonus.

I'm not that good with technology but I managed to get to grips with Zoom and have joined an online class in creative writing. It's only 5 weeks but I'm finding it very interesting. It also gives me a contact with the outside world as it's obviously a conference video call. I'm not that good at writing and I have to say my classmates are much better, they seem to have such good ideas and make everything come alive. They are mostly MUCH younger than me and it shows. By comparison to their work mine feels like it belongs in a previous century - which it probably does.

Even without the class, I have plenty to do. I've already finished reading 7 books and am half way through the next one. I have bookcases full and many of the books have not yet been opened so it's a great chance to catch up. I also paint and have something I'm part way through. Sadly I'm not always feeling so enthusiastic about painting so whether it will get finished or not is in the balance. Then there's the cross stitch. I have one picture about a third finished, but it's only a small one. Then I have another one waiting which is 28cm x 35cm and will be very tricky. It's on navy aida and the picture is mostly a very dark blue and black.  It's a silhouette of 2 fairies in front of a bright moon by a pond on a starry night. This means there's a reflection as well as the main subjects. 

And then there's the knitting I have stashed away in the cupboard. I have something I started 4 years ago and have  still not finished. It may be in with a chance of at least getting a but further on if not completely finished.

I'm not houseproud and I don't like housework very much so I haven't joined the ranks of those who have emptied and spring cleaned their cupboards and wardrobes. Instead I've grudgingly done what's absolutely necessary when it's needed. However, I have put in some time in the kitchen. I make cheese sticks and biscuits. As an experiment I mixed some Marmite in last time I made the cheese sticks and it was wonderful. I'm definitely in the "love it" camp when it comes to Marmite. I also make my own yoghurt.  I worked out that this doesn't actually save me any money but the yoghurt tastes much better than the shop bought variety.

The only thing I'm really missing in the scuba diving. Sadly this activity is not allowed here in Egypt during the precautionary measures. You can't really call it a lockdown because as long as we observe the curfew we can come and go as we please and no-one will move you on if you sit on a bench in a public place or gather as a group (as long as it's not too large a group). 

Now before you all tell me that diving is a social activity, it is BUT. Yes, there's a 'but' in there. There has to be a certain amount of social interaction and most of the time people dive with a buddy either just as a buddy pair or in a group. However, once underwater there is the huge advantage that people can't interrupt your thoughts by speaking to you. At least, not with normal equipment. There are full face masks out there that can be fitted with coms equipment but that is not the everyday norm. So underwater you are left just with the sounds of nature; of the water and the fish. It's just so amazing. 

I have a diving holiday on a safari boat booked for July and I'm hoping that will go ahead as I keep hearing talk of airports opening again soon. However, it seems "soon" is a somewhat elusive time. I understand there is some big meeting about air travel taking place in 2 days' time so I suppose we'll just have to wait and see.

Before all this started my son and granddaughter had tickets to come and stay with me for 2 weeks starting today. Obviously they're not here but we're hoping everything will be normal enough for them to come in September instead.

I suppose the main thing to come out of this for me is that I have determined NOT to buy anything made in China in the future unless I'm in a corner needing something absolutely vital that can't be found from some other manufacturer somewhere else in the world, even it it costs more.

So, now that's off my chest I can get back to reading my book and preparing for tonight's creative writing class.