Written by Janice North
Today (Friday 16th July) felt like summer again after weeks of rain, misery, cloud, humidity, wind, on/off sunshine and constant wrangling about the so-called Freedom Day. The sun was on fire – in my lunch break I was already searching for shade after half an hour. On the way home people seemed frantic to enjoy themselves. There was an urgency in the air. I couldn’t blame them – holidays are being made as difficult as possible. Booking a trip abroad must be like living in a constant state of flux, not knowing if or when it might be cancelled.
Nearing home I saw blokes rushing in and out of shops buying beer. People were in the street chatting. I wandered to the usually peaceful field and it was full of kids playing cricket and football. Natural of course, on a lovely warm evening, but it felt almost desperate, so immediate was the change! Young men in cars revved their engines as they sped down side streets, showing off. Are we back in the 80s? I thought. I don’t remember seeing such a busy summer’s evening out in the street before. Maybe it was my mood that made me feel it was all so stressful – but there was a restlessness in the air.
The news have been full of hints about fresh lockdowns even though a second ago we were being told to just get on with herd immunity and everything would all open up. People need some fun, some light relief. Grab it while you can. Even those on furlough who have been doing nothing for so long must be getting worried about what happens in September. Will half the country be out of work? Those who still think the lockdown is a great big wheeze are in for a rude awakening. Boris is a proven liar. The government is directionless other than pushing us around in lockdowns.
Today I received an email from Brent council saying the police will still be offering advice on how to behave … oh and they will be fighting crime too … how about just fighting crime and leaving the rest of us alone! Time to back off!
More protests are planned and we must keep going. Do not let these useless liars off the hook!
Apparently there’s a part-time furlough now – you work when needed then go back on furlough. Like a fish dangling on a hook, being swung this way and that. Let’s just make it all up as we go along.
Now more countries are being put on ‘the list’ and those who’ve managed to holiday abroad are facing quarantine again. It feels like ‘they’ won’t be happy until we are locked up at home again. Some people still haven’t really left home, having become so traumatised by all the lockdown scare tactics. And ‘the jab’ certainly doesn’t seem to excuse you from quarantine.
Meanwhile the disgusting so-called elite who want us all to stay at home forever so they don’t have to see us are now going on jolly jaunts to space and back for a cool few millions pounds a go. Then it’s back to the private island for more luxury living (Richard Branson). If that doesn’t make you wake up, what will?
Back home and indoors I heard a crackling noise outside. My neighbours were having a barbecue – strike while the iron’s hot, literally. It’s good to see people having fun. The lockdown may have been a fabulous treat for the privileged but for the rest of us it’s been hard.
Enjoy the sunshine, and never let anyone take your freedom again!
[All photos courtesy of Janice North. They are meant to cheer you up. The cows was photographed near Hemel Hempstead – she isn’t roaming the streets of London!]
I was at the April protest, the May protest, the June protest, and I will be there again on 24th July.
Oh Janice what an emotive piece! I was very moved by the way you have captured the way most people are feeling. You are right, even those who have been happy on lockdown will be changing their tune when the unemployment notices begin to arrive!
Those who think ‘they’ own us must be made to realise that we know what they are up to and will not stand for it any more! Onwards and upward!
Well said Frederica, however its had to turn lemmings when they run.
Old Sgt Major said look after No 1, thats my view of life in this day and age.
An old boss (ex army) said “lead from the front don’t drive from the rear”. We are not being ‘lead’ we are being ‘driven’…..right over the edge of the precipice! It’s simply evil!