We've been here before. Here we go again. A second lockdown starts. Stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives. This time we are all a little more prepared. We have a fair idea of what to expect. We are staying at home and adding to our website jewellery collection. We have a huge supply of sea glass and sea pottery, so there is no need to travel to our hidden coves to find more. That probably wouldn't be classed as essential travel, or travel to work anyway.
This time it feels different. The schools and colleges around here are all open and people can travel to exercise locally or visit beaches. Vikki works, during summer, in a takeaway cafe in Croyde and that is allowed to still operate, although it may be quieter than normal... it's quiet at this time of year anyway, unless the surf is up! If it closes, as it usually does in the winter, we'll stay at home and add to our jewellery pieces.
We've had several powerful storms over the last few weeks, with waves of over 10 feet pounding our beaches. Strong, gale-force, onshore winds and lashing rain have swept across the country. Now, as soon as lock down starts, the sun comes out, the wind turns a gentle offshore and the surf is head high and clean. This happened during the first lock down. It's as if the Earth is telling us to do something more than to just wash our hands, cover our faces and make space.