I shall count today as DAY 0: Lockdown in France
As I live a solitary life without television, but with internet, it is sometimes difficult to keep informed!
Aware that a speech had been made by the French Prime Minister on Thursday 12th March, I should have realised that a strict 15-day lockdown would require us to remain at home. This came into greater effect at midday Tuesday 17th March after a second speech by M. Macron, lawfully proposing confinement and closing many non-food shops and businesses to curb the coronavirus spread.
As I live a solitary life without television, but with internet, it is sometimes difficult to keep informed!
Aware that a speech had been made by the French Prime Minister on Thursday 12th March, I should have realised that a strict 15-day lockdown would require us to remain at home. This came into greater effect at midday Tuesday 17th March after a second speech by M. Macron, lawfully proposing confinement and closing many non-food shops and businesses to curb the coronavirus spread.
On Thursday 12th March 2020 - an English friend decided we wouldn't be able to go to Poitiers Thursday 19th March. It was later that I realised shops would be closed.
When she suggested a game of Scrabble with Gin & Tonic for Saturday, I was very enthusiastic. We kept a distance. She washed her hands on entry to the house. I didn't know she hadn't ever played before. Surprising for someone with an English degree. Latching on to the two-letter word list she came a very close second - we covered the board and had a good combined score. I planned to go shopping after she had departed for the afternoon but with one G&T on board and only an hour ish before the supermarket closed, it was wise to wait until Monday!
However, Monday 16th March was the eve of the SECOND Prime Ministerial speech. I did not know this! Schools had been closed. Non-food enterprises had been closed. I was too late to purchase 2 stroke for the chainsaw! Too late for electrical parts for my delayed/delayed/delayed hand-made pottery lamp base at pottery lessons ... still not fired since Christmas. I am sure it will become too dry to fire! At the crowded supermarket Reality dawned! Beyond my control!
Shopping - I didn't need much - eggs, yoghurt, butter, milk, vegetables, fruit. essentials and then store cupboard foods and firelighters. I managed to spend 127 euros including wine. Despite saying to myself 'leave for others' I did return after about 30 minutes or so to the toilet roll aisle, to take one of the last four packets, deciding I too was deserving.
I filled the Kangoo with diesel. I returned home feeling rather sad for the impending doom of not normal conditions for everyone.
The street seemed more empty - more emptier than normal, if it is possible to be MORE, when Empty cannot really be more Empty.
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