From Hollywood A-listers to the weekly shop in Aldi – What a year!

THIS time last year I was in the arms of a Hollywood A Lister. Literally. And for once I’m not exaggerating.

Through a series of rather bizarre and serendipitous events I found myself in the same pub in Byron Bay as actor Chris Hemsworth and laid on the old Irish charm good and thick to get a photo with him. It was one of those pinch me moments that you never forget and you milk for months with friends.

Fast forward a year and the highlight of my week thus far was doing the big shop in my local Aldi, an event I rate as ‘ the most exciting thing’ to happen to me each week.

And I don’t even tear the arse out of it like I used to when the kids were babies. Then, I could be sent to Tesco for a box of nappies and wouldn’t return for two hours, having struck up conversation with any random adult who had the misfortune to make eye contact with me.

No the joy went out of the weekly supermarket trip when they closed the middle aisle again or the Aladdin’s cave as I like to call it.

That and the fact that it’s practically impossible to have a proper conversation with a mask on, have rendered my shopping trips short and sweet.

In desperate need for stimulation, I’ve taken up walking. Not that crazy elbows out, half running-walking that some people are into, just ordinary, going for a stroll sort of walking. I walk to the local park which is within my 5 km radius, do one lap and purchase a coffee at the little kiosk before sitting down on a vacant bench and watching the world go by.

It’s amazing how such a simple thing can give you so much pleasure but when there’s nothing else on offer, you take what you can get.

The only problem is, everyone else seems to have had the same idea so now you nearly have to queue up to get in to the park and what with trying to keep 2 metres distance from everyone, there can sometimes be pedestrian traffic jams as we all try to negotiate a clear path.

Personally I blame Bridgerton – that new TV period drama where the characters main hobby, apart from trying to nab a wealthy husband, seems to be to promenade around the park in fancy frocks.

Promenading is all very well when you’re looking to catch the eye of a prosperous suitor, but it causes mayhem if you have 200 people all trying to get a bit of daily exercise and still keep their distance from each other.

But look, we’ve another few months of this scenario so I either need to get used to it or take up sea swimming and buy a dry robe. Let me tell you – that is never going to happen!

NOWYOU NEARLY HAVE TO QUEUE UP TO GET IN TO THE PARK, AND THERE CAN SOMETIMES EVEN BE PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC JAMS