Our columnist Stuart returns

Having been locked away at home for longer than the government required (I have a doctor who would have saved a great many lives if she had been the one to declare the lockdown) I have become accustomed to buying stuff from Amazon.

My last purchase ran into trouble when I got a new debit card, having cancelled the old one. I phoned their 0800 help line and, during one of the pauses one always gets in such matters, while their computer wheezes into gear, I asked the charming lady who was doing the business where she was located.

‘South Africa’ she said. She told me it was a warm day, considering it’s winter there at the moment. Her computer pinged, putting an end to further small talk. But, South Africa! I almost felt as though

I’d been on holiday for a moment.

During the lockdown period I was forced to give some thought to the amount and type of building, blemishing the appearance of the town. Millions of flats. Pity the poor souls locked away in flats facing north, denied sunshine, many without proper balconies. It becomes relatively easy to understand those who chose to ignore the lockdown rules.

Although I’ve often complained about the rabbit warren estates to which our council has given approval, at least most had handkerchiefsized gardens attached.

Somewhere to sit outdoors at least.

Mrs B and I were advised to stay indoors - shielding, they called it. The five months of house arrest gave Mrs B the occasional bout of cabin fever. I, being pretty much anti-social, found it to be no problem. Upon our release we were appalled to see the way idiots had chucked down used gloves and face coverings for someone else to pick up at possible risk to their health.

It’s amazing how much of the ‘I’m alright Jack’ attitude has shown itself, with crowded beaches, raves and some protests, although many of the latter seem to have observed the two-yard rule.

‘Pity the poor souls locked away in flats. It becomes relatively easy to understand those who chose to ignore the lockdown rules.’