Taste of simple pleasures
RELAXING post-lockdown is not going to be easy.
I’ve been experiencing a tremendous feeling of release as we come out of lockdown. The trouble is, I’m unsure what to make of my new-found freedom as I emerge stumbling into the sunshine.
Arranging to meet friends face to face again and finally exchange Christmas gifts seems downright rash. I’m not sure what I can do (wear masks, no hugging?) or how to act now we’re not meeting on Zoom. It’s all just weird and I’m so uncertain.
What is for sure, this Easter Saturday marks the re-start of the popular Ruddington Village Market and small businesses will be hoping to entice us along.
The village green will play host to 40 stallholders selling food, crafts, flowers, coffee, plants and lots more with marshals to ensure social distancing.
If it’s anything like the pre-covid market days, village shops will join in and the place will have a celebratory feel with the streets once busy with excited children getting dizzy after eating too much fudge.
One thing I am certain of, I will be steering clear of those traders selling the sugary stuff because, just like a lot of people, I’ve put on some extra pounds.
Despite daily four-mile walks and regular downward dog yoga poses, my lazy nibbling habits have done for me.
Some people are cleared out their clutter during lockdown, others have tried painting by numbers. I’ve just baked cakes. And then eaten every single one of them.
This means I am always on the look-out for healthy, low-cal grub more exciting than a stick of celery. I mean something really tasty. I’ll be scouring the stalls for that.
The countdown to the Easter break is one I always enjoy. The village post office nearly ran out of Easter cards for those unable to visit friends and family but still want to send good wishes.
On Good Friday, the vicar of St Peter’s in Ruddington Andrew Buchanan is inviting people to a low-key and quiet period of reflection.
Members of the congregation will keep their distance from each other and tie coloured ribbons to the railings round the churchyard to mark the important day in the Christian calendar. However we come out of lockdown, it seems a fitting time to remember those who have struggled, suffered and died over the last year.
I overheard two women out on a walk laughing together in the street the other day. The words of one of them came to me on the breeze: “I just hope we can go back to laughing at stupid things like that again.” A simple hope, but one which I heartily endorse.