My vaccination jab certainly hit the Bullseye... now I can’t wait to check out

YOU wanted history but you got spelling, now spell AstraZeneca – I joked to Mrs Naylor as we sat down for 15 minutes following our Covid jab. She looked at me and rightly rolled her eyes at my poor attempt at humour.

The source of my bon mot was that our vaccination had just happened in the very room at the former Central TV studios in Nottingham where some series of the TV quiz show Bullseye were filmed.

In fact, minutes earlier, as we were shuffled down the corridor of the building now owned by the University of Nottingham, you couldn’t fail to think of the former TV celebrities that had walked down them before you.

And not just the late and super, smashing, great, Jim Bowen, who hosted the darts-based quiz watched by millions in its prime.

I imagine I will be preaching to the converted in terms of those of reading this who have already had their coronavirus vaccination but it really was incredibly simple and hugely wellThankfully, organised. The letter arrived informing us that our, ahem, age group could now apply, we did and off we drove to the old TV studios along with countless others. The instructions we were given from the moment we arrived at the gates were clear, concise, easy to understand and obediently complied with by those who had their appointments at the same time as us.

Checks, double-checks and triplechecks that we were who were said we were and I barely even felt the needle go into my arm.

A 15-minute rest, a poor attempt at Jim Bowen’s Lancastrian accent and we were walking out into the sunshine, to the car park and into the jalopy for a short drive home.

There was even a sense of relief and euphoria that we’d had what we all hope will be protection from this cursed virus now coursing through our veins.

And then we woke up the following morning.

Mrs N had felt rough all night she told me; I was certainly feeling pretty vacant, as the Sex Pistols once said, and the rest of the day was a bit of a listless blur with both of us left without much of an appetite.

by teatime and after some fresh air and a short walk, both of us were feeling much sharper as the after-effects of what had been pumped into us wore off.

A tiny price to pay bearing in mind what we have all gone through over the past year.

None of us are in any doubt that since March 23, 2020, the vast majority have had a tough time of things. Many have lost loved ones or been unable to see their family and friends.

I have gone on record before in this column to tell how the last time I saw my father, sister and niece, who turns 25 next week, was 14 months ago. But we have that hope on the horizon.

On Monday, lockdown is easing and I’ll get to hack my way around a golf course with three of my pals for the first time since January 2.

We can all meet in small sociallydistanced groups for the first time in almost three months – just in time for the Easter weekend.

Some outdoor sports will be allowed, meaning a few of you can have a kickaround in the local park.

And in a couple of weeks’ time those of us who feel that way inclined can even go for a beer – in a real pub garden and everything!

And that, readers, whether you have or haven’t had your jab in the very room where Bullseye was filmed, will be super, smashing, great.

Until then, please stay safe.

On Monday, lockdown is easing and I’ll get to hack my way around a golf course with three of my pals.