Friday 20 March 2020

Behind the curve...

Happy Nature Friday friends!

Up here in Aberdeen, north of the 57th parallel, our spring flowers can be reluctant to emerge from their winter hiding places. So I'm delighted to report that just this week a splash of colour finally appeared in the open area at the top of our street, with those dinky little daffodils bringing welcome brightness to the walk around the block.

I'm also happy to report that, in this neck of the woods at least, the coronavirus epidemic has prompted a flowering of neighbourliness and goodwill. Everyone seems suddenly to have time for a chat - while standing the regulation two meters apart of course. Although in NE Scotland we are also somewhat behind the curve in terms of the spread of the horrid virus, the humans here are naturally worried. (Us pups, not so much, frankly.) There is much discussion about offering help for the older folk and vulnerable local folk who are 'self-isolating', and I can't help but notice that those now 'working at home' seem to have discovered renewed enthusiasm for taking their dogs out for walks several times a day. So it's not all bad news!


15 comments:

  1. we are glad that you have such a fabulous hood! we noticed that too... even with the security distance, we became closer somehow and we care more for each other.

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  2. Hari OM
    yes, there is that sense of 'we are in this together' to some extent. One of the ladies in dad's street put notes through all doors offering shopping and other assistance if required. Such strange times, Bertie lad. Hugs and wags, YAM-aunty xxx

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  3. We are coming to the end of our first week of lockdown here, in not very sunny Spain. It's very quiet everywhere, and although we don't always see people on our daily walks, we have hardly seen a soul this week. In fact, since it began on Monday morning, we've only seen one other dog walker, and that was in the distance. There are a couple of dogs who bark at me as we walk by, but that's about it.
    My human was telling me that people are not allowed to leave their houses at all, other than with a valid reason. Only one person allowed in a car. If you've been to the supermarket or chemist you have to have the receipts to show what you've bought or you'll get a heavy fine! Imagine that -my human loses her receipts the minute she gets into the car - she can never remember where she's put them! She might end up in prison now!
    On the bright side I'm getting two walks a day - it isn't all bad, and we have plenty of dog food!
    I hope you, Gail and all your blog readers will be OK.

    Love,
    Inca xx

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  4. Your flowering gardens are just beautiful! Happy Spring Bertie and Gail!

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  5. Bertie,,,,,I love Nature Friday on the street where you live. The splash of color surely is good for the soul. May your area stay as free as possible from the mess. Our area (called the Triangle has 3 counties with 3 major universities). This morning crazy media said this like it was an honor. "The Triangle is the Epicenter of the virus outbreak in NC."
    Hugs cecilia

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  6. We're glad to hear you and Gail are doing well. Those flowers are a welcome sign of spring as it won't show up here for a few more weeks.

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  7. Life here in the central west is limping along fairly normally....just the hoarding, social distancing and talking about the latest news...

    Love your signs of Spring!

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  8. We are trying to flatten the curve here too. We are day 5 of having the peeps home, it is great. Stay health friends.

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  9. We wish Mom could walk us, but we will wait until her arm is ready. We have the same outpouring of offers to help here too. Our county seems to have the numbers of confirmed cases escalating by the hour. It sure has our peeps on edge.

    Woos, Lightning and Timber

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  10. Bertie we never walk in the mall unless it is below 35 F or above 80 with matching humidity.
    Especially now with social distancing. BOL
    Folks often go to the mall on rainy days to walk their pups under the shelter of the deck. OBVIOUSLY those dogs aren't as tough as you are.
    Hugs Cecilia

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  11. We have also noticed lots more hikers and walkers out since the whole "Shelter in Place" started!
    xoxo,
    Rosy, Jakey & Arty

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  12. We hope no one in your neighborhood gets the virus but I think you are well situated to handle it.

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  13. It's nice to see the colors on your street. That is enough to make you smile :)

    I am getting pretty darn anxious about this whole thing as I see the typical exponential curve emerging for the US and more local data. Scary.

    Mountain folk are pretty darn independent. We've offered help to some older people but no one has accepted it yet.

    Stay safe and healthy.

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  14. Oh Bertie, I agree, we doggies don't gets all this, butts we are determined to keep the peeps safe. We are on the 5th day of lockdown....okays, maybe not lock down (the peeps can go to the grocery store and drug store and stuffs), butts it's okay. I gets to bug Ma for lots of treaties, and watch lots of stuffs on the teevees ☺
    Stay healthy and keep the peeps safe!
    Kisses,
    Ruby ♥

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  15. We have noticed more pups walking too! And we are very happy to see that. Our mom is walking us A LOT and has volunteered us to some neighbors if they want to walk us too!

    Kiki and Rosie

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