The Extreme Staycation

  Location: London, UK  COVID-19 / Coronavirus Outbreak Lockdown Oh it's a bit hot isn't it? I'm not quite sure what my cat is thinking, but she insists on spending most of the day in the hottest part of the house.  I've tried explaining to her that there are cooler areas she could recline in, but no, she will not listen. I appreciate that trying to reason with a cat seems like a pointless activity and to be frank on this occassion, it has proved to be so.

Location: London, UK COVID-19 / Coronavirus Outbreak Lockdown I am fortunate to have a job at the moment and I have some annual leave to take before a certain date. I am normally one to hang to my annual leave and not use it willy-nilly, but the date is looming and with no-where to go I am at a bit of a loss with what to do. Personally, I don't fancy going anywhere at the moment.  I really don't feel inclined to get on a plane to go anywhere - I don't particularly enjoy flying at the best of times - and the idea of having to wear a mask for the duration of the journey doesn't appeal. In previous years, the idea of just being at home with no-where to be was incredibly appealing, but as that's kind of the status quo at the moment, it's lost some of it's magic. So what to do with my leave - well, I think the garden and a book do still beckon and maybe a whole series on Netflix...

Location: London, UK COVID-19 / Coronavirus Outbreak Lockdown In a week, I will be taking part in a play, performed via Zoom, live across the world! (potentially) It's been quite an experience rehearsing for a play, sitting at my computer, in my house, with the cat occassionally for company (I think she wants to be in it, she is a bit of a drama queen). I am looking forward to it and everyone has been working so hard - all the actors and our tech team - to make it the best we can. My biggest concern is anyone having tech difficulties as for example, my WiFi occassionally decides it just doesn't want to connect to the computer, so fingers crossed that won't happen!

Location: London, UK COVID-19 / Coronavirus Outbreak Lockdown Woke up to the very sad news that Street Cat Bob has died. Bob the cat was a stray, found injured and alone by James Bowen, who was at the time in recovery from drug addiction.  They came to rely on one another - Bob got a home and James was given a reason to get up each day - he had another mouth to feed and someone who needed him. James would busk and sell the Big Issue to earn money, so he started taking Bob with him, much to the delight of passers by. It's a beautiful story of how two beings found each other at exactly the right time in their lives and gave each other so much.  A reason to live, company and love. I'm sure Bob will be sorely, sorely missed #RIPBob

Location: London, UK COVID-19 / Coronavirus Outbreak Lockdown Today I won. Today I managed to get the cat to take her worming tablet on attempt #1. It involved some skulduggery as I essentially re-enacted what happens in "Danny the Champion of the World". I cracked open one of her treats, scooped out the middle, put the tablet in and glued it back together with Marmite.  And she ate it up without complaint - not spat back in the bowl, not eaten around, not just licked clean of Marmite.  In. One. Go. So today I win!

Location: London, UK COVID-19 / Coronavirus Outbreak Lockdown Heard some lovely stories about how animal shelters have been emptied - animal adoptions have skyrocketed since the lockdown began. This is such wonderful news - just remember, a pet is for life, not just for lockdown. This is my rescue cat and she's the best - adopting her was one of the best decisions ever: London https://www.timeout.com/london/news/battersea-dogs-cats-home-sees-a-surge-in-adoptions-032720 New York https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/animal-shelter-coronavirus-dogs-cats-adopted-foster-empty-riverside-county-animal-services-a9460876.html Colorado https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/coronavirus-pandemic-animal-shelters-clear-out-dog-cats-rescue-colorado-a9432076.html