Lockdown in Italy, 10 April 2020

Originally posted on my Facebook page on 10 April

Looking at the rough plan we had for the rest of the year elicits a wry laugh at breakfast this morning. This week we had intended departing Alba and moving toward Veneto where we would have planted ourselves for 3 weeks so Phil could do some big cycling races. Then we'd set our sights on a first visit to Croatia and Bosnia, then back to the Italian mountains to start our escape from the encroaching summer heat. The good news is that we'd booked none of it! Luckily our Life With No Baggage means we never plan very far ahead.

Instead we will watch new life bloom in our adopted garden over Easter. Then we will see what comes next. When I look at the numbers of people still being diagnosed every day in Italy with coronavirus, I very much doubt we will leave here any time soon. But what better place to spend The Long Pause?

I wish everyone a wonderful Easter. I'm sure we will all spare a thought for the thousands of healthcare workers around the world who continue to put their lives on the line to save others (more than 100 doctors in Italy have now died from this virus). And for those leaders and planners, essential service workers and vaccine hunters who will not rest until their jobs are done, I thank you very much. #grateful