Having dropped Maria at school, Alison and I took a drive to Alum Chine and enjoyed a few hours at the beach. There wasn't a cloud in the sky and barely a breath of wind which meant we could just sit back and enjoy the late summer sunshine without having anyone else to supervise.
The beach was largely empty when we arrived but it did get busier throughout the morning, lots of couples with small children in the main, although there were some groups of young people arriving too, none of them bigger than 5 in number, well within the new limit which came into force on Monday. Social distancing was well observed but I can't help wondering how it is all going to go once the darker days and autumn weather truly take hold. It comes as a shock when the sun sets before 7.30 now and goodness knows it is not going to be long before the clocks go back and it's dark by five. Nothing remarkable in that of course, but the possibility of toughter restrictions is going to have a huge impact on how people feel and I can't help but worry that with the darkness and rain will come greater anxiety and depression for many.
Early on in the pandemic, the fantastic spring and early summer weather made lockdown far more tolerable. people were able to get out and to enjoy walks and cycling or cimply being in their gardens. I know many people did not have those options and it must have been terrible for them but significant numbers did and they may find things very different this time.
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