At the start of the coronavirus lockdown Jacqui Robbins was told by the government she had to shield herself from others as much as possible. Her councillor husband Jim tweeted that he would have to go and sleep in the spare room. Over the last 12 weeks, Jacqui and Jim have detailed the ups and downs of their lockdown. Here are their reflections on the experience....

 

Jacqui’s diary

WOW, I can’t believe it has been 12 weeks of lockdown and so much has happened to society in general and yet in my day-to-day life, nothing much has happened at all.

When I reflect back on the last three months it really has been a mixed bag of emotions. There was the big worry about getting coronavirus and being able to keep me and my loved ones safe, followed on by the stress of buying toilet paper and pasta.

There was the excitement of having to home-school my daughter Georgia, closely followed by the reality that it was not at all exciting, but really hard work (teachers everywhere, I salute you).

I then had the news that I was being furloughed from work, which brought about a whole host of emotions including rejection and anxiety.

However, there has been a huge amount of positives too. We have had the chance to appreciate our home more and have cleaned, sorted and completed all the DIY jobs that we have put off for years.

I have had a chance to spend quality time with Georgia, playing games and having movie nights that we never usually had time for. I have had great fun with family and friends I would not usually have seen as often, doing quizzes, playing bingo and board games online.

 I have also been able to sit in the garden and enjoy the glorious weather, and now that the weather has turned miserable again perhaps it is fitting that I have had the call to return to work. I received the call on Monday and by Wednesday I was back in the office chair, albeit from home.

I actually felt really sad about getting the call to go into work, I had received a letter to say I would be off until at least the end of July and had set my mind on this. The night before going back to work I was really nervous, I think this is a natural feeling to have after having so long off.

But I needn’t have worried. Everyone at work was so pleased to have me back and it is really nice to be in the office again doing what I do best, it also means James is helping more with the home-schooling and getting his fair share of the tantrums.

This is my last diary for the Adver and as the lockdown is getting more and more relaxed it gives me a false sense that these strange times are nearly over, but the reality is that they are far from over.

The virus is still out there, people are still dying and there is still no vaccine. I can’t imagine that I will be so blasé about people coughing or sneezing again.

I will forever be grateful for the people that stepped up in this crisis, all the key workers from NHS staff, retail workers, postal workers, utility staff, and local council staff and volunteers.

I am grateful that we have so many brilliant scientists working hard to find innovations to help or cure us.

 

Jim’s diary

As we approach 12 weeks in lockdown, I’ve been reflecting on how we have coped. It hasn’t been easy, and I’m very aware that it has been easier for me than the rest of the family as I’ve been out more to do the shopping, but we have got through and been able to keep ourselves safe and healthy.

We’re very lucky that we have jobs which allow us to work from home effectively and a daughter who is very capable and easy-going.

There has been a change this week with Jacqui’s furlough coming to an end and her returning to work. It has meant that I have had to pick up more of the home-schooling and we are back to sharing the home-office space.

It has been great this week to get a little slice of normality as Georgia and I went paddleboarding at the Cotswold Water Park with South Cerney Outdoor.

There were great social distancing systems in place when we arrived, and once we were out on the lake, it was just as normal. It felt great to be doing an activity we both love, and easy to forget the lockdown and the stress as we concentrated on not falling in! Georgia is much better than me, but we both had huge fun.

We’re looking forward to our indoor golf session this weekend with Swindon Indoor Golf Club as they have their grand opening.

I’m keen to see how the further relaxing of the lockdown goes, with the reopening of more shops next week.

I really hope that the council are on top of social distancing in the town centre and that they have made safe areas for people to queue and move around the centre safely and two metres apart.

As we bring our lockdown diaries to a close, I’d like to thank the Swindon Advertiser for giving us the opportunity, Even Swindon Primary School for all the support that they have given Georgia and huge thanks to everyone who got in touch, either giving us nice feedback or wishing Jacqui well with her recovery.