Today, May 17, is something of a red-letter day here in England. For the first time in months, we can sit down and eat inside pubs, cafes and restaurants. Even hotels are opening, enabling longer journeys and holiday breaks to take place.
It’s a depressing sign of the curtailment of our liberties over the past year that we are actually grateful to be able to do things that we have always taken for granted. Indeed, we took so much for granted and did not value it until it was no longer available.
Cafe culture
For me, the most delicious of these new freedoms is in being able to sit in a cafe, iPad on the table, enjoying a coffee and snack. This one easing of restrictions enables me to roam around as I once did, sure in the knowledge that I could find a welcome almost anywhere. Up to now, like most of us, I have felt confined to a small area around the home.
Today’s reopening is part of a plan for gradual scrapping of restrictions. And for me, not being one for mass gatherings that are still banned, it means a return to the almost normal. Mind you, I’m not so keen on the micromanaging of our every move that is evident from Government briefings:
“make your own informed decision on hugging as lockdown eases” — Boris Johnson
The tremendous success of the vaccine programme in the UK is almost entirely responsible for our returned freedoms. Nevertheless, we aren’t out of the woods yet. There are worrying signs that the so-called Indian strain is now making inroads among the unvaccinated, particularly older people who have refused the jab.
There is a worry that some form of restriction may have to be reimposed. However, I’ve put it all aside for the time being, and I’m going to enjoy what’s currently on offer.
Road trip
To celebrate the re-opening of hotels, I am set off on a 600-mile road trip in my new Tesla Model 3. I’ve had the car for nearly three months and, despite 2,000 miles on the clock, it hasn’t yet been off the leash. Like a dutiful pet, it has returned home every evening to get its recharge ready for the next day.
My trip up through northwest England and then down through Wales will provide the first opportunity to try out the Tesla Supercharger network. I will be keen to find out how much easier and more convenient it is than the charging facilities available to non-Tesla owners. I certainly had my problems during the year of owning a Jaguar I-Pace, so I’m looking forward to being persuaded by the Tesla infrastructure.
With no prospect of foreign holidays for the rest of this year, I’ve reconciled myself to staying put in the British Isles until, we hope, things are getting back to normal in 2022. Back in 2019, who would have thought that our world could have been turned upside down like this?
Macfilos postings could be a bit restricted during my absence on the road, but I’ll try to keep you posted if anything interesting turns up. However, I doubt the trip will be half as exciting as John Shingleton’s recent 3,000-mile odyssey through New South Wales and Queensland in his new Mini Cooper. Watch out for his road trip story soon.
A cup of coffee works wonders in supporting Macfilos
Did you know that Macfilos is run by a dedicated team of volunteers? We rely on donations to help pay our running costs. And even the cost of a cup of coffee will do wonders for our energy levels.
Have a safe and enjoyable trip, Mike. Sounds fun!
French and German
Ah, klar. There won’t be many of those on the roads unless they live here. I noticed when I went up to London to do the Arthur Beale photos that there are virtually no tourists about. The Underground is very pleasant and uncrowned. However, while this is good for the natives, it isn’t good for London and the country. The sooner we can welcome tourists again, the better.
“The sooner we can welcome tourists again, the better.”
Agreed, Mike, but that rather depends on their vaccination programme catching up with ours. My friends in the Czech Rep tell me the country still only has enough vaccine stocks to deliver jabs three days a week – the aftermath of the EU’s less-than-wonderful procurement policy rumbles on there and elsewhere in Europe.
Have a good break anyway. You may/may not want to read James May’s latest post about Tesla battery charging on DriveTribe, if you haven’t already.
Have a great holiday. Hope the weather will be with you and enjoy your tesla and mind the F and D on the road
Jean
F & D?
Sometimes the wine tastes sweeter after a struggle, Mike. The lockdowns were to protect ourselves and our friends and families, of course, and, in a way, to protect our personal freedoms. Disease does not distinguish between people and nationalities and the fight is not a political one. We are not safe until everyone is safe. Hopefully we have turned the corner, but the levels worldwide, particularly in less well off nations, are still very worrying.
Enjoy the trip, Mike. I hope that you find all the plug in points you need.
William
I agree on the need for universal protection. And there is absolutely no guarantee that the easing of lockdown in the UK will be a seamless process. It seems that every time we smell success, something else comes up to worry us.
Be safe, behave yourself, I say don’t forget one of your 111’s. Enjoy
Well, I suppose I can say that a Leica III isn’t at the top of my list…
Relax and enjoy the trip without feeling pressured to do the blog. A refreshing recharge of your energy will supercharge you when you get back.
Yes, nothing less than 32 amps, of course.
Hope you test the Panasonic S 5 with the 20-60mm!! Have fun!
Ah! Just after I told Farhiz I’d decided to take the Q2, up comes a suggestion for an alternative! I’m spoiled for choice and, maybe you are right. Take out the S5 and 20-60 for a spin. The problem with travelling by car is that you can shovel in as much gear as you want… Watch this space
Enjoy your trip, Mike. Which camera is accompanying you? And on a cautionary note, don’t abandon the mask completely just yet – the Indian variant is supposedly airborne.
Thanks, Farhiz. Yes, precautions still in force and I’ll be using the mask when necessary. One of the hotspots for the Indian variant is Bolton, the next borough to my destination in South Lancashire. So it pays to be cautious. Interestingly, Covid patients in Bolton hospital are all people who had been offered the vaccine but turned it down.
As for camera equipment, I’m currently intending to take the Q2. But everything could change…