Lockdown in the city

It is interesting how quickly words change their meanings or acquire new ones. Until Spring 2020, ‘lockdown’ for me had something to do with prison dramas and security threats. Now it has only one meaning – having to stay at home for more hours a day than I care to, being unable to go to galleries, cinemas, or to meet with friends. The summer freedoms of picnics in the park with family and loved ones have been put on hold, not only by the weather but by government regulations.

A November lockdown was never on my dream list of destinations for this autumn. Living in Central London and working from home offers little opportunity to find a special silent space, especially in autumn when darkness seeps in before it is late afternoon and grey skies at weekends keep you reaching for cosy blankets and hot chocolate.

In spite of that, I have done my best to spend time in local parks, greens, cemeteries, on the riverbank, in fact in any space where I can be in contact with nature. Now that my nearly two-hour commute has been replaced by daily walks, it is easy to notice how beautiful a season autumn is. Even if you visit the same spaces, they change from day to day.

It’s comforting to know that you can bring some of this beauty into a small flat in the city, by collecting leaves in the park, although they don’t last long. You can surround yourself with green growth by collecting house plants as I do – 120 at the last count – and creating your own indoor silent space. A place to make yourself comfortable with a blanket and a good book. Hot chocolate is optional.