http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: Families enjoying lockdown en Tue, 19 May 2026 10:02:09 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20198&page=2#post-331246 Wed, 03 Jun 2020 19:43:56 +0000 jdanielp 331246@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2020/may/16/its-our-sanctuary-gardens-in-lockdown-as-seen-by-drone" rel="nofollow">https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2020/may/16/its-our-sanctuary-gardens-in-lockdown-as-seen-by-drone</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20198&page=2#post-331244 Wed, 03 Jun 2020 19:07:52 +0000 gembo 331244@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>In an ironic twist, the good news journalist I have been critiquing has written a piece about some of my nefarious Wombling activities. Allegedly appearing on the BBC website Friday. Uncle Bulgaria may mention the help he has received from various cyclists. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20198&page=2#post-331237 Wed, 03 Jun 2020 17:26:56 +0000 Greenroofer 331237@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I thought this story was rather sweet, and a bit of a contrast to the ones that provoked ire upthread. The family featured appeared to have substantial financial and intellectual resources, but told the story of how they were benefiting from lockdown with considerable humbleness and appreciation that it might not be as easy for others.<br /> <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-52899299/coronavirus-our-son-with-down-s-syndrome-is-thriving-in-lockdown" rel="nofollow">https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-52899299/coronavirus-our-son-with-down-s-syndrome-is-thriving-in-lockdown</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20198&page=2#post-329768 Tue, 12 May 2020 08:45:44 +0000 slowcoach 329768@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Taking inspiration from Foil Arms and Hogg?</p> <p><a href="https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9iI6hI7UF64" rel="nofollow">https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9iI6hI7UF64</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20198&page=2#post-329763 Mon, 11 May 2020 23:03:29 +0000 gembo 329763@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The journalist has switched now to a story about a Kung `fu chap from glasgow who spent a year in isolation in china and is worried we will all be over stimulated after lock down??! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20198&page=2#post-329717 Mon, 11 May 2020 14:53:48 +0000 acsimpson 329717@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Given the size of our community there are bound to be people who have lost loved ones and/or close friends in the last few weeks and others whose family have had some serious scares. It is none of our business to know this unless the affected people wish to share, however I am sure that if I was grieving then any suggestion of the whole thing being a lark would be unwelcome. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20198&page=2#post-329713 Mon, 11 May 2020 13:36:12 +0000 crowriver 329713@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The journo in question apparently did stints at EEN and Hootsmon before gaining stable sinecure at the Beeb. If you have a look at the Twitter profile it mainly comprises:</p> <p>- postings of own Beeb articles (fair enough) and other Beeb news.<br /> - retweets of Torygraph articles.<br /> - photos from own holidays around the world (pinned tweet is from Galapagos), pandemic baking, pictures of self related to skiing incident (including in EEN, selfie watching a TV programme about self, etc).<br /> - forwarded posts from brother in Kent, friends and random Twitterers.</p> <p>Make of that what you will! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20198&page=2#post-329709 Mon, 11 May 2020 12:43:12 +0000 gembo 329709@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>My issue with the article, which may be the journo or the 3 edinburgh families is the lack of empathy with those not being able to enjoy a garden or a roast dinner</p> <p>I aceopt the premise of the article was to point out the positives of all these people dying for the healthy. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20198&page=2#post-329704 Mon, 11 May 2020 11:57:20 +0000 crowriver 329704@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Yeah that journo seems to do similar "people stories" every time, often about someone with a slightly contrary view or asserting their individual quirks. The skiing accident story is verging on narcissistic. I'll give her props though, she did run across Scotland a few years ago. Of course, she had to record it on video for the BBC web site:</p> <p><a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-scotland-41903456/how-to-run-all-the-way-across-scotland" rel="nofollow">https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-scotland-41903456/how-to-run-all-the-way-across-scotland</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20198&page=2#post-329701 Mon, 11 May 2020 11:24:26 +0000 ejstubbs 329701@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@SRD: <em>I like what @Baldcyclist said "Having empathy with others, and making the best of a bad situation are compatible with each other."</em></p> <p>I agree. I thought there was an unpleasantly sour note in some of postings on this thread. Just my opinion, like.</p> <p>I suspect that the tone which some posters have found objectionable in the article might be as much down to the reporter - the 'spin' they've chosen to put on the story and their choice of quotes - rather than the families themselves. If you look at some of her other stories on the BBC's Scotland news web pages, I'd agree that her style can grate a little.</p> <p>For example, <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-52456938">this one</a> about being rescued after a skiing accident, in which she seems to spend a fair chunk of the beginning of the article going on about how good a skier she is, and large part towards the end gushing about how cold she was, and how terribly complicated it was getting home etc etc. Basically, it reads rather like someone down the pub determined to tell you the <u>whole</u> story of their accident, rescue and recovery in every minute detail. Yes, she does describe what the guide did to help her, but it's all a bit "he did this, then he did that" without providing much insight in to how difficult it must have been for him - basically she makes him sound like a faithful dog. It's only close to the very end of the piece that she acknowledges the debt of gratitude she owes to him. That whole article felt wrong to me, especially given that the headline led one to expect that the guide's story would be at the heart of it. (And given the lack of any attributed quotes from the guide, one wonders whether she actually followed up with him before writing the story.) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20198&page=2#post-329699 Mon, 11 May 2020 09:54:27 +0000 fimm 329699@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I'm <em>so</em> glad I don't have children. </p> <p>Mr fimm and I are doing fine. We've in a 1-bedroom flat, so space is limited. We do most of our exercise separately, that's our chance to 'get away from one another' and have some personal time. It has been working very well so far. </p> <p>I think we are well off, even without a garden (our back green has never been tended in the time we have been living here; it is small and doesn't get much sun).</p> <p>The other day I cycled up to The Farm Shop at Mortonhall - 40 minutes each way. Shopping or exercise? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20198&page=2#post-329691 Mon, 11 May 2020 09:15:41 +0000 CocoShepherd 329691@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Our kids are 6, 4 and 2 and I stake my claim as the best placed to appreciate SRDs not innacurate 'dreaded range' label. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20198&page=2#post-329684 Mon, 11 May 2020 00:39:05 +0000 acsimpson 329684@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>We have a 7 and 4 so close to SRD's dreaded range. Getting them out is not a bother. We are strict in limiting screen time. It's still more than usual but as a result they are more than happy when we suggest going outside. Today we spent half an hour running sprint pursuits round the garden.</p> <p>Trying to get them to do anything they don't want to do however is hard work. Normally this is whatever they were annoyed at not being allowed to do yesterday. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20198&page=2#post-329626 Sun, 10 May 2020 13:40:34 +0000 Greenroofer 329626@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I genuinely thought there was someone nearby using a circular saw or other high speed electric thing on Friday afternoon. I turned out to be Micro-Greenroofer heard through two closed doors singing while listening to music on his headphones. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20198&page=2#post-329624 Sun, 10 May 2020 13:13:27 +0000 SRD 329624@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@algo at least 10 times a day i give thanks that mine are 13 and 9 and not not 9 and 5 or 6 and 2 </p> <p>they have internalised that they have to go out and play at least once a day, and do so with relatively little hassle. </p> <p>also fairly good about organising their own school work</p> <p>despite this i too seem to have a circular saw inside my flat more often than not.... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20198&page=2#post-329618 Sun, 10 May 2020 12:25:59 +0000 algo 329618@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@SRD - you're definitely right that scheduling pick-ups and drop-offs etc around work is a great deal less labour-intensive now, but perversely I quite enjoyed that structure to my day and it was basically my daily exercise shoehorning kids on/off their bikes/my bike and depositing and various locations.... </p> <p>I am now trying to ensure we all get out as much as possible and is allowable into the fresh air and maintain some form of structure... it's funny once you're outside it's great, but the whining that small children make when you try to get them dressed and out is exactly the same pitch as a neighbour's circular saw and it pierces deep into your brain.... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20198&page=2#post-329486 Sat, 09 May 2020 08:25:03 +0000 SRD 329486@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>i have to admit, the control freak in me is enjoying (if that's the right word) having everyone at home where i can keep track of them. Except when MrSRD goes out on a ride. We've had some good walks and family games, although far too much screen time for all of us. Still, it is calmer not having to worry about rushing to work or collecting the kids from some activity. </p> <p>But if we did not have our shared back green I would be struggling. I've been planting a lot and just sitting in a corner in the sun with headphones on. </p> <p>edit: I like what @Baldcyclist said "Having empathy with others, and making the best of a bad situation are compatible with each other.". </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20198&page=2#post-329481 Sat, 09 May 2020 06:59:41 +0000 gembo 329481@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Even in the first photo there was a tiny hint in my diseased mind of strain. The mum hugging the boys and the dad ever so slightly separated.</p> <p>Not saying this has anything to do with that but the rates of domestic violence have shot up during lockdown </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20198&page=2#post-329475 Fri, 08 May 2020 22:57:55 +0000 algo 329475@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@morningsider - well written and considered as always.</p> <p>"how can I make this about me and the amazing time I'm having"</p> <p>Absolutely. Being chirpy is entirely the wrong tone for me. </p> <p> I am on my own working full time with the kids as my other half is out working as a keyworker. Currently, I am being a really awful Dad and even worse at my job than usual.</p> <p>However, as you correctly point out, I am immensely lucky and in a minority. I have access to a garden, I am close to the meadows, I am close to Arthur's Seat. Crucially I do not suffer from the terrible loneliness that some must be suffering because I have my kids. There is a terrible propensity for the parenting community to demand empathy for their situation, and yet lose it for others. </p> <p>I had to break into the 2nd floor flat upstairs to allow the paramedics in to take my elderly neighbour to hospital the other day who had collapsed with a stroke (as it turned out) - I rang her every couple of days and the kids and I would leave supplies at her door. I didn't hide the truth from them, as they were well aware of what was happening, but equally I don't want to scare the **** out of them which is a genuine concern - they are really struggling with all this and missing their pals despite how privileged they are. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20198&page=2#post-329474 Fri, 08 May 2020 22:41:07 +0000 steveo 329474@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Nah, it was mostly just blood at the time and started feeling a bit wobbly when the nurse was sorting me. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20198&page=2#post-329470 Fri, 08 May 2020 22:02:30 +0000 I were right about that saddle 329470@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Got pictures of the finger mate? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20198&page=2#post-329465 Fri, 08 May 2020 20:23:27 +0000 steveo 329465@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I'm coping a bit better than I was in the first few weeks but I haven't left my property in a few weeks now, bar an essential trip to the saw mill, I've either been in my bedroom working or in the shed making stuff (a mess mostly). Oh and my delightful trip to the western yesterday, had a good go at cutting my finger off just so I could talk to someone who wasn't the wife or kids.</p> <p>But I know I'm in a fortunate position with a decent sized garden to kick the kids out into and I spent ages kitting out the shed last year as a small workshop. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20198&page=2#post-329460 Fri, 08 May 2020 19:48:25 +0000 chdot 329460@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>“Those who live with families, and have gardens, and ability to have some level of normality I guess will be coping with the situation better.“</p> <p>I think that mostly covers me. </p> <p>Didn’t quite cope the first week or so. </p> <p>Was expecting ‘everyone’ to get it (herd immunity) and older people to get it worst - hospital, tubes, death or lingering aftermath. </p> <p>Could still happen, so am serious about social distancing Go to shops that take it seriously. Notice that the staff I’m used to dealing with are still at work (after 2 months) - which is reassuring (and I’m aware they have/are taking more risks than me). </p> <p>Have a problem with ‘stay home, except for...’</p> <p>I cycle. </p> <p>Mostly to go to places. </p> <p>Including shops. </p> <p>Is cycling more than once a day (not including shops) OK?</p> <p>Been doing a bit of bike fixing - (not for money). Is it work?</p> <p>Is cycling for more than an hour one day a week ‘OK’?</p> <p>Strange times. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20198&page=2#post-329458 Fri, 08 May 2020 19:42:12 +0000 crowriver 329458@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"how can I make this about me and the amazing time I'm having"</p> <p>This.</p> <p>Went to the shop this afternoon. We live in a tenement, with no garden and no direct access to the back green. If you encounter someone else on the stair, one of you needs to back up and exit the close or head back to their flat to allow social distancing. We are top floor so good ventilation, sunny, nice views. On the narrow pavement I passed by front door flats with no gardens. I really felt for the residents: imagine every time you open your window or front door running the risk of a cloud of virus entering your home and lungs. </p> <p>On Easter Road most (not all) folk respecting social distancing, but very few face coverings apart from my own. The weather was warm and I suppose it's a bit claustrophobic wearing a mask, but this doesn't bode well for any immediate post-lockdown period. Luckily the shop wasn't as busy as the street, and good distancing measures were in place. On my way back a young girl in a summer dress was pedalling a shiny new bicycle, her dad standing in the middle of the cul-de-sac in an attempt to fend off approaching motor vehicles. </p> <p>In central areas of the city, where most people don't have gardens, getting fresh air and exercise is not great fun. Our nearest green spaces are Holyrood Park and Montgomery Street Park: I haven't been to either as they are usually hoaching. I am lucky enough to have an allotment plot, but it's two miles away so not that handy. Gives me an excuse to ride the bike, but I can't manage to get there every day. The kids haven't been out of the flat at all for over a week. My son was pretty keen on going for daily runs or walks until recently: lately he's just lost the enthusiasm.</p> <p>So while there are certainly compensations to working from home, it's not unusual for us as we both do quite a lot of it normally anyway. The difference now is the kids are at home all the time, which is okay but they are finding it difficult to get all their school work done and we can't get much of a break from each other. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20198#post-329455 Fri, 08 May 2020 19:11:17 +0000 Baldcyclist 329455@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Perhaps another advantage of having a 5 year old. In order to stop the boy having nightmares we've stopped watching the briefings and 6pm news 4 weeks ago.</p> <p>I don't think any, or certainly many are revelling in the current situation, however everyone has to deal with it in the best way they can. Those who live with families, and have gardens, and ability to have some level of normality I guess will be coping with the situation better.</p> <p>I often wonder how I would have felt if this had happened 15 years ago when I lived in a flat alone. That would have been hard.</p> <p>Having empathy with others, and making the best of a bad situation are compatible with each other. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20198#post-329453 Fri, 08 May 2020 18:41:11 +0000 Morningsider 329453@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@Baldcyclist - true, we all have to filter out the suffering of others (both near and far) simply to function. However, we are all in the middle of a unique situation. The UK and Scottish Governments hold daily press conferences listing the hundreds of deaths from Covid-19 that day. Care home residents, our own parents/grandparents, are being cut down in swathes. NHS and care staff die from lack of protective equipment, yet their colleagues still go in to work the next day. To somehow think (as the people in this article do) - "how can I make this about me and the amazing time I'm having" is something else. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20198#post-329452 Fri, 08 May 2020 18:33:35 +0000 gembo 329452@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@baldycyclist You are quoting Lime Tree Arbour by the blessed Nick Cave. Ta as now listening to said track from THe Boatman’s Call hisa 16 track masterpiece, if only he had left it at 12 tracks. As that is enough songs about sp[litting up with PJ Harvey </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20198#post-329449 Fri, 08 May 2020 18:24:08 +0000 Baldcyclist 329449@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>You could make the same argument all of the time. There are always hundreds of millions of people all around the world suffering and dying at any point in time, but we all largely carry on as though nothing is happening.</p> <p>When things are closer to home, the suffering is brought into focus, but there is always suffering everywhere. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20198#post-329448 Fri, 08 May 2020 18:20:38 +0000 chdot 329448@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>“broadcast to the nation what larks they are having“</p> <p>Because of present circumstances, people doing so as ‘influencers’ or ‘celebrities’ seem to be less appreciated than they once were. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20198#post-329446 Fri, 08 May 2020 18:15:17 +0000 Morningsider 329446@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I know there are people having a good time in lockdown, such as my single mate on furlough, who owns his flat outright and is variously watching box sets, sunbathing in his back green and tramping the Pentlands. Good for him (really, top bloke - known him since primary school).</p> <p>I suppose what annoys me about this article is the fact that people have chosen, in the full knowledge that people are literally dying, to broadcast to the nation what larks they are having. Just strikes the wrong tone for me. </p>