Rule Britannia!

Landed in London on Saturday morning (21st March – exactly 3 months earlier than planned) to sunny skies and a brisk 10 degrees. Had tried to mentally prepare ourselves for (a) LONG delays (b) interrogation as to why we’re here, how long we’re staying etc (mainly due to Jarrah’s Italian passport) and (c) SOME form of screening given there was none when we departed the USA. But another pleasant surprise – not a queue in sight, scanned our passports at the self-service, face recognition thingo – empty arrival hall (looked like ours was the only flight) and walked straight out – not a soul at customs. God Bless Boris & England 😊

Road to both the hotel near the airport and the drive the next day out to Banbury – practically deserted. No lock-down when we arrived but all pubs and restaurants had already been closed.

The wonderful Mark who collected us from the airport and whose home we are renting for the foreseeable future, took us to buy a local sim card. I was thinking “this is not a good idea, we’re going to be here forever and I’m not sure I have the energy for another sim card debacle today”. Well!! We walked in, Mark told the young man “We’d like to purchase an O2 SIM card – probably your £10 prepaid”. Young man “Said, sure, here you are (handing me the SIM card), £10 please” I paid and and we left!!! USA you’ve got a thing or two to learn from the UK!

Monday – went to get some groceries. Walked straight into Sainsburys (which is only 700m from where we are living), shop wasn’t as busy as you’d normally expect. Plenty of food available, fridges and shelves not as full as normal but we were able to get veg, fruit, meat, chicken, fish, eggs, bacon, YORKSHIRE PUDDING! However – wine was in very short supply and no pickled onion Monster Munches! Going to have to have words with Boris about that! Didn’t check the toilet roll aisle because I brought my precious cargo with me from the USA 🙂

Monday night – the esteemed leader (and my new best friend) Boris announced lock down from tomorrow for 3 weeks (there goes Easter!) We’re only allowed out for grocery shopping and once a day for exercise. So, off we went for a walk … forgot how very quaint and beautiful England can be … especially in Spring.

All these pics are from the first few days walks to/through the quaint little village of Bodicote, and surrounding farmlands, mill etc and a walk along a section of the Oxford Canal that runs through Banbury.