Story of the week

29th June 2020

LOCKDOWN

Today is the start of my fourteenth week of living at home in lockdown. I’ve been self-isolating a little longer than most people because someone in my household was ill. The fourteen weeks have had ups and downs. I think we should focus on the ups!

 Lots of people I know in the UK have been walking more during this time because it is an opportunity to be outside of the house. I am very lucky to live near a park in London which is home to a lot of wildlife. Over the past few weeks I have seen goslings, young moorhens and parakeets on my walks. Parakeets are not the sort of bird you expect to see in London – they are very different to pigeons! This one in the picture always made me smile as it peeped out of its nest. I was a bit disappointed when they fledged.

 Last week the lockdown rules were eased so I went to see some friends in the park. We braved the rain and sat on a big piece of plastic under a tree and laughed for hours until we became too cold! On my way home I made the effort to smile at people as I dodged around them to keep the 2-meter distance. Many smiled or nodded back: Covid camaraderie!

Glossary

1. Lockdown (noun)

A situation in which people cannot move around outside their home freely.

 2. To self-isolate (verb)

To stay at home and not see any other people

 3. Ups and downs (noun)

Good and bad experiences

 4. Opportunity (noun)

A time or situation that makes it possible to do something (in this case, going on a walk is the situation that makes it possible to go outside)

 5. Home (noun)

The place where something or someone lives. This can be used in a sentence as follows: A is home to B, where A is the place and B is the something or someone.

 6. Gosling (noun)

A young goose

 7.. Moorhen (noun)

A small black aquatic bird

 8. Parakeet (noun)

A small green parrot with a long tail

 9. To peep (verb)

To look through, over or around something maybe secretly or curiously

 10. To fledge (verb)

 To have the size of feather to be able to fly

 11. Eased (adjective)

When something is made less severe or strict

 12. To brave (verb)

To endure a situation

 13. To dodge (verb)

To avoid something or someone by moving suddenly

 14. To nod (verb)

To bend your head downwards slightly

 15. To smile or nod back (verb)

To return a smile or nod to someone after they smile or nod at you

 16. Camaraderie (noun)

A feeling of friendship towards people in a group or people you share an experience with