For four weeks the UK has been under lockdown. We have been told to self isolate with the exception of excercise and shopping for essentials. For many people this has lead to their career taking a drastic change or unfortunately, losing their job altogether. Given the circumstances, Mitch and I are very lucky to still be working and in the knowledge our jobs are safe and secure.
For the past two and half years, we have been working our butts off on a farm, to fund our future adventures. It’s hard work and it doesn’t get easier. Our schedule is twelve days on and two days off, 4am – 7pm. I feel like I’ve aged 10 years in this process, but it will be worth it in the end. You have to work hard for what you want I guess!
With this weekend being our weekend off. It was a little strange to not leave the farm. That doesn’t mean we’ve been sat around binging Netflix and Disney – not all day any way! We’re lucky enough to be surrounded by fields so we go for long walks and shoot cans… Or clumps of dirt when we forget the cans.
We have been sticking to the lockdown rules but we did have to bend them slightly, when a Sparrow Hawk needed rescuing. After being attacked by a group of blackbirds, we had to drive her to the birds of prey sanctuary in Tewkesbury. It was very strange driving on the motorway and only seeing three cars. Almost as strange as having a hawk as a passenger.
I am looking forward to when things go back to normal, and can’t wait to travel again. It will be so nice to have a change of scenery and to see my friends and family again.
One bit of good news, is the toilet paper isn’t being bought in bulk any more and people don’t seem to be buying as much at the supermarket.
I hope everyone is staying safe and healthy. Just remember we are safe inside not stuck inside and we are all in this together. 🏡
THE BLOG OF TRAVEL 
It seems the same your way as it is here in the US of A. Problem here is that none of the individual states can agree on the “rules” of quarantine, so I believe this may last a long time 😞. What kind of farm do you work on? Nice that you can work AND enjoy the outdoors! Take care and stay safe.
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It’s on a dairy farm, not something I ever imagined myself doing but here I am!
That’s the trouble, if people stuck to the rules sooner we could be out of this sooner 😔 x
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I went to college for animal production yet do nothing relating to that at all now lol. What I wouldn’t give to be on a farm right now. I am also a big fan of your country (London is my favorite city) and I am a sucker for your northern neighbor’s (Scottish) accent. Stay safe 😊
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Wow, those are long hours and a lot of days in a row. Glad you had a the hawk experience.
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Nice post; very kind of you to help the Sparrow Hawk…thank you!!
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Don’t feel too sorry for the hawk, she was trying to steal eggs from the blackbirds so it’s her own fault really 😅
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Naughty bird!!!!
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Where’s the farm at? You mention Tewkesbury, I go there quite often (in ‘normal’ times).
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It’s in Redmarley 😊
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Not a million miles away then. I do a lot of walking around the Cotswolds and Gloucestershire in general but haven’t ventured over that way much and have only been to the Malverns once (I know they’re not Gloucestershire but only on the other side of the fence). Might have to start exploring over that way more in the future (whenever the future turns out to be).
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I wasn’t too far away from you today. I did a walk from Deerhurst to Ashleworth and back via Hasfield
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Just read your post, and I have to say that you are luckier than most — you have a lot of space to roam about, in spite of the quarantine regulations. Those of us stuck in smaller homes don’t enjoy the luxury that you have! I especially envy the luxury of being able to shoot in your paddocks, ever since they shut down shooting ranges here in Australia! Makes me regret not having gotten a farm before all this happened! Look after yourselves and stay safe, my friend!
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Are you still allowed to go to parks and beaches? We are but as long as it’s near your house and you keep to social distancing. A lot of my friends are living in flats with no garden and children so I feel very lucky indeed!
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Love that expression, safe inside not stuck inside! So many people don’t seem to realise that this lockdown is to help all of us not punish us and we’re seeing a lot more people breaking the rules now. Bit worrying and very irritating. Sounds like you’ve got the space to walk and enjoy the outdoors and that area is gorgeous. We’re down in Devon and have so many footpaths etc from our front door that we are trying to make the most of.
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I love Devon, such a beautiful place. Bet its very strange for you to take a walk in the sunshine and not be surrounded by tourists.
I agree it is worrying, the sooner people take it seriously the sooner we can get back to normality ❤️
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what a brutal schedule. Amazing what can be endured! twelve days like that would kill me! We also are now in a situation where there is a surplus of toilet paper in all the shops.
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I never thought I would be pleased to see toilet paper! ha ha
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I, too, am anxiously awaiting this to all be over so I can get back to ordinary life…I’ve had to cancel two different sets of travel plans already for the month… I can imagine with how often you work and with such long hours that you are eager for a better break than one around the farm you work on. It sounds like you’re at least making the best of it!
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4 am to 7 pm!! That’s a whole lot of work. I am glad that you get to have the break 🙂 Stay safe.
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Thanks for saving the bird! Awesome work.
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Hi Emily,
It’s good to hear from you. I hope all is great. You have really done a great job staying healthy and also providing food for others. Thanks to you and Mitch for being heroes to the communities who receive your produce.
Thank you,
Gary
On Sun, Apr 19, 2020 at 2:18 PM The Blog of Travel wrote:
> Emily posted: ” For four weeks the UK has been under lockdown. We have > been told to self isolate with the exception of excercise and shopping for > essentials. For many people this has lead to their career taking a drastic > change or unfortunately, losing their job altoget” >
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Isolation is not that bad when you’re surrounded by fields like that. And nice of you to save the hawk.
Regards, Teresa
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Wonderful blog, so enjoyable. Keep it up. I have a friend form Hampshire, who travels the world 50 weeks a year, works as a translator.
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😊 thank you for reading!
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great
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I love this blog. So descriptive and real
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Thank you, I really appreciate it 😊
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really enjoyable wee read, thank you for posting x
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Thank you for reading 😊 x
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It is very nice that you have so much space, but, of course, that space came with responsibility as well. Love your closing line!
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I’m glad to hear that you and your family are safe. I love all of the extra space you have. Although it must be a lot of work. I really enjoy reading your blog. Keep up the amazing work.
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Thank you for reading 😊 x
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This is the world dealing with. Sticking to the rules helps our lives.
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Great post! I hope Mr. Hawk is whole again. He is very handsome too.
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