Freedom for 5 minutes

[Bionic1]

Well I've been shielding for 11 weeks now another 2/3 to go but today I actually left the house to go for a short drive and it was lovely. Was amazed to see so many people out & about but it gave my car a run & blew the cobwebs away 😎👍

[Lolabridge]

It makes such a difference to feel part of the human race again, doesn't it?!

[Bionic1 in reply to Lolabridge]

O definitely only out for 15 minutes at the most but it was good to feel "normal" again

[allanah]

I'm still chicken , scared my car breaks down or I crash 😂 but went to hospital yesterday and it was a nice drive out

[medway-lady]

And did you feel a bit excited at being so naughty. lol. I did go to the GP's drive through blood test this week and it was exciting, and slightly frightening as still a risk but had to be done. The nurse said the strawberry milkshake was off. Shame that !

[Bionic1]

I had hand sanitiser in the car but I know what you mean it was lovely with a side helping of bit on edge but got me out for 5 minutes plus my car started 1st time..bonus 😅

[medway-lady in reply to Bionic1]

I made hand sanitiser and ended up stoned in A&E much to the amusement of nurses and a doctor who said probably first of many and how well it had worked. I took a sample with me. Nurse asked for a bottle before I left amid much merriment. I left it there tea tree flavour. lol x

[nomoreheels in reply to medway-lady]

Do tell. What did you do to that it affect you so?!

[medway-lady in reply to nomoreheels]

I mixed alcohol its 70% proof with aloe vera gel, 'cept it did'nt mix, so I used a hand blender to combine to a cream like consistency. No smell to warn me , but I felt light headed. Went out was ok so thought I'll finish then make tea. Oh dear big mistake I felt faint, happy and sort of pink ? then thought I feel weird so got husband and I was white and strange so he took me to A&E with empty bottles and a mixed one..

Nurse said I'll look up poisons register could not find it. So called doctor who said" no its not a poison in fact alcoholics drink it and the reason is no smell, but it makes you high when you inhale the fumes. Its in make up and kitchen cleaner etc etc" and he said "you're probably wearing if if you used lipstick. But your definitely stoned so we'd like you to sit in waiting room for a few hours just to make sure ok"

I heard them snigger ! and it was embarrassing I'm 66 not 16. My husband missed his game of golf and although relieved I'd done no real damage to myself was not best pleased at being in A&E for 6 hours with the sandwich bar shut. The nurse said have you got any spare it smells nice " so I gave her the bottle. In fact the postman, and a lot of friends have bottles, it goes a long way and no one here could get hand sanitiser at all. I could have made a fortune flogging the stuff but my husband confiscated the remaining ingredients before I could try again. I followed Dr Hilary's recipe from TV but did'nt hear the bit about making outdoors ! I might have gone to the loo but his mixed without any problem. It was cheap to make and does make the hands soft even if smelling of tea tree oil.

[RosieA in reply to medway-lady]

What a super story. Gave me a belly chuckle. Oh the delights of it all. x

[medway-lady in reply to RosieA]

And ALL my friends who my husband told about it, said whats next then in the Breaking Bad kitchen. Then they realised it was actually nice and wanted some. I made 10 small bottles. lol

[Bionic1 in reply to medway-lady]

Absolutely brilliant 🤣🤣

[dawkin_S in reply to medway-lady]

That's such a great story!! 😂😂😂

[Bionic1 in reply to medway-lady]

😂😂😂 anymore ? 😂😂

[medway-lady in reply to Bionic1]

Oh yes it made a lot !

[Vonnie10 in reply to medway-lady]

I remember we had to remove all the hand gel from the patient bed on the gastro unit the drinkers alcoholics were drinking . So if a older nurse treated you she would have told you this tale .

[medway-lady in reply to Vonnie10]

Yes she did , and also said its why the hand sanitiser was removed from the MMH, it got misappropriated. Lol XX

[Summerrain14]

I can imagine just how lovely it was to be out for a short drive. I have always missed not being able to drive due to be registered Blind but even more so right now as if I could drive I would also be very keen to go out for a short drive. A lovely post to read. 😊 x

[helixhelix]

I really don’t know how you are all doing it! Your inner resilience must be very strong to manage 12 weeks indoors. We have been careful of course, but I couldn’t do what you are doing, so lucky that it isn’t asked of us here. Well done to all you shielders.

[Poshcards in reply to helixhelix]

For me it is a total of22 weeks as I had pneumonia for 10 weeks prior to C virus shielding!! So getting a 'bit' cheesed off now, but still scarred silly with it all xx

[Bionic1 in reply to Poshcards]

22 weeks ! Wow. Hope you're well now . Keep thinking best be safe than sorry I do does help......sometimes. Take care 😊

[sunnyweek]

So glad to hear you enjoyed your drive out. I enjoyed reading that. I'll say snap as I went out this morning at 9am before it might get busier. Windows up and it was so nice. I wanted to pass a local shop to see if he had bedding plants outside, if so I was going home to ring and ask if he'd deliver. Seeing people walking about was so uplifting not many about and some with masks. Will go again in the week do the battery good and me good.

[Sheila_G]

I have had a similar experience this week. First time out for me too. It did feel quite strange being in the car. I was nervous because I was going for blood tests and didn't want to go at all. It was all fine and well organised so I really enjoyed the trip back (all of 10 minutes.) I am pleased you enjoyed your drive. x

[bluetit42]

good for you there is life out there and hope to

[Recorder500L]

Brilliant, I too went out last evening with hubby in the car, first time for 13 weeks. I felt amazing, we drove to the coast (I live on as Island), small watercraft were buzzing around, a few people walking their dogs. I didn't get out of the car, we sat for about an hour, then returned home. It was great. I'd noticed that the car clock was an hour slow, so was my watch!! Hubby drove, I didn't really feel confident but hope to drive next time. Take care.