That Was The Year That Was

I suspect there will be many blogs written today, pontificating on the highs, lows and likely more lows of 2020. So why not jump on the bandwagon!

If I am honest, I’ve enjoyed 2020. I haven’t been able to save any money – what I didn’t spend on going out or tickets for gigs, I spent on online shopping. But that was my coping mechanism, and I don’t regret that. I managed to legally avoid various quarantine rules, tiers and god knows what else and had two fabulous holidays – one in August to Crete with my youngest kids and one to Rhodes in September with 2 girly pals. Both hugely enjoyable and I consider myself lucky (and perhaps a bit daring – a lot of people cancelled due to the “unknown”). I’m already planning my holidays for 2021 and very much looking forward to them.

Lockdown 1.0 brought the inception of Zoom and online quizzes. The Lockdown Diva’s quiz group was created and helped my sanity – thanks to Ian, Joe, Laura, Sam, Steve & Taylor for many laughs during those particularly shit months. Lockdown also saw me depart Facebook for a couple of months and to be honest, I’m moving more and more away, largely because people love a good news story or a picture of a cat, but avoid any form of intellectual engagement or discussion on a topic that might be controversial (vis a vis Covid, vaccine, tiering etc etc). The first lockdown also showed a level of human spirit that lifted and inspired me. People who made the effort to drop me a line, give me a call and even send flowers – all of which were gratefully received.

In August, my mother died. Not a massive surprise, and no, it wasn’t Covid. I didn’t make a big social media song and dance because frankly, it would either have been hypocritical or would have upset my family. I wasn’t sure how I’d feel (I cried on the day and haven’t since), wasn’t sure I would go to the funeral (I did, but didn’t get closure) and tbh, I really now don’t feel any different, but I’m certainly not grieving. I feel for my sister, my nieces and nephews but that’s about it.

Lockdown 2.0 was a fucking waste of time. More shops open than closed and the definition of essential shops seemed to get looser and looser. Don’t even get me started on the Tier system. Supermarkets with hundreds packed in, social distancing non-existent and people touching stuff and putting it down again – OPEN. Restaurants which have always required strict health regulations, enforced wearing of masks when not sitting and tables socially distanced – CLOSED. What the fuck.

Christmas has been lovely with my children and granddaughter. Birthday was a blur of many bottles of fizz. Planning on further birthday celebrations in July next year, well, hopefully! New Year’s Eve will be the same as in recent years, at home, with my kids, watching Jools Holland’s Hootenanny. Perfect.

2021 won’t see any major changes in the short term – sorry for those of you thinking the world will change on January 1st 2021. But every new year, new month, new week, new day is a chance for change and a chance to see something new. 2020 has taught me to appreciate friends, family and love. Don’t look back in anger. Look back and learn.

The Lockdown Divas

Crete with the kids

Rhodes with the girls!

Istanbul not Constantinople

This past weekend, my lovely chum Lanny & I flew out to Istanbul for a long overdue escape from kids, work and general shenanigans!! Of course, I could do a jolly sensible travellers blog about the visit but instead, I thought it would be more fun to do some top tens. So here they are!

Things we learnt about Istanbul…..

1. It’s hilly.
2. The cab drivers are lunatics.
3. The shopkeepers are “persistent”.
4. All the women appear to have disappeared.
5. Vegetarians live on a diet of cheese & aubergines.
6. Wine is ridiculously expensive.
7. They have prayer calls over very loud speakers at 530am.
8. There are a LOT of cats.
9. They sell pomegranate juice. Gallons of the stuff.
10. They’re due a major earthquake……

Things I learnt about Lanny…..

1. She’s slightly dyslexic – Lanny: “Oh look, we’re in the Faith district!” Lorna: “No Lanny, It’s Fatih” Lanny: “Oh yes…..”
2. She’s paranoid about dying under the wheels of a tram;
3. She can’t put on eyeliner;
4. Her perfume smells of strawberries;
5. She likes an afternoon nap:
6. She drinks beer in bed;
7. She attracts 60yo ugly Turkish men;
8. She drinks beer anywhere;
9. She has absolutely no sense of direction;
10. She’s great fun!

Things Lanny learnt about me…..

1. I look like a German (think it was the short hair and excessive height);
2. I fart. A lot. (See 4);
3. I take a lotta photos, largely involving pouting in touristy hotspots;
4. I eat a BIG breakfast;
5. I belch. A lot. (See 4);
6. I’m obsessed with Turkish coffee;
7. I really don’t like beer (after SEVERAL reminders…..);
8. I wear a fez well;
9. I’m a little paranoid about earthquakes (paranoid = OCD = an hour online researching the next major quake prediction in Turkey);
10. I’m not pregnant – contrary to the opinion of the nice staff at Turkish Airlines .

And two serious notes – if you visit, we stayed at the Rose Garden Hotel – Highly recommended:

http://www.rosegardenistanbul.com/

And for a special night out – great food and amazing views, Topaz Restaurant – try the tasting menu:

http://www.topazistanbul.com/index_eng.asp