Best stay at home today, folks!

I took the decision not to venture out today, or at least go no further than my own back garden. The weather is glorious, with wall-to-wall sunshine, and a gentle cooling breeze – ideal under normal conditions for a walk to an idyllic country pub. But conditions are far from normal at present, and the government have urged people to stick to the guidelines and stay at home.

If the scientific and health experts are correct, the next two weeks could be critical in flattening the curve, and slowing down the spread of this insidious virus, but with warm spring conditions, at least for today, the authorities are concerned that people will head out in their droves to parks and local beauty spots, potentially un-doing the containment that’s already been achieved.

My neighbours and I are fortunate in having large gardens to enjoy and to exercise in, should we wish, so I do feel for those confined to apartments or high-rise flats, but the situation is was it is even if this is of little comfort to city dwellers.  I had this conversation over the fence yesterday, with Terry next door, keeping at least 2 metres away from each other, of course. His sister has lived in Italy for several decades, and her and her family are under complete lock-down, which is still being rigorously enforced. As he said to me, you wouldn’t want to argue with the Italian police!

So, it’s the back garden or nothing for the Bailey family today, but yesterday, son Matthew and I did go out for walk. Our destination was the grounds of Somerhill House, a Grade 1 listed Jacobean mansion, set on a hill to the far south-eastern edge of Tonbridge. The grounds are about 10 minutes’ walk from Bailey towers, so a stroll through the grounds, and up to the house and back seemed eminently do-able.

Somerhill House is home to several independent, fee-paying schools, which are obviously closed at present, so we weren’t sure if the grounds would be closed as well. They were open, but with a prominent notice advising people to keep to the footpaths – more on that later. We therefore passed through the ornate wrought-iron entrance gate and into the grounds.

I have walked this route on numerous previous occasions, mainly whilst out with friends on walks out to the pubs in Tudeley or Capel, but with no welcoming hostelry waiting at the end, it was a stroll to the top of the hill, and then back down again. 

The first part of the route follows a paved road, which then crosses a bridge across the opening of a large, ornamental lake. Such man-made areas of water are a common feature of stately homes up and down the country. After passing a substantial lodge, the path then deviates to the left, and this was the route we took. 

There were people out and about, but overall, they were few and far between and in sensible numbers. There are however, a couple of observations I wish to make, and they concern social-distancing. First, if you are an obviously un-fit or overweight jogger, please consider others as you come lumbering towards them, puffing and panting thereby releasing all sorts of nasties as you approach. 

Second, whilst it’s fine for families to be out in the fresh air, taking some exercise, why walk four a-breast, forcing others to take evasive action as you approach them? A little consideration and thought for your fellow citizens goes a long way in helping to bring the end of this pandemic that little bit closer.

There’s not much more to more to report, apart from saying how beautiful the English countryside is starting to look, and that applies to carefully managed, artificial parkland areas as well.

Enjoy the photos, they speak volumes about what I have just said.