Back through the looking glass

So here we go again, UK lockdown 2, the sequel no one wanted to see.

It’s been pretty obvious for a few weeks it was coming, but it still doesn’t make the thought of shutting the doors and hibernating for the next four weeks anymore appealing. If that wasn’t enough, there’s a certain election to worry about and Lottie, my favourite contestant, left the Bake Off tent this week.

We’ll all have our own way of dealing with this. My 87-year-old dad’s adaptability amazed me in the first lockdown, he mastered zoom to stay in touch with friends and by the end was regularly playing online bridge. I called him earlier today to make sure he was ok for this one and he told me his project this time around is to master the art of tie-dye and then make scarves and napkins as Christmas presents. I genuinely have no idea where that’s come from, but I’m looking forward to seeing some of the results come December 25th.

For myself, I’m doing my best to remember this won’t be as big a shock as last time. Back in March we really did step through the looking glass, going from the old normal into the new weird in one leap. The point I’m doing my best to remember is although lockdown 1 did finish, we’ve never been back to anything remotely like the old normal. Yes, I’ve made one or two tentative coffeeshop visits, ventured into a bookshop and browsed for all of five minutes before the oddness of the experience drove me out again. Other than that there have still been so many coronavirus restrictions on life in place. So if we have gone back through the looking glass today, at least it’s not been such a big step.

No doubt my chief coping mechanism will again be baking. I’ll be escaping into the kitchen at every available opportunity and I’ll be on here to share what I make with you. There have been some interesting challenges in the current series of Bake Off I haven’t had a chance to try yet, so this just might be the time.   

Talking of Bake Off, I see they’ve already opened applications for next year. I have tried a couple of times in the past, so maybe third time lucky if I have another go. Watch this space.

In the meantime, stay safe, stay sane and keep baking.