COR! ON A HOLIDAY FROM WALKING

There was no walk in March this year. This wasn't because of the weather or a lack of interest. No! It was because of a virus. Not one that any of us had caught, but one that might have been a problem for the elderly among us - that is, all of us!

Corona Virus is currently laying waste to all our plans and to the plans of people all over the world. In the interests of safety the walk was called off. For the foreseeable future, we will all be going about in defiance of the Liverpool anthem and we will be walking alone.

If we can't be walking in person, we can at least relive some old glories. To show that we often practised good social distancing and had a firm understanding of the epidemiology of viruses and stuff like that, here are a series of photos from our walks in 2015 showing just that. Well, sometimes we forgot and got a bit too close, but hey, what's a few germs among friends? An epidemic, that's what!

Early in 2015, nobody had heard of any such thing as a lockdown. It was all about the right to roam and freedom of access. That would explain why we were all perplexed by this strange padlock arrangement at the back of Craig Dunain.

Actually, advancing years and general dotage probably explain our perplexity better.

Of course, the correct PPE, or Pinky to Proboscis Extensions for the picky, is mandatory. Unless, that is, you are currently working in the NHS, in which case old bags will apparently do to cover your head instead of the proper stuff. 

Even with the correct equipment, and I'm not sure we all have that, close social contact is to be frowned upon. I should know - frowning is my default position.

Golfers should not shake hands, or anything else, after a round. Gentleman Dave could not help himself despite the government advice. If standards drop for something so small as a germ, what will happen when there is a real crisis?

Actually, research is what is needed most. Someone needs to take a very close look at the situation to find the solution to the problems besetting the world.

Pam is just the person to do that. I couldn't find a picture of her out on a walk, so used this one of her spying on the neighbours.

If research doesn't come up with a cure, isolation needs to take place.

This is what it looks like in practice.

Ooops, this photo just slipped in by mistake. This sheep had heard all about Jimmy and the deer at Mar Lodge.

Some people, like Robin, will go to significant lengths to get away from the herd, cutting through the jungle to get to somewhere safe.

Once he found somewhere safe, he wasn't for letting anyone else share his space.

Another option would be to be like most of the rich Londoners and head for your holiday home in the Highlands.

Jimmy can make things out of other things and he does it all the time, but I feel he hasn't quite mastered the detail of how to make a face mask.

There are, of course, important hygiene lessons to be learned. I feel Basil Brush won't be saying Boom Boom once he finds himself cleaning the toilets in the most immersive way possible.

The most important message for us all to take from this is to make sure we wash our hands before touching our faces, or anything else for that matter!

Stay safe and happy and don't be too downhearted at the thought that I still have photos from 2016 up to date to look through!