Here's what people in Portsmouth are most looking forward to after lockdown ends
LIFE as we know it was flipped upside-down when prime minister Boris Johnson took us into lockdown on March 23.
Being told to stay at home unless we’re out for work, exercise or essential groceries has left many of us yearning for things we likely took for granted before this pandemic.
We took to Facebook to ask what the people of Portsmouth and the surrounding areas plan on doing once lockdown and other necessary restrictions are lifted – and the answers were delightful.
It’s important to stress lockdown will continue for at least another three weeks, with social distancing measures still likely to follow when it eventually ends.
But with more than 200 of you already reflecting on what to do when life is back to normal it’s clear there is much to look forward to.
For Portsmouth mum Sarah Noble, the end of lockdown will pave the way for an exciting new beginning.
She commented: ‘[I’m] meeting up with my half brother I've not even met yet. So excited.’
Rachel Churcher’s plans were also family focused, as she wrestles with the hardships of social distancing.
She said: ‘[I’m going to] hug my elderly father. Breaks my heart when I drop off his shopping, leaving it on the doorstep and stepping away instead of the normal hug and a kiss on the cheek.’
Meanwhile, though their comments were separate, Charlotte Sparey and Kelly Davies’ thinking was in sync as they were united in plans to ‘buy a McDonald’s’.
As she highlighted the painful toll lockdown is having on families, our sincere thoughts went out to Jayne Dickinson, who bravely said: ‘[I’ll be] visiting our son who lost his wife so we can finally give him and his children a great big hug and try and get the whole family together for a lovely meal.’
And we were so delighted to hear what Joy Rumbold has to look forward to once this is all over.
‘[I’ll] see all the family, including two new great grandchildren. Cuddles at last,’ she told us.
Thinking of those on our healthcare sector’s frontline, Jules Overal has a good deed planned.
She said: ‘[I’ll] give the NHS worker next door a big bunch of flowers to show my appreciation.’
And, for Mark Anthony Higgs’ little ones, it appeared life after lockdown would be a time to let loose.
He said: ‘[I’ll] take the kids somewhere so they can run around to their hearts’ content.
‘Then, on to nanny’s and grandad’s for a much anticipated Easter egg hunt.’
Here are some more of your post-lockdown plans:
Andrew Jenman: ‘Sitting in a beer garden having a nice cold pint with me mates.’
Juliette Gallo: ‘Getting back into dating and seeing my friends.’
Julie Ann Madgwick-day: ‘Going straight to El Toro for a steak.’
Harry Burleigh: ‘Going to a pub to buy a nurse a pint and maybe a gallon for me.’
Nichola Trotman: ‘So going to hug the first person I see!! Apologies in advance who ever that might be!’
Jan Sissons: ‘See my grandchildren then beauty salon for hair, lashes and nails lol.’
Joyce Holden: ‘Take a deep breath and say thank god this is over.’
Cheryl Mcniff: ‘Taking both my kids out for ice cream and a trip to the seaside.’
Mandy Young: ‘Seeing all my family and friends and give my gorgeous grandsons a massive hug. Then a lovely meal out as I'm actually getting sick of cooking and cleaning up afterwards.’
Alice Reynolds: ‘Giving birth to my son or daughter in June 💛. Also spending loads of time with my family ❤️’