If you’ve walked through Didcot town centre over the last few weeks you’ll appreciate how eerie it feels. Given that our current lockdown won’t last forever I’ve created this blog post as a way of recording these days.
There aren’t many words to accompany these pictures. In this instance, a picture really is worth 1000 words.
Didcot Orchard Centre
These photographs were taken on a late morning shopping trip on Thursday 16 April 2020, during the second week of the school Easter holidays. Only the supermarkets and some other essential shops were open.
The socially distanced queue outside Sainsbury’s was significantly shorter than the previous week. Many items, including soap, pasta and kitchen roll, were still out of stock, although the situation is much better now. Thankfully Wilko has remained reasonably well stocked throughout, it even had hand sanitiser recently!
Station Road would usually be busy with buses. Buses are still running but the ones I’ve seen are mostly empty.
Cafes, Cornerstone theatre and the cinema are closed. I cannot wait to sit in a café again or go out for an evening!
I took a short detour on the way back to the car park to visit the new part of the Orchard Centre. Boots and the M&S food hall are open but the rest of the shops are closed.
Elsewhere in Didcot
A different set of photographs, taken during my daily exercise on Monday 20 April.
Despite our lockdown, spring continues. I love the cherry blossom trees along the Broadway. Even better when there are no cars to disturb the scene.
It’s hard to believe this second set of photographs were taken around 5.15pm, peak rush hour. It’s usually really hard to cross Foxhall Road at this time, due to the amount of traffic. That said, road traffic has increased a little since I took this photograph.
Julian’s car park opposite the Railway Station was almost empty. The trains are still running; one arrived as I ran past but I didn’t see anyone get off.
As with many others I’ve spent much of this lockdown time in my garden and on local walks. I’ve recently set up a Facebook group, ‘Wild in Didcot’, for anyone to contribute photographs of local wildlife, talk about wildlife gardening etc. Do join if you’re interested.
That’s all for this week. I hope you are all keeping safe and well at home!
Not sure when these were taken but it’s certainly not like that now! Way too many people out and about – especially vehicles.
Stay home, stay safe, keep the NHS safe.