Summer has officially started today. It is quite a weird summer this year with the Coronavirus pandemic. We have no summer holiday plans with all the travel restrictions whilst air bridges negotiations are still underway with several other European countries. The pandemic has certainly changed many things, not just the economy but certainly our way of life. There are a lot of uncertainties so the best thing to do is just to take one day at a time. Life is not about the destination, it is the journey that truly matters. Learning to value little things can help us feel more fulfilled. There are many things to be thankful for and there are many beautiful things to appreciate all around us.

On our walk today, we see many out for a picnic and the outdoor gathering of people. That reconnection with human is crucial for survival. It is actually proven that a lack of belonging can result in death. Chronic loneliness can compromise the immune system and lead to premature death. Hence, human contact and reconnection after all the self isolation is essential for survival. People need to belong, we all need to feel a sense of belonging, either in a relation with another person or with a community.

The full lockdown started on the 23rd March 2020 in the UK when our PM, Boris Johnson initially announced the news of a 3-week lockdown. It is almost 13 weeks to the day, a quarter of the year since the announcement. Although the lockdown has been eased, the 2m social distancing rule is to be reviewed next week. Worryingly though, Beijing has had to reimpose lockdown measures last week after reports of a further outbreak of Covid-19. Whilst we leave the politicians, the researchers and the scientists to review the rules and what’s best for us and our nation, let’s take each day as it comes and enjoy the best of today. Here are some photos from today’s walk at Hyde Park.