I’m proud of the wartime spirit Covid-19 has created | Rick Jackson

When lockdown was originally introduced the group was expanded so we would know if anyone needed help while self-isolating.

Neighbours would then be able to pop to the shop to help provide essential items and just generally keep an eye on those who might be a little more vulnerable.

As time went by the What’sApp group grew and it was becoming apparent that in our little corner of the world we felt safe and that the coronavirus hadn’t showed its ugly face.

We’d hear about birthdays, then sing Happy Birthday to that person during our Thursday Clap for Carers.

Plans were made for VE Day celebrations and it’s a similar story for VJ Day.

As more and more of us killed time with DIY and gardening, requests appeared, and shortly afterwards the item needed turned up on the doorstep.

Another neighbour who loves to bake would drop a freshly-baked loaf on the doorstep and I’ve even been invited to an online yoga class!

We’ve got to know our neighbours a little bit better, and not just those within a close distance.

The kids have made new friends and got to know others better, it’s been wonderful to see.

What has been a scary time for a lot of us has turned into a positive one for us in our little community here in Alverstoke.

As plants, canoes, lifejackets, flour, even firewood, are exchanged, it shows in adversity, the best elements of human nature come to the fore.

I’ve always admired that wartime spirit this nation showed back in the 1940s, but I’m also proud of how we’ve adapted to life in lockdown.

I think it’s important we forget a lot of the images in the media relating to covidiots, that’s just clickbait.

I feel this whole experience has been good for society as a whole as many have seen how important our neighbours really are.

Happy sixth birthday Freddie – we are so proud of you

My son is six on Saturday. How did that happen? Freddie was born with an undiagnosed condition called FNAIT, which meant he had no platelets in his blood.

At one day old he had a seizure and tests revealed he’d suffered a stroke at 30 weeks gestation. Imagine our horror. What would the future hold for our first-born? But he’s been a little miracle and a fighter. With warnings of cerebral palsy, epilepsy, speech and memory difficulties, he’s astounded us. His only battle scar is autism, but this has made him incredibly bright. He attends mainstream school, is popular and thrives. We’re so lucky and couldn’t be more proud of our amazing little man.

Bitten to within an inch of my life... but I still love summer

My legs have become the equivalent of a drive-in McDonald’s that’s just reopened after lockdown. Mosquitoes are queueing up for a Big Mac and Fries.

I was bitten to within an inch of my life last Thursday evening and spent the rest of the night scratching, cold compressing and applying cream. I love eating al fresco but sadly for me, so do the mozzies. I adore summer but it has all these additional issues.

The first sign summer is on the way is hay fever, then we move into mosquito season. Next up, I’m looking forward to prickly heat and then a pleasant dose of sunstroke! You’d think I’d be desperate for autumn, but I’m currently lapping up the vitamin D and slapping on the Anthisan!​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​