February, the month of love, and the month with lots of cold weather. Perhaps they made it the month of love so you are encouraged to stay indoors and snuggle up in front of the fire and spend time with those you love? I don’t know if that’s true but as the weather is cold I do prefer to stay indoors and keep warm and think about all the things I would like to do this year, when the regulations allow us to.
I think in a lockdown February, we all need to think about loving ourselves and ensuring we look after our own well being and mental health. Nationally there has been a focus on children’s mental health this month https://www.childrensmentalhealthweek.org.uk with Children’s mental health week. Lockdown is hard for everyone, but when I begin to feel sorry for myself I think about Nate and how difficult it is for an only child. He only has us to play with, us to talk too, us to teach him and us to exercise with. Sometimes when you are 10 you just want to be silly and laugh at things that make no sense to grown ups; make crazy shapes around the boat as you move with absolutely no desire to sit still, although he promises that he can listen whilst hanging upside down off the sofa!
Thinking about others and how to help them can make ourselves feel better, as by helping others we are helping ourselves to take action, and this is a positive step. A lot of friends I talk with say it’s difficult to take action, as they want to book time away and give themselves something to look forward too, but are worried to book as the goalposts are continually changing. Simon and I thought about this and came up with our own Covid Interruption challenge, to read about it click here https://www.hippersons.co.uk/stay
We hope this promise will give you confidence to book a break to look forward to, knowing your investment is protected in these challenging times.
There are lots of signs appearing in nature that slowly spring will arrive, swans are beginning to mate, snowdrops are appearing and the birds continue to sing a lovely tune to lift our spirits. We are excited that this year we are continuing out partnership with Beccles Station Cafe, ( https://www.facebook.com/becclesstation/ ) but the offer for our guests has expanded. We still have the breakfast delivery service available to all our guests and Moorers; the picnic hampers that can be ordered to add to your day experience, a new taste sensation this year the cafe are offering are hampers of bespoke local products that can be waiting for you in your accommodation on arrival.
However you decide to spend the month of love, make sure you spend some of it planning all the wonderful memories you will make once regulations allow. I am planning to go to Gorleston beach and having lunch at Jay Jays at the Beach cafe (https://www.facebook.com/jayjaysatthebeachcafe/). They do truly amazing fish finger sandwiches, a favourite with all the family, and the beach is a great place to build castles and try out bodyboarding.
Meanwhile, we will continue working on our engine, and improving our boat, looking forward to when we can once again take the ropes off and go on a little river cruise. Don’t forget you can see what is going on around the yard and our barge at our own you tube channel Hippersons, like and subscribe and you will always know what we are up too. Click here to find out why wine and gin is useful on a boat.