A long walk in Sutton Park this morning.

It was so good to be outdoors once again.
It still has a slightly eerie feeling. 
There is far less traffic and at some points it's amazing to see the urban roads looking so empty. 
Around our neighbourhood, with so many people working from home or socially isolating, it is usual to see household drives with two or three cars parked there all day now. 
The skies are still quiet. 
      We set off to go into Sutton Park. which we access by Hartopp Gate. There is a cattle grid there and a lockable barrier, as well as the swing gate next to the grid. 
The Park rangers lock them at night at a later time now, as the clocks have changed and it is lighter now in the evenings.
   On the map you can see the various pools. 
It takes us around 20 minutes or so from our house to walk to the entry point. 
     We then enjoyed our time going along by Blackroot Pool, (at points also where the goods train line traverses the  Park.) under the railway arch and on to Bracebridge Pool. 
    Anyone we met would smile and cross over to the other side of the path, or stay at a distance when traversing the heathland. 
     There is a lovely stand of pines along the way on a rise, and the wind was sounding through the topmost branches. 
    It wasn't particularly warm. 
Eventually having reached Four Oaks entrance gate on the North side, we made our way back along the urban roads once more. 
    If we met anyone else coming towards us on the pavements, either they, or we, crossed over to the other side of the street, all of us acknowledging each other, as this is not normal in any shape or form. 
   Stephen made a short detour into Waitrose and came home with prized eggs, two boxes (!) and Domestos bleach (hurray), The latter has been in short supply. Like gold dust! I was amused to see it was in a yellow golden bottle! Made me smile. 
    He had one or two other bits and pieces, but not too many as he was carrying them, and still really needs to take care that they are not too heavy.
His gastroscopy tomorrow at the hospital has been cancelled. It was to check to see everything is going ok. But we expected that. So has his consultation with the Surgeon who performed his operation on February 4th.  
He is doing well in himself, and the NHS has to  concentrate its valiant efforts to contain this awful virus. 
   Our son who works for Dyson, is already involved with the race to produce more ventilators. 
He is having to work from home which isn't easy with three lively children and the fourth one just about walking after her first birthday last week. The extra was taken with my phone by Stephen, as I was using my camera to take a photo of Blackroot Pool. Behind me you can see the railings which are at the bottom of the bank alongside the railway line. 
   Time for tea.