Tag: zoom

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Return of the Ukeladies: Emerging from Lockdown

Posted on by Jackie B

On Monday it was the next stage of reopening from the Pandemic Lockdown, with hospitality venues open inside, upto six people able to meet indoors at home and up to thirty outside. Hugs are legal again too. All this is happening despite the spread of the more infectious Indian variant of the virus, frequent testing and vaccine take up is being encouraged . Both main vaccines used in the UK have been found to be effective against the variant, especially after both doses.

The Thursday before, at our regular Zoom meeting, my Ukelele group discussed meeting in person again. The Village Club where we used to meet reopened on Monday. Most wanted to meet there but I really wasn’t sure. The Covanxiety I mentioned in my post a few days ago was holding me back and I couldn’t make my mind up.

If I agreed to go I’d have spent the week stressing about it and if I decided not to I’d hate the thought of missing out. So I dealt with the potential stress and FOMO by deferring my decision until the last minute. I worked really hard to get out more and start feeling a bit better about returning to normal activities with a hair appointment, a couple of shopping trips and a visit to a cafe. After that I was feeling a lot more confident about going along to play on Thursday.

Although the Zoom meetings are great and we will continue to host them from the club for those who can’t make it yet, they are not perfect. One person has to lead each tune and the rest mute, listen and play along unheard by the rest. The timelag, however slight, causes total cacophony otherwise.

When I turned up on Thursday it was lovely to see everyone, especially those who haven’t been able to join us online. The Club had its COVID safety protocols in place. The room we use is quite large and we were able to space ourselves out. We opened the windows to maximise the ventilation and some of us wore masks. They are a lovely bunch and all realise that some us are more nervous about meeting again so there was no question about any of this – we all just did it.

When we started to play I think we all felt a bit giddy. We launched into ‘The Deadwood Stage’ with gusto and at breakneck speed, then settled down to play ‘Eight Days A Week’ at more like our usual tempo. There were fits of giggles every time we had to wrestle with a difficult chord. Some of the tunes, like the sea shanty “Wellerman”, are pretty new to us so it was the first time we’d played it together – it was performed with lots of enthusiasm! I think it will become a regular favourite.

It was also the first time we’d seen the beautiful banjolele that Stella got at Christmas.

It was so nice not to have to watch the corner of a screen for the time counting down to the end of 40 minutes (the maximum length of a meeting on the free version of Zoom)!

We were able to get through more tunes with time to chat in between, but after what still seemed quite a short time we’d got through the list. Time really does fly when you are having fun. in normal times we’d retire to the bar for another drink, but we decided to leave that for another time.

I’m so glad I decided to go. The Ukeladies are back!

Are any of your regular activities restarting?

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Knit And Natter Is Back!

Posted on by Jackie B

Over the last few weeks the group have started to meet again online, using Zoom. Of course it is very different this way, but it’s been lovely to reconnect with some of my knitting friends. The group was set up as part of our local GP practice’s Social Prescribing initiative and is one of several activities set up to support patients that may be isolated or could benefit from some social activity, though it is open to all.

It is months since I wrote a Knit and Natter post. The group at Alnwick Medical Group last met in early March and the following week I had to post that it was cancelled until further notice as the COVID pandemic started to take hold.

Our group has joined forces with a similar one from the Berwick area to go online, so we’ve been meeting at 12 every Friday for the last few weeks. As well as sharing what we’ve been making and swapping patterns, it’s also been a great way to pass on information about other activities that may interest our members. For example our local Age UK branch recently produced a pack full of things to do in isolation, from puzzles and craft activities to online virtual gallery and museum tours.

Of course there’s some great knitting going on which you can see in the picture above. (clockwise from top left) . One of the group organisers has taught herself to knit and is perfecting her garter stitch – her work is growing rapidly as she gets neater and quicker. I’m busy with some brioche handwarmers. The pretty pink knitting is going to be a waterfall front cardigan. The gorgeous baby cardigan has just been completed by one of the group – she shared a photo from her phone. Finally our Berwick organiser shared a Book Club recommendation (she’s actually working on an amazing blanket at the moment).

I couldn’t resist taking a screenshot of this cuddly pup made by one of the group for her grandson. She even got a proper collar and lead for it. He is going to be one very happy little boy!

We’ve also been asked to give information about the group to a knitting magazine who are including a a feature about us!

Of course not everyone gets on with online activities like this, but at a time when more people are having to isolate themselves through a second wave of the virus it’s great that we can carry on with a safe social activity that connects us with others who have a shared interest.

Have you been able to continue any of your social knitting activities online?

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The Ukeladies: Apart and Still Playing Together

Posted on by Jackie B

Isn’t technology wonderful? We may have to stay at home but I’ve been trying to maintain contact with all my lovely friends – thanks to Zoom I’ve been doing this all week. Tonight my ukelele group (alias the Ukeladies) had a bit of a practice, so we belted out Eight Days a Week, Country Roads, Wagon Wheel and Sunny Afternoon. It was good to catch up.

On Sunday we had our first virtual coffee morning on Zoom, joined by other friends, including one that recently emigrated to Australia. It was 7pm rather than coffee time for her, so she had a glass of wine instead! It was interesting to see how things are going in Australia compared with here.

We also held a virtual quiz this week. Five couples took part over Zoom. Each couple set ten questions on a subject of their choice and took their turn reading them out. That way nobody got lumbered with having to think up 50 questions. Obviously you can’t score on your own round so with five teams and 50 questions, your maximum score would be 40. of course it relies on honesty, no cheating, no using Google or Alexa. It was a great laugh so we are going to do it all again next week.

So, I’ve been able to maintain my social life, despite the restrictions…..it just means I switch the computer on instead of going out! Virtual Knit and Natter anyone?

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The Virtual Ukelele Band

Posted on by Jackie B

Trying to keep our spirits up during these difficult times is so important and the social isolation is going to be hard, especially for those who live alone. Even when you live with your family, being with them and only them 24/7 could be a little claustrophobic.

I’ve just found out about video conferencing with Zoom. Several choirs are using this programme to interact online – you can enjoy the uplifting activity of singing and have social contact even when you are self-isolating or in quarantine from Coronavirus.. I’m planning on joining in with one of these choirs on Friday night, but then I thought we could try something with my ukulele group.

Some of us tried it tonight. It was great fun, though not perfect. When we all played together it was a bit of a cacophony! The volume on my laptop was a long way from being in the room with the others (might be worth trying headphones) and there was a slight time delay. It worked a lot better when one person led and everyone else muted themselves. That way we were each singing along to that one lead player. Tomorrow we are going to try taking turns leading songs.

There is also a 40 minute limit on meetings of more than 3 people, unless you subscribe to the premium version of Zoom.

In between tunes we unmuted and had a good catch up. Various husbands, children and dogs joined us at some points too which was nice. One of our members got a FaceTime call from her son in London in the middle of it all so she pointed her phone at the laptop camera and we all said hello.

It was so lovely to spend some time online with my friends this way. It really cheered me up. We might even use it for our book club or have a virtual coffee morning.

Have you come up with any creative ways of dealing with social isolation?