NG3 Sept/Oct 2020
Local business directory and community magazine
Local business directory and community magazine
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Over the last few months we have all had to adjust<br />
to different ways of going about our business. Some<br />
have been more challenging than others. I thought<br />
I would share a few of my ‘first time back’s’ with you.<br />
First time shopping in a mask<br />
Face coverings are now mandatory in shops. There<br />
are some interesting interpretations out there, from<br />
toilet roll to World War 2 gas masks, I’ve seen it<br />
all. The chin wearers are my pet hate. Got to say,<br />
as someone who wears glasses and also being<br />
a woman of a certain age - it’s the perfect storm.<br />
Within a minute of hooking it on, I am a sweating,<br />
steamed up mess, charging blindly around the shop<br />
like I’m on Supermarket Sweep. I have discovered<br />
there’s also an art to mask removal. After my<br />
glasses went flying across the car park for the<br />
fourth time, it’s safe to say I have yet to master this<br />
procedure. Hats off to all the key workers who wear<br />
these things day in day out.<br />
First time back in the pub<br />
No matter how cold your fridge is and how beautiful<br />
your back garden looks, nothing can beat the<br />
taste of an ice-cold beer in a pub garden. Having a<br />
pub crawl from room to room just doesn’t cut the<br />
mustard and who were we kidding that a virtual pub<br />
night via zoom was good fun?? I was a bit nervous –<br />
more about getting told off for not following correct<br />
protocol than catching coronavirus – but I needn’t<br />
have worried. The pubs have got it sussed and a<br />
relaxing pint was had by all. In fact, it was so much<br />
fun we stayed for a few…<br />
First time back in the cinema<br />
Businesses across the board are having to adapt<br />
and innovate and our local cinema, the Bonington<br />
has really stepped up to the plate. Tiered seating<br />
has been replaced with sofa’s, armchairs and little<br />
tables. It really was very comfy, so much so that<br />
Gary actually nodded off. All we needed to complete<br />
the experience were a couple of footstools. Not that<br />
The<br />
Five Firsts<br />
Tale<br />
I’m demanding or anything...Mind you I doubt if we<br />
would have left at all then.<br />
First time back in a restaurant<br />
The Banyan Tree has been a favourite of the ng<br />
girls for years. Gary’s birthday seemed like a good<br />
enough reason to go. There were enough people<br />
to create a great atmosphere and if it wasn’t for<br />
the masked staff and the new table condiment of<br />
hand sanitiser you really wouldn’t have known any<br />
difference. The evening was topped off when a<br />
complimentary plate of desserts, accompanied with<br />
a firework, was presented to a very embarrassed<br />
Gary. Feeling obliged to start a Happy Birthday<br />
singalong we all mumbled into the tablecloth,<br />
scoffed the pud and departed, full and happy.<br />
First time back in the gym<br />
My final first was my return to my beloved Redhill<br />
gym. After nearly four months away I was dreading<br />
it. The staff were amazing and there is cleaning<br />
spray everywhere. In 45 minutes I think I sprayed<br />
and wiped more than I do in a week at home! It’s<br />
dead easy, you book a slot or class, turn up and<br />
follow the instructions and off you go. I was a bit<br />
trepidatious but once I was gasping for breath on<br />
the treadmill my nerves vanished. Spinning classes<br />
have reduced numbers so a saddo like me who<br />
uses the same bike week in, week out, might have<br />
to change their routine. The screen that gives you<br />
all the stats isn’t there (that’s a bonus for me. Once<br />
I was watching the screen absolutely chuffed at<br />
my killer score. Top of the group...glancing round<br />
proudly to make sure everyone else had clocked<br />
it - when I realised I was looking at the wrong bike.<br />
On my usual bike was a great hulk of a guy pounding<br />
away.)<br />
Whether you are out for a meal, a drink, a workout<br />
or a cheeky snooze in the cinema, local businesses<br />
need our support so get out and enjoy!<br />
© Ali Wale