Here we are a month or so into lockdown and how are we coping?

Yesterday was another fine day and I just had to get out.

Well, the boss says people want to know what life is like out there as so many Grantham Nub News readers are also stuck inside.

I have written about my forays into Grantham before, both when the lockdown first started and on market day a few days later.

I have been nipping out to the shops since and picking up the odd take-away, the latter of which certainly makes for a wonderful weekend treat.

And I often have a walk after work most days. But yesterday, I thought I would mix the two.

Soon after leaving home, I headed down Springfield Road to where it meets London Road.

This is often a busy, congested junction, but the traffic was flowing freely yesterday.

However, it was busier than it was when lockdown started. You are back to risking your life should you step out onto the road to avoid an incoming pedestrian.

I passed Pizza Hut and looked longingly at McDonald's. I've never been one of its biggest fans, but I would willingly kill for one of its special burgers, like a Big Tasty. I dread to think what the queues will be like when it eventually re-opens. They were long enough on its last day of trading.

Domino's looked to be open for delivery. I could see someone inside, but I have never been a fan of that.

I passed the Spar, which has become something of a regular, as it usually has most things and rarely any queues.

I then reached the River Witham and turned left and passed what looked like a sheltered housing complex. When I did this walk two Sundays ago, I passed two old dears stood outside talking.

One said to the other: "It's all right for them that live in big houses and have big gardens."

As a flat dweller myself, I couldn't agree more.

As before, there were small family groups walking on the path by the river. It wasn't busy, but it wasn't deserted either.

The cherry blossom looked lovely and as well as birdsong, you could hear the occasional whine of a saw as some householder did some DIY.

Passing the allotments on the left, you could see signs warning you to stay apart and to wash your hands. Just a few people could be seen tending their vegetables.

I crossed what would normally be a busy road and walked through an empty park, overlooked by some flats that have balconies, but no-one could be seen enjoying them.

I passed more families, noticing that unlike the other Sunday, I could not see any trout in the River Witham, which had plenty that week.

Arriving at Wyndham Park were more families. But no-one was playing bowls or visiting the flash new visitor centre. All the facilities were closed, including the toilets, but all the same, Wyndham Park remains a popular part of Grantham life, lockdown or not.

Families apart, people did seem to be obeying social distancing. There were further signs to remind you.

Heading back to town, I passed what looked like a small café. It was selling take-away coffee and sandwiches and only two customers were allowed in at a time. A van was parked that also looked to be selling coffee, or at least was hoping to.

I went into the church yard of St Wulfram's and sadly, our magnificent church remained closed, with signs saying it is to meet government regulations.

I passed the historic Blue Pig public house, which like other businesses had signs in the windows saying they were closed.

In High Street, there appeared to be a few banks and chemists open. The door of the Yorkshire Bank was open and I saw a woman wearing a mask using an ATM machine.

Nearby, a workman was inside redecorating a former dress shop.

I reached St Peter's Hill where a few people were sat enjoying the fine day. Again, council warning signs advised people to stay two-metres apart. Taxis were lined up patiently waiting for any trade.

By now, most likely, the statue to Grantham's most famous daughter would have been unveiled. The site is cleared, the plinth is erected, but who knows when Margaret Thatcher will be keeping Sir Isaac Newton company.

Passing the empty Wetherspoons, I noted a couple of pizza take-aways would be open later and a couple of the East European shops appeared to be ticking over.

A long queue could be seen outside Sainsbury's and a few were waiting outside M&S too.

I turned right and headed home and could see three elderly chaps were sat on a chair enjoying the sun, sitting about a metre apart. I doubt the council CCTV was pointing their way.

Finally, next to home, I noticed the lawns of the complex needed cutting, the grass was long, there were daisies and dandelions everywhere.

I'm paying a property management company £20 or so a week, but under lockdown, will anybody come with a mower?