As we drove towards the motorway, we realised this was further than we had driven since the end of February, when we went to Eastbourne. It felt rather strange, for although I’d been up to London for a meeting, I’d travelled by train and once there, had felt a little uncomfortable as a result of the creeping realisation that perhaps it wasn’t the best idea to be in a crowded place. Since then, for the past 105 days, we’ve been at home, venturing no further than Cheltenham or Cirencester.

My sewing machine had been invited to stay at the workshop in Birmingham though, to be repaired and serviced and with arrangements in place for a socially distant handover, we ventured north on the M5. We packed flasks of hot drinks and took snacks with us too, just in case, though I was mindful that there would be no loos open along the way and perhaps those hot drinks might have to be enjoyed with that in mind.

The M5 had been quieter than we’ve seen it before and we reached the Birmingham suburbs in no time. There was a little more traffic here, even if it was nothing like a normal day - this was 9am, Tuesday morning.

The normally bustling shopping area of Kings Heath was mostly deserted though with the shops shuttered and no one about. The most activity around here had been from those with the spray paint cans - there is a bit of cleaning up to do, I’d say.

We parked right outside the shuttered sewing machine shop, rang the bell and handed over my machine as arranged and that was it.

We turned right round and drove home again.

As we stopped at some traffic lights I spotted a bit of interesting embroidery.

Can you see how kindness has been stitched into the wire fence?

I had an email today to say that my machine is ready to come home again when we’re ready to repeat the adventure. We venture no further than the next town for months and then go crazy twice in as many weeks.

How brave is that?!