Our experience yesterday will be recorded in several places, but there were a few details I wanted to remember and thought this was by far the best place to do that.

On Friday morning, my Hero’s phone pinged and he cheered! I might add that he doesn’t normally greet a text message with such enthusiasm especially recently, when every other one has been some kind of scam. But I saw him immediately dial a number and wait.

”I’m number 2 in the queue for the Surgery - I’ve been invited to make an appointment for my CV vaccination!”

I ran downstairs to find my phone in the hope that I had the same message, but was disappointed. My lower lip might have begun to pout but my common sense soon kicked in and as I went back to the kitchen, I said how delighted I was that one of us was on the list and surely, my invitation wouldn’t be long coming. My Hero is a little older than me and he only just missed out on the current cohort by six months whereas I only just sneak into the next group by roughly the same. I heard him talking to the receptionist,

“And what about my wife? Can she have an appointment too?”

He gave them my details and I heard him offer profuse thanks. Sure enough, he’d got one for each of us. 9.45 and 9.47am the following morning at a local GP surgery down in town. Needless to say, we were thrilled!

He knew what to expect, having taken Bettine for her appointment way back in December, but for me, this was a new experience. It was one to remember, though, a cause for celebration in fact, and everyone involved seemed to share that view. Utterly remarkable in so many ways.

From the minute we drove into the car park, we were greeted by cheerful volunteers, all of whom were wrapped up warmly against the cold - it had been one of the coldest nights of the year and though there was a little weak sunshine, the temperatures were low. Everyone was wearing masks of course, but we didn’t need to see the smiles - they were there in everyone’s eyes.

“Go right in” they said, “this way. No need to wait!”

It almost felt like we were going to a party. There was a definite atmosphere of celebration, of collaborative effort and being part of an event. We followed the marked route, greeted every few steps by another volunteer, welcoming us and reinforcing that air of celebration. I can’t speak from first hand experience (!) but it felt as though we were running a marathon, being supported by people along the route.

“Aim for the pink spot” was the instruction as we went through the doors, “no need to wait”. There on the floor by the entrance was a large pink spot, not that we got to stand on it. There was someone standing just inside the door inviting us straight in.

The vaccination area was a repurposed waiting room, I imagine, now divided into three or four treatment bays each one with a comfortable chair, an equipment trolley and a small desk. A volunteer was sitting at the desk, checking personal details and managing the paperwork and a nurse stood by the trolley, ready to administer the vaccine.

“Come in! Have a seat!”

Names checked and health questions answered - no allergies etc - and within a couple of minutes it was done! I didn’t feel a thing - really! - and as my Hero took his turn, I got out my camera to record the moment. Did I want a photo too? - this is a very special moment, everyone agreed. No need…I had that important piece of paper in my hand, proof that we’d taken the first step towards regaining our lives.

Less that five minutes after we’d entered that room, we were on our way back to the car park. A round of applause wasn’t necessary - the atmosphere and camaraderie created by everyone involved in the exercise was enough in itself. We got back into the car and waited the fifteen minutes before driving away, accompanied by a friendly wave from the car park crew.

The leaflet was entitled “What to expect”. There’s heaps of important information in there and yet, it left out so much of what made the experience so memorable. Though we’d answered questions of course, told them our names and checked date of birth etc, there were two words that we said more than any others.

Thank you.