With no end in sight to lockdown, we’re all getting a little jaded with making banana bread and crocheting blankets.  As cabin fever sets in, we can still travel in our minds and fantasize about doing all the things that we previously took for granted. Here are my top thirty things that I can’t wait to do once lockdown is over – some a tad surprising even to me!

1 Diving into the cool depths of an outdoor swimming pool 

2 Gorging on a quarter pounder beef burger at my favourite burger joint 

3. Nipping to the supermarket to pick up one item on the spur of the moment

4. Booking an afternoon off from work to see the latest blockbuster at the cinema

5. Eating fish and chips followed by candy floss in Brighton

6. Enjoying a staycation in the UK  

7. Going hiking to the New Forest

8. Cooking my parents my signature Shepherd’s pie on a visit to them at home in Scotland

9. Never baking banana bread again

10. Having a radical haircut to celebrate the re-opening of the hairdressers

11. Indulging in a shopping day on Oxford Street

12. Toasting freedom in the champagne bar at King’s Cross St Pancras station

13. Leaving work early on a Friday to spend the evening in a beer garden

14. Having my lunch high above the streets at the roof garden at Fen Court

15. Reading the Metro on the tube on the way to work

16. Savouring afternoon tea and cake at my favourite tea shop

17. Starting a new volunteering project at my local hospital

18. Playing dinosaur games with my nephew

19. Watching a spectacular sunset from the Sky Garden

20. Taking an afternoon off work to marvel at the British Museum

21. Getting a new personal best at Parkrun

22. Luxuriating in the sauna / steam room at my local health club

23. Going out for an impromptu lunch with my workmates

24. Sharing donuts in the office

25. Walking around the great City of London

26. Buying a posh cheese and pickle sandwich from Pret

27. Trying an aerial relaxation class

28. Jumping on a train to anywhere

29: Making rocky road for my family

30. Lying in a deck chair in Green Park

Who could have imagined three months ago that all of these simple pleasures would be denied.  Lockdown has been a timely reminder of all that is great in our lives and how important is to live life to the full in the present moment. Once we are unleashed back into the world again, it is up to all of us to work, live and thrive.  What are you most looking forward to after lockdown ends?  Leave a comment below.