Notes from the U.K.

Exploring the spidery corners of a culture and the weird stuff that tourist brochures ignore.

Covid

Posted on October 9, 2026 by Ellen Hawley

Folks, I’m recovering from Covid and am taking a week off. Possibly even two. I’m not at death’s door–no fretting, please–but I do need a break. I’ll be back when I’m vaguely competent again.

iIrrelevant photo: a begonia.

44 thoughts on “Covid”

Anonymous on October 9, 2026 at 7:07 am said:

Sorry to hear it, Ellen. Hope you’re well soon, we’ll miss your insights. Take good care of yourself, hugs,
Jeannie

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- Ellen Hawley on October 9, 2026 at 9:34 am said:
  
  Thanks Jeannie. It’s been a luxury not to push myself.
  
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K Morris Poet on October 9, 2026 at 7:24 am said:

I hope you are soon fully recovered

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- Ellen Hawley on October 9, 2026 at 9:33 am said:
  
  Thanks. I’m on the way but haven’t quite gotten there yet.
  
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  - K Morris Poet on October 9, 2026 at 1:39 pm said:
    
    Glad to hear you are well on the road to recovery
    
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davidprosser on October 9, 2026 at 8:27 am said:

I’ll miss your unique view of history Ellen so please get well soon. I hope you can relax with plenty of reading
I’ll be thinking off you.
Hugs

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- Ellen Hawley on October 9, 2026 at 9:32 am said:
  
  Many thanks. The problem with time off when you’re sick is that you could do so much more with it if you felt better.
  
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Anonymous on October 9, 2026 at 9:24 am said:

Get well soon Ellen.

Best regards

Regular reader of yours

Steve T

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- Ellen Hawley on October 9, 2026 at 9:30 am said:
  
  Thanks, Steve. I’m on the mend but slowly. Some time off feela pretty good.
  
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nellifant on October 9, 2026 at 10:14 am said:

Get well soon.
I have great admiration for anyone who manages a weekly blog, but especially as informative and entertaining as yours

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- Ellen Hawley on October 9, 2026 at 10:51 am said:
  
  Thanks for that. Posting weekly is slightly insane, isn’t it? Also (when it isn’t driving me crazy) a lot of fun.
  
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The Travel Architect on October 9, 2026 at 11:09 am said:

Wishing you a speedy recovery from Minnesota!

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- Ellen Hawley on October 9, 2026 at 12:29 pm said:
  
  Thanks. I’m wishing myself one as well. I’m really tired of this.
  
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Kim Whysall-Hammond on October 9, 2026 at 11:13 am said:

Get well soon Ellen xx

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- Ellen Hawley on October 9, 2026 at 12:29 pm said:
  
  Thanks, Kim. Doing my best.
  
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  - Kim Whysall-Hammond on October 9, 2026 at 6:15 pm said:
    
    :)
    
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~M on October 9, 2026 at 1:50 pm said:

Hope you’re feeling better soon! 💐

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- Ellen Hawley on October 9, 2026 at 2:01 pm said:
  
  My thanks. So do I. I’ve gotten tired of myself.
  
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  - ~M on October 9, 2026 at 5:20 pm said:
    
    🤗
    
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Evan Thomas on October 9, 2026 at 4:12 pm said:

Well, shoot, Ellen, I’m sorry to hear you fetched up with Covid! That’s no fun at all, and I wish you a speedy and uneventful recovery.

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- Ellen Hawley on October 9, 2026 at 4:23 pm said:
  
  Thanks, Evan. It looks like I’m going to live. I’m bored sick of myself and expect to get better out of sheer desperation.
  
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luisa zambrotta on October 9, 2026 at 5:15 pm said:

I’m really sorry you had COVID.
Take care of yourself.

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- Ellen Hawley on October 9, 2026 at 5:47 pm said:
  
  Thanks. I think I’ll be back out in the world tomorrow.
  
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  - luisa zambrotta on October 9, 2026 at 7:08 pm said:
    
    🙏🤗🙏
    
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Michael Graeme on October 9, 2026 at 5:52 pm said:

Ooh, COVID is grim, Ellen. Here’s hoping for a speedy recovery.

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- Ellen Hawley on October 9, 2026 at 5:56 pm said:
  
  I’ve had it twice and at least this time I’m not literally walking into walls, which I was the first time around. Should be up and running in a day or so.
  
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dinahmow on October 9, 2026 at 7:21 pm said:

Thought you might have closed the comments box, but no, so I add my good wishes.

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- Ellen Hawley on October 9, 2026 at 7:35 pm said:
  
  Thanks for them. They’re nice to get.
  
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63mago on October 9, 2026 at 7:45 pm said:

“vaguely competent” – okayokay, I refrain the snark.
covid is still dangerous. I wish you a full recovery, hope to see you back, you’ll know when it is time for it.
Gute Grüße, beste Wünsche – und, ja, GOttes Segen kann nicht schaden.

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- Ellen Hawley on October 9, 2026 at 8:32 pm said:
  
  Moment of snarklessness appreciated. And yes, it is still dangerous. I don’t read anything about long Covid anymore–as far as I know the vaccines minimize the chances of developing it–but it scares the hell out of me.
  
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Laura (PA Pict) on October 9, 2026 at 8:59 pm said:

Take care of yourself, Ellen.

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- Ellen Hawley on October 10, 2026 at 9:39 am said:
  
  I’m almost there. I think.
  
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mcmcneil1 on October 9, 2026 at 10:49 pm said:

Take care !

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- Ellen Hawley on October 10, 2026 at 9:38 am said:
  
  Ha! Now you tell me. I should’ve dodged when that germ was hanging around.
  
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Dori on October 9, 2026 at 11:00 pm said:

Take care of yourself and we’ll wait for your return.

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- Ellen Hawley on October 10, 2026 at 9:38 am said:
  
  Thanks, Dori. I feel almost human today.
  
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theleadlesspencil on October 10, 2026 at 4:15 pm said:

Keep warm, and get well soon

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- Ellen Hawley on October 11, 2026 at 8:22 am said:
  
  Thanks. I’m past the worst of it and ready to rejoin the world. I hope the world doesn’t mind.
  
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Emma Cownie on October 11, 2026 at 2:49 pm said:

Get well soon! Rest up.

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- Ellen Hawley on October 11, 2026 at 3:35 pm said:
  
  Thanks Emma. I’ve ventured back out into what passes for the real world and think I’m pat the worst of it. Of Covid, that is, not the real world.
  
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Blogging_with_Bojana on October 16, 2026 at 5:25 pm said:

❤️

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Voice Of Rohingya | Anowar Sadak on October 21, 2026 at 11:29 am said:

Wishing you a smooth and speedy recovery. Take all the time you need to rest and regain your strength. ❤️

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- Ellen Hawley on October 21, 2026 at 4:50 pm said:
  
  Thank you. I’m on the mend, although not yet fully back to my old self.
  
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  - Voice Of Rohingya | Anowar Sadak on October 22, 2026 at 6:55 am said:
    
    You’re welcome 🤗
    
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