We catch up with some more of our furloughed colleagues to see how they’re keeping busy during these strange times.

GEORGIE O’HARE – Administrator at TE
Being asked to feature in the Furlough Diaries has meant a welcome opportunity to reflect on what I have actually been doing these last few months! I’m sure like many people, I found my days could be filled quite easily, a YouTube workout followed by some reading in the garden…and all of a sudden it’s dinner time. 

I have managed to keep up with the fitness a few months down the line, as well as finally starting my New Year’s resolution to learn French. Having studied it in college has proved somewhat helpful, and gaining extra ‘points’ on the app for at least one lesson a day has spurred me on to keep up my streak!

My lockdown saviour has to be my housemate’s dog Alfie, using him as motivation to get out of the house has been brilliant, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed walking around my local area. It made me realise how much I value spending time outside, especially at the beginning of lockdown.

In June, I managed to secure some temp warehouse work which above all has given me a much needed routine and some fresh company (sorry Alfie!) For now this is the new normal but it is great to read Ensemble each month to check in with everyone and keep in touch.   

NEŽA KOVAČIČ – Office Administrator at Trafalgar Releasing
Furlough has turned me into a massive sports enthusiast – if you define sports as “lying in bed watching crime documentaries”. While many people adopted pets during lockdown, I considered getting a prison pen pal, but I quickly decided it was too big of a commitment after I read an article talking about how people on Death Row get really upset if you stop writing to them. So instead I turned my attention to gardening. I saw lots of people posting plants and flowers on their social media and watched way too many episodes of Garden Rescue, which filled me with a fake sense of confidence in my ability to transform my garden into a quarantine oasis of peace and quiet. As it turns out, patience is very important when gardening. When my flowers wouldn’t grow quick enough for my liking I would buy and plant some more. I am happy to report that my garden is now a flower jungle and it only looks half bad.

Once I accepted that I will never be a professional gardener, I decided to read all of the Harry Potter books in English as I have only ever read them in my native language, Slovene. Most days I would read in my newly decorated garden jungle and get some questionable tan lines in the process. Although I am itching for things to go back to ”normal”, I have come to appreciate the time I got to spend at home. It was quite nice to be lazy and not feel guilty about it for once.

MARTIN NEW – Regional Franchise Manager at Stagecoach
Furlough has allowed me to complete a host of jobs around the house including building this decking in the garden. Next project is a garden bar!

I have run about a hundred zoom classes and 121’s with my students from my children’s martial arts school, and been able to take both my sons out driving as they are learning. This has been great bonding time which at their age is precious and rare!

I have also started to teach myself yoga which is challenging and enlightening at the same time.