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Spot on Elmo but it is currently an in joke here in France. The word billy doo originated in WW2 when the Tommies called a love letter a Billy doo after the French expression "billet doux". During the current crisis we have to fill in a form called an "attestation de deplacement derogatoire". That is a bit of a mouthful even for a Frenchman so we use the expression "billet d'ou" - meaning a note explaining where you are coming from.. Now as far as my ears are concerned "billet doux" and "billet d'ou" are pronounced exactly the same. Hence, when we go out, we say "don't forget your billy doo. However if you want to send Mr. Johnson a love letter, be my guest. I won't be joining you.

Yes its a very good idea. I cannot understand why it is not being introduced in UK. Although you can print the form from a gov web site you sign a solemn declaration that you have told the truth. Then, if you get caught out, you get a fine for breaking the travel restriction and a fine for making a false declaration. The minimum fine is €135 which triples with late payment. A second infringement costs you €1500. Four infringements gets you 6 months and an even more eyewatering fine. I expect you only get a slap on the wrist in UK.

On my local tv it said you can still go down your allotments ( good for your mental health and getting exercise ) , so why can't I go fishing ? , especially as I can drive straight to the lake without any social contact . Pushing a loaded barrow around the lake is my exercise , and I don't want to interact with anyone , just the wildlife - I'm antisocial , go away I'm fishing ! . 🤔

Iv just popped over some frozen food to an old customer who lives close just around the corner I warned them il be wearing a face mask so don’t be alarmed. I ran the bell used the key too open the door and jumped a mile they both had on proper face masks with filters. We had a laugh over a cup of tea in the garden keeping our distance.

Oo yeh deffo, also his goalkeeper coach has sent me some drills for in the back garden too, it's big enough for em. Trying to keep him occupied is the hard bit but asking "When can I go on Fortnite"...Maths, Art, English, PE every morning/afternoon then he can go on it...

Myself (Food Manufacturing /processing/distribution) and Wife (NHS Auxiliary Nurse) are key workers, basically both been told to work by employers until either closure or contract virus. Easier said than done with having a 10yr old and school closed, yes he can go in as we're key workers, but REALLY hard. ALL precautions being taken, PPE - gloves masks, aprons. A few near me have closed so I've emailed Environment Agency about rod Licence renewal due to not being able to fish, also emailed my Fishing Membership as some of the lakes closed on it, so no fishing for me.

It's very very clear essential travel only , as much as i want to fish and don't see a major issue with low numbers around a lake rules are rules . No water would actually need to close if people listened to the essential travel bit.

I see Bluebell Lakes has closed finally, still watching out for some local syndicates to do the right thing though.

While he was on the laptop on a school prgramme....i put gazebo up ready for hot tub... Just having lunch then.....Tub going up 😁😁

We are having to sign these for the guys that work in our French office. I am one of 3 guys left onsite in the UK (65 personnel sent home). I am surprised we don't have a similar letter here. If anyone gets stopped by the cops they can come out with any old rubbish to give the impression the travel is essential.

It's tough trying to keep them motivated and positive though, whilst keeping it all together yourself, will keep smashing the Joe wicks that seems to be helping me stay positive, good luck, I'm letting them slack off a bit for now then telly off after lunch then they can do some other stuff and get out in the garden 👍

You been doing Joe Wicks PE Highy? My kids dont seem that keen but I've smashed the first 2 days 😁

I didn't know what a Billy doo was so I googled it, love letter? Could lead you to needing a French letter? 😲😲

It seems all the lakes are shutting now, there will be a closed season this year, probably for the best, now let's get shut down completely so we can all Get out again asap, otherwise we will be released and they will start spawning 😁

Where"s kieffer blooming sutherland when you need him?? He'll sort this all out, in 24!!

I think he was asking all bosses to shut voluntarily and be responsible.if they don’t it will be shut down by tomorrow evening Wednesday pm at the latest

LOCKDOWN

I think the people that are panic buying are doing so because they are scared, I understand people are scared not thinking straight and I can forgive that tbh,but anyone that is profiteering from this or Taking advantage of vulnerable people I have a real problem with tbh , I heard today that people have been spitting at the emergency services, they are the ones trying to help us all and this is how they are treated, I see a lot of positive things too though our village seems to be pulling together really well and helping one another out and lots of good is happening too so there is hope Agree stay safe all

It's the only way now, I used to fester and it did me no good, I love a good comedy rant too tbh if you get me going on something I can rant for ages and if you make it funny then that's OK 😁

Tbh I just tell people what I think 😄 I find that's the best way right or wrong if it bothers me I just say it these days, I've found my moral compass is pretty good so I tend to not say much I regret 👍

After my heart attack 6months ago I’m high risk,I’m not scared but I am a bit concerned I’ll be honest. My Mrs has been a mess all last wk she’s a natural worrier and her anxiety is thru the roof....... testing times indeed.

My mrs is losing it too. She has a few medical professionals in her family and let me tell you the info from them indicates the problem is a lot worse than the government make out. I saw Putin gave the Russian public a choice. 15 days indoors or 5 years in prison. I bet they're not down the pub!

Telling people to social distance themselves is like telling people not to panic buy.

As much as it might be a pain in the rear for some I think it's a step in the right direction. Some people really aren't taking this thing seriously enough. People not following the advice and keeping apart by 2metres etc. The only way this virus stops by no contact. It's going to get worse before it gets better if you ask me.

I have just returned from my first shopping experience since the lockdown started in France. I thought you guys in UK might like to know what the rest of Europe is doing and what might be coming your way. First, on the drive to the nearest town I did not pass a single vehicle. It felt very post apocalypse. In town there was a police check. I was a bit nervous because I had a sheet of paper with 6 “attestation de deplacement” (signed declaration of reason for leaving house) printed on both sides of an A4 sheet and was not sure if this would be acceptable. The idea being to sign and date a fresh one and cross out the previously used one. The first thing I noticed was that the police were not wearing masks. I guess being stopped by a heavily armed man in a mask could be seen as a bit disconcerting. I wound down my window to give him my Attestation and Carte de Sejour but was instructed to wind up the window and hold my papers against the glass so he could approach and read them. To my relief, he waved me on with a smile. In the pharmacy there was a table blocking entrance to the main shop. When it was my turn I had to move forward from my marked position and put the prescription on the table and step back. The pharmacist then got my prescription and placed that on the table and stepped back so I could approach and pick it up. Another customer, who had to pay for a purchase was presented with the credit card machine in a plastic bag. At the butchers, there was a marked line away from the counter so you could not just point at what you wanted. Your purchase was then placed on a table away from the serving area. In the supermarket there were hardly any trollies left. I assumed the place must be heaving but inside there were fewer people than normal. They must have taken a lot of trollies out of service to stop too many people visiting at one time. I was able to buy everything I needed. There were one or two gaps but I suspect this was just a shelf refilling problem because there were fewer staff. At the till you had to wait at your marked spot until the previous customer had left. All staff were wearing masks and disposable gloves. It was a sobering experience but at the same time very reassuring that EVERYBODY is taking the situation seriously.

I was made redundant last week went to sign on but you have to do it all on line so did that I might get a call to make an appointment soon lol

Sadly we still have idiots jogging in groups, or walking dogs together around the local parks, or they were when I walked Sky this morning. Every time I saw someone coming I simply changed direction, zig zagging my way across the park with her. She got let off the lead inside the old tennis court enclosure on Chantry Park in Ipswich.I saw one woman with her dog off the lead, as another dog was playing her dog ran up to play as well. She had to go retrieve it, and was most definitely within 2metres of the owners.On my way back I had to go to the local shop, still some items out of stock, breakfast cereals and bread, so to find essentials will have to go further afield.The golf course and hotel at Ufford Park where I work is totally closed down and the 'essentials' chosen. Even though officially on holiday I have to go do the year end stocktake then I will be on furlough. Yes I am peeved I can't go fishing, it would be total self-isolation and I did argue the point on the Alton Water Facebook page when they closed the Anglian Water Parks before the AT announcement. I'm also willing to bet that local residents will still be walking their dogs around the reservoir, even though it is supposedly closed. It is such a size you would need constant ranger patrols around all 12miles of footpaths!