York people enjoy the sunshine - and the easing of lockdown

Many admitted it felt strange - but good - to be out and about again.

"It feels like we're breaking the rules!" said Luke, who was enjoying a socially-distanced picnic near Millennium Bridge on Saturday afternoon to celebrate his friend Jade's 21st birthday.

This week was the first time the friends had been able to see each-other for months. "It's very nice!" said Jade.

Tom, another of the friends, admitted that because everything had been so quiet in recent weeks, it all seemed busier than it actually was.

All agreed that the last year of lockdown had been very odd.

"It was like a blur!" Luke said. "I remember something I thought happened last year - and then I realise it was actually in 2019!"

Friends Luke, Tom, Jade and Tom enjoy the sunshine at Millennium Bridge

On Millennium Bridge itself, friends Paddy Bland, Jonny Hogg and Lewis Gorford were sitting in a row - each a careful two metres from the others. 

"It's the first time we've seen each-other since before Christmas!" Jonny said.

Paddy, who has had Covid himself, was particularly pleased to be able to get out and see his mates. "It's nice to get some fresh air," he said.

On the other side of the bridge, near New Walk, two young couples - Greg and Jessica, and Chris and Imogen - had spread a picnic blanket out on a bench. They hadn't seen each-other for the best part of a year - and hadn't even been able to visit each-other's new homes.

"So this is a nice change!" Imogen said.

Three friends all in a row: Lewis Gorford, Jonny Hogg and Paddy Bland on Millennium Bridge

Over in Acomb, 64-year-old Gerald Boswell had brought his mum Dorothy to sit on a bench on Acomb Green and enjoy a takeaway cup of tea in the sunshine.

It used to be a tradition of theirs, he said - and it was nice to be able to resume it.

Dorothy agreed. "It's lovely!" she said.

Gerald Boswell and his mum Dorothy enjoy a cup of tea (takeaway, of course) at Millennium Green