March Hares in mad world.

Coronavirus the Daily record. Wednesday 25th March 2020

In the UK as of 9am on 25 March 2020, a total of 97,019 people have been tested, of which 87,490 were confirmed negative and 9,529 were confirmed positive. 463 patients in the UK who tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) have died.

World Stats

Since 31 December 2019 and as of 25 March 2020, 416 916 cases of COVID-19 (in accordance with the applied case definitions and testing strategies in the affected countries) have been reported, including 18 565 deaths

India, China, France, Italy, New Zealand, Poland, and the UK have implemented the world's largest and most restrictive mass quarantines.

After updating my diary, I decided that some gym type exercise was required so I got a Joe Wicks video on you tube. Although I am quite good at jumping around in the pool when doing aqua aerobics it seems it is impossible for me to have both feet off the ground at the same time, well only if I fall over. I do manage to improvise with some of his movements but the jumping like a kangaroo over a log was too much of an ask. Ian was laughing his socks off and asked why was Russell Brand doing exercise videos. I had never seen Joe Wicks before but he does look a bit and certainly sounds like Russell Brand. Anyway I did get through the half hour and felt quite righteous afterwards. Note to self check out the green goddess fitness videos it might be more me!

After a well-earned breakfast of boiled eggs and toast, we dust off the Saab again and head out towards Hambleden. You feel its wrong to be out driving but  a, we will get a better walk and b, less people in the countryside away from towns.

The village makes a pretty picture as we drive over the little humpy bridge, the stream is full of crystal clear water and running fast.

Over the road and up a steep hill through the woods, passing 2 dog walkers on the way. We exchange a few greetings and acknowledge how lucky we are to be able to do this and think about the people that live in London and have to travel to work on the tube or bus.

We stop to listen to the birds and pick up a Woodpecker hammering away close by, didn’t see it though.

As we emerge from the woods on to the metalled track the beauty of the landscape is laid before like a painting. Red Kites and Buzzards fly around quite low down, several of the Kites land on the ground, which is something we don’t see happen in Marlow. They just usually land in a tree or soar overhead.

Up on the side of the hill is something brown in the grass. It must be a Hare I think, Ian thinks it’s a Rabbit but as there is only one it must be a Hare. It jumps to its feet and stands still a while. Long ears upright listening for us, strong long legs poised to run, and off it goes.

Passing through the fir tree area we stop to listen for Goldcrest or Firecrest no luck, but more Woodpecker drumming is heard. Cock Pheasants are making their spring call a loud “cock cock” it is continuous. Perhaps he has the Coronavirus cough.

We are constantly on the look out for Deer but are not lucky today. We used to do this walk years ago when we first moved to Marlow. It was a Sunday morning staple with Jeremy and Sarah and always followed by a visit to the Prince Albert. We then venture down memory lane and recall the good times we had together as we stroll along.

Coming back into Hambleden we decide to go and look at some sheep in the field by the stream. The little lambs run around bleating away and a young boy is practising his sheep dog training. It is a lovely sight and even better sound, baa baa baa, bounce bounce bounce.

Back into Marlow, bite to eat and we do a few jobs in the garden. Nextdoor are having home schooling outside,

woodworking classes. Which involves measuring and sawing. It is nice to hear ordinary chatter going on and the kids enjoying themselves.

Today is Jeremy and Nics 16th Wedding anniversary so we face time them and raise a glass of Sparkly something to virtually celebrate. A few more calls are made to check up people and then its time for dinner.

7 miles on fit bit today and over 17k steps

Tom Yam soup and chicken and veg stir-fry for dinner. Very tasty.

Oiled the garden slate and started to make a sunshade for the pond.

Have answered quite a few of Jon’s latest quiz questions.

Today we saw Hare, Pheasant, Butterflies, Red Kites and Buzzards. Heard Woodpeckers both Greater Spotted and Green.

Forgot to say yesterday we saw a Muntjac deer in Flackwell.

Lots of funny videos are doing the rounds, it keeps us all amused and makes us laugh.