Vineyard walk.

Covid 19 The daily record 1^st April 2020.

I am writing this as a record of our daily events but also what is happening in the world during this pandemic. I am aware that the daily Covid 19 news is getting worse and might not be what people want to read, so I am going to divide it into 2 parts, so you can skip it if you want to.

Yesterday we did a walk from the house up into the woods behind us. We took a different route through them and down into Marlow bottom. Following the Chiltern way for some part. My goodness but some of the hills around here are really steep, my calf muscles are painfully tight. Even Ian is feeling it, we get a good cardiac work out. There are more walkers out today; it is overcast but not too cold. The blood pumping soon has us warmed up.

We have a vague idea where this will bring us out and we are not worried about doing our usual trick of getting lost as Marlow is always on our right. Crossing over Borroughs Grove Hill road (by the three horseshoes) is a piece of cake. Usually you have to make a dash for it here as the cars hurtle past as great speed. Today you can saunter across the road as you please. We walk down pump lane, note to self bring binoculars up here soon. Lots of migrating birds use the fields here for a rest. In the past we have seen, Wheatears, Black redstarts and fences full of Swallows having a rest.  Taking the path on the right we go down through the vineyard, some workers are out tending the vines. Ian asks me is this essential work. Of course it is its wine making you silly boy. Even better its on our doorstep.

They have been pruning the vines and the clippings have been bundled up and make a good picture. I wonder what they are going to do with them.

I am very very tired; Ian says I have been over doing things. After lunch Ian cleans the windows, I do the ironing and prepare dinner. We catch up with a few friends and then just relax watching TV.

We have sparkly clean windows and in the summerhouse too.

4 miles walked.

12.5k steps.

Ian says I have to mention the Red Kites fornicating in our tree. Quite a noisy business.

Grilled Sea Bass, creamed leeks and new potatoes for dinner. No pud. 3 chocolates.

Now the serious stuff.

Italy.

Italy has totally shut down, The news shows deserted streets. The highest death rate in the world has been reported there. Flags are being flown at half-mast. 66 Italian doctors have died.

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France

A friend in Paris says they are only allowed out for 1hour a day and then only 1k from home. They have to carry a written and signed declaration and ID. If things get worse here I can see this happening soon.

UK

No news on how Boris is but there is great consternation about testing or lack of it.  Frontline workers are being put in danger, as PPE equipment is not getting to the right places. They do say we have enough of it, but some places need it more than others. Ie London and the Midlands

In the UK 563 deaths were reported and 4300 new cases yesterday

World Stats

950,638 cases reported

48289 deaths

699718 active cases.

Hoping for better news tomorrow.

Clapping for all essential workers this evening at 8pm.