Blissful Dawn Chorus at 4am

CV19 Friday May 30^th 2020.

 

Lockdown day 67

 

 

Sorry for the lack of diary yesterday but we were having a dishwasher leaking saga and had not had a lot of sleep the previous night. Also had to dig out guarantees and talk to some narky customer service woman. Engineer booked 11^th June. I am sure she did it that faraway on purpose. I told her we have water leaking so she said well turn the water off. That was me told!

 

Thursday morning we finally plucked up the courage and went to Wickes, we bought kiln dried sand, rendering, a new mower blade, paint stripper,  patio cleaner and screen wash. £62. No one in the shop, easy shopping and we were home by 9.30. So if the sun stops shining so brightly and if we get locked in again we are set up for more DIY.

 

Friday was jobs around the house day. Ian watered the garden early doors, I cleaned out the dishwasher, did the ironing then cut the hedge out the front. The afternoon was spent poleaxed on the sun beds.

 

We watched Springwatch this evening we are really enjoying the lockdown version of this. We also think that The one presenting the Beaver project has been gloriously set up. Especially with lines like I have never been down the business end of a Beaver before!.

 

Marlow Bridge is shut for painting and should reopen on 6^th June. (Not covid related but worthy of a note.) Apparently it is whiter than white, quite startling so. Worth a trip down to see but not this weekend.

 

As we went to bed last night at 10 pm, I could hear the roar of traffic on the A404, planes overhead at people out in the street talking. We commented upon the time a few weeks go when there was not a sound of anything at all out there. Deadly quiet I think I wrote. Teenagers are out and about in groups already.

 

At 4am this morning we were both wide awake, not dishwasher problems but the dawn chorus woke us. Being woken up in the night is one of my major pet hates in life, this however was so lovely. The song was very loud and the dawn light was just rising over the top of Winter Hill. A band of red and gold was warming up the sky, the cool breeze blew in the window as Willow and I gazed out onto a scene of peace and calm and I am pleased to say the only sound was the birds tweeting to welcome in a new day.

 

Points from Thursday Briefing. Lockdown Easing

 

All 5 points for easing lockdown have been met.

The R rate is still just under 1.

8000 people a day a getting infected, this is still too high.

377 people died in thru K in the last 24hrs.

Scotland is also easing lockdown from today.

Up to 6 people from different households will be able to meet outside or in gardens from Monday 1^st June.

Indoors is not to used for parties or social activities

BBQs are allowed as long as social distancing is obeyed. No passing of food around.

If someone outside household uses toilet it must be completely wiped down after.

You are allowed to walk through a house to get to the garden.

No overnight stays.

No hugging allowed.

 

It was the 10^th Clap for carers and most likely the last.

Half of Britons have gained weight since the pandemic.

 

Other News.

 

Marlow high street is to have a one way pedestrian system when the shops reopen on. That should be interesting.

Two of the SAGE experts have said lockdown is being eased to early and a warning has been issued for the weekend that it is still not time to meet up with friends and families and fines will be issued.

I think and it is just my opinion that they are doing too much too soon, just letting one thing happen would be enough not a mass easing. I don’t want to be having a diary headline in 2-3 weeks saying “I told you so”

Trump has terminated USA relationship with WHO stating it was complicit in covering up the disease and allowing it to spread worldwide.

Norway and Denmark open up borders but ban tourists.

Greece is opening up in 2 weeks time but not to the UK.

Spanish flight to Lanzarote was quarantined upon arrival as a passenger received a positive test result whilst in the air. (DMail so it must be true) 140 on board.

Premier league football is to restart on 17^th June. Personally I cant wait (not) this is the worst news I have heard since lockdown began.

Cricket will not start again until at least August. I miss TMS on a sunny afternoon.

FTSE closed down at 6076 having been at 6218 earlier in the week.

 

Coombe Hill and the Chequers trail.

CV 19 The Daily record.

Wednesday may 27^th.

Another gorgeous sunny day, a bit of cloud around but a good day for a long walk. We pack a picnic and head out into the Chilterns, Butlers Cross to start the walk. Horror upon horror the car park is full by the time we get there, we new it would be busy but not like this. Cars are also lined all down the sides of the road, we hum and haw what to doubt having driven this far we decide to go ahead. Parking about ½ mile away from the start of the walk we head back in that direction.

Coombe Hill is quite busy with families and people lying in the sun but not too bad, I wonder where all the owners of the cars are. We don’t stay too long on the top, but do take a minute to marvel at the wonder view across the vale of Aylesbury, Apparently you can see Waddesdon Manor from here about 15 miles away, We don’t!

Down a very steep narrow chalk track we end going through some woods, which is nice as it is cool although again very steep and end up coming out into the field with the NHS sign in it. (see photo) Following a chalk track through this field we come out at the pretty village of Ellesborough. We then find ourselves challenged with Beacon Hill, with much puffing, resting and giggling we make it to the top. It is the steepest thing I have climbed for years and its so steep you have a fear of falling backwards. At the top we rest and eat our picnic whilst admiring the fantastic view. We have met a couple of walkers out along the way but that’s all.

We then have to descend the hill by another sheep track which is dodgy as a sheer drop down to the left, we take our time and arrive with no incidents safely at the bottom. We then wend our way through fields and woodland, it is extremely pretty, very quiet, very hot and just like being on holiday. We decide that we need to have a day out like this every week.

We are now entering the Chequers Estate and signs warning us of police, security and some security act are posted along the fence line, you can see security cameras dotted along through the fields too. The house sits half hidden in some trees. We actually cross the drive up to the house from inside the front gates, with big brother watching us all the time. After that we join the Ridgeway and our now weary legs take us back to the car. We did about 7 miles all told and that was taking a couple of short cuts too. It was a great walk and a lovely day out away from all the current nonsense.

Sorry I have forgotten to say what we have been eating over the last few days.

We’ve had Salmon new potatoes and salad. Ian slow roasted a shoulder of pork in a pulled pork sauce, which was absolutely delicious. We ate that with vegetables and potatoes. The 2^nd night we ate it with rainbow slaw. One night it was too hot and we were not hungry so we had beans on toast with a poached egg.

 

NHS Sign

Beacon Hill

Looking back to Coombe Hill from Beacon Hill

Ellesborough from Beacon Hill

Chequers

Inside the main gates.

Other points.

Plans to scrap the 14 day quarantine upon arriving from abroad are underway, as Tories say it is unworkable. (Oh dear)

UK Announces 412 covid deaths in the last 24 hours taking the official number to 37,3460. NHS figures show more than half  of English hospital trusts have reported no new fatalities in the last 48hrs.

The social bubbles has been parked for the time being as they fear it may cause a spike, but people are still able to meet up outdoors but only 2 households.

Pubs and restaurants may now open in June. This all seems to be going a bit fast, I thought this was supposed to be a staged easing not a throwing open of the doors.

The track & Trace system kicks off on Thursday. If a person tests positive they are asked who they have been in contact with. The tracers then call or text these contacts and they are told to self-isolate for 14 days. After that they can go back to normal, if they get ill they have to have a test and so the process starts again with the tracers calling any one they have been in contact with. (which should be no one as they have been self isolating)

United States deaths exceed 100,000.

Easyjet plan to cut 30% of staff.

Scotland ready to start easing lockdown.

Last night it was so hot we had to have all the windows open and the noise of the planes and cars which seemed to be all night, well at least from the very early hours kept waking me up. NOT HAPPY.

Quite a bit happening.

CV 19 The daily Record May 26^th 2020.

Lockdown day 64.

It has been a bank holiday weekend Ian and I have not ventured very far. I spent a lot of time planting my newly acquired plants, weeding and doing a lot of watering. I went down to the age concern garden to water things and check out all ok, good job I did as someone had turned off the automatic watering system. On my way there I turned into Maple rise just by the Esso garage, a small brown dog wandered into the road. On closer inspection it was a Muntjac deer, now this was 10.55 in the morning and bank holiday Monday. There was an awful lot of traffic about, the Deer headed towards the main road & upon hearing the traffic started t panic and ran into the road. After 3 attempts it managed to cross and fled down into Foxes Pieces, not one car stopped to let it cross, in fact the traffic did not even slow down. Needless to say this made me very cross.

Sunday was spent sitting in the garden staring at the Blue Tit nest box. All day the little darlings attempted the fledge and taunting us with their efforts. They got half way out of the hole then panic set in and they would retreat. Another attempt failed when the bird got so far out then nearly fell, it scrabbled and managed to get itself back in and then hunkered down for a while. We decided by the evening we would go in and have dinner as they would not leave tonight. From the kitchen I could see the parents sill going in and out but half an hour later they had fledged and we missed it, typical. Still 3 successful fledgelings now are tweeting around the garden.

In Marlow the roads, parks and river paths were packed according to reports and all the local beauty spots were full too. Where the hell are these people headed? There is nothing open in Marlow folks.

I have been asking what effects the lockdown has had on people and in what way have things changed for the better or what they have liked. Here are some of the answers.

Still working, love the work, love working from home.

Work life is totally different home life not so different.

More money in the bank.

Having more time to do things.

Doing things together.

Lack of pollution and having more time to appreciate it.

Peace and quiet, empty roads.

Contacting people by Facetime, something we don’t normally do.

Solitude, peace & quite, not seeing people, don’t like people.

Not having to commute to work.

Finding great local walks.

No aeroplanes and a beautiful blue sky.

Having such lovely weather and enjoying it despite the circumstances.

Having good family time, good fun time together.

Last night Spring watch was on the TV. Chris Packham. Iollo Williams and Gillian were all in their local places. They did have camera crew filming them from a safe distance. Michael Strachan was in as she described a serious lockdown in Cape Town and could not appear on the show, but had done a short video.

It was a very good programme, everyone talking about the superb effects this lockdown has had on nature. How tranquil it has been, wildlife venturing into places it has not been for years, like Bottlenose Dolphins coming into a harbour they had not been seen in for 12 years. Coots and other water birds like Great Crested Grebes raising a brood on the river, as the nests have been safe and not washed away or disturbed by motor craft.

It looks as though lockdown is coming to an end starting next week. Ian & I have decided that we are keeping to our selves for at least the next 3 weeks to see if another spike occurs.

I did spend an hour with Rhiannon yesterday in her garden, safe distance of course.

Ian is gloomy about the NUFC take over as it has been reported that the World trade office is to get involved, over piracy of TV coverage. Please just let this be over with.

There was a very powerful documentary in the news last night from the Royal London Hospital, one of the worst affected during the pandemic. It was a very strong reminder as to why we have all been doing this lockdown and social distancing. It was a sobering reality check as things are starting to re open and the country makes a move back to the New Normal, whatever that is going to be!

So whats going on?

Rumblings are still going on about Dominic Cummings, having broken lockdown to get childcare for his family. The PM is to face questions today over his handling of the situation

Ian & I think Boris has lost his mojo since he became ill. He seems to lack confidence and still appears breathless.

Matt Hancock says that local lockdown may happen if flare-ups occur.

Riushi Sunak is stopping more firms furloughing as the economy starts to edge up.

New deaths continue a downward trend with 134 in the UK reported yesterday. Northern Ireland had zero deaths yesterday.

The R number is hovering just below 1 if it goes back over 1 we will get locked down again. It will be interesting to see how & if the sunny bank Holiday has had an effect on this.

A hospital in WSM has stopped accepting patients due to a high number of Coronavirus cases. There have also been several asymptomatic positive tests from the frontline workers.

Non essential shops are to reopen starting the 15^th June.

Some schools are to restart on 1^st June and car show rooms can re-open also outdoors markets

Some sporting events maybe allowed taking place behind closed doors.

Bubbles of family and friends of up to 10 people maybe allowed to meet up from next week. Perhaps only outdoor contact, more information to follow on this.

Child-minders and cleaners can now return to work.

Getting out and about

CV19 The Daily record Friday May 22^nd 2020.

60 days in lockdown 60!!!

As  I write 60 days of lockdown above, I think we (Ian & I) are not really in lockdown, certainly not at present. I think about the people that are in real lockdown. Those that have to be shielded cannot leave their own homes and possibly cannot even enjoy going onto the garden when there are neighbours around.  OK so we can’t go to the pub, meet friends, go on holiday or many of the things we normally do, but imagine not being able to leave your home for anything, not even be able to nip to the shop for a pint of milk, for 60 days or venture into your garden. This is the reality for many people.

Now I feel guilty about writing what a lovely day we had yesterday. Firstly we went over to Great Missenden to a Plant nursery that I have been waiting to reopen. It was a very windy day but a blue sky and wispy clouds made a perfect backdrop to the colourful garden. We enjoyed wandering around for a while it is not very big but so nice to be somewhere different. There were only a few people at the nursery so we could wander around freely and purchased some lovely plants. We wanted to go up to Coombe Hill for a walk but decided that it would be too windy. We scooted back home packed up a quick picnic and headed off to Hambledon. Parking in THAT car park where Sarah & I had our handbags stolen over 25 years ago!!, we walked down to the weir.

There were a few people around, loads of cyclists (who feel like they own the footpaths) so distancing was high on the agenda. We found a quiet spot overlooking the weir, ate our rolls and crisps (no pop or ginger beer) some Mallards looked longingly at Ian for a few scraps, you are out of luck there duckie. We topped it off with some of the strawberries we bought from the farm shop yesterday, delicious. It was such a nice thing to do, lovely to be out. We walked a while towards Henley until the wind really got the better of us and we retraced our steps.

Some Cygnets were up by the weir and tiny Mallards ducklings squeaked out little quacks as they paddled past us, accompanied by a worried mummy duck.

There were no boats on the river, the river levels have not been good for many months and the virus means no one is allowed to overnight on a vessel. The locks are sealed off but the lock keeper was around. Some canoeists were making the most of the high water levels thundering over the weir but we could not linger to watch as passing places over the bridge were too tight and some people could not be polite enough to wait for people to cross. We also notice that a lot of people here do not speak, say thank you or pass the time of day, must be day-trippers!

The Blue Tit chicks are still in residence and I think have got far too comfortable in that nest, being fed every two minutes. However with this wind they are better off staying put as they might get blown away. Not sure their wings would be strong enough to cope just yet.

The NUFC saga continues but it seems that it will go through very soon. Then I will be driven mad with the resurgence of football mania in the house.

We had a Vietnamese style salad for dinner with some bits and bobs that needed using up in the fridge.

Other points.

It’s a bank holiday weekend; once this wind dies down I expect people will be flocking outdoors.

Ian and I will in the main be staying well out of the way. I don’t expect that there will be much to report on so I wont be diarising until Tuesday unless something of note happens.

Have a nice weekend everyone, stay safe

When are the kids going to leave home?

CV19 The Daily record Thursday May 21^st.

Lockdown day 59.

We went to a farm shop just outside Wargrave. The A4 road was closed and we were diverted through Crazies Hill. It was a lovely drive through the countryside and a nice change. Will have to look up any see what walks we can do there, as there were a few walkers about and lots of footpath signs.

The farm shop was a little haven; Free range chickens were running around, a pot bellied pig grunted a greeting and the ducks cooled off in a small pond, alas the Reindeer were not in their usual field as it was too hot.

They are also selling plants; a wholesaler down the road whom normally supplies garden centres has been selling the plants here to the public. really big plants at great prices. We spent a fortune and used real money 1^st time for a long time. We got some Cistus and Salvias, succulent strawberries and free-range eggs. We then tried to get into a local garden centre but upon driving into the car park and seeing the cars and the queue to get in we drove straight back out.

The sun is very hot and there is no breeze today, we spend a bit of time sun worshipping and listening to the daily briefing.

The Blue tits are still here, when will those kids leave home? It's been 19 days since they hatched, we thought they might go on Thursday, but as I write this on Friday morning they are still there. Its colder and very windy today so they might stay put another day.

The remainder of the Chicken Piri Piri and salad with new potatoes was our dinner tonight and we also had a glass or 2 of Rose as we ate outdoors again.

Clap for carers was a bit of a non starter in our road although the usual suspects were out.

Other points.

Cutting edge antibody checks are to be available from next week. NHS workers to be tested first. Although I have seen you can buy a test from Superdrug for £68

Plans to issue immunity certificates to those that have had CV 19 are underway. However it is still not certain that if you have had it you are immune. This will mean that those people can be released from lockdown.

Police are to visit people returning from abroad to ensure they are self isolating, £1000 fine will be enforced if quarantine is broken.

Traffic wardens are back issuing parking fines in Marlow.

Eton school has been used as a hotel for NHS staff that cannot live at home.

Boris backs down on NHS charge for foreign workers.

South America is fast becoming a new epicentre for the virus. The infection rate in Chile trebles, and the death rate in Peru is one of the worlds fastest.

Mortgage holidays are extended for another 3 months.

UK borrowing soars to cope with impact of virus.

The Covidiots are out in force - take care out there.

CV19 The daily record Wednesday 20^th May 2020.

The hottest day of the year in Marlow we were just shy of 30 degrees.

Things continue to progress some in a good way some not so. I was shocked at the pictures of the crowds of people in WSM yesterday. The roads in Devon & Cornwall were reported to be gridlocked. People were sitting in the street in Marlow, drinking beer and eating takeaway food. It is unknown where the beer came from, as the venue reported does not sell alcohol. You probably wont remember the guy from the ship in Marlow who was one of the very first to contract the disease and end up in ICU. Well he was the one that walked down the high street and reported the goings on. You can imagine his distress at the sight of it.

OK so I maybe going overboard on this one but, hey, we have no vaccine. We do not yet have a track & trace system set up. From the get go of this they warned the second spike if it came would be worse than the first. Please folks just be patient and lets get things in place before you get out there and go wild.

I am very pleased that the green bin is now emptied, in a very short space of time it will be full again. It's too hot to garden at the moment, but we are making good use of our new sunbeds and the lockdown tan is coming on a treat.

The BBT’s are still in the nest as I write this on Thursday morning. All three of them that is. They do play a good game of hide & seek with us, in that very confined space it keeps us on our toes.

Whilst enjoying the sun I saw both Swallows and Swifts fly overhead.

I have a deep yearning to visit the coast and see the sea, it will be a while until that happens and even if we are allowed to I think I will need to be sure of being and feeling safe first. I have to make do with lovely pictures from Jeremy & Nic in Cornwall, sometimes they help sometimes they make me want to just jump in my car and drive for a long time.

Dinner last night was Piri Piri Chicken and salad. It was a whole roast in the bag chicken and was very delicious and even better as eaten outside in the warm evening air.

Other points.

Boris is talking about easing lockdown in 10 days.

Track and trace needs to be in place before this happens. However if the warm weather encourages people to go out and mingle we may have another spike. The question is. Where is the virus now, is it still out there, quietly waiting to catch us out, or has it gone away?

Easyjet are resuming flights from June 15^th. (Flaming Nora) Are the hotels and restaurants open in Portugal? Where can I buy a hazmat suit from?

Rolls Royce has cut 9000 jobs.

The Malaria pill being taken by Trump is being trialled for effectiveness in Oxford and Brighton.

The WHO yesterday reported the highest rise in cases world wide 106,000 in the last 24 hrs.

The message at present still is stay home as much as possible.

Feeling hot hot hot.

CV19 The daily record Tuesday may 19^th

Lockdown day 57.

The weather today was set to be hot! We need to grab some exercise so venture out relatively early to do a long walk. We do the Copy Farm walk in reverse, so start off going up Oak tree road onto Seymour plain and past the Llamas and guess what they are out. We scoot up a bank to let a couple pass and they tell us in rather a peevish way that they are Alpacas.

Getting across Seymour court road proved to be a bit daunting as traffic was racing past. 6 weeks ago you could have easily walked down the middle of this road no problem. We follow that track through the wood at the end of Seymour court lane and then up the steep track to Copy farm. Walking down the hill looking over the valley into Munday Dene is a real treat such a beautiful spot and peaceful too, not many people about walking.

We have to wait for the traffic to pass as we cross back over Seymour court road further down. We do not like this return to normal, the pace of life is picking up. We are not on the current flight path as the wind is coming in from the West, so no news on planes arriving.

A plant nursery has posted that they are opening up, I have been waiting for this as I need some decent plants we may venture out that way on Friday.

I must read the start of this diary episode and see how things have evolved. I know the anxiety has changed its gone from fear of being ill, very ill or dying or people you know dying, to fear of normality and every day pressure. I know we don’t have any pressure only what we bring on ourselves and I am a champion at that. I am getting flashes of anxiety but dont really know waht is the cause.

After returning home we spend the afternoon, nest watching one of the BT’s has fledged or so we think. Well there are only 2 left and big bruiser is not there.  The two remaining still have bald patches on their necks and a bit on their backs so not sure how ready they are. There is a lot of wing testing and both are now out of the main dent in the nest and hopping around inside. It is extremely hot and at 6.30 in the evening whilst we enjoy a Rhubard G&T (Thanks Joyce) it is 26 degrees.

BBQ Pork Chop, Jacket potato and rainbow slaw for dinner.

Great excitement tomorrow our green bin is going to be emptied. Ist time for 8 weeks or so. Food waste is still not being sorted and has to go in with the main rubbish. Not that we have much in that line.

We are still mainly staying at home and staying safe. People are still out every morning running and taking exercise along the street. The traffic this morning around 8 was much busier than normal and people seem to have forgotten we have speed limits.

Other points.

The Daily mail is back to mainly the usual scandal and celebrity rubbish.

Still grave doubts on whether schools should reopen on 1^st June.

Captain Tom has been given a Knighthood.

 The FTSE closed a fraction down but still over 6000.

Hurrah for the Hedgehog

CV19 The Daily record Monday May 18^th 2020.

Lockdown day 56.

Not a lot occurred here on Sunday apart from catching up with old friends on our 1^st zoom experience. Marlow and Henley parks and riverside were reported to be packed as were both the High Streets. Ian & I do not want out go out when it’s full of un-abiding citizens.

 Monday dawns a lovely day, I do a body booster wake up class. We then venture out to Aldi for a few essentials. We wear our facemasks but feel stupid doing so. However I tell myself that it is the advice if you are going to places were there are a lot of people. We have followed the advice up to now so why should I stop it because I feel silly, however wearing the mask does give you a more confident feeling. Having said that it is very quiet in the supermarket and we are in and out rapidly no queening and back home by 10.

I made a lovely Vietnamese broken rice salad for lunch. My friend Sara popped round to collect some flour (I have been dealing in this white powder quite a bit in lockdown as we have a local secret supplier) we sit at 2 metres apart in the garden for 15 minutes. It was very nice to chat face to face while sitting a while in the sunshine. No beverages were taken, its feels strange not being hospitable although I did offer.

Ian is keeping a watchful eye on the BBT’s. One of them is much bigger than the other 2. He keeps hopping out onto the edge of the nest, which allows the other 2 to get some food and also a bit of fresh air. It must be horrid having a big sibling sitting on you for the best part of the day and taking all the best grub!

Quite often as I write this I watch a family walking to school. The parents must be essential workers. I wonder what the kids think as they walk along the road, smartly dressed in school uniform, without another child in sight. Are they happy to be going to school, when friends and neighbours are home schooling in their summer clothes. Perhaps the school could have relaxed the uniform thing, but rules are rules as they say.

 As I know you like to see what were are eating.

Sunday dinner was Lamb steak with redcurrant jelly, carrots, broccoli and minted new potatoes.

Monday – John Dory oven baked with Chorizo. New potatoes and green beans.

2 of the 3 waiting for breakfast

Other news.

Today was the start of Chelsea flower show, cancelled of course. They were doing some virtual presenters gardens and clips from other years.

It appears the world is slowly opening its sleepy eyes after a bit of a rest. Europe is gently opening up. Northern Ireland is relaxing lockdown and groups of up to 6 people can now meet up.

In fear of a second spike Boris is reportedly reluctant to ease lockdown anymore until he sees what happens with the rest of the world.

The FTSE 100 closed at 6047 last night the strongest % finish in 2 months.

New infections are reported to be below 3000.

In Bradford a Dr is reporting a possible link of rise in cases to VE celebrations. There were parties held that ended up in either fights and / or embraces.

Trump says he is taking Hydroxychloroquine. This is an antimalarial drug and is not proven to be of any use in fighting CV19. He also says that he has no symptoms.

Anyone in UK over the age of 5 and displaying CV19 symptoms is now able to get tested.

Reports that the lack of taste and smell are key symptoms are causing people wonder if they have had it and hindsight causing more finger pointing at this fact not being made available.

And finally

The lack of traffic on the roads has been beneficial for our Hedgehogs reducing the mortality rate. Hurrah for the hedgehog. Having said that we have not seen our spikey friend this year.

Lovely lunchtime treat.

CV19 Saturday 16^th May 2020.

Day 54 of lockdown.

A bright day but a cool breeze, lovely and warm when the sun is out but too cold to sit out if it’s behind a cloud.

We catch up on some household chores in the morning and decide that at lunchtime we feel the need to go out for lunch. Well that can’t happen so we do something very unusual for us and order a takeaway. We choose a calzone pizza from Da Luca and its ready in 20 minutes. We sit in the kitchen and enjoy it with a glass of red wine and some salad. It was delicious, different and a treat.

The Stay Inn was open for business but only the beer garden in WSM was open as it was cold in the rest of the country. Jon had to work again on a Saturday but joined in later on.

Today was supposed to be the Eurovision song contest which of course had to be cancelled but they still dedicated an enormous amount of viewing time to it.

The remaining Blue Tits are growing fast their eyes are open and they are quite feathered up now. However this morning there appears to be only 2 left.

Nothing else to report today, as we don’t venture out much at weekends.

We had beef Ragu made from the left over short ribs with spaghetti for dinner.

Other points of note.

Boris says that he wants UK to get back to near normal by July. This does depend on the public abiding by the lockdown rules.

468 more deaths were announced yesterday taking the total to 34,466.

PM has pledged £93m for a manufacturing vaccine lab, which is to be fast tracked a year ahead of plan.

There is still disagreement as to when schools should go back.

I am increasingly confused by what is going to happen. Open schools don’t open schools, back to normal by July, No travel for the foreseeable future. I think the best thing is not to read anything or listen to the news as it just confuses us/me. We are all searching for an end to this and at present there isn’t one so I need to stop looking for answers and get on with it.

Here are some of Ians photos to make up for the lack of content today.

Sorry about the washing line but he uses it as a perch.

Turtle Dove

Baby Coot

Here are some of Ian’s photos from our Otmoor walk. On F