Friday, 8 May 2020

Birdsong fills the air.

CV19 The Daily Record 7th May 2020.

45 days in lockdown.

It’s a super sunny morning, top down on the Saab and we drive to Bourne End in search of asparagus for dinner, and other veg of course. Whist at the veg man we also purchase a hanging basket, these are the best ones around and very reasonably priced into the bargain.
As we are out in this neck of the woods we walk from Flackwell Heath down through the stony hill field where the Skylarks live. The dense clover hides the Larks but they are still singing away. Many take to the sky as we walk along up and up they go singing away. Two Kestrels sit up on an overhead wire scanning the ground for mice or baby larks?
At the bottom of the hill we take a sharp right hand path back up another hill not so steep but still need a rest once we reach the top. We enter the woods, which are cool and dappled with sunlight. The last time we were here (April 7th) there was barely a leaf on a tree, and I took a tumble and landed on my face. I am treading very carefully. There is a slight debate as to which way to go, its amazing how different things look after a month and how much the vegetation has grown up. As you come out of the wood you enter a tiny valley with very steep slopes either side, it is very picturesque especially on a warm spring day. Temperatures today are more like June or July at around 22.
Past the Crooked Billet (Still shut) we cross the road and one last final blast up a steep hill and we are back into Flackwell Heath. 4.6 miles.
We have lunch and then guess what, yes we sit in the garden. I had a face time chat with my friend Sara. My brother face timed too. Sara was telling me a hilarious story about an online Mandarin course she did on Monday. She has done so much during lockdown it’s incredible. Been on so many courses and exercise classes it make you dizzy. My brother tells me he is learning to play the flute, which he is enjoying, but he is not sure how the rest of the family feel about it.
I water the garden and do the ironing before dinner, then its out to clap for carers and chat to neighbours. We arrange to meet up for a drink at 6pm tomorrow to celebrate VE day.
 We have a quick FT with Jeremy and Nic and then an early night.

Grilled Halibut, Asparagus and buttered Cornish potatoes for dinner, oh and a glass or 2 of Sauvignon Blanc.






Other points.

It is the end of the 2nd 3 week lockdown today, so the government by law have to announce the next stage. As expected the lockdown continues as Boris is going to update us on Sunday as to how we handle the easing. The press are in uproar and want to know now. Dominic Raab getting a grilling but holds firm.

Both the infection rate and the death rate in the UK continue to flatten out, although there were 50 deaths reported in 1 day in Scotland.
British cheese manufacturers are struggling, as the hospitality sector remains shut. High quality cheeses usually sold to restaurants and deli counters have to be thrown away.

Australia begins 3-step plan to reopen country.

This is the 7th week of clap for carers.


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