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.