Lockdown V2 is looming

Mainly this week we have been plagued with rain then some rain and perhaps a bit more rain. This morning Saturday 31st Oct it is monsoon weather here in Marlow. Gale force winds and torrential rain, apparently this is storm Aiden. Hello Aiden hurry up and pass by please. I can barely see across to winter hill from the study as the rain lashes against the window. Willow is snuggled up in his little cosy bed by my side, best place for him. However it is not cold and Ian is still wearing shorts, yesterday it was up to 17 degrees. Plants are still blooming in the garden and it is very colourful for this time of year, we have had a couple of frosts but no damage done. Because of the rain I am unable to get out and do any gardening, must get out before Wednesday as its green bin day and there is a lot of work to do. The Pandemic is affecting charities badly and our manager at Age concern is having to be “let go” as they cannot afford to pay her as there is no money coming in due to the pandemic. I had a visit to the osteopath on Tuesday as I have damaged a muscle which is affecting me quite badly it is very painful,it is getting better after some painful manipulation. She advised me to get a foam roller and do certain exercises. Foam rollers are implements of extreme torture it is used for self myofascial release. It does the trick to release the muscle at a pressure point but the intensity of pain is almost unbearable. We have ventured out a few times this week, had a trip to John Lewis to investigate a new imac, met with Sara for a coffee at Stubbings, had dinner out at Da Luca with Pauric and Coleen and did the scarecrow walk at Marlow Bottom followed by a tea and cake in the Tin Town café. As Halloween trick or Treat is cancelled this year Marlow bottom have come up with an ingenious idea for the kids (for the record I don’t like T or T as it is not a British thing and quite frankly I don’t understand small children having the bejesus frightened out of them with ghoulish behaviour.) anyway I digress, So the scarecrow trail was developed as an alternative. People have made the most amazing scarecrows and the kids get a map and follow the trail. When they find a scarecrow the parent (or guardian, grandparent etc) then gives them a treat. The kids loved it and I must admit the scarecrows were excellent. This was about the only day that we didn’t suffer the aforementioned rain. It was drizzly but 16 or so degrees so suitably attired we did part of the walk, couldn’t manage them all sadly. We also had a run out to the farm for eggs and were delighted to see the Reindeer now resplendent in their white winter coats. Now the bad news. Residents of Buckinghamshire have received a letter from Bucks county council asking us to adhere to tier 2 rules even though we are not in tier 2. Again this was met with outrage from some quarters but makes complete sense to me. My brother in Nottinghamshire has been moved into tier 3 directly from tier 1 but Notts was in tier 2 in other boroughs. Seems a bit harsh. Lancashire, South Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, Warrington, Liverpool, Manchester are all in tier 3. West Yorks and the North East are on the edge of tier 3. However this morning is has been reported that we may go into full country lockdown on Wednesday 4th November until the 1st of December. There are now notices in Marlow High Street warning of the rise in infection rates here and asking people to take care. I have heard of people not checking in on the track and trace app in case they get contacted. It depends on what you read or listen to, as the media still write conflicting reports. This morning we are told that England is at crunch point and are predicting 4 thousand deaths a day unless drastic action is taken immediately. Mortgage holidays and the furlough scheme ends tonight but different support measures have been put in place although they are not as generous as the current scheme. Tough times lie ahead of many people financially, health wise both physical and mental. I hope we have another good winter to help us get through this depressing and horrid time in our lives. I continue to mess up. Last week you may recall that I gave Sarah a bacon sandwich well I have been at it again. As I was putting away my ironing earlier in the week Willow must have wandered in to the wardrobe when I wasn’t looking, he loves a dark hidey-hole. Anyway we then went out for a few hours and could not find him upon our return. Entering the bedroom I encountered a whiff of an unpleasant aroma and a tiny squeak coming form the wardrobe. Poor little thing he’d been in there for hours and left me a little present. After scoffing down a good feed he took to his bead and slept for a long time but no harm done although I am still getting a few dark stares from him. Hmm they say these things come in 3’s so Ian had better look out this week. I must away now as the rugby will soon be on, this is the final of the six nations that was cancelled in March this year. It should be exciting as England Ireland and France are all with a chance of winning. The Evanses are coming round but we shall be socially distanced, Poor Willow will no doubt be traumatised with the shouting from the Welsh contingent. Dinners. Chicken Curry Liver, Leeks and bacon. Pork in Beer Fish pie At da Luca we shared a Frito Misto to start and then I had pasta calabrese with nduja spiced pork and Ian had the massive calzone. Tonight is steak night. Have a good week everyone and keep safe.

Apologies for the random order of the photos but blogger have changed things and I cant work out how to move things about or put captions on. The cat one is just to lighten things.. although thats an idea if I get bored. Snip snip.

Beautiful Autumn days.

Well where did that week go, its just gone in a blur and not an alcoholic one I hasten to add. Both Ian and I have been off the booze for quite a while now; off as in just don’t fancy a drink. No bad thing eh. We have the occasional one now and again as we did when Sarah and Jon came to stay last weekend. As I said in the beginning where did that week go? Seems like yesterday we were prepping to eat out at the Vanilla pod. Speaking of which another fabulous luncheon was taken there last Saturday, excellent in everyway. Coronavirus also had an impact on our behaviour and kept us out of the pub for a pre and or post snifter, helping our health and our pockets too. See every cloud and all that. It was lovely to have visitors it’s been such a long time and we all enjoyed a fairly normal weekend. We have managed a few walks this week, Burnham Beeches was the venue for a change as I had a yearning for a walk in the woods, lovely sunshine, blue sky and the magic of the trees turning the woods into a blaze of colour. Copper leaves carpet the ground and masses of acorns litter underneath the beautiful ancient oaks. I did a walk there with Ian and the following day did a different walk with Rhiannon we were lucky to spot 3 deer grazing on the edge of the woods. Friday night Donna and Paul came round and we had a good catch up, as we had not seen them for a while. A late night by our standards and although I drank very little I could not sleep and was still awake at 2am, so today I am a bit grouchy. High winds and rain are forecast any minute here so I fear no walk will be partaken today; I will struggle to get my 10k steps a day this week. I watched the secret garden and although it was a long time ago that I read the book I was disappointed in it. It didn’t have the magic of the book and was sickly sweet in its adaptation. Mixed messages about the virus continue. London moves into tier 2 and Greater Manchester and South Yorkshire move into Tier 3. Wales is in a circuit lockdown for 16 days. Essential travel only in or out, pubs restaurants and hospitality shutdown. Only essential shopping allowed and no mixing of households inside or out. Marlow remains in tier 1 and medium risk but cases are rising in High Wycombe and Slough and Windsor / Maidenhead is heading for tier 2. There are large electronic signs as you enter Wycombe and near Beaconsfield announcing that covid cases are rising rapidly in the area and to take appropriate action. Bucks council has sent out an advisory directive asking people to limit contact with others to avoid moving into tier 2. This has been met with mixed emotions and down right stupidity by some of the comments on the website. Its just common sense to limit contact and just because the Government has not yet implemented it does not mean that it is a outrageous request. Listening to Graham Norton on the radio while I write this and Maria McErlane was on a train when an announcement was made to say that they were now entering a tier 2 zone and to take appropriate action. Worthy of note I thought if not only for its Sci-Fi quality but also as a mark of where we are at present. British summertime ends tonight and the clocks go back. We are not looking forward to the early darkness but the fire is ready for lighting and a good stock of red wine is on hand. I must mention that I had a massive senior moment on sunday morning when I gave Sarah a bacon and egg sandwich. Sarah has been veggie for as long as I can remember, I dont know what came over me or where my head was at. I think I was too busy trying not to over cook Jons egg. Anyway no harm done and it was soon remidied sorry Sarah.

Week commencing Monday 12th October 2020. CV 19 kicks off big time again. At present there is no easy answer to this problem so why do we keep expecting one to appear or the government to magically pull something out of the hat. On one hand the virus is rapidly increasing, this calls for a national lockdown which was proven earlier in the year to reduce the infection rate. On the other hand there is a need to keep the economy going. Hello! We cannot have it both it just does not work. There is no balance between the 2 and that folks is that sad place we find ourselves in. The country said that a national lockdown would be disaster for the economy and peoples heath and that hot spot lockdowns were what was required, Boris then instigates hot spot lockdowns but no, that is not right and the new out cry is for a National Lockdown. God help me. What is happening is a disease and no one here is to blame for it. We have to get on with our lives as best as we can. I do understand that as I sit here in my ivory tower that I do not feel the weight of hardship of not being able to work, pay the bills or look after children. I am trying to record how I feel about what is happening for my diary and do not wish to offend anyone. But the reality is the disease cannot be allowed to run amok. The infection rate is over 16 thousand people a day here in the UK compared with 6 thousand at the earlier peak. Thankfully the death rate is nowhere near what is was then but people are still dying. Hopefully it will remain at a low rate but if it increases at the same rate as the infections it will be a total disaster. As I started out saying there is no easy answer to this I only wish there was. This week saw the introduction of a 3-tier system of lockdown for England Medium, High & Very High.

Nightingale hospitals in the North are to be put on standby. Buckinghamshire rates are increasing dramatically 87 per 100k compared to 22 per 100k last week. It has quadrupled in less than 7 days. Infection is predominantly in younger people but this is beginning to change. Wales is trying to implement a ban on travel into the country from Covid hot spots. Lancashire moves into Tier 3 whilst Manchester refuses to accept the situation. Slovenia tightens restrictions as cases spike and Poland urges people not to travel abroad whilst France reported over 30,000 new cases on Thursday. Other countries across Europe introduce tougher restrictions as cases surge. On a happier note (not) Brexit is looming fast and not so furious, it will creep in under the door and none will notice that we have a no deal or a bad deal. Autumn is in full swing and we have had some lovely days weather wise. As I look out of the window of my Ivory tower I can see the leaves turning colour on Winter Hill and recall watching the spring unfold whist I wrote my diary during the early hours of the morning of lock down 1. We have been out for a few walks this week but not ventured too far. I am currently engrossed in a jigsaw of Trafalgar Square which is quite difficult as it has so many windows. Looking forward to the weekend as Jon and Sarah are coming to stay and we are going to the VP for lunch. There is nothing else of note to report, not even anything exciting to eat. Spaghetti meatballs. Lamb Steaks. Pulled pork (not as good as last time) Smoked haddock risotto (which stank the house out for days.) Steak & frites. Chinese stir fry. Breaking news! Boris has just given a briefing 16.10.2020 and the infection rate per day is anywher from 22 thousdand to 74 thousand.

Getting ready for winter, Trump goes crazy and whos that knocking on the door?

It’s been a bit of mixed bag weather wise this week. Some days started off cool & wet and then turned hot & sunny and vice versa. Still it means we have been able to get out & about everyday. We have done quite a few river walks in Marlow and Hurley, the path from Marlow to Hurley was flooded early on in the week and on Thursday the river was very high indeed and flowing rapidly too. It’s a bit worrying to have so much water around so early on in the season and to have flood warnings issued. It does not bode well! Friday morning we awoke to a frost, quite a shock to see but it made for a beautiful autumnal walk, the leaves are starting to turn and the frost prompted some to fall and join the carpet of acorns, conkers and sweet chestnuts that are abundant this year. People are out gathering sloes and there have been complaints that the bushes have been stripped bare by greedy sloe gin makers. Sloes are best after a frost has been on them but as with all things a “life hack” has been spread about that you can avoid the wait by putting them in the freezer. How does it go? Patience is a virtue. We managed a bit of gardening and I visited the age concern garden to tidy it up and plant some bulbs. It is sad as it remains closed as it was planned to reopen for a pop in and chat venue 3 days a week but with the virus on the up again this has had to be shelved. The mental health and indeed the physical health of our usual visitors remains a big concern. Wednesday night we went out for dinner with Martyn and Sue to Da Luca, I was not impressed with my meal of veal escalope as I felt it had been precooked and then reheated. Ian had a massive calzone that he managed to get through even after a starter of mussels. It was nice to be out even though we had to eat indoors but they are very good with safe distancing thing. Ian had a haircut and I had my flu jab. We had our logs and coal delivered so we are all ready for winter now, Ian spent a happy few hours building up his log pile.Yes it’s been an exciting week for us, we can barely contain our excitement. Lets talk about Donald Trump, where to start. Well he claims he feels fitter and better than he has for years, yes Donald you are pumped full of steroids that is why you feel so good, sadly not a miracle from God as you seem to think it is. This week saw the President organise a cavalcade drive round outside the hospital where he is in quarantine (or perhaps not) so he could wave to his supporters despite still being Covid positive. Nancy Pelosi is to evaluate the Presidents mental health as he claims to have been cured of Covid and says 'I'm a perfect physical specimen and I'm extremely young. And so I'm lucky that way,' He is 74 and classified as obese. Trump says she is crazy and trying to plot a coup. He also says he is not contagious at all, removes his mask and states he is cured and probably immune from the Chinese plague. Back this side of the pond. The virus is still increasing rapidly. New restrictions came into force last night in Scotland – no alcohol to be served indoors and opening hours for hospitality is 6am to 6pm. Outdoor drinks are allowed. Pubs and restaurants in 5 areas will be shut from Friday 9th October for 16 days. England - there will be an announcement on Monday 12th October about new and stricter restrictions for England. A 3-tier system is to be implemented which is mainly affecting the north of the country at present. However London is reportedly on the brink of a lockdown. I don’t really understand some reports in the papers as we in South Bucks are classed as being in the red zone. We have 55 per 100k where as Newcastle, which is also in the red zone, has 516 per 100k. Its not like we are getting out much and a further lockdown wont really affect us as long as the shops., garden centres and DIY stores stay open. I must go and calm Willow down as the doorbell has just rung, not only that he recognised the voices as belonging to the bangy noisy builders and it has thrown him into a state of terror.

Perhaps the last Hurrah for a while.

The 23rd of September we went to Arundel for a couple of days, a Travel Zoo deal. We met up with Liz & Ray and all stayed at the Norfolk Arms in Arundel. Up until today the weather has been glorious, sunny and warm and actually quite hot at time beautiful weather. Today however it has tuned and is much cooler and as we get nearer to Arundel it starts to rain. We park the car and go to reception and report into a grumpy receptionist who barks at us that we must pay £5 a night for the car and are not allowed to check in until 3. We meet L&R in a café and work out what we are going to do over the next couple of days and have a coffee in the riverside café. This is followed by a mooch around the town and eventually end up in the Swan for a beer. The new covid track and trace app is available today so we download that and check in. A brisk walk up to the Cathedral, a very steep hill has some of us puffing but I am glad that one of them is not I, our increased exercise load seems to be paying off. The Cathedral is shut. Some retail therapy is partaken and we return to the hotel for a freshen up before dinner. The hotel is sad looking, shabby and in need of a refurb, the room is clean as is the bathroom but the communal areas need brightening up, it is quite a cold depressing place at present. A pre-dinner drink in the Swan and then onto the Parsons table for dinner, which as always was very very good, despite the Turbot special being off the menu. Covid rules are strict and getting stricter from Tomorrow. Sorry cant really remember what we ate, I had Duck, liz had sea bream and risotto, ray had Lamb and Ian had some sort of beef. Kept awake a lot of the night with howling winds and pouring rain. However we awake to a bright sunny morning and have a walk before breakfast. Today new rules are in force, you must wear a mask in enclosed public places unless you are seated. Its table service only in pubs and restaurants. If you get up to go to the loo or entering or leaving you must wear a mask. Track and trace is enforceable today and you need to check in using the NHS app, the establishments own app or leave a name and contact details. This is applicable in cafes, pubs and restaurants. After a hearty breakfast Liz & Ian try again to get into the Cathedral and Ray & I take a stroll around the town. It is a very pretty place and there is lots of history to be learnt here. We will come back when things are more amenable and get to know the history a bit more. Cathedral visit achieved but it was rather dull and they had to insist they were allowed in, as it’s not open for tourists but both being of the Catholic faith they managed to blag their way in as there was a mass being held. A tour of the Castle gardens and the Castle itself is the order for the next part of today. We find a craft fair just outside and end up buying 7 wasgijs, enough to keep us going through the next period of isolation perhaps. The castle gardens were stunning, full, of flower and very cleverly done, it was a nice sunny day and we spent a good while walking around and enjoying it, plenty to see. Inside the castle was just as good, the family still live there but you can get into a lot of the rooms, it is truly a lovely place to visit. Back outside and the water garden are next on the agenda, hmm water garden yes but we got more water than we bargained for as the heavens opened and a torrential storm came in. We did make it to the garden but had to abandon and took sanctuary in a nearby public house, which was very good indeed. After a quick snack for lunch, the rain continues, so we abandon things and go back to the hotel and let the umbrellas dry out in the bath. It would have been nice to have sat by a roaring fire and enjoyed a glass of red but no such delights we to be had. We also had water coming in through our celling at one stage and although it was promptly sorted (Pigeon poo being the problem) There was no apologies from reception or even acknowledgement, or question if everything was now OK. Dinner that evening was at Butlers and very nice place only marred by the fact that the manager kept removing her face shield whilst showing other unmasked guests to their seats. This made Ian really mad and I had to prevent him from making a scene about it. However he was right but perhaps not in the best frame of mind to point it out to her. Even the waitresses were complaining that she was not following her own rules. Nuff said. Dinner was (Ian & I had the same) Lamb breast coated with a herby crust and served with a bacon jam. Delicious. Main was fresh grilled place with shrimps and asparagus, really lovely. Ian had a pud but the rest of us were too full. Out of the restaurant and back to the hotel by 9.45 and straight to our rooms as everywhere has to shut by 10pm, customers and lights out! There is a very good butcher in Arundel and after another good breakfast we take advantage and stock up on some good meat. We asked if they had any pigs cheeks and were promptly treated to pigs head being paraded in front of us and the cheeks removed rather swiftly and skilfully. With our purchases stashed in the car, we bid farewell to Liz, Ray and Arundel and head home via the M25 that was a horrendous traffic jam for some unknown reason. We did have a lovely time, nice to be away somewhere different and meet up with friends but very nice to be back in our own bed after 2 nights of very little sleep. Nice to be home. Boris gave a briefing on the 30th September. WARNING behave or you will get locked down. Cases are on the increase and climbing rapidly. . This week there has been the biggest daily rise in cases since the pandemic began 32 billion pieces of PPE have been stockpiled and 14 million people have downloaded the track and trace app. People continue to flout the rules and gather outside pubs and clubs in large groups. Also after closing time they are taking to the street to carry on drinking and socialising. People and the media say the governments rules are not working, its not the rules that don’t work its because some people are ignoring them. It makes me so cross to hear people whinging on why have the government shut down their town, its because people are spreading the virus by socialising, its not difficult to understand. One woman who claimed Bolton had been victimised said that they all just walked down the road to a pub that was outside the area. I rest my case. At present there is no increase in school age children testing positive. In 17-21 year old is where the problem lies (see above). Up tick in 75-85 being hospitalised and people being admitted to ICU. It was reiterated that the NHS was open for business and people should get medical help if they are suffering from other illnesses. However they warned if covid takes off again normal services would be reduced. So we have all been told. Hands, Face , Space. Take heed or things will get worse. Next morning the papers are saying its all levelling off. Where the hell did that come from, and if it is levelling off shouldn’t they at this stage keep that bit of info to themselves or the revellers will just go back to revelling and spreading? Cases in High Wycombe are continuing to increase up to 242 this morning from 6 about 3 weeks ago. An old lady bellowed at me in Aldi this week to keep way from her, Stay back she shouted, you are so impatient. I was only putting my groceries on the belt and was at least 2 metres from her. She was very rude I think that she was very frightened and it is sad that we are reduced to this fear. She only had a few items and had probably popped out whilst it was quiet and I had inadvertently upset her. Felt bad about that. 4th Oct 2020 Trump and the 1st Lady have got Coronavirus. DT is in hospital although it looks like a lavish hotel suite (Obvs not the Norfolk Arms then). He has been given the Regeneron drug and claims its is a miracle from God. Boris has today warned that it will tough in the next few weeks and months and bumpy after Christmas. He is planning to relax the rule of 6 on Christmas day and let student go home for the festive period. It seems that the levelling off is due to a miscounting and a technical error. So is it really increasing I am still confused. It is freezing cold today and pouring with rain, hopefully this will keep people from socializing too much. Yesterday we ventured out whilst there was a break in the rain only to be turned back as the A404 at Bisham was flooded, we had a change of venue for a quick bout of exercise and fresh air, later managed to top up our steps with a walk into town and round the park. No such luck today. Now I must get back to my WASGIJ.