It's all about the running.

 
22/11

A lovely sunny morning, the mist is hanging over the river and the sun is peeping over the top of Winter Hill.
Warm up exercises done, we drive to Hurley and do our circuit run. Ian is still taking it easy, but I am now on the last run of week 8. It is only 6 degrees outside so Mr. & Mrs Bag Lady make a reappearance, but we don’t care. You need to be just the right temperature to run and we have found being cold is no good for the muscles. The mist clings to the fields and the cows mooch around in the eerie glow. We do so love this run, 2 elderly men were outside the village shop as we started off and I waved at them and said good morning, I bumped into them half way round and they shouted “well done” and “keep going”, it made me smile and really encouraged me and spurred me on. 

I am typing this up just back from Hurley and looking out the window I can’t see Winter Hill as the mist clings to the river, but the sun is above the ribbon of mist and it’s a super bright morning.
It turned into a really nice warmish day. Another tick for me as the green bin and other containers were refilled, the garden is looking a bit tidier and I am feeling happier as I have achieved something today, well 2 things really.

23/11 Monday

I forgot to mention Marlow Christmas lights last week. At 4am on the 20th November, Chris Evans and his son Noah with the help of several other people turned on the Christmas lights and lit up the bridge. They made a short film which shows them running around and driving madly up and down the high street, manually turning the lights on. It is very clever and very well done. It is on my face book page if you missed it.

Ian went for a long walk with Max, I went to the tip (oh the excitement of it all) and then walked into Marlow to collect a parcel from M&S a much better experience that last week. Marlow much better organised of course.
Boris is still in isolation but gave a briefing saying that we would go back into Tiers after the 2nd Dec but have to wait until Thursday for the details. I can barely contain myself.
We watched the new Borat film I thought Ian was going to choke with laughter apart from the obvious cringe part it was very good indeed and so nice to have a laugh for a change.

24/11

A stunning morning, the temp has risen a bit, 9 degrees, the sun is shining, and the air is fresh. Today is the 1st of my 30-minute runs and I am feeling a bit wary, no reason why I should but you know how I like to worry about nothing. Ian ran, he is ok but still taking it easy. He did manage to cover a good distance in his time.  I did my best split times and of course ran further than I have managed before.
After a well-deserved brunch we went to the Spade Oak to get our steps in and do a spot of birding. Not long into the walk I spot a small bird flying low across the lake a tell-tale flash of electric blue reveals that my suspicions were correct, and it was a kingfisher. Ian spotted a female Bullfinch feeding on wild hops and later on I saw a beautiful Goldcrest. These were our top birds of the morning. It was so lovely and peaceful; the lake was as still as could be and the light was ethereal, just perfect. The mud however was a different issue but suitably clad in wellies it did not bother us too much. 

The rules for Christmas have been announced. 3 households are to be allowed to bubble up but for a limited period of time. Boris has warned us not to throw caution to the wind, we have come so far it will be a great shame to ruin it now. The Scientists are unhappy about the relaxation and are urging people to think carefully about travel and mixing. On another note of doom, we have been warned  that Jan and Feb will be tough. Pubs and restaurants will be open for the festive period, but we are not allowed to gather in 
groups. More people will be cooking at home this year, so the fire brigade had better get some people on standby. Anyway, it’s about time to put the Sprouts on, well if you want them al dente that is otherwise it’s too late!

26/11

Chilly is the word for this glorious misty sunny morning. An absolutely delightful run was completed as the mist snaked around the river and the cows blew frosty air clouds from their nostrils. My runs start off very positive although this morning I worried the cold might seize me up, but all fine. I get halfway through and I am thinking come on you can do this as a little niggle of doubt appears. Then the last 15 minutes it’s all Wahaaayyy until the end. I even manage a good sprint at the end.
Ian has gone out for a walk with Pauric, I hope he does not overdo it as he is back on his running now with no problems this morning. We might have overdone the clothes layering this morning as both felt uncomfortable and very sweaty after the run, but it was freezing when we set off just 2 degrees. Headband and fingerless gloves were added to my running attire wardrobe. We meet very few people on our run it’s a good job, we couldn’t run in Marlow where all the lovely people (who shop in Sweaty Betty) run as I fear we would be plastered all over Marlow Life FB page. “Look what we saw when out running in Marlow Dahhling absolutely hilarious get up”. We might start a new trend “Bag lady running gear” sounds like a money spinner to me.

27/11

The Age Concern Garden has been put to bed for the winter. There was a fabulous frost this morning real hard-core stuff, but it transformed the landscape and gardens into the proverbial Winter Wonderland. Mr. Bobby Robin sat in the pear tree and accompanied my gardening efforts with his loud winter song.

Rhiannon sent me a text to say she has been pinged on the track and trace app and is having to self-isolate until the 5th of December. She went out for Sunday lunch in Tenby with her friend and they got pinged. Which just goes to show that even if the rules say you are allowed to do something it’s not always ok to do. She is less than pleased as she only came back to Marlow on Thursday so she could go to work and earn some money. She is now incarcerated in her bedroom like Rapunzel, Sophie has banned her from all alcohol and Hannah is on watch to make sure she does not escape her incarceration. I might have to rig up a pulley system with a rope and bucket, I can’t see her lasting until the 5th!

28/11

Well the day has finally arrived, and I am pleased to say that slow and steady once again won the race. Yes, I might be a snail or slow jogger, but I completed C25K today and am so very pleased it is a massive achievement for me. (Plus, I did it before Ian, but only because he has been injured) It is a very foggy gloomy sort of day, not how I had romanticised my completion of this major athletic event. I had a nice warmish sunny morning in mind, with a blue sky and gentle breeze as I crossed the finish line. Reality was cold, damp, fog and me bursting for a wee, same old really, but Jo Whiley was there to cheer me on and rain congratulations on me too. Also, just as we were getting back to the car, we bumped into some neighbours (Caroline & Richard) Ian said he had arranged a welcoming party, but they were actually just taking their dog for a walk. Ian was a tad concerned they might be saying what the hell was he wearing as they walked away, he thinks looks like he should be tied to a pole and placed in the middle of a field. I was a tad concerned about any sweaty aroma wafting about thank goodness for the 2 metre rule, every cloud and all that.
The “Stay Inn” is opening early doors today as the Rugby, England v Wales is on at 4. The Cornwall contingent are delighted as they are going to be able to get out to the pub again on Wednesday, whilst the WSM branch is in tier 3 no pub for them. We are in Tier 2 no pub for us. No Aldeburgh holiday either.
If you want to know what the tiers mean check out the government website, however I think the best interpretation is Graham Norton’s version.
Some things are open, but you can’t go. I think that just about sums it up. I can’t believe that retail is open across all tiers, what is the point in that. People will flock to the shops on Wednesday and by New year the hospitals will be full to bursting. So, folks stay indoors and stay safe.

Quotes of the week come from Donald Trump “Feeling sad at the Death of Maradona as I really liked her music”! (not sure if that one is true, but it sounds likely)

Food Glorious food.

Mince and Tatties
Spag Bol
Tuna Steak Niçoise 
Pollock & Chips
Nachos
Chicken Stir Fry

Some naughties.

Crumpets
Mince pies

But for me at least, hardly any alcohol at all, I have just gone off it. Might have a glass of Fizz later today though.

Great Crested Grebe

Lapwings

Bye for Now

 

Mr & Mrs Bag Lady go running.

 WC 16/11/20

Covid diaries November 2020

16/11

Monday morning, we awake to find that Boris is having to self-isolate after being pinged on the track and trace app. He is well with no symptoms.

Grey day weather-wise but at least the terrific wind and lashing rain have ceased. It was a bit chilly, but we walked into Marlow High street which was reasonably busy considering nothing should be open. Bumped into Max so we all sat in the Church yard and watched the river go by, no sign of the Peregrines.

Later on there was a briefing from Downing Street which announced that another vaccine, this time from  Moderna was proving very effective in fact 94.5% effective in stopping symptoms but trials are ongoing.

A rather ominous message in my opinion said that 2 mega labs are to open in 2021 for testing purposes. There will also be lateral flow testing which means we can get results within 1 hour.

New cases of the virus are again up on last week’s figures. Hull has 775 cases per 100k whilst the national Avg is 215 per 100k. Matt Hancock (why does he always wear a pink tie) said that it is painfully clear that the virus remains a potent threat. Long Covid is a real problem and 40 special long Covid clinics are to open across the country.

17/11

Another grey day but 14 degrees. I went for a run as I am now back on my C25K and hopefully this time will stay injury free. Ian went for a long walk with Max and I got my steps in later on with a walk down by the river. Exciting eh?

With a lot of help from Jon we have finished setting up the new mac and it is super wizzy, I can’t wait to see Ian’s photos on it.

2 Million people are to be placed in Scotland’s level 4 lockdown this Friday the 20th November.

Spain France and the UK have all reported more than 1 million cases and several others are reporting their highest number of cases since the start of the pandemic.

Just before retiring for the night we received an email to say that our 2022 holiday to South America has been cancelled due to CV19. The cruise company and the centre for disease control have evaluated the itinerary and have concluded for safety reasons it needs to be cancelled. Rather a long way off but I suppose they need to be setting itineraries up for the future. Chile seems to be the problem.

We had a nice face time chat with Tom who was 24 today.

18/11/20

Mainly the news is all about Christmas and how we are going to cope with it. Suggestions at present are that families can meet up from the 24th to the 28th. It all depends on what happens in the next couple of weeks, but I think this is a heads up for us to have the current lockdown extended for another week or 2.

We are currently scheduled to visit Joyce for Christmas but not sure how this is going to play out if infection rates are still high. It’s just a waiting game at the moment.

Traveling into Wycombe today it looks like the message has finally sunk in to stay at home as the roads and streets were extremely quiet.

We have our usual Aldeburgh trip planned for the 5th December. This too looks like it will have to be cancelled as we will either be in lockdown or unable to take the holiday due to the mixing of 2 households. It’s a shame but we all (Sarah, Jon & us) think it for the best in this current climate.

Coronavirus is continuing its spread across the world with almost 55 million confirmed cases in 191 countries and about 1.3 million deaths.

The FTSE closed up today @6385.

19/11

Today was a run day. We did the Hurley route and I managed WK8R2. Ian also managed a run albeit curtailed from his usual distance. However, he still managed to overtake me. I just jog along at my own pace and am quite happy with that. I did struggle a bit at the end as the old leggies got a bit tired. Still tick, tick, 1 more run then I am into the final week. Ian is also happy that he can run again, and he was sensible about taking it easy.

It was much colder today so thermal leggings were required and Ian (not me) said he looked like a bag lady, layered up in strange oddments of clothing. Me? I had some secret shorts on to keep my nether regions warm and layers under my running top and not layers over the top, like some!

 

This is not a picture of Ian, but you get my drift.

 

 What I think I look like

 

The reality. 

Later on, I finished clearing up the leaves at Age Concern and then endured 20 minutes of hell in M&S click & Collect. The hell part was due to some silver surfers, continuously moaning about anything and everything. One minute I was standing in an orderly queue nicely socially distanced when I sensed someone rather close to me, Dotty as I shall call her, was literally a foot away. So, I don’t say anything but politely move out of the way (you may remember I got snarled at in Aldi for being too close to a Dotty before) Dotty immediately takes my place in the queue pushes forward and waves a pieces of paper frantically right in the assistants face. Funny thing is she is wearing 2 masks so is more than aware of current rules. Then she proceeds to take both masks off her face, wafting them around and readjusting them, all the time the incessant moaning continues. By this time, I have moved about 20 feet away from the pair of them. Just over the aisle is Mavis who joins in the moaning and berates the staff as she (Mavis) is unable to work the self-checkout. A man then removes his mask to answer his phone whist standing in another checkout queue, unbelievable and I have to tell you all these people were in the same age bracket and quite honestly didn’t seem to give a damn about anyone else. Note to self, don’t go out to M&S at that time of day again and when older don’t be a Mavis or a Dotty. (Might be too late for the last one)

20/11

Today’s headlines read “Jab Joy” as Astra Zeneca’s vaccine is proving to be especially effective in the over 65s.

UK is preparing to carry out the 1st vaccinations against Covid19 as Pfizer seeks clearance for a roll out. It is reported that 40 mass vaccination centres will be set up across England and NHS on standby for military style operation. They are hoping to start immunisations in mid-December.

It was a cold a miserable day so we lit the fire and watched the last of Queens Gambit and caught up on the Crown.

FTSE closed this week @6351.

21/11

 Back to the Opticians today to collect the new glasses. Rugby is on the TV, the sports bar at the Stay Inn maybe open for a limited time later. Nought else to report.

Todays run postponed due to inclement weather and on the plus side the leggings might not have to make another appearance as its going to be warmer tomorrow.

Consumables.

Chicken Curry, veg curry (enough for 2 days)

Veggie Lasagne & salad

Lamb Koftas

Roast Chicken

Fish & Chips

Prawn Pad Thai

Making the most of the good weather.

 Covid Diary Saturday November 14th. Lockdown V2

Good morning readers. What a foul day it is today weather wise anyway. Lashing with rain here in Marlow but temperatures on the mild side for this time of year. Well it gives me time to write my diary and escape from cleaning the kitchen floor AGAIN.

It’s been a bit of an up and down week as it started off with me still feeling under the weather, but I soon bucked up and by Tuesday was feeling much better. Another trip to the physio has greatly improved my psoas muscle so I am able to once again increase my level of exercise. Ian is till suffering and we are both religiously doing our exercises in an effort to improve things. Well it keeps us busy too.

We have been out in the fresh air as much as possible. Ian managed a walk to Hurley and back with Max. It’s nice for both of them that they are allowed to go out together and it did Ian a world of good to get away from me for a few hours. I ventured down to age concern and filled the green bin with fallen leaves. Not a lot to do there but as it is so quiet there it was nice to escape reality myself for a while.

Ian has been on Kingfisher watch again this week but no luck. We also went to the Spade Oak yesterday in search of a Bullfinch and Treecreeper which many of the local photographers have been lucky enough to see. We were needless to say were not so lucky. It was also very muddy, and wellies were required it was very nice to get out and do a spot of birding. I saw a lovely little Goldcrest among a large flock of long tailed Tits and my first Redwings. Building of the Star Wars film set continues and is now quite visible as the leaves fall from the trees.

Friday afternoon we set off to find some wonderful sculptures up at Harleyford golf club they had been reported on Facebook. I soon checked out how to get there on the public footpath and a new walk was discovered. Walking down the track opposite where the Hare & Hound pub used to be following it along until it bends towards Temple go straight over into Harleyford estate and follow the footpath until you get to the clubhouse. It was eerie up there as no golfers around and the whole place was closed up but the sculptures were stunning. The light was getting bad so the photos I took on Ian’s phone are not so good but hopefully the ones he took will be better. I just loved the Lions up the dead tree, it took a while to notice all of them and the sharks that seem to float in the air. So very very clever.

Marlow continues to be busy. The high street is full of cars and people, what they are up to is a mystery. Several shops are open in the high street. 2 opticians, food shops, cafes and pharmacies and W H Smiths. Other places are doing takeaway food and beer too. I have heard that White Stuff are doing click and collect and any excuse to call yourself essential or key worker is used to enable any sort of trading. Well if that’s what local traders need to do, I’m all for it but it does seem excessive. So, it does not feel like there is a lockdown at all here. Only one thing, at night it is very quiet again, hardly any traffic and still limited air traffic.

Speaking of opticians, I thought I was being covid safe and went to the Marlow branch of Boots Opticians instead of Wycombe where I normally go. Bad move, as they did not have my records or anything to compare with, it set alarm bells ringing and the flaming woman has scared the living daylights out of me with talk of diabetes, high blood pressure and enlarged optics nerves. Well I know my optic nerves are odd, but I have been to the hospital and it’s all ok. My blood pressure is fine (well it was) and I really don’t think I could be diabetic. Anyway, the silly moo went and referred me to the Drs before getting any data from High Wycombe to check things out. I am less than impressed to say the least, but I will get another MOT and hopefully she is just reacting impulsively. On top of all that in my state of shock they stung me for another pair of glasses that I am not sure I really need. Grrrrrr.

 We passed the tragic milestone of 50,000 coronavirus deaths this week and this is a stark reminder of what we still have to face this winter. Cases continue to rise although there are report of levelling out in some quarters. There has been a 15% rise in Buckinghamshire in the past week.

Vaccine or no vaccine that is the question that people are now asking.  Would you have it? For months the cry has been vaccine will be our saviour and now there is a glimmer on the horizon its hmm I’m not sure.  Someone I know who has been clamouring for a vaccine since the get go, told me she is definitely not having one as it could be very dangerous. I think she is of the injecting you with false DNA school.

Strictly has also fallen foul of the virus as one of the professionals is asymptomatic and one of the judges is having to self isolate.

A massive drug and cash raids were carried out at dawn by Police on the 12th November in High Wycombe, Flackwell heath, Bourne End and Marlow. A total of 19 houses were searched following a yearlong operation. Drugs, cash and goods were seized.

Mr. Trump has gone to ground although he did make an appearance yesterday, he is like a deflated balloon but has yet to concede defeat.

Christmas lights have gone up in Marlow high street and today is Diwali. Ian is cooking a Rendang for dinner tonight.

Other meals.

Halibut Basque style (Tomato, pepper, paprika) Delicious.

Sea Bream, green beans and baby pots.

Cold beef, Potato and parsnip mash with sprouts and carrots.

Stir fry.

Toulouse Sausages mash, cabbage.

Must away now as I have to hack into Rhiannon’s Amazon prime account to watch the rugby.

Covid Special update.

 

Vaccine Breakthrough 10.11.20.

Yesterday it was announced that a significant breakthrough in the Covid vaccine being developed by Pfizer had been achieved. Early findings were that the vaccine could prevent 90% of people getting the virus. There is hope that the vaccine maybe available for certain people as early as Christmas.

We will require 2 injections and they need to be 24 days apart and immunity will be achieved 14 days after this. It is not known how long the vaccine will last for, ie annual or half yearly injections required.

There is still a long way to go but there is a glimmer at the end of the tunnel or as Boris said the bugle of the cavalry sounding in the distance. Mind you those Apaches still managed to fire a lot of arrows off as they disappeared over the brow of the hill. So, keep safe folks it’s not over just yet. Nearly but not quite.

It appears certain Marlovians have special dispensation to ignore all government advice and guidelines. If you live in Marlow feel free to gather in family groups in Higginson park, don’t worry about social distancing and intermingling with friends and family. The directive from the government is stay at home, keep your distance and wear a mask. Marlow high street is also exempt from these rules. We are surely very privileged to live in a place that is virus free and a safe place to just carry on as if nothing is wrong. 

Think on, when you can’t see your friends and family at Christmas.. were you one of these “special People”

Lockdown V2, Trump gets dumped and Mr. F loses the shorts.

The Covid diary returns. November 8th 2020.

No sooner than my last effort had been published BOJO was on the TV letting us know that from midnight on November 4th we would enter a new lockdown until Dec 2nd. Not as severe as the first one but limiting nonetheless. The list of do’s and dont's is endless but here are the main factors.

• People will be told to stay at home except for education, work (if it can't be done from home), exercise and recreation, medical reasons, shopping for food and other essentials, or to care for others

• All pubs and restaurants will have to close (takeaways and deliveries can continue)

• All non-essential shops will have to close (supermarkets can sell non-essential goods)

• Households will not be allowed to mix with others indoors, or in private gardens

• Individuals can meet one person from outside their household in an outside public space

• Support bubbles for people who live alone and households made up of single parents and children can continue

• Children will be able to move between homes if their parents are separated

• Schools, colleges and universities will remain open

• Workplaces will be asked to stay open if people cannot work from home - including construction and manufacturing

• Outdoor exercise and recreation will be allowed, but gyms will have to close

• Clinically vulnerable people are advised not to go to work if they are unable to work from home

. Kids sports are suspended.

Things different to last lockdown.

Dentists and other medical services will be operating as normal as possible. Garden centres, DIY stores remain open and Ian received an email from Majestic to say they will be open. Pubs are now allowed to sell takeaway booze.

Public toilets are allowed to be open, Schools and Colleges remain open, bubbles exist and click and collect is available from shops too. Plus you can sit on a bench with a friend but only 1 of them. There is no formal shielding in place.

Furlough has been extended until March 2021.

Tips and recycling centres remain open and refuse collection will continue as normal. Hurrah for green bin collection.

So basically, for me & Ian nothing changes much apart from meeting our friends. So, we went out for another last hurrah dinner at Cote with Martyn and Sue. We went early doors to avoid too much mixing with other people, but it soon filled and was very busy, so we made a hasty exit. This is the 1st and probably the last time we have been to Cote in 2020. Sad.

It was a very cold night with a blue moon and to our amazement the gritters were out.

Cases continue to rise in the area and are now over 1000 in Wycombe but 136 in 100k  in Bucks. I had a message from NHS to say Marlow had moved into tier 2 but as we are in lockdown feel it was irrelevant, I then had another message a few hours later to say National restrictions apply.

We have managed a few walks, but Ian’s knee continues to hamper him. However, there is a Kingfisher which is frequenting Marlow lock, so he has kept himself amused by trying to photograph it. I am the chief spotter and best picture location advisor.

He has also been busy watching the IPL which finishes today so he needs to be able to get back walking or find another thing to keep him occupied.

Ian has done very well but now has to concede that’s it's too cold for shorts so he is back in long trousers.

I have done quite a lot of gardening and managed to get the majority of the bulbs in too. However, I fear I had overdone things as have been very tired and a bit off the last couple of days.

Several trips to John Lewis were made this week to scout out and purchase a new imac as ours had got so slow it was hardly worth the effort turning it on. The new imac is rather good although it is taking a bit of getting used to. Dr Mac has been invaluable in helping me out as usual. Thanks Jon.

Good news from across the pond as Mr. Trump has been defeated in the US elections. He appears not to be accepting the fact and the usual cries of cheats and illegal goings on are flung around along with the threat of lawsuits. There is one thing for sure, he is belligerent and a very sore loser.

As the pubs and dining places shut their doors the “stay Inn” stays open and normal service was available last night 7th November. The news that Biden had finally won came in when we were “open”so celebratory drinks were taken. Jokes and videos of Trump were circulating which gave us a good laugh too.

Getting a bit tired now so will close off, hoping to post some Kingfisher pictures soon.

Take care everyone.

Let me in I'm cold

Sunset at Marlow Lock on Kingfisher watch.