A big tick of a day.

 Very dodgy weather is causing us problems. Well in as much as it is curtailing our long-awaited DOING SOMETHING DIFFERENT.

We did manage a day round trip to WSM for Sarah’s birthday. It was rather windy and quite a bit chilly but so lovely to meet up in person and enjoy a nice meal.

Avoiding the showers and high winds some walks have been partaken and some gardening completed. However, the mix of warmish weather and plenty of rain has spurted the growth of weeds, so as fast as you pull them out turn your back and they have grown again.

We lost our small Buddleia in the front garden to the high winds last week, which means we now have a lovely view of next doors bins. So, its thinking caps on to see what we can plant to replace it.

We have booked a little getaway around the end of June and we are both looking forward to that. I just hope it is not curtailed due to the India variant.

I have also got my confidence back and went for a run, however, still have the scabs from the last one. (Nice! sorry to share that.)

Sorry I cant update you on the Blue Tits as the darn wifi thingy is playing up again. Willow is ok  he is a bit needy and follows us everywhere, well when he is not asleep, pulling his fur out or crying for some titbit that he then refuses to eat.

 

Yesterday we went to a new pub not too far away. It was just an off the cuff thing. Having said that we are fed up with sitting out in the cold eating we (Me) had to get out. What a fabulous meal and afternoon we had. Fantastic food, rather different than the norm for a pub. The sun shone for the most part and we finished it off with a walk around Charvil country park. I was planning on a glass of vino in the summerhouse upon our return home, but the aforementioned wind and rain returned so that took the edge off the idea. A cup of tea was enjoyed just a much.

 I had onglet steak, with watercress fries and Chimichurri sauce. Ian had Pork Schnitzel with a fried duck egg, caper, parsley, anchovy butter, crispy pancetta and fries. There was a lovely sounding Rhubarb and flapjack crumbl’e]]]]]]]pol0 ha ha Willow just stood on the keyboard. That was crumble and custard, but we declined it. We both really enjoyed the food, the venue (its right next to a ford in a river) and the service. Ian even saw a Kingfisher. 

On the way home we stopped at the egg/reindeer place and the first of this year’s homegrown strawberries were out so we bought some. The owner came along to stock up the eggs and gave us a carton of cream to go with them how lovely was that.

Big tick of a day.

Update on how some parts of the world are currently coping with Covid 19.

 

 

Update on the Pandemic across Europe.

 

France is easing itself out of lockdown. From the 3^rd May people were allowed to travel further than 10 km from home. Shops and Cafes expected to open again Mid May.

From 19^th May curfew will start later at 21.00.

Germany has set a new law which enables government to impose curfew and shut schools if the infection rate rises. Cites that have a higher ratio of 100 infections per 100,000 inhabitants have to impose the measures.

Italy mostly is now in a yellow zone which means that bars and restaurants can reopen. Some outdoor cultural events are allowed, but there is a curfew between 22.00 and 5.00. Masks are compulsory in all public spaces indoors and outdoors.

Denmark. Shops are open, outdoor eating is allowed with indoors to resume in May. There is a Corona pass for everyone aged over 15, its available on phone or paper and shows if people have been vaccinated, previously infected or had a negative test. People need to show this to gain access to bars restaurants, museums or hairdressers.

Greece From May 15^th Tourists re allowed to visit if they have been vaccinated or have a negative test. Restaurants open for outside seating.

Poland. Shopping centres and hotels and hairdressers are open.

Czech republic. Shops open from 10^th May outside seating in restaurants from 17^th May.

Spain. Tourists are welcome from June but there may be health certificates required at airports. Catalonia has allowed movement between zones and in Valencia the number of persons allowed into bars and restaurants is being eased.

Belgium schools have reopened and a ban on non-essential travel has been lifted. Outdoor dining allowed from 8^th May and you can get your hair done.

Portugal. Museums, hairdressers and café terraces are open. Higher capacity for weddings and baptisms allowed.

Sweden avoided imposing rules, but new laws have come into force. Visitors to shops are limited also in cafes and restaurants.

Densely populated regions have been asked to impose a personal lockdown. Masks are required in public places and transport.

 

England from 17^th May.

 

Outdoor gatherings to be limited to 30 and indoor to 6 from 3 different households.

Meeting friends, we are asked to exercise caution and consider guidance on risks.

Cinemas, theatres, bowling alleys, concert halls, casinos, museums etc are allowed to open with covid secure measures.

Restaurants, pubs, bars and cafes can reopen.

Gyms and organised sports classes can take place.

All holiday accommodation will be open including hotels and B&B’s. Groups of up to 6 or 2 households.

There will no longer be a legal restriction or permitted reason to travel internationally. There will be a traffic light system for international travel and rules for when returning to 

England depending whether you have been to a green, amber or red list country.

Face coverings are still required in indoor settings.

Rapid lateral flow testing in available and you are requested to test yourself 2x a week.

 

Summary of coronavirus in the UK. Updated 

Testing

There were 955,467 tests reported on 10 May 2021. This shows an increase of 6.4% compared to the previous 7 days.

Between 4 May 2021 and 10 May 2021, there have been 6,619,909 tests.

Cases

2,474 new people had a confirmed positive test result reported on .

Between 5 May 2021 and 11 May 2021, 15,895 people had a confirmed positive test result. This shows an increase of 12.2% compared to the previous 7 days.

Vaccinations

Vaccines are currently given in 2 doses, at least 21 days apart.

35,587,348 people had been given a first dose by the end of 10 May 2021.

18,088,385 people had been given a second dose by the end of 10 May 2021.

Healthcare.

116 people with coronavirus went into hospital on 5 May 2021.

Between 29 April 2021 and 5 May 2021, 767 went into hospital with coronavirus. This shows a decrease of -18.7% compared to the previous 7 days.

There were 1,108 patients in hospital with coronavirus on 9 May 2021

There were 143 coronavirus patients in hospital beds with a mechanical ventilator on 9 May 2021.

Deaths

There were 20 deaths within 28 days of a positive test for coronavirus reported on 11 

May 2021.

Between 5 May 2021 and 11 May 2021, there have been 86 deaths within 28 days of a positive coronavirus test. This shows a decrease of -6.5% compared to the previous 7 days.

India.

A devastating second wave is causing widespread shortages of oxygen, medicines and hospital beds. There have been record numbers of cases and deaths.

There are over 300,000 cases a day being reported this is being fuelled by a new variant and causing over 3000 deaths a day. The true numbers are likely to be much higher. In total India has confirmed more than 18 million positive tests and 200,000 deaths.

The country now has the highest demand for oxygen out of low to upper middle-income countries.

Train carriages have been converted into medical wards. About 4000 carriages are being used to help with mild to moderate symptoms. The trains can be driven to cities and towns where required, they have beds, bathrooms, power points for medical equipment and oxygen. Also, sports halls and stadiums have become treatment centres. Some of the beds used are made from cardboard.

India’s funeral services are overwhelmed, and makeshift facilities are used for mass cremations. One facility in Delhi is building pyres in the car park.

All adults in India are now eligible to be vaccinated. About 150 million shots have so far been given this is equivalent to 11.5% of 1.3 billion people. Despite being the worlds largest producer of vaccines there is an internal shortage and a temporary hold on exports of AZ has been placed.

UK – today (13.05.21)it is reported that we may need localised lockdowns to control the spread of this variant. Sage has called an emergency meeting, and this may cause a push back of the fourth step of lockdown on 21^st June.

520 cases of the variant have been found in 7 areas of the UK. It is officially known as B.1.617 and was first detected in India in October 2020.

PHE say that there is currently no evidence that this is more serious than previous mutations or that it is resistant to current vaccines.

 

A bit of more normal life. Sorry for the delay.

May the 4th (be with you) 2021

 Well folks it’s been a long time since I posted. I got a bit bored with nothing to write about except the same old thing.

 

Below  this post is a diary entry that didn’t get previously posted.

 

Coronavirus in the UK seems to be under control. I am not sure what is the main reason for this. The vaccine or the massive restrictions we have been under for what seems like a very long time, or both. Only one death was reported in England yesterday. Things are still quiet around Marlow; the roads are not busy but there are a few more people around at night. Walking home from goodness knows where in the early hours of the morning.

India is really struggling with the virus at the moment. 20 million cases and a severe oxygen shortage is being reported today. The IPL (Cricket) has been indefinitely suspended due to the virus.

 Things also seems to be settling down in the EU after a very hit and miss vaccination roll out. Holidays in Europe should soon be allowed if you fancy mixing with the masses. I can’t say that I fancy that at present. I need to have a bit more time to see how things turn out. Being outdoors is the answer, indoors with strangers is not advisable in my book.

 

 

Its been a poor bank holiday weather wise with strong winds and rain coming in from the South West, but it’s not really cold.

Our Blue Tits have hatched and looks like we might have 8 or 9 babies. I have spent the best part of 2 days trying to get the TP links working, very frustrating. In the end we pulled the POE wire into the living room and hey presto it works. So, it must be the wiring or interference from appliances in the kitchen. It all worked last year, and nothing has changed so drawn a blank on that one. Downside is we have a wire trailing all the way through the kitchen each time we want to look at the nest. After this year we might be able to get a better solution.

 

I have been spending a lot of time getting the garden up to scratch again. It was very pretty in. the spring and is currently transitioning to the next stage. Until this week we had no rain at all in April, we had snow but no rain. I have had to water the garden several times and I am fearful that I am losing one of my Daphne’s and perhaps a Clematis, also the Holly tree is looking a bit dodgy. @ hot summers and this very dry spring are taking its toll.

I don’t seem to have been out walking much, Ian is back to his group walking. I think the last big walks I did was when we were down in Tenby.

We were very lucky to have an opportunity to spend some time in Tenby, self-catering. It was a much needed and enjoyed break from the mundane Groundhog Day existence we have all endured. This last lock down was hard to get through, but we managed it hurrah.

There were no pubs or restaurants open, but the weather was fabulous, and we bought local produce and cooked at home enjoying the fabulous ever-changing views of the sea and Caldey island. A walrus has become separated from its herd and got lost. It has ended up in Tenby, which is great for us to see one but very sad. He is a long way from home, and no one is sure if he has the wherewithal to get back again.

We met up with Liz and Ray and had lunch outside, under cover but it was cold, great food but we had to scoff it quickly. We had a firepit get together with Rhiannon and Hannah but had to admit defeat at 8pm due to the cold. On Saturday night we went over the road to Donna & Pauls. Being south facing their garden is very sheltered from the wind plus the fire pit and wood fired pizza oven kept us warm and toasty. It was nice to socialise again.

I forgot last week we ventured out to Greenham Common to see if we could spot any Dartford warblers. No Luck on that count but we did see some nice birds and Ian got some good shots.

 

Willow has been diagnosed with early stage kidney disease. He has done very well for an 18-year-old, classed a geriatric now.

The die hard “Staying Inn” participants still meet up on a Saturday, we have had a couple of sundowner meetings too.

Life seems more normal now, I just wish it would warm up a bit. I think we are at least 3 weeks behind where we were this time last year, gardening wise that is.

 

Here is a list of meals that we have had, as many as I can remember anyway. Just for you Colin & Andrea.

 

Salmon Wellington.

Sea Trout.

Fish platter from the fish shed in Tenby.

Big red Prawns from the same place.

Fish and Chips from a proper seaside chip shop.

Welsh leg of Lamb steaks.

Pembrokeshire pork chops (with the kidney on)

Chilli Con Carne

Liver, onions and bacon.

Cassoulet

We have been enjoying some early season Asparagus’.

John Dory, Sea Bream and Sea bass from the Fish Man in Marlow.

That’s about all I can remember, well apart from the ordinary stuff.

 

 

 

April, 2021 Weekly (ish) roundup.

 

It was announced this morning that the Duke of Edinburgh Prince Philip had died.

 

Kate Garraways husband Derek Draper has returned home after a year in hospital with Covid. He is unable to speak and needs 24hr care.

AstraZeneca vaccine still being investigated as to cause of cerebral blood clots. Under 30s will now get the Modena vaccine as a precaution.

Cases in Chile rise despite an impressive vaccination programme. Relaxed social distancing and increased mobility have contributed to the increase.

People are no longer being advised against booking holidays abroad. Quarantine and cost of testing may be prohibitive to travel though.

Jet 2 have postponed all holidays until June 22^nd.

From midnight tonight all arrivals from Pakistan will need to pay £1750 for government approved hotel quarantine. More than 20 flights from Islamabad were chartered. Beat the red list 4am deadline.

Everywhere is very quiet despite it being school holidays. Roads are empty and even Marlow high street is bereft of people.

We have been walking, running, photographing, food shopping, gardening and doing some household things. Nothing exciting as it has been very cold, and we had snow flurries all day on Tuesday.

We have had no rain at all in April, well maybe a tad at night but our lawn is turning brown due to lack of water. I had to water some of the plants the other day as they were wilting, not through heat either it’s been cold.

Saturday and the news is just all about the Duke even the BBC radio programmes are cancelled and they are just playing sad music.

 

April 12^th.

 

Shops open, pubs open outside only. More people around and very strangely it feels quite like a normal day instead of an everyday is a Sunday day.

Ian was supposed to be going on one of his walking groups walk as it’s the 1^st day they are allowed to do it. However, he got up made a cup of tea and got back into bed saying I’m not going walking today. Err why? It’s snowing and it is lying too. Can’t believe it, freezing cold and snow.

However, the sun came out eventually and now we have blue sky.

Willow has been a bit off, so we took him to the vet, and it was weird as they talked to us outside and then took Willow away to examine him. Several dog owners wearing facemasks were pacing anxiously around outside, it was a surreal experience. At least the snow had stopped.

 I don’t know who was more traumatised by the event me, Ian or Willow. They took some blood and soon we had him back rather disgruntled and smelly strongly of antiseptic.

The gym was open this morning and it was packed, very crowded in my opinion and I certainly would not feel safe exercising with all those people in reasonably close proximity, puffing out air. I had been to the osteopath and had to walk out through the gym part. 

Heres Wally.

Treecreeper nest building

Male Linnet

Female Linnet

If you receive emails to tell you that I have posted, Blogger are stopping this from July. Not sure if they are setting up something else but it docent look like it at the moment.