Here we are nearly at the end of August 2021. Coronavirus continues to dominate our lives even though we now have a great deal of freedom. Holidays abroad are allowed but it is the brave at heart (or stupid) that go for it. Even if you can manage to plough through the mountain of paperwork and pay for various and multiple tests, there is still the chance that the country you visit may at any time, without any notice, go onto the red list. If this is the case upon return to the England you will have to isolate in a hotel at your own expense of £1700. Also there is the added worry that you may contract the virus whilst abroad and thereby will not be allowed to travel home until you have a clear PCR test.
Holidays in the UK are at a premium and Cornwall and Devon are filled to bursting with British Tourists. Subsequently the case rate is through the roof in these counties. Cornwall is today reporting 4650 cases @ a rate of 808 per 100k and Devon 5072 cases at a rate of 625 per 100k of population. Cases are rising throughout the Uk and the Delta variant is running riot in Schools in Scotland.
A plan is being set up to immunise 12 to 15 year olds. News reports say that immunity through vaccination is waning as over 30,000 new cases a day are being reported and the death rate is rising daily in accordance. But a lot more of normal life is going on and as I write this we are watching the test match at Headingly which has a packed crowd. We too enjoyed a day at Lords earlier in the month and survived without getting pinged or catching the virus. Mind you there was so much alcohol around in the atmosphere that I doubt anything would have survived it. Mr F and I were exceptionally well behaved, I think we might be getting old.
Shortages of staff in Tenby and most likely other places too have lead to pubs and restaurants having to close or limit opening days and times. It is a huge shame for the industry that at the height of the season with a captive audience they are still scuppered as they have no staff. Staffing shortages are due to pinging, COVID cases and lack of seasonal staff due to Brexit.
Not really COVID related but worthy of a mention is the lack of supplies getting to retail outlets. There is a lack of HGV drivers to deliver goods as very few HGV licences were issued as no tests were carried out during lockdown. Also many drivers came from abroad and because of Brexit they cannot get into the country. Nando’s had to close all their restaurants as they could not get supplies of chicken and at the Golden Arches McD’s you cannot get a milk shake for the foreseeable future.
This summer, what summer I hear you cry, has been a complete wash out. Whilst the USA and Southern Europe have had sweltering blazing heat, we have been very lucky to get a glimpse of the golden globe. Wild fires have ravaged Greece and Turkey due to the intense heatwave.
We are hoping to have an Indian summer as we are off to Aldeburgh in September, this is our postponed Christmas week.
We have had a few days out, explored Lymington on one of the sunny days and Mottisfont on another. It is nice now that we can do things on the spur of the moment, ie not having to book 2 weeks in advance and there being little or no limit on number of visitors.
We had a neighbours firepit party a week or so ago and spent quite a few hours celebrating Adele’s special birthday last Friday. Ian has had a couple of visits to the Brewery tap room that is now open. Jon and Sarah came down for a weekend, the weather was reasonably kind but we had to eat indoors at the Heron on the Ford. My brother came to visit and we had a very nice dinner at the VP.
It’s been quite an expensive time recently we are having to have a new hall carpet as Willow was sick on it while we were away and unfortunately it got badly stained. Insurance does not cover pet damage and the excess made it not worth the effort and bother to claim anyway. Grrrrr carpet was only 2 years old double grrr.
If you know us you know how we love a fire in the winter. Our open fire needs some attention, but sadly for us no one will be able to fix it unless we have a massive air brick knocked into the living room wall. This is due to it being compliant with current health and safety regulations, Which will yes allow air flow into the room but will also be blowing an almighty draught in too. So we have had to go for, at vast expense, an inset log burner which will be installed in October, just in time for the very hot unseasonable weather we are going to get this winter.🥵
Sometime soon I hope our builders will return to extend and repair our patio. I am not holding my breath as due to the aforementioned shortages, building supplies, including but not limited to cement and bricks are also in short supply or basically not available.It will of course be pouring with rain on the scheduled week and the builders will not be available in the forecasted hot and unseasonable winter.
Running is back on the agenda although Ian has got runners knee again so is having to rest up. I have continued to run,but the fall I had severely affected my confidence so I am gradually building things back up, but still getting out there.
Willow continues to live the life of luxury,laps up and blatantly asks for affection from various visitors, sleeps in all the best, cosiest and sunniest places. He announces his presence when he enters a room or comes in from outside and the other day was seen to chase another cat that dared to wander up his driveway.
Nothing out of the ordinary to report on the food front but we have had some wonderful Welsh steaks and lamb cooked on the BBQ. Today we stopped in Amersham old town and had Chorizo and eggs on sourdough with a tomato chutney it was delicious and filled us up a treat.
Other breaking news. Ian has given his work clothes, suits and shirts, to charity but continues to own 4 pairs of black dress shoes but at least it’s a start. I just have to keep him away from the shop in case he buys it all back! Only joking 🤔
Stay safe and well everyone.
