The so called "Brazillian variant" is in the UK.
At least six people arrived from Brazil carrying it, five have been traced, but one hasn't.
It is understood that is is virus resistant.
A vaccine resitant strain emerging in the UK just when vaccinations top 20 million for first doses should worry us all, because all this might have been for nothing, just because the Government, 50 weeks after the start of the pandemic, failed to seal the UK's borders.
The UK is an island state, we have the ability to seal ourselves off, odd when you think that seemed to be the whole point of Brexit, so when it was the wisest course of action, the Government failed to act.
So we have seen waves and waves of infections, hospitalisations and deaths.
Even now, it is possible to snatch another defeat from the jaws of victory, and once again it is all down to Government failure.
Sick to my stomach about this.
But reading the papers this morning, it seems it is just one of those things.
I can't imagine Labour getting such a free pass in total policy failure, which cost tens of thousands of lives.
Sunday 28 February 2021
Saturday 27th February 2021
It am the weekend.
And there is two days to fill. The shopping has been done, we have enough birs seed and meat from the butcher.
The whole weekend is ours.
Jools had to wait in for the gardener to come round to price up a small job, so I could go out.
So, after coffee and criossants, Jools dropped me off at the very end of the Droveway, so to get to the Monument, I had to follow an unmarked, but well used track beside a field, then through a gate and across the common before arriving at the monument.
It was a crystal clear morning, no clouds, the sun had been up an hour, and although bright, was still only just above freezing.
I walked to the bench beside the old Coastguard station, and take a few minutes to soak in the scene.
There was silence.
At the cliff edge, I could see down to the beach at the foot of the cliffs, it was low tide so the harder rock on which the chalk stands, was exposed. I searchfor orchids, and was rewarded with two well developed rosttes.
I snap them.
I take the cliff beside the cliff edge, remembering how freaked Tony would be, but its what he'd expect.
THere were few flowers to be seen out, the clifftops are exposed, and the tussock grasses were blown glat, all grey-green still from last year's growth.
I speak to a twitcher for a good quarter of an hour, swapping news of each of our passions, and the highlights of what we saw last year. I pointed out to me the breeding flight of a Meadow Pipit, gliding to a post to display, while behind us, a peregrine dived either for food or to impress a mate.
Beside the enxt bench, two clumps of dwarf irises had grown. Probably in memorial for some poor soul for whom the pains of life were too much, and found a way out here, at the cliffs. A sobering thought.
I walk to the boundary with Kingsdown, and instead of going to the Leas, I take the path beside the golf course, and keep to it all the way up to Barrow Down, half a mile away, and up a steady climb.
I rested on a bench, and took in the scene as the fields droped away to the cliffs, then climbed again to the right up to the monument. Behind me, the golf course was deserted, no flags fluttered at each hole, as golf is banned for the time being. Instead of the sounds of balls being whacked, skylarks sing with joy, ascending to the heavens.
I walk along the field and then through the metal gate into Barrow Down. Little is growing there either, but there are signs of growth.
From here it was pretty much downhill to the bottom of The Dip, alongKingsdown Road, dodging the cyclists out in huge numbers, before turning down the steep slope of The Dip.
It looked dry enough, but below the dried crust, there was mud, and I nearly lost my footing twice, but reached the bottom safely. From there it was up the short slope to Fleet House, then along to the track that passes the glade and to the fields and home.
I arrived back at half ten, warm enough, to learn I had missed two Commas in the garden, I still haven't seen a butterfly this year.
We have a squash on the wooden chair near the kitchen window. Despite it being still February, it was easily warm enough to sit outside. Birds fed from the feeders, while others got broody.
The walk had given me quite an appetite, so I make burgers, two of them, and what seemed to be at least 6oz patties. We have two each, and we stuffed.
At three, the football started, Norwich were not playing until Sunday, so it was low stress afternoon, watching one game, while listening to another and keeping an eye on the videoprinter. A perfect afternoon.
More football at half five, no idea who played, but it took two hours.
Outside the full moon rose into a jet black sky, and temperatures dropped to zero again.
Jools went to bed at half eight, I watched Newcastle v Wolves for a hour, so saw the Toon score, but not the Wolves leveller.
So it goes, so it goes.
And there is two days to fill. The shopping has been done, we have enough birs seed and meat from the butcher.
The whole weekend is ours.Jools had to wait in for the gardener to come round to price up a small job, so I could go out.
So, after coffee and criossants, Jools dropped me off at the very end of the Droveway, so to get to the Monument, I had to follow an unmarked, but well used track beside a field, then through a gate and across the common before arriving at the monument.
It was a crystal clear morning, no clouds, the sun had been up an hour, and although bright, was still only just above freezing.
I walked to the bench beside the old Coastguard station, and take a few minutes to soak in the scene.
There was silence.At the cliff edge, I could see down to the beach at the foot of the cliffs, it was low tide so the harder rock on which the chalk stands, was exposed. I searchfor orchids, and was rewarded with two well developed rosttes.
I snap them.I take the cliff beside the cliff edge, remembering how freaked Tony would be, but its what he'd expect.
THere were few flowers to be seen out, the clifftops are exposed, and the tussock grasses were blown glat, all grey-green still from last year's growth.
I speak to a twitcher for a good quarter of an hour, swapping news of each of our passions, and the highlights of what we saw last year. I pointed out to me the breeding flight of a Meadow Pipit, gliding to a post to display, while behind us, a peregrine dived either for food or to impress a mate.
Beside the enxt bench, two clumps of dwarf irises had grown. Probably in memorial for some poor soul for whom the pains of life were too much, and found a way out here, at the cliffs. A sobering thought.
I walk to the boundary with Kingsdown, and instead of going to the Leas, I take the path beside the golf course, and keep to it all the way up to Barrow Down, half a mile away, and up a steady climb.
I rested on a bench, and took in the scene as the fields droped away to the cliffs, then climbed again to the right up to the monument. Behind me, the golf course was deserted, no flags fluttered at each hole, as golf is banned for the time being. Instead of the sounds of balls being whacked, skylarks sing with joy, ascending to the heavens.
I walk along the field and then through the metal gate into Barrow Down. Little is growing there either, but there are signs of growth.
From here it was pretty much downhill to the bottom of The Dip, alongKingsdown Road, dodging the cyclists out in huge numbers, before turning down the steep slope of The Dip.
It looked dry enough, but below the dried crust, there was mud, and I nearly lost my footing twice, but reached the bottom safely. From there it was up the short slope to Fleet House, then along to the track that passes the glade and to the fields and home.
I arrived back at half ten, warm enough, to learn I had missed two Commas in the garden, I still haven't seen a butterfly this year.
We have a squash on the wooden chair near the kitchen window. Despite it being still February, it was easily warm enough to sit outside. Birds fed from the feeders, while others got broody.
The walk had given me quite an appetite, so I make burgers, two of them, and what seemed to be at least 6oz patties. We have two each, and we stuffed.At three, the football started, Norwich were not playing until Sunday, so it was low stress afternoon, watching one game, while listening to another and keeping an eye on the videoprinter. A perfect afternoon.
More football at half five, no idea who played, but it took two hours.
Outside the full moon rose into a jet black sky, and temperatures dropped to zero again.
Jools went to bed at half eight, I watched Newcastle v Wolves for a hour, so saw the Toon score, but not the Wolves leveller.
So it goes, so it goes.
8 weeks
Friday saw the beginning of the ninth week of Brexit. I mean, undiluted hard Brexit.
And so far, if you didn't know where to look, there has been little effect.
There have been no queues at Dover of the Tunnel, no real shortages in the shops, though we have noticed some tins of food have shrunk in size, while others have more "gravy" in the cat's food.
But for the most part.
Sheelfish exporters have been decimated, and there is the ongoing issues with the NI border, but for Britain, few issues.
However, at the end of March, further checks will be phased in, and freight levels are expected to pick up. And Michael Gove will have been replaced by Sir David Frost, and we shall see if that brings in a more hardline attitude from London.
But the DUP and ERG are still demanding the NIP be scrapped or abolished by Johnson, but as far as the ERG are concerned, they voted for it, and announced that their "star chamber" of lawyers had proclaimed it satisfied their definition of sovereignty.
Well, for eight weeks.
The EU will not offer any more concessions, unless it benefits them, and after being worn out by five years of talks, why restart just weeks are Brexit was said to be done?
Why indeed.
And so far, if you didn't know where to look, there has been little effect.
There have been no queues at Dover of the Tunnel, no real shortages in the shops, though we have noticed some tins of food have shrunk in size, while others have more "gravy" in the cat's food.
But for the most part.
Sheelfish exporters have been decimated, and there is the ongoing issues with the NI border, but for Britain, few issues.
However, at the end of March, further checks will be phased in, and freight levels are expected to pick up. And Michael Gove will have been replaced by Sir David Frost, and we shall see if that brings in a more hardline attitude from London.
But the DUP and ERG are still demanding the NIP be scrapped or abolished by Johnson, but as far as the ERG are concerned, they voted for it, and announced that their "star chamber" of lawyers had proclaimed it satisfied their definition of sovereignty.
Well, for eight weeks.
The EU will not offer any more concessions, unless it benefits them, and after being worn out by five years of talks, why restart just weeks are Brexit was said to be done?
Why indeed.
Saturday 27 February 2021
Friday 26th February 2021
It am nearly the weekend.
For Jools it already was.
I had six hours or so.
And to look forward to was three modules of e-learning on document management.
Aren't I the lucky one?
Being a Friday, there was no alarm to sleep through, so we lay awake waiting for it to go off, but we are now at the point of the year when it is beginning to get light when it is tme to get up, no more guessing whether it is half twelve, two or six.
Jools went for a walk, while I had second coffee and logged onto to work, and after checking on mails I click on the lin to the e learning page.
All went well until the sound cut out, and the animation stopped.
I restarted my computer, logged onto everything again, started the e learning and the same happened.
I restarted the computer. Again. Logged back on, and the same thing happened.
I gave up.
I had other things to do, so do that, until a conversation with my colleague where he said he had the same issues, but did the learning without audio and passed the test at the end. Maybe I could wing it?
Maybe.
So, once Jools was back from Tesco and yoga, and we had put away the shopping, had lunch. I tried again.
The e learning was in English, the slides were in English, you would think I would find it easy? It wasn't. An hour later I finish and start the test, which is a repeat of what we just did, but no explaination as to why many of the tasks were be being tested on actually did.
It told me to click a button, there were two dozen buttons. Each wrong press resulted in my losing marks. I was amazed to find that I had passed the test, I wasn't expecting to have a positive score, but there you go.
I log off and what I learned was filed in my brain's recycle bin.
Jen came round, she was here for dinner and to play cards. But frst, after brews, we would go for a walk. Not far.
Just up along the street, up Station Road, passed the war monument, along the track and cut through the other streets to come back home. I think we were away for 45 minutes, if that, I saw no wild flowers in bloom, but a walk is never wasted.
Back home we have a game of Meld, then I go to cook courgette fritters for us all.
Three courgettes, a sweet potato, a sweet pepper, two eggs, flour, lemon juice, spices and fry the resulting gloop in hot olive oil, and we eat very well indeed.
We were talking so much, I missed the evening music quiz, so after clearing away we have another game of Meld before Jen says she would go home to watch the end of the snooker.
So she did.
And as if by magic, it was the weekend.
For Jools it already was.
I had six hours or so.
And to look forward to was three modules of e-learning on document management.
Aren't I the lucky one?
Being a Friday, there was no alarm to sleep through, so we lay awake waiting for it to go off, but we are now at the point of the year when it is beginning to get light when it is tme to get up, no more guessing whether it is half twelve, two or six.
Jools went for a walk, while I had second coffee and logged onto to work, and after checking on mails I click on the lin to the e learning page.
All went well until the sound cut out, and the animation stopped.I restarted my computer, logged onto everything again, started the e learning and the same happened.
I restarted the computer. Again. Logged back on, and the same thing happened.I gave up.
I had other things to do, so do that, until a conversation with my colleague where he said he had the same issues, but did the learning without audio and passed the test at the end. Maybe I could wing it?
Maybe.So, once Jools was back from Tesco and yoga, and we had put away the shopping, had lunch. I tried again.
The e learning was in English, the slides were in English, you would think I would find it easy? It wasn't. An hour later I finish and start the test, which is a repeat of what we just did, but no explaination as to why many of the tasks were be being tested on actually did.
It told me to click a button, there were two dozen buttons. Each wrong press resulted in my losing marks. I was amazed to find that I had passed the test, I wasn't expecting to have a positive score, but there you go.
I log off and what I learned was filed in my brain's recycle bin.Jen came round, she was here for dinner and to play cards. But frst, after brews, we would go for a walk. Not far.
Just up along the street, up Station Road, passed the war monument, along the track and cut through the other streets to come back home. I think we were away for 45 minutes, if that, I saw no wild flowers in bloom, but a walk is never wasted.
Back home we have a game of Meld, then I go to cook courgette fritters for us all.Three courgettes, a sweet potato, a sweet pepper, two eggs, flour, lemon juice, spices and fry the resulting gloop in hot olive oil, and we eat very well indeed.
We were talking so much, I missed the evening music quiz, so after clearing away we have another game of Meld before Jen says she would go home to watch the end of the snooker.
So she did.
And as if by magic, it was the weekend.
Friday 26 February 2021
Thursday 25th February 2021
Ten months to Christmas.
Spring arrived.
I mean it crashed through the door and made itself at home on the sofa, after emptying your fridge of special beer.
Let us hope its hear to stay.
Work now begins at seven, this is so can with a clear concince finish work and hour earlier, it also means I work the same hours as my boss and colleagues in Denmark.
I should have gone for a walk. I told JOols I would go later in the day, but would I?
Jools made coffee, then got dressed and went for a walk. I made a second coffee and got ready for work.
At least training had finished, meanig I could do actual work, if the IT worked. It hasn't so far.
Big news in the neighbourhood has been the purchase, apparenty for the old bungalow two doors down, it will mostly be knocked down and rebuilt. Dover's former mayor has bought it, he got planning permission, odd that. Anyway, on Wednesday workment removed the hedge at the bottom of the garden, and have combined the bungalow's garden with the paddock he owned already at the bottom, where an "eco-house" is to be built, low enough not to ruin our views, apparently.
So all day chainsaws growled,a nd chippers chipped the remainder of the old trees and ivt bushes. For a time, views have opened out from the back of the house looking across The Dip to Kingsdown. The sun no longer rises partially hidden behind an ancinet tree, as the tree is literally history.
Back to work, though I would rather be outside, but there is serious stuff afoot, with calls and meetings, secret stuff, so Mum's the word.
I do find time to bake a loaf so I have something to eat for lunch, in fact I have a freshly cut, thickly buttered crist for elevenses along with a brew as I have another meeting. It keeps my concentration up, I tell myself.
By one in the afternoon, and almost constant sitting either being in meetings or phone calls, and i am pooped.
I have a brew, and reflect on a day of lobbing grenades over fences, making a huge noise.
I take the laptop to the sofa and watch Only Connect.
At three, I put on my shoes and take myself for a walk, checking on the grassed path between our street and Collingwood. There were primroses and Red Deadnettle already in flower and looking good. I take a macro shot of the nettle, and the flowers are wonderful, like little orchid flowers, but with hairy wigs on.
Along Collingwood to Fleet House, and back across the fields to home. And once final check of the mails and i am done for the day. It was four, and I needed a coffee.
Dinner was to be key line shimp tortillas with chipotle peppers and a side of refried beans.
It all take just 15 minutes to prepare and cook, by which time Jools was home.
By the time we were done, we had sticky hands and stains on our shirts, but it was good food, and nearly too spicy to eat. Nearly.
We wasted nothing.
And that was it.
Spring arrived.
I mean it crashed through the door and made itself at home on the sofa, after emptying your fridge of special beer.
Let us hope its hear to stay.Work now begins at seven, this is so can with a clear concince finish work and hour earlier, it also means I work the same hours as my boss and colleagues in Denmark.
I should have gone for a walk. I told JOols I would go later in the day, but would I?Jools made coffee, then got dressed and went for a walk. I made a second coffee and got ready for work.
At least training had finished, meanig I could do actual work, if the IT worked. It hasn't so far.
Big news in the neighbourhood has been the purchase, apparenty for the old bungalow two doors down, it will mostly be knocked down and rebuilt. Dover's former mayor has bought it, he got planning permission, odd that. Anyway, on Wednesday workment removed the hedge at the bottom of the garden, and have combined the bungalow's garden with the paddock he owned already at the bottom, where an "eco-house" is to be built, low enough not to ruin our views, apparently.
So all day chainsaws growled,a nd chippers chipped the remainder of the old trees and ivt bushes. For a time, views have opened out from the back of the house looking across The Dip to Kingsdown. The sun no longer rises partially hidden behind an ancinet tree, as the tree is literally history.
Back to work, though I would rather be outside, but there is serious stuff afoot, with calls and meetings, secret stuff, so Mum's the word.
I do find time to bake a loaf so I have something to eat for lunch, in fact I have a freshly cut, thickly buttered crist for elevenses along with a brew as I have another meeting. It keeps my concentration up, I tell myself.
By one in the afternoon, and almost constant sitting either being in meetings or phone calls, and i am pooped. I have a brew, and reflect on a day of lobbing grenades over fences, making a huge noise.
I take the laptop to the sofa and watch Only Connect.
At three, I put on my shoes and take myself for a walk, checking on the grassed path between our street and Collingwood. There were primroses and Red Deadnettle already in flower and looking good. I take a macro shot of the nettle, and the flowers are wonderful, like little orchid flowers, but with hairy wigs on.
Along Collingwood to Fleet House, and back across the fields to home. And once final check of the mails and i am done for the day. It was four, and I needed a coffee.
Dinner was to be key line shimp tortillas with chipotle peppers and a side of refried beans.
It all take just 15 minutes to prepare and cook, by which time Jools was home.By the time we were done, we had sticky hands and stains on our shirts, but it was good food, and nearly too spicy to eat. Nearly.
And that was it.
Friday Brexit
Is Brexit an event or a process?
Has Johnson, got Brexit done?
If so, why are Brexiteers and the ERG so darned angry?
Brext was always a process, and a process without end. But, also, there are events, gates through which the UK passes and it cannot return through.
The Withdrawal Agreement (WA), Northern Ireland Protocol (NIP) and Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) all helped get Brexit, the political part, get Brexit done.
Now the UK has left the EU, both politically and ecoomically, on terms the ERG and Brexiteers would have killed for five years ago. It was negotiated by Brexiteers, for Brexiteers, who ignored warnings of what they agreed to, and now the reality of the WA and TCA, they want to scrap it.
The DUP who also voted against May's deal, but who wanted Brexit, nw would rather the NIP be broken, so the GFA is also broken, the GFA which they never supported, but break it to support it is the logic we have heare.
Instead of dealing with the reality, they would rather break what they have, to make it even worse. Theirs are cries of betrayal, even when they got the Brexit they wanted, its not the Brexit they said they wanted, or they would have done it different and better.
Truth is, it isn't the remaners who won't move on and deal with the reality of Brexit, its the very Brexiteers themselves who can't move on, who are determined to fight today's battles with yesterday's arguments; alternative arrangements, technological solutions and so on. And these would be acceptable to the EU and Ireland, if the Brexiteers could prove they work. They have had five years to come up with solutions, and haven't.
There will be no moving on, as Brexiteers fight today with what they lst with last year, and the year before that. All the while, indistry and businesses will whither and die, the very Brexit they wanted, created the issues that is killing the country one job at a time. They still claim that the very consequences of Brexit is the EU punishing the UK or bullying, when they were warned month after month, year after year this would happen.
We hold all the cards they said.
They lied.
They always lie.
Has Johnson, got Brexit done?
If so, why are Brexiteers and the ERG so darned angry?
Brext was always a process, and a process without end. But, also, there are events, gates through which the UK passes and it cannot return through.
The Withdrawal Agreement (WA), Northern Ireland Protocol (NIP) and Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) all helped get Brexit, the political part, get Brexit done.
Now the UK has left the EU, both politically and ecoomically, on terms the ERG and Brexiteers would have killed for five years ago. It was negotiated by Brexiteers, for Brexiteers, who ignored warnings of what they agreed to, and now the reality of the WA and TCA, they want to scrap it.
The DUP who also voted against May's deal, but who wanted Brexit, nw would rather the NIP be broken, so the GFA is also broken, the GFA which they never supported, but break it to support it is the logic we have heare.
Instead of dealing with the reality, they would rather break what they have, to make it even worse. Theirs are cries of betrayal, even when they got the Brexit they wanted, its not the Brexit they said they wanted, or they would have done it different and better.
Truth is, it isn't the remaners who won't move on and deal with the reality of Brexit, its the very Brexiteers themselves who can't move on, who are determined to fight today's battles with yesterday's arguments; alternative arrangements, technological solutions and so on. And these would be acceptable to the EU and Ireland, if the Brexiteers could prove they work. They have had five years to come up with solutions, and haven't.
There will be no moving on, as Brexiteers fight today with what they lst with last year, and the year before that. All the while, indistry and businesses will whither and die, the very Brexit they wanted, created the issues that is killing the country one job at a time. They still claim that the very consequences of Brexit is the EU punishing the UK or bullying, when they were warned month after month, year after year this would happen.
We hold all the cards they said.
They lied.
They always lie.
COVID
As we reach the beginning of a new March before we have finished the old one, as life has been on hold since March 12th when the UK Government gave ip on trying to contain the virus, news comes that there is probably going to be vaccine passports, which will enable the holders to get into pubs, eat inside in restaurants maye even go on holiday, whilst those without, won't.
It is hard to argue with that, but some people can't have the vaccine, so will become internal exiles.
And as I previously said, vaccines are just one weapon in an armoury of tools to be used to defeat the virus. Relying on this alone, which it is clear Johnson and his Government are doing, is almost certain to fail, with the result a vaccine resistant third wave which will cull another 60,000 or so poor souls.
People are booking holidays, in the UK and abroard, despite over 40 of those countries currently banning anything other than essential travel from UK, and if there is doubt in what the UK is doing, or in the effectiveness, then bans will remain, or time in quarantine when you arrive for a week or two, will be needed.
Next week sees the first Budget in a year, with the Chancellor being warned off tax increases, but he will increase some, possible pensions. And we might remember that for 12 weeks, except when he was at death's door, Johnson called on the nation each Wednesday to clap our NHS and key workers; well, NHS staff will get no pay rise this year, either.
How's that for appreciation?
After a slight dip in vaccinations at the weekend, on the day I got mine, rates have increased again, and many of my old schoolfriends were also jabbed this week, the campaign goes on, quietly and efficiently as local NHS and concils get the job done.
We can do it, as a nation, if professionals are given the tools and time to get it done, centralising everything is what caused so much failure last year and caused so many deaths. Odd then that the lesson the Government has taken is that more, not less, centralisation is needed, and Ministers take more charge of the NHS.
It is hard to argue with that, but some people can't have the vaccine, so will become internal exiles.
And as I previously said, vaccines are just one weapon in an armoury of tools to be used to defeat the virus. Relying on this alone, which it is clear Johnson and his Government are doing, is almost certain to fail, with the result a vaccine resistant third wave which will cull another 60,000 or so poor souls.
People are booking holidays, in the UK and abroard, despite over 40 of those countries currently banning anything other than essential travel from UK, and if there is doubt in what the UK is doing, or in the effectiveness, then bans will remain, or time in quarantine when you arrive for a week or two, will be needed.
Next week sees the first Budget in a year, with the Chancellor being warned off tax increases, but he will increase some, possible pensions. And we might remember that for 12 weeks, except when he was at death's door, Johnson called on the nation each Wednesday to clap our NHS and key workers; well, NHS staff will get no pay rise this year, either.
How's that for appreciation?
After a slight dip in vaccinations at the weekend, on the day I got mine, rates have increased again, and many of my old schoolfriends were also jabbed this week, the campaign goes on, quietly and efficiently as local NHS and concils get the job done.
We can do it, as a nation, if professionals are given the tools and time to get it done, centralising everything is what caused so much failure last year and caused so many deaths. Odd then that the lesson the Government has taken is that more, not less, centralisation is needed, and Ministers take more charge of the NHS.
Thursday 25 February 2021
Wednesday 24th February 2021
I slept through the alarm. And woke up when Jools came upstairs to get ready for work.
Such a lazy so and so.
When you're on training, the hours seem to slip by so quickly, already there was just two hours before the next course was due to begin.
Jools went to work early, and after a coffee I start work to catch up on stuff. It wasn't yet seven. What has happened to me?
I was in calls until a minute to eight, when I realised there wasn't time to make a brew before the class started.
Outside the sun rose, setting the sky on fire. Again.
But I was working.
He course lasted six hours. The same as Tuesday, but more so. It was bad enough for me as it was in my native language, so for the guy from Lithuania it must have been very confusing.
We had regular breaks at least, so I had breakfast, and lunch at half twelve.
The sun is now high enough and bright enough to make the floating fountain work, it was quite surprising to see it burst into life in the sun, as two weeks ago it was embedded in a bock of ice and seemed to be sure to be ruined.
A queen Early Bumblebee bumped around the hellebores in the top bed. I manage to snap her a couple of times, before the course called me back to the desk and world of turbine safety and safety regulations.
Sigh.
We were done at half two. Outside a cool breeze had sprung up, I should have gone for a walk, but don't. Instead I find some writing to do.
I feed the cats, after letting them wait an hour as half three really was too early, so I had four pairs of feline eyes following me around the house.
Dinner was simple: pizza with added slices of meat on the top. I wait until Jools comes back to pop them in the ovens, pour some beer, and we eat them right up in record time.
With the season now entering the final stretch, some 13 games to go, the chasing pack behind Norwich were to play. So I watch Brentford v Sheffield Wednesday, followed by the second half of Blackburn v Watford. THe chasing pack all won, so we are back to seven points clear. 14 to play now.
Such a lazy so and so.
When you're on training, the hours seem to slip by so quickly, already there was just two hours before the next course was due to begin.
Jools went to work early, and after a coffee I start work to catch up on stuff. It wasn't yet seven. What has happened to me?
I was in calls until a minute to eight, when I realised there wasn't time to make a brew before the class started.
Outside the sun rose, setting the sky on fire. Again.But I was working.
He course lasted six hours. The same as Tuesday, but more so. It was bad enough for me as it was in my native language, so for the guy from Lithuania it must have been very confusing.
We had regular breaks at least, so I had breakfast, and lunch at half twelve.
The sun is now high enough and bright enough to make the floating fountain work, it was quite surprising to see it burst into life in the sun, as two weeks ago it was embedded in a bock of ice and seemed to be sure to be ruined.
A queen Early Bumblebee bumped around the hellebores in the top bed. I manage to snap her a couple of times, before the course called me back to the desk and world of turbine safety and safety regulations.
Sigh.We were done at half two. Outside a cool breeze had sprung up, I should have gone for a walk, but don't. Instead I find some writing to do.
I feed the cats, after letting them wait an hour as half three really was too early, so I had four pairs of feline eyes following me around the house.
Dinner was simple: pizza with added slices of meat on the top. I wait until Jools comes back to pop them in the ovens, pour some beer, and we eat them right up in record time.
With the season now entering the final stretch, some 13 games to go, the chasing pack behind Norwich were to play. So I watch Brentford v Sheffield Wednesday, followed by the second half of Blackburn v Watford. THe chasing pack all won, so we are back to seven points clear. 14 to play now.
The Brexit runt
In the end, Brexit was always going to be diswned even by those who wanted it the most.
Because Johnson tried to make it appeal to as many sides as possible, so no one liked it.
Although most said they liked it, Cabinet agreed, and Parliament ratified it, in 5 hours, so what did they get?
Shit.
And now the ERG have written a 38 page report demanding the NIP be scrapped.
Turns out the ERG, the R stands for research, didn't do any research on the TCA, and despite announcing in a totally normal manner that their "star chamber" of lawyers had looked the deal over and said it met with their defintion of freedom and Brexit, seems they now have found out what the small print says, and having done no research, that is has broken the Union of the UK.
You don't say?
1. The NIP has a negative effect on the UK single market. Yes, that is what the WA and TCA did. You voted for it. Own it.
2. The NIP is not in the spirit of the GFA. No, it protects it, only 100% wrong.
3. Under the NIP, EU laws directly affect NI. Yes, this is what was in the WA, the NIP and the TCA that you voted for. May's deal, which would have preserved the UK single market and the Union, you voted against. Four times.
4. The NIP replaced the Backstop. Yes, it became the frontstop.
5. The NIP wasn't intended to become permanent. Indeed, you just have to come up with something acceptable to replace it with. Maybe do some research?
6. The NIP allows parties to take measures.... Well, this was pointed out in November 2019 that this would break the Union, creat delays and so on and on. But you back it, without scrutiny. That the UK Government failed to prepare is hardly the NIP's fault.....
7. The EU suggested triggering Article 16 for two hours on Friday night in January. The UK GOvernment tried to pass legislation allowing it to break domestic and international law, but do go on....
8. UK domestic Law has no juristiction over International Law, so pass whatever laws you want, but break this at your peril.
Clowns.
And the EU, in responding to the UK's request of the "grace period" on inspections at borders to be extended by a year, it noted that the UK declined the oportunity to extend the tranisition period when it had the chance, the UK should have been ready.
Because, after all, Brexit means Brexit.
Because Johnson tried to make it appeal to as many sides as possible, so no one liked it.
Although most said they liked it, Cabinet agreed, and Parliament ratified it, in 5 hours, so what did they get?
Shit.
And now the ERG have written a 38 page report demanding the NIP be scrapped.
Turns out the ERG, the R stands for research, didn't do any research on the TCA, and despite announcing in a totally normal manner that their "star chamber" of lawyers had looked the deal over and said it met with their defintion of freedom and Brexit, seems they now have found out what the small print says, and having done no research, that is has broken the Union of the UK.
You don't say?
1. The NIP has a negative effect on the UK single market. Yes, that is what the WA and TCA did. You voted for it. Own it.
2. The NIP is not in the spirit of the GFA. No, it protects it, only 100% wrong.
3. Under the NIP, EU laws directly affect NI. Yes, this is what was in the WA, the NIP and the TCA that you voted for. May's deal, which would have preserved the UK single market and the Union, you voted against. Four times.
4. The NIP replaced the Backstop. Yes, it became the frontstop.
5. The NIP wasn't intended to become permanent. Indeed, you just have to come up with something acceptable to replace it with. Maybe do some research?
6. The NIP allows parties to take measures.... Well, this was pointed out in November 2019 that this would break the Union, creat delays and so on and on. But you back it, without scrutiny. That the UK Government failed to prepare is hardly the NIP's fault.....
7. The EU suggested triggering Article 16 for two hours on Friday night in January. The UK GOvernment tried to pass legislation allowing it to break domestic and international law, but do go on....
8. UK domestic Law has no juristiction over International Law, so pass whatever laws you want, but break this at your peril.
Clowns.
And the EU, in responding to the UK's request of the "grace period" on inspections at borders to be extended by a year, it noted that the UK declined the oportunity to extend the tranisition period when it had the chance, the UK should have been ready.
Because, after all, Brexit means Brexit.
Wednesday 24 February 2021
COVID
A year ago I made what seems to be my first reference to COVID in a joke on Facebook, as there used to be a soft drink company here in UK called Corona, and that having downed bottles and bottles of "cream soda" I would be vaccinated.
I don't think its been called Corona virus for some time, but it shows how quickly our lives changed.
It is sobering to realise that as Johnson, the ERG and Daily Hate Mail talk of losening restrictions, that occupancy in ICUs is still above what it was at the peak of the first wave, and then we were in voirtual house arrest. So, how can it be that people are talking about reopening schools in 12 days?
Amd I the only one who thinks this, among many others, is madness?
Today, 442 people were revealed to have died in the previous 24 hours. Tat is still a jumbo jet full of people who died, and we should reopen, and quicker?
Are we off our fucking tits?
I don't think its been called Corona virus for some time, but it shows how quickly our lives changed.
It is sobering to realise that as Johnson, the ERG and Daily Hate Mail talk of losening restrictions, that occupancy in ICUs is still above what it was at the peak of the first wave, and then we were in voirtual house arrest. So, how can it be that people are talking about reopening schools in 12 days?
Amd I the only one who thinks this, among many others, is madness?
Today, 442 people were revealed to have died in the previous 24 hours. Tat is still a jumbo jet full of people who died, and we should reopen, and quicker?
Are we off our fucking tits?
Tuesday 23rd February 2021
The good news I woke up and felt 100% better, and that improved with coffee, 2nd coffee, breakfast and another coffee.
That is a relief, and as always, you don't realise how sit you felt until you start to feel better.
So it goes, so it goes.
And for the day, the beg news was I had the first of two online courses. For me its just two days, but for schoolchildren and students its been like this for months.
So, I'm not complaining.
Much.
So, we were up early. Seems that pruning the buddleia over the weekend put my shoulder back to how it was ten days back. So I have to use the ice pack and then use the large rubber band to stretch the muscles.
Sigh.
Jools went straight to work, so I listened to a podcast, then started work at just gone seven to catch up on mails all ready for the start of the course at eight.
And what can I say: seven hours or so, in a MS Teams meting, along with eight others and the trainer? It was dull, dull stuff.
We had plenty of breaks, and a long lunch, and bit by bit we learned how to work safely on wind turbines. Because I am to audit the processes.
Lucky me.
So, the day passed slowly. But I passed the exam, and could go forward to the second day.
So much winning.
I went out for a walk, because I needed to clear my head. So, went up to Nelson Park Road, as I realised in twelve years of living here I had never walked down it before.
I know.
So, up Station Road, then down through the houses, the last street before the down slopes down to the Deal Road and Martin Mill beyond.
Houses and bungalows, all neat and tidy, nothing exceptional. At the end I could cut down to Collingwood or Hardy, but decide to be really stupid and walk the track at the end to join up with another path leading to and from Windy Ridge.
I say stupid as this is usually a mudbath, and coming so soon after the snow had melted seemed a little dumb. But it had dred out mostly, in a week, and there was just one short muddy path.
Out from the woods, I turn up the hill to Collingwood. A white mare watched me from over a fence, but I didn't go to say hello, as you don't want to upset the owners in these COVID times.
Along to Fleet House, then back down across the field, now passable as the ground beguns to dry out. I met the people who had made a meadow among the trees, we talked about what I was snapping, butterflies, birds but not orchids. Just as well, I'd still be there.
Back home, made a brew and prepare dinner. And for this feast, something new: Kachamak, or polenta. I followed the recipe and made a saucepan sized polenta brick. But the good news is I know where I went wrong, and will be better next time.
We had stir fry and pank chicken too. All good stuff, though the flavoured oil for the chicken gave off something like CS gas fumes when hot.
Nasty.
Anyway, we ate well. Washed up and sta down with a coffee in time for the latest Norwich match.
Away, playing Birmingham on the poughed field at St Andrews where we played Coventry the week before. Pitch still shit, limited good football, and the midfield never really got going. But in the last 15 minutes, scored two good goals to cruise to a 3-1 win and be 10 (ten) points clear at the top of the table.
So, I'm not complaining.
Much.
So, we were up early. Seems that pruning the buddleia over the weekend put my shoulder back to how it was ten days back. So I have to use the ice pack and then use the large rubber band to stretch the muscles.
Sigh.
Jools went straight to work, so I listened to a podcast, then started work at just gone seven to catch up on mails all ready for the start of the course at eight.
And what can I say: seven hours or so, in a MS Teams meting, along with eight others and the trainer? It was dull, dull stuff.
We had plenty of breaks, and a long lunch, and bit by bit we learned how to work safely on wind turbines. Because I am to audit the processes.
Lucky me.
So, the day passed slowly. But I passed the exam, and could go forward to the second day.
So much winning.
I went out for a walk, because I needed to clear my head. So, went up to Nelson Park Road, as I realised in twelve years of living here I had never walked down it before.
I know.
So, up Station Road, then down through the houses, the last street before the down slopes down to the Deal Road and Martin Mill beyond.
Houses and bungalows, all neat and tidy, nothing exceptional. At the end I could cut down to Collingwood or Hardy, but decide to be really stupid and walk the track at the end to join up with another path leading to and from Windy Ridge.
I say stupid as this is usually a mudbath, and coming so soon after the snow had melted seemed a little dumb. But it had dred out mostly, in a week, and there was just one short muddy path.
Out from the woods, I turn up the hill to Collingwood. A white mare watched me from over a fence, but I didn't go to say hello, as you don't want to upset the owners in these COVID times.
Along to Fleet House, then back down across the field, now passable as the ground beguns to dry out. I met the people who had made a meadow among the trees, we talked about what I was snapping, butterflies, birds but not orchids. Just as well, I'd still be there.
Back home, made a brew and prepare dinner. And for this feast, something new: Kachamak, or polenta. I followed the recipe and made a saucepan sized polenta brick. But the good news is I know where I went wrong, and will be better next time.
We had stir fry and pank chicken too. All good stuff, though the flavoured oil for the chicken gave off something like CS gas fumes when hot.
Nasty.
Anyway, we ate well. Washed up and sta down with a coffee in time for the latest Norwich match.
Away, playing Birmingham on the poughed field at St Andrews where we played Coventry the week before. Pitch still shit, limited good football, and the midfield never really got going. But in the last 15 minutes, scored two good goals to cruise to a 3-1 win and be 10 (ten) points clear at the top of the table.
The perfect imperfect Brexit
In a column yesterday, Rapael Behr, wrote about the never ending Brexit we have allowed Brexiteers to drag us in to.
Brexit is not done.
It can never be done.
Well, the only way it can be done is by either cutting all ties with the EU, no exporting, importing, no data, no tourism, no eergy, nothing; or we rejoin the EU.
Otherwise Brexit is forever.
We know this because the TCA is all about managed divergence. And if we diverge too much, there will be talks, and if they fail, consequences, maybe in restricting or stopping all trade.
It is also set up for constant talks, every six months at least in over 30 fields, and review of agreements in five year cycles.
It is what Johnson negotiated, his Cabinet signed off on, and Parliament ratified.
Now it bacem clear that Brexit wasn't done, Johnson got his negotiator back to do talking, tough talking if rumours are to be believed.
But everytime the EU says "no" to comething, it will be bullying by the EU. Not the systems actually working.
And this will feed into Brexiteers persecution complex about the EU, no matter how bad it goes, it will justify the leaving.
If the EU bullied the UK as a member state, then it will do so, with bells on, with the UK as a member state, and will give them something to really have a good moan about, or as Mr Behr states:
"For the true believers, a good Brexit is one that keeps the grievance alive; that makes foreigners the scapegoat for bad government; that continues to indulge the twin national myths of victimhood and heroic defiance. Measured for that purpose, Johnson’s pointless Brexit is perfect."
The EU has always been a vent through which PMs and Governments were able to blame their own policy failings on. Now that the UK has left the EU, it can do it again. And yet this comes after we were told the UK held all the cards.
Until UK politicians see the EU as an enemy that needs to be defeated, or something to wine or lose against, there can be no real place for us in Europe or the EU. As DAG puts it, the TCA was set up as it was thought that the two sides would discuss things in a cool and calm manner, discussing and dealing with issues and disputes. It won't work if one side sees it as a dispute facilitator rather than a solution one, this might be as good as it gets.
The EU is getting fed up with the UK saying one thing in talks, then having Johnson or Gove say the opposite to the press. The TCA is not yet ratified in the EU, and might never be. There are two further implementation stages in imposing regulations, so things will only get worse.
@Mij_Europe writes on Twitter:
I've been of view for some time that TCA represents high point in what's likely to be a difficult & deteriorating UK/EU relationship. Despite public pronouncements to contrary, in private, officials on both sides now acknowledge that this seems likely.
For EU - Because HMG continues to misrepresent deal it struck to public & blame EU for its consequences. EU finds gap between Govt's rhetoric & reality unreal. This is killing trust. Reduces influence of more moderate member states that are open to addressing problems in TCA.
For UK - Because Tory strategists continue to see electoral benefit - with red wall voters & constraining Labour - of a hard line on EU. Crystallised by Frost appointment, who as a believer in EU divergence, will now sit in Cabinet & advise on domestic regulation & reform.
EU believes Govt's first reflex is tactical - politicise every issue for short term gain. But this has strategic consequence of reducing likelihood HMG can secure changes it wants to TCA that will help alleviate some of challenges businesses are facing - today & in future.
U has been moderate in its response to HMG misrepresentations & accusations so far, but a fight back is likely if it continues. Moderate EU capitals & voices are becoming a minority. If we think last 8 weeks have been bad, wait until escalation is pushed from BOTH sides.
Brexit is not done.
It can never be done.
Well, the only way it can be done is by either cutting all ties with the EU, no exporting, importing, no data, no tourism, no eergy, nothing; or we rejoin the EU.
Otherwise Brexit is forever.
We know this because the TCA is all about managed divergence. And if we diverge too much, there will be talks, and if they fail, consequences, maybe in restricting or stopping all trade.
It is also set up for constant talks, every six months at least in over 30 fields, and review of agreements in five year cycles.
It is what Johnson negotiated, his Cabinet signed off on, and Parliament ratified.
Now it bacem clear that Brexit wasn't done, Johnson got his negotiator back to do talking, tough talking if rumours are to be believed.
But everytime the EU says "no" to comething, it will be bullying by the EU. Not the systems actually working.
And this will feed into Brexiteers persecution complex about the EU, no matter how bad it goes, it will justify the leaving.
If the EU bullied the UK as a member state, then it will do so, with bells on, with the UK as a member state, and will give them something to really have a good moan about, or as Mr Behr states:
"For the true believers, a good Brexit is one that keeps the grievance alive; that makes foreigners the scapegoat for bad government; that continues to indulge the twin national myths of victimhood and heroic defiance. Measured for that purpose, Johnson’s pointless Brexit is perfect."
The EU has always been a vent through which PMs and Governments were able to blame their own policy failings on. Now that the UK has left the EU, it can do it again. And yet this comes after we were told the UK held all the cards.
Until UK politicians see the EU as an enemy that needs to be defeated, or something to wine or lose against, there can be no real place for us in Europe or the EU. As DAG puts it, the TCA was set up as it was thought that the two sides would discuss things in a cool and calm manner, discussing and dealing with issues and disputes. It won't work if one side sees it as a dispute facilitator rather than a solution one, this might be as good as it gets.
The EU is getting fed up with the UK saying one thing in talks, then having Johnson or Gove say the opposite to the press. The TCA is not yet ratified in the EU, and might never be. There are two further implementation stages in imposing regulations, so things will only get worse.
@Mij_Europe writes on Twitter:
I've been of view for some time that TCA represents high point in what's likely to be a difficult & deteriorating UK/EU relationship. Despite public pronouncements to contrary, in private, officials on both sides now acknowledge that this seems likely.
For EU - Because HMG continues to misrepresent deal it struck to public & blame EU for its consequences. EU finds gap between Govt's rhetoric & reality unreal. This is killing trust. Reduces influence of more moderate member states that are open to addressing problems in TCA.
For UK - Because Tory strategists continue to see electoral benefit - with red wall voters & constraining Labour - of a hard line on EU. Crystallised by Frost appointment, who as a believer in EU divergence, will now sit in Cabinet & advise on domestic regulation & reform.
EU believes Govt's first reflex is tactical - politicise every issue for short term gain. But this has strategic consequence of reducing likelihood HMG can secure changes it wants to TCA that will help alleviate some of challenges businesses are facing - today & in future.
U has been moderate in its response to HMG misrepresentations & accusations so far, but a fight back is likely if it continues. Moderate EU capitals & voices are becoming a minority. If we think last 8 weeks have been bad, wait until escalation is pushed from BOTH sides.
Tuesday 23 February 2021
Monday 22nd February 2021
Whatever I may say in the following post, 24 hours later, I was fine.
Firing on all cylinders, and driving at 300mph, as usual.
On Sunday, when I had my jab, the doctor told me that 50% of people are fine, 50% get side effects. And as Jools got none, that should have warned me.
Anyway, I slept well, and woke fine.
Though it was too early.
Still dark.
But warm.
Anyway, Jools was up first, I followed, and had coffee sitting at the table, but within half an hour I was beginning to feel rough.
Jools went to work, and already felt like going back to bed.
At seven, I logged on, sent a message to my boss telling him I was feeling shit, and would take the morning off to see how things went.
I went to bed. Lay under the covers, shivering.
Other than lying like a dead man, I was getting cramp, otherwise I just ached.
At midday I got up, had a shower. That didn't improve things, and once dressed, I logged back onto work for my boss to tell me to take the day off. But we had a meeting at two, I said I would attened as it was important.
I lazed around, getting colder and colder. I drank coffee and tea, but ate nothing.
At two we had the meeting, which went well, but as soon as it finished, I went back to bed, when the worse hit. I lay like a block of ice, my feet the worse.
Dinner was simple, fishcakes in rolls. I asked my stomach and enquired if it was ready for food. It replied that what could be the worse that could happen.
As it happened, food was fine. I felt a little better and warmed up. But overall, like I had been runover by an angry bus.
We went to bed at eight, me cuddled up around Cleo.
Firing on all cylinders, and driving at 300mph, as usual.
On Sunday, when I had my jab, the doctor told me that 50% of people are fine, 50% get side effects. And as Jools got none, that should have warned me.
Anyway, I slept well, and woke fine.
Though it was too early.
Still dark.
But warm.
Anyway, Jools was up first, I followed, and had coffee sitting at the table, but within half an hour I was beginning to feel rough.
Jools went to work, and already felt like going back to bed.
At seven, I logged on, sent a message to my boss telling him I was feeling shit, and would take the morning off to see how things went.
I went to bed. Lay under the covers, shivering.
Other than lying like a dead man, I was getting cramp, otherwise I just ached.
At midday I got up, had a shower. That didn't improve things, and once dressed, I logged back onto work for my boss to tell me to take the day off. But we had a meeting at two, I said I would attened as it was important.
I lazed around, getting colder and colder. I drank coffee and tea, but ate nothing.At two we had the meeting, which went well, but as soon as it finished, I went back to bed, when the worse hit. I lay like a block of ice, my feet the worse.
Dinner was simple, fishcakes in rolls. I asked my stomach and enquired if it was ready for food. It replied that what could be the worse that could happen.
As it happened, food was fine. I felt a little better and warmed up. But overall, like I had been runover by an angry bus.
We went to bed at eight, me cuddled up around Cleo.
Roadmap to hell
I won't go into details.
You'll be glad to hear.
But, yesterday, our roughled PM announced his long-promised roadmap to normality.
I point out at this juncture, how to move from lockdown to staged unlocking should have been planned months, if not years in advance, but the reality is that Johnson has been pitching the announcement as to what his backbenchers would put up with.
As it is, the CRG hated it, and demanded earlier lockdowns, because in its two variations, the headbangers really don't have a clue. Save shops, save the economy they cry, while denying the damage being done to the same businesses by their precious, perfect Brexit.
Any staged lockdown will not affect us much, apart from meeting with John once a week at Jen's to play cards. Maybe having a pub lunch in April of May, in the beer garden.
Because, according to SAGE, if the Government gets this wrong, then between 60,000 and 100,000 MORE people could die.
But when you've killed 120,000 with failed austerity, and another 120,000 in the first two waves of COVID, what's a few more?
96 people died at HIllsborough. We saw their twisted bodies being carried across the pitch on makeshift stretchers fashioned from advertising hardings. In the last year there have been 1250 Hillsboroughs, nearly three and a half a day. But we didn't see them dying, nor their bdies being carried away. They are but a number on a powerpoint presentation. Something to be skipped over so you can trumpet the vaccinations done.
Today, Matt Hancock denied there had ever been PPE shortages in the NHS during the pandemic. Maybe that's why the Government spaffed £32 billion on dodgy PPE contracts, and doctors, nurses and health workers had to fashion aprons out of bin liners or share masks back at the start.
But that would be the truth, not acceptable in Brexitlalaland, where failure is a success, up is down.
You'll be glad to hear.
But, yesterday, our roughled PM announced his long-promised roadmap to normality.
I point out at this juncture, how to move from lockdown to staged unlocking should have been planned months, if not years in advance, but the reality is that Johnson has been pitching the announcement as to what his backbenchers would put up with.
As it is, the CRG hated it, and demanded earlier lockdowns, because in its two variations, the headbangers really don't have a clue. Save shops, save the economy they cry, while denying the damage being done to the same businesses by their precious, perfect Brexit.
Any staged lockdown will not affect us much, apart from meeting with John once a week at Jen's to play cards. Maybe having a pub lunch in April of May, in the beer garden.
Because, according to SAGE, if the Government gets this wrong, then between 60,000 and 100,000 MORE people could die.
But when you've killed 120,000 with failed austerity, and another 120,000 in the first two waves of COVID, what's a few more?
96 people died at HIllsborough. We saw their twisted bodies being carried across the pitch on makeshift stretchers fashioned from advertising hardings. In the last year there have been 1250 Hillsboroughs, nearly three and a half a day. But we didn't see them dying, nor their bdies being carried away. They are but a number on a powerpoint presentation. Something to be skipped over so you can trumpet the vaccinations done.
Today, Matt Hancock denied there had ever been PPE shortages in the NHS during the pandemic. Maybe that's why the Government spaffed £32 billion on dodgy PPE contracts, and doctors, nurses and health workers had to fashion aprons out of bin liners or share masks back at the start.
But that would be the truth, not acceptable in Brexitlalaland, where failure is a success, up is down.
Monday 22 February 2021
Sunday 21st February 2021
THere have been some dark days in the last 50 weeks; 120,000 died from COVID alone, tens of thousands have died when they need not to have done.
There have been lights at the end of the tunnel before, but it just turned out the be the full headlights of an oncomg 2nd wave COVID train.
The hope has always been on vaccines, not because they are a magic bullit, but they offer a real hope to relaxation. But the need to track, trace and isolate has never been more important. Best of all were to be if the UK followed NZ and Oz in surpressing the virus to a handful of cases, locking borders.
This Government never has had the stomach for that, for making really tough decisions early, rather leave them to the last minute when there is no choice.
But for me, Sunday was a red letter day, at twenty to five I could go and get my first vaccine jab.
The chance of real hope.
We had the whole day ahead of us before then, so after breakfast of fruit and croissants two coffees, we head back out to Waldershare, with me armed with my ringflash, so I could snap the fine display of snowdrops.
Sadly, the church was closed, and the graveyard overgrown, but between the stones, rugs if not carpets of snowdrops could be seen.
We were the only ones there, of course. Jools went for a walk while I snapped and got shots.
Most flowers were already wide open, maybe another species still were yet to open, waiting to take over.
Jools returned, and I had got my shots, so we went back to the car to drive to Bishopsbourne.
We drove through Eyethorne, then along to Coldred, onto the A2. Traffic was light, and the overcast skies were clearing well.
We turn off to go through Braham, mainly so I could judge how deep the Nailbourne was. I knew Out Elmstead Lane ford was closed due to the depth of the bourne, and at Barham the running water was up to the top of the brdge arch, but still flowing well.
Further along, at the ford, indeed the water was deep, and the culvert it flows into had restricted flows, creating a small pond on the road and bottom of the field.
Down into Bishopbourne, with some houses still pumping flood water from their gardens onto the road, amde it seem worse than it was. We parked up near the church, and joined plenty of people out to enjoy the weather and warm sunshine.
Once through the chuchyard, the ground opened up, with the Nailbourne meandering through a large meadow, heading towards the village of Bridge about a mile away behind the trees.
We walk beside the bourne, to keep a safe distance from others, but not their dogs, apparently, and so I could get shots of the bourne.
We cross the first bridge, and another leaping across another arm of the Nailbourne, but we could see more and more people approaching, so we left the flattened path to walk beside the bourne again, until the bridge to Bourne Park had created a lake.
That'll do.
We turned and headed back to the church and the car, avoiding the dozens of people and their dogs, most of which were roaming freely.
Sigh.
On the way home we called in to see Jen again. She was feeling better, well enough to drink tea, but eat nothing else yet.
We stayed for an hour before leaving.
Once home I make lunch: rump steak and the usual stuff.
It was wonderful, just what the doctor ordered. The steaks were lark, lean but full of flavour.
After clearing away, I help wash up before taking to the sofa to watch the afternoon matches.
Spurs were being Spurs, losing to West Ham, Leicester beat Villa, but before the big game, I had to leave to drive into town for my jab.
I parked behind the POlice Station, mainly for a short walk and so I could snap the river Dour in full flow. The Dour is what gave Dover its name, and is a chalk stream, river really, that flows above ground from Temple Ewell, though water maybe flows through the chalk from a much larger area.
The rver was a couple of feet or so from the top of the wall, and was flowing well.
Over the footbridge, and to the Health Centre where signs directed you to the front. After a short wait I was let to sign in, then another short wait in a corridor before being called to see the doctor, who just checked details, and jabbed me in the arm.
That was it.
It was quite emotional afterwards, getting the vaccine and maybe this damned war will soon be over.
I drove home, in time to see the rest of the first half of the Arsenal v Citeh game. I missed the only goal, but nice just to sit and let the vaccine work.
Outside it got dark, we had cheese and crackers for supper. And wine.
And that was that, a good weekend with some travelling and snapping more than the back garden.
There have been lights at the end of the tunnel before, but it just turned out the be the full headlights of an oncomg 2nd wave COVID train.
The hope has always been on vaccines, not because they are a magic bullit, but they offer a real hope to relaxation. But the need to track, trace and isolate has never been more important. Best of all were to be if the UK followed NZ and Oz in surpressing the virus to a handful of cases, locking borders.
This Government never has had the stomach for that, for making really tough decisions early, rather leave them to the last minute when there is no choice.
But for me, Sunday was a red letter day, at twenty to five I could go and get my first vaccine jab.The chance of real hope.
We had the whole day ahead of us before then, so after breakfast of fruit and croissants two coffees, we head back out to Waldershare, with me armed with my ringflash, so I could snap the fine display of snowdrops.
Sadly, the church was closed, and the graveyard overgrown, but between the stones, rugs if not carpets of snowdrops could be seen.We were the only ones there, of course. Jools went for a walk while I snapped and got shots.
Most flowers were already wide open, maybe another species still were yet to open, waiting to take over.Jools returned, and I had got my shots, so we went back to the car to drive to Bishopsbourne.
We drove through Eyethorne, then along to Coldred, onto the A2. Traffic was light, and the overcast skies were clearing well. We turn off to go through Braham, mainly so I could judge how deep the Nailbourne was. I knew Out Elmstead Lane ford was closed due to the depth of the bourne, and at Barham the running water was up to the top of the brdge arch, but still flowing well.
Further along, at the ford, indeed the water was deep, and the culvert it flows into had restricted flows, creating a small pond on the road and bottom of the field.
Down into Bishopbourne, with some houses still pumping flood water from their gardens onto the road, amde it seem worse than it was. We parked up near the church, and joined plenty of people out to enjoy the weather and warm sunshine.
Once through the chuchyard, the ground opened up, with the Nailbourne meandering through a large meadow, heading towards the village of Bridge about a mile away behind the trees.
We walk beside the bourne, to keep a safe distance from others, but not their dogs, apparently, and so I could get shots of the bourne.We cross the first bridge, and another leaping across another arm of the Nailbourne, but we could see more and more people approaching, so we left the flattened path to walk beside the bourne again, until the bridge to Bourne Park had created a lake.
That'll do.We turned and headed back to the church and the car, avoiding the dozens of people and their dogs, most of which were roaming freely.
Sigh.On the way home we called in to see Jen again. She was feeling better, well enough to drink tea, but eat nothing else yet.
We stayed for an hour before leaving.
Once home I make lunch: rump steak and the usual stuff.
It was wonderful, just what the doctor ordered. The steaks were lark, lean but full of flavour.
After clearing away, I help wash up before taking to the sofa to watch the afternoon matches.
Spurs were being Spurs, losing to West Ham, Leicester beat Villa, but before the big game, I had to leave to drive into town for my jab.
I parked behind the POlice Station, mainly for a short walk and so I could snap the river Dour in full flow. The Dour is what gave Dover its name, and is a chalk stream, river really, that flows above ground from Temple Ewell, though water maybe flows through the chalk from a much larger area.
The rver was a couple of feet or so from the top of the wall, and was flowing well. Over the footbridge, and to the Health Centre where signs directed you to the front. After a short wait I was let to sign in, then another short wait in a corridor before being called to see the doctor, who just checked details, and jabbed me in the arm.
That was it.It was quite emotional afterwards, getting the vaccine and maybe this damned war will soon be over.
I drove home, in time to see the rest of the first half of the Arsenal v Citeh game. I missed the only goal, but nice just to sit and let the vaccine work.
Outside it got dark, we had cheese and crackers for supper. And wine.And that was that, a good weekend with some travelling and snapping more than the back garden.
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