After the slight euphoria of a slight downward trend in deaths for a couple of days, we were brought down to earth with the next two daily UK death tallies which increased to just under a thousand. Despite the expert scientists assuring us that the graph curves are showing a stabilising trend, the number of victims succumbing to the virus is frightening. Add to that the fact that Boris Johnson is still in intensive care (although stable), these are worrying times indeed.

Still, we soldier on with our basic daily routine, boring though it is. We always watch the news hoping to see the beginning of the end announced. Of course, nobody can out guess a virus although the Chinese seem to be making a fist of it simply by locking cities down completely. It could be the answer in China because the chinese people are petrified of defiying the state. It would probably not work in he UK because we have too many idiots who know better than the experts. For example, families loading the family car with kids and their bikes and going to the seaside for a day out and a picnic. Twits!!!!

We went for a walk into the village today to collect a prescription for Jenny. There was an orderly queue outside, nicely observing the two meter rule (or six feet as our Queen would say as she doesn’t do metric). Walking and observing the two meter rule can be dangerous. If you come across some one coming the opposite way, someone as to step out into the road. Fortunately, there are very few cars about nowadays.

UK deaths Tuesday   786

UK deaths Wednesday   938

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I have left this blog for a couple of days as, apart from the death figures, each day is very much the same. Over the weekend we have had two good walks and are feeling very healthy. The weather has been great and we have done little bits in the garden to prepare for planting. We want to plant lots of colour although actual landscaping on the plot has taken a backseat for now. We hope that on sunny days we can spend lots of time sat in the garden with a cup of tea and a book. in Spain we would be close to using the pool and we would certainly be outside and no longer living full time in the main house.

We had another food delivery from our local garden centre. Lovely fresh vegetables, bread and butter and two large bags of flour and yeast for some baking. We got some biscuits as a treat. Once things have settled down we hope to go and do a supermarket shop although we are still absolutely fine for the basics such as soap, toilet and kitchen rolls. We should also be able to select all our plants for the garden soon too.

Sam our plumber agreed to come and fix our upstairs toilet flush as we could not use it without the aid of a full bucket of water. Having just one fully functioning toilet was, however, good for exercise. In the end he had to completely replace the flushing mechanism. When he arrived, we stayed in our lounge whilst he had the run of the route to upstairs. It worked very well and we left payment by the front door for him to collect as he left. For the complete mechanism, 45 minutes labour and his callout time, he only charged £60. A bargain.

I was 72 years of age on Sunday and was innundated with cards, messages and phone calls. David called on WhatsApp and the granchildren sang “Happy Birthday”. Thea did her best to play it on the Ukelele. Thankfully they all seem to be in top form and are not in the least bit bored. Sally and Jim called too and we were able to link up via Zoom which is the latest communication app and is able to be used for conference calls etc. It was excellent and did not seem to suffer from time delay. They had both composed and recorded five different instrumental versions of “Happy Birthday” which I was able to pick up from sound files on Email. Brilliant work and clearly they are able to find plenty to do.I quickly rang my my mum who is very well and continues to be looked after by carers four times a day. When you think about it, she is getting more stimulation from talking to more people each day than the rest of us. As for actual birthday celebrations there clearly were none. I did have a Martini in the evening but the best present is still to be fit and well each morning.

I really enjoy our Queen’s speech. sensible and inspiring. Yes, it may have been part written for her but from the many documentaries I have watched she has more than a little input and I felt as if she was talking directly to me. I think she should do a weekly broadcast. Let us hope she stays well. We sometimes forget she is 94, like my mum.

Sadly, our Prime Minister has come down, badly, with the virus. He is not, at the moment, on a ventilator but is in intensive care and is clearly not well. I have little time for Boris and to some extent I believe he has brought it on himself. His hand shaking with absolutely everyone just a couple of weeks ago did not show common sense and I believe he announced the lockdown far too late. However, he is our leader and we need him to be fit and at the helm. At the moment, I cannot think who would replace him although we are always surprised when someone steps up to the plate and does a good job.

Jenny had me go into the loft yesterday to look for cookery books. I found what she needed vey quickly and had a bit of a tidy up too. I found a box of bank statements etc that need shredding. We will never need them now. I have ordered the shredder from Amazon fo £30.

UK daily death figures seem encouraging but let’s not be complacent.

UK deaths Saturday   708

UK deaths Sunday      621

UK deaths Monday     439

 

First news of the day was a real shocker. “Fab Fish” has announced it is closing down from today for at least 10 days. So no fish and chips today so Jenny is making liver and onions with red cabbage and mashed potato. That will do.

We had an Amazon delivery today which, on the day I ordered the three items, the estimated delivery date was the 29th of April. So, 26 days early. We should use this company as a barometer for how things are going in these strange days. Not too bad then?

We tried to order a new ceramic hob today but the shop did not answer the phone. I shall try again tomorrow. We could use someone else but Hanson’s also install and do not charge for delivery. There is no rush but the dismantling of the existing gas hob has been arranged for next Thurdsay.

The world situation has worsened today, except for China, of course. In the UK the extra hospital spaces in the Nightingale Hospital will be a godsend. Other new hospitals are well on the way throughout the Kingdom. There seems to be an acceleration in the manufacture of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) and that should help matters. Many companies are on board including Burberry. Good for them and it should encourage others.

UK deaths 684

 

Oh good. Only 6 deaths in China today. So glad they have all but beaten the outbreak. Perhaps they will tell us how they did it?

Mum’s downstairs toilet is on the blink. I had a plumber lined up but after someone dismantled it,  it was decided to leave any repair until the virus is beaten to avoid “strangers” potentially bringing infection into the house. The carers are to use a bucket on each visit as she can still use it and not have to go upstairs. I cancelled the plumber I had on standby!

I heard from German cousin Eckart about things in Germany. They are self isolating which is reflected in the figures so far. Germany have 50,000 more confirmed cases so far and about one third of the deaths. Although the confirmed cases will be due to the higher rate of screening, they must be doing something right. Despite being a global pandemic, nobody seems to want to work together. This is why China’s figures are at best doubtful and the virus did not jump across the border to North Korea at all! What kind of world do we live in?

Back in the kitchen this afternoon. Jenny is making banana cakes and I’ll try some scones without strong breaded flour. We’ll see how that works out.

Lovely.  I also had a go at cookies. They tasted lovely but were not very big. I’ll stick to scones.

In the evening at 8pm we went outside to applaud all workers who help to keep the country running. It was quite emotiotional. After that we came back inside and had a video call with our daughter in Romania where all is well. It was our pal Bill’s 73rd birthday so I had a glass of wine and made a video call to him so we could raise a glass together. Isn’t technology wonderful?

The deaths today were almost unchanged so fingers crossed.

UK deaths 569

 

 

 

 

 

The optimism of yesterday has evaporated after today’s figures. Although the increase in deaths was not, apparently, unexpeced, it is still a body blow to hopes of a sustained improvement. I shall not try and out guess the statistics in the future and just keep fingers crossed instead. What is also alot clearer today is the pressure the NHS is under, even more than before. Hopefully the news that our local Hull Company, Smith and Nephew, has won a contract to start manufacturing ventilators. They start this week and this news could not have come at a better time.

We continue to do the usual things at home but managed to get a 3 kilometer walk in during the afternoon. We walked past Aldi and although there was a very long queue, it was orderly and all customers were in ones and were obeying the two meter rule. We did not need to join it. We are OK for provisions, except biscuits. A good job that Sally is not here.

One of the initiatives parents have been getting their children to take part in, is to draw a scene with a rainbow in it to support all NHS workers and display them in their front windows. We have seen dozens as we walk around the village. One of our grandchildren, all of whom did a drawing, won’t put hers there as she believes people may think she is a lesbian. I think she is getting mixed up with the Gay Pride symbol.

Good to see Prince Charles is on the mend.

Only 7 deaths in China today and 36 new cases. Yeh, right!!

UK deaths 563.