29th November, 2020. 259 days of lockdown/isolation.

Another week has passed and we are looking forward to our Tier 3 status. Despite all the “explanations provided by politicians, scientists and tv pundits, I am still unclear as to our visiting rights over the Xmas holiday period. What is certain is that we will not be travelling to the Midlands to see the Clarkes from Spain. Like I have always said, we should write off 2020 and start again next year. We have already bought tickets to see Paloma Faith in concert in Hull next November. We should be OK as should our one week away in the Harz Mountains in Germany in May with our friends Val and Nick. We should be OK for that too. The “Farewell to Hull Inland Revenue” Dance. which had been rearranged for the third time, to January, has finally been cancelled. It will be a shame not to see old colleagues but there is a hint of a “reunion do” later on in the year. That would be nice if it came off.

Christmas Eve with my mum and everyone in the family, has been cancelled. Our main focus will be David and the Grandchildren and they will as usual, get their presents on Christmas/Boxing Day at our house if Covid 19 allows. We have yet to find out what the plans are for Mum on Christmas Day. I don’t think she should leave her home this year so I may suggest that we take her a plated Xmas lunch in the afternoon and spend a couple of hours with her. That frees all the rest of the families up to do their own thing and if we stay away on Christmas Eve, then it is less complicated for everyone to visit.

So, Diego Maradona has died at 60 years of age. Quite young, probably due to his drug induced lifestyle in later life. There is no doubt that, at his peak, he was the greatest and most gifted footballer the world has ever seen and the adulation shown by Argentinians is understandable but over the top. Weeping and wailing and throwing replica shirts at his coffin by young people who were too young to have ever seen him almost seems orchestrated. But he is their man and they can mourn how they like. It is a bit odd to me though, that so much air time was given to him in the UK. Here was a man who cheated the England football team out of a possible world cup final place and went on to wish death on British forces in the Falklands war. I will remember his undoubted skills, but not the man.

A vaccine seems to be getting nearer. I know of people who are not going to bother with it until it is shown to be safe. So it’s ok to let us old folk be the guinea pigs. Happy to oblige, people. If no vaccine had been on the horizon, some of the anti-vaxxers would have complained that it was taking too long to develop. Some of them of course will choose never be inoculated, and presumably also objected to the MMR jab. Bring it on, I say.

Spent a lot of time on health this week. Doctors appointment meant two more prescription items. A further visit to the optician has resulted in an appointment at the Eye Hospital tomorrow morning. Jenny and I both needed blood tests for which we are still awaiting the results. A busy week.

There are some big Xmas light displays down our street. A bit early but very spectacular and cheerful.