12th January 2021. Amended to……304 days of isolation/lockdown. (2020 = 292. 2021 = 12)

During the lockdown we have watched alot of foreign films and TV series. They have been transmitted in their original language with English subtitles. At first it was difficult but we eventually got used to it and learned to understand bits of Scandinavian languages. Now, in a complete reversal, a Finnish Police series, whilst still having English subtitles, is also voice dubbed into the English language. What is really odd is that the spoken translation and the written dubbing are translated slightly differently. Obviously translations are done by different people and whilst the attempts in translation are similar, there are, nevertheless , slight differences. It is very disconcerting but highlights the difficulties interpreters have in translating, especially things like speeches in the UN, in real time. We prefer the written translations to the voice overs. We want to hear the voice that goes with the lip movements. Voice overdubbing was a big thing in Germany when I was a child and I remember watching “Ben Hur” at Fritz Stuhr’s Cinema in Laboe where Charlton Heston had a squeeky voice. Before the main film we watched a short Laurel and Hardy film and both actors had squeeky voices. The duo were known as “Dick und Dof” in Germany. It translates as “Fat and Stupid” which is not PC today but still hilarious.

I had a blood test yesterday. After four goes, the nurse gave up. She could not find a vein so made an appointment for Friday where she will try again. As it was an early appointment I had got up got washed etc and gone to the surgery without a drink. That was my mistake. I was apparently dehydrated and this slows the blood flow. You live and learn. She also updated me on the vaccination situation. Supplies have arrived and we will shortly be invited in, probably to the De la Pole Hospital (actually now defunct) about two kilometers away.

We have put in our first telephone shopping order of this lockdown. We rang before lunch and the order from our local garden centre will arrive tomorrow. There is no charge for delivery and although prices are slightly higher than the shops, it is so much easier than going out in the cold and rain/snow.

Whilst ordering from Amazon is brilliant we want free delivery, They design the site so as to guide you to signing up for Amazon Prime. This is a subscription delivery scheme. Having worked out how to avoid it we have to go through the process each time. Can they please allow me to opt for my preferred delivery for all time? It would seem not.

We had a lovely Zoom call from Sally and Jim who had received a little surprise xmas package from us. It was nice to watch them open their gifts while we all toasted each other with a glass of wine.

Brexit continues to cause problems to the UK. The EU is clearly set to punish us despite the fact that more than half of us wanted to stay in. More stories are coming out of Spain in particular of restrictions to be placed on Brits. Those who have a second home there that they like to stay in for 6 months over winter, are to be restricted to 90 days in a 6 month period, even if they have fully registered with the Spanish authorities and pay all the relevant taxes. If you want to move to Spain you need to prove that you as a couple have an an annual income (net) of £24,000. We are oh so glad we sold up when we did. It was put to me that it was healthier and cheaper to live there. Well maybe, but all I really miss are the oranges straight off the tree. Friends and family in these times are more important.

Visited Mum this morning. I didn’t manage to see a carer to get an update on Mum’s vaccination. She has been messing with her TV remote control and all she could get was Sky News. I managed to re-tune it all and she now has all channels. As long as she has Channel 1,2,3,4 and 5 she is fine. Otherwise she was in good form.