28th February, 2021. 351 days of Lockdown/Isolation.

I notice that China has announced 11 new cases of Covid today making a total of 89,842 cases in total. That puts them in 84th place on the table of countries and their reported cases (the UK has had 4,177,330 (5th place) by comparison. If anybody believes that load of conkers, they will believe anything. Everybody needs to see a great documentary of two episodes which was on BBC 2 and is now on iPlayer. They are called respectively:- “54 days – China and the Pandemic” and “America and the Pandemic”. Riveting stuff!! In the meantime all that is coming from our government and scientists, is good news. We are first in the world on vaccinations and all infection numbers are plummeting, in the right direction and vaccinations are being given at a rate of over 500,000 per day including 2nd vaccinations.

What have I learned about lockdown? What do I do now that I did not do over a year ago?

I, like many others, talk to strangers a lot but then, I always did. The difference is that now, everyone talks back and they don’t think I am some random nutter. Or maybe they do. But as before, I don’t really care. I have got to know so many faces that I couldn’t begin to count them. Even when I do my usual walks for bread and milk, The Times or Fish and chips on a Friday, I know that those on the route will be saying “There he goes again. Regular as clockwork. You could set your watch by him” I know that because it’s what we say as we look out of our window at the passers by. The man who walks three cockapoos three times a day. The Little girl with the pink crash helmet and pink bike, twice a day. The cars that break the speed limit. The delivery drivers (and there are dozens of them) and which house gets the most parcels. No. 25, if you are interested.

I eat more biscuits and cakes and sweets and have taken to making scones and Whiskey marmalade. I could eat that straight from the jar. Comfort food is so necessary and done without a thought to the waistline It’s hard to remember a time when we did not have chocolate covered raisins in the house. When this madness finishes, hopefully this year, I will suffer a huge sugar crash and nobody should speak to me for a week. Cold turkey on chocolate. I cannot wait.

I am under no illusions that I could learn a new skill or learn a new language during lockdown. Even write a book, as some have done. Why do any of those things when there is a ready supply of lemons to make gin and tonics? Why bother with intellectual stuff when you can binge on twitter? And are those people pleased with themselves who have achieved reading War and Peace or written a self gratifying tome of hugely boring proportions or learnt Welsh (why would they) and know the meaning of Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysilogogogoch. That should be 58 characters. You count them. I cannot be bothered. And I’ve been there. Those who did those things would not declare it for being declared as sad buggers. So what is the point.

Unlike many others, we have not bought a dog. Or a cat or lizard or goldfish or tarantula. No pet of any kind will ever cross our threshold. Even a “visitor” would be chucked into the back garden for the duration of the visit. Don’t get me wrong. I quite like dogs. They are to some extent loyal, friendly and trainable. Unlike cats who are “tarts” and spread their love to any one who will feed them. And leave a calling card. It is estimated that the number of pets during lock down have increased to 1 in every 4 households. Goodness gracious! I have a pet who cleans up after me!

We in the UK seem to be forging ahead of most countries with our vaccination programme whilst simultaneously having the highest number of deaths per million. That must change if for no other reason than to ease my troubled mind at the dichotomy. Boris has given a list of dates to slowly and gradually come out of lockdown. There are several milestones going up to June. Why make it a time thing? Why not just say, for example, 4 weeks after everyone has had their second dose? Except we should exclude anti-vaxxers who should be incarcerated and have a big black cross painted on their front doors.

Sally and Jim continue to video call from Romania (it is always lovely to hear from them for an update. They are both bearing up very well) and we are getting messages from Petra and Manfred in Germany and Bernard and Sue in France. Those two latter countries are not doing as well as the UK with their vacination programme. Very frustrating for all. We have not seen any of those lovely people for over a year and the prospects for 2021 are slim. At least for the first half. This may of course (along with Brexit) explain the appalling refereeing by the French chap who was in charge of the match against Wales on Saturday. I fear the worst for the Eurovision Song Contest. It would not matter if we had Shirley Bassey or Paul McCartney representing he UK, we are guaranteed “Nul Points” I’ll go one further. We are likely to be the first country to score a minus figure. Forget any points from the Mediterranean. The Balkan countries and the Scandinavians all vote for each other and of course we can forget any of our old friends in the EU. Especially the French. As usual, I won’t be listening to all the rubbish songs (which, ironically, many of the competitors sing in English) but I will take time to watch the voting. I predict that The Ukraine will win.

Only 35 days until our second Pfizer jab. Then a couple of weeks later, almost immune!

21st February, 2021. 344 days of lockdown/isolation.

I’ve just seen a film of Boris speaking on May 10th last year. He looks 10 years younger than he does now. I am sure that he thought he knew what he was doing with Brexit (he clearly didn’t) but he did not expect a pandemic and looking at him now, he has clearly aged alot.

There was a fascinating documentary om BBC iplayer about the pandemic originating in China in the last weeks of 2019. It was a damning report. China is clearly culpable in the beginning but other countries, especially the USA and in particular the New York powers that be, did not lag far behind. The UK is not innocent either but to a much lesser degree. China did not tell anyone it existed and the USA were in denial and probably still are. The UK were, at the start, at best, incompetent. We seem now, for the time being at least, to be on top of things. China it seems, is sticking to it’s story that the Corona pandemic did not start in Wuhan but is telling that in the first quarter of 2020, one province showed a reduction of state pension claims of 150,000. Why, I wonder. And it is only paid to those over 80 years of age. Funny that!!

It’s “Roadmap Day” tomorrow when we find out what rules are going to be relaxed in the near future. I personally don’t care what Boris comes up with. We shall stay inside and self isolate ans believe we should all do the same until the pandemic is over. We will risk another spike and lockdown and be frustrated by it. We know that kids are going back to school and I suppose most of them will be pleased about it so they will see all their pals again. I am just looking forward to vaccination #2 in April. I do need a holiday though.

19th February 19th, 2021. 342 days of lockdown/isolation

Woks are great. I love a stir fry and I also use ours to do chips or fried potatoes. However, the design of this particular pan is meant to be used making street food or in a Chinese restaurant with deep recess on the cooker. Our gas hob gives the wok a way of sliding around and eventually falling onto the kitchen floor along with half fried onions and leaks. I have been closer than I would like to getting second degree burns on a couple of occasions. We will shortly be getting a new kitchen with an electric induction hob. I can’t wait. I might even incorporate a deep fat fryer. I make very tasty onion bhajis.

Our new bookcase arrived today, several days before it’s 25th February delivery date. Now filled with interesting books downstairs. The CD shelf and cds are now upstairs with all the others. Good job and well done Amazon.

I’ve had a session with my chiropractor, which was quite painful. I am still a little suspicious of the treatment but have booked a course of 5 sessions and will see how it goes. They have sent me an attachment with exercises which I report on through an on line form which is very thorough and detailed. I was very stiff after doing all of the exercises which I also did properly.

Sally and Jim rang from a lovely Air B&B on the way to Brashov, our favoutite place. It’s on the list for us all to go when we eventually get to go there. They are also going to book flights to Doncaster in May or June. I hope it works out and they are able to travel. We miss them.

44th fish and chips at the weekend since lockdown began. I am beginning to look like a medium haddock.

17th February, 2021. 340 days of lockdown/isolation.

We lost a friend of 50 years today. Chris in Easingwold finally succumbed to her COPD and finally, Cancer. She was a good friend, especially to Jenny. They worked together in LP3 Tax Office when we moved to Bradford in 1970 and we were always good friends up to the present day. We are thinking of husband Mike and all her family. Chris was 78.

Covid numbers are coming down and the vaccinations seem to be effective so it makes it more galling when these barmy anti vaccine groups protest the dangers of receiving it. There was an interesting documentary on TV where over half a dozen anti vaxxers had an opportunity to quiz proper scientists and doctors about the vaccines available. To a man and woman they changed their minds and were prepared to go ahead and be vaccinated. Hopefully many more of their ilk were persuaded. It would also be a great idea not to give “airtime” to these loonies. We should just tell them that if they refuse to be immunised and they subsequently get infected, they should be charged for treatment by the NHS. Rant over.

I spent a couple of hours with Mum yesterday and she is still well with no adverse effects after her vaccination 5 days ago. We spoke to Sally and Jim and they have now got a dishwasher (previously called Jim) and have belatedly joined the 20th century. Other plumbing work has been done and we are looking forward to seeing the finished work, when we are allowed to fly there. We miss them both and hope we can make the trip soon.

Get well soon Prince Phillip!! We would like you to celebrate your 100th birthday in June. Will you get a telegram from the Queen? (His illness is NOT Covid related.

Boris wants to ease lockdown rules. I think it is too early. Please let us wait until everyone has had the first injection at least. If the lockdown is eased, we should at least continue to wear masks.

14th February, 2021. 337 days in lockdown/isolation.

Happy St. Valentines Day. Did you know he was a 3rd century Roman Saint and is also the patron Saint of epilepsy and only became associated with “love” in the later middle ages. His “miracle” was to restore the sight of a young girl, daughter of Judge Asterius. Later Valentine was condemned to death by the Romans for not denying Jesus Christ and allegedly wrote to the now fully sighted young girl and his letter was signed, “from your Valentine” which is said to inspire the romantic cobblers we “celebrate” today.

I am more inclined to celebrate the fact that three weeks ago today we were vaccinated against Covid 19 with the Pfizer vaccine. It is what I will celebrate most each February 14th. My mum and late father were also married on this date in 1948, in Germany. It is also the date in 2000 that I had my left hip replaced in Anlaby, Hull. Private, of course.

13th February, 2021. 336 days of lockdown/isolation.

BBC journalist’s are still not speaking the queens English on TV. Tautology, ending sentences with a preposition and they still cannot pronounce words like “acceptable” saying instead “exceptable”. These errors are perpetrated by some of our newsreader “heavyweights”. Maybe I’m too much of a pedant but I find it appalling in this day and age. And…”How are you?” They answer “I’m good”. I have to ask ” Good at what”. We are all speaking American “English” now!!!

Cousin Petra’s colleagues at work in Kiel, Germany are unprotected. They happily go to the office without wearing a mask. One only has to look at the vaccination figures to see that Germany is falling behind the UK and we are accelerating. Fortunately, Manfred is working at home. A worrying time for Petra, nevertheless.

Sally and Jim have been decorating pottery and learning their instruments and dieting to fill in their time. So all productive. Granddaughter Thea has also been teaching herself the guitar so there maybe a possibility of an online trio concert.

Jenny’s Kindle Fire 8 died. RIP. So we ordered a new one on Thursday night. It arrived on Friday afternoon. And that was without Amazon Prime. I think the Christmas rush has worn off! Well done Amazon. So stop asking me to join Amazon Prime. I’ve got Netflix and your free delivery service is fast enough already. When the pandemic is over, we shall do more shopping just to get out. And we shall use the bus!

I was born just after the war but even so I knew that Churchill was a giant of a man. He had his flaws and which leader hasn’t, especially at he moment. But to judge a man born in 1874 by 21st century sentiments is absolutely absurd. This applies to many historical figures who have made us what we are today. Is this what wokeness is all about? If so, then bollocks.

10th February, 2021. 333 days of lockdown/isolation.

I have spent some time on my “new” Dell laptop computer. I have had trouble linking it to my HP printer. Not only have I fixed that now and can print stuff off, I have found all the photos which Curry’s had taken off the old tower and put onto a 1 terrabyte hard drive. As there is not enough capacity on the laptop, they must all be in the cloud which I had subscribed to but did not know how to access.I can now try to bring my photo library up to date to include all those in my Nikon camera and on the iphone. Rather alot I think.

Watching Rick Stein on his travels down the east coast of Spain. Of course, it is really a cooking programme on wheels. Starting up north in Catalunia, he seemed to cook only fish and lots of stuff in shells from land and sea. The snails looked particularly unappetising. But then lamb appeared on the menu. Simply cooked but done on an open fire for three hours and looked absolutely fabulous. I do miss some Spanish food but eating outside with glasses of cold red or white wine with lunch, is absolutely unmissable. And I miss it!!!

At last it looks like the government is taking a hard line on those people who come into the UK and especially those who lie about where they have come from/been. James O’Brien tweets “If you lie about travelling during lockdown you could be jailed for ten years – under a law introduced by the same politicians who queued up to defend Dominic Cummings”. Strange that. And Jonathan Jones, a former head of the government’s legal service has said “If anyone is EVER sentenced to ten years for lying on the form, I will eat a face mask”. I’d pay good money to see that.

I think we can wave goodbye to Germany in May/June. I may join the local Green Bowls Club.

8th February, 2021. 331 days of lockdown/isolation.

Another weekend over and it is snowing. It is not quite the “Beast from the East” but it is cold enough to keep us in the house. I don’t think that with the blizzards of light snow we would have gone out in the car, even if we had some where to go. I think we will get more of the same tomorrow. We are watching the forecast closely.

Most of our friends that qualify, have now had their first Pfizer vaccine, including Nick who was starting to worry. Bill and Irene are still waiting but things are not as quick in Scotland. The number of vaccines (1st dose) in the UK is in excess of 12.2 million. Also 2nd doses are also ongoing but there are no details yet. Deaths are going down as are new cases and hospital beds taken up. All positive. Except for the way some describe one of the new variants as “Variant Anglais” but never never ever refer to the original virus as the China Virus. Oh no! But it was discovered in Kent which is the normal route when travelling from France. Et voila!

It is useful to get the daily vaccination figures but the number of anti-vaxxers who refuse their invitation, or just do not turn up, is never given. I think we should be told. Especially as the vaccination gets close to the end. If any one of those is infected at any time, they must be made to pay for their treatment. Have you seen how many staff are involved in the treatment process and the banks of monitors and other equipment used? It would prove very expensive for them. We should find the anti-vaxxers quite easily as they will be the ones without a Huawei tracking chip in their blood stream and they won’t have a third eye growing in their forehead.

It has been three days of various home deliveries by Amazon and Royal Mail. At least six items arrived, all of them on time and in some cases, earlier than predicted. Given the millions of parcels being delivered daily, it is a remarkable feat. One that they surely cannot sustain. Also, whether late, on time or early it is likely that the house holder will be at home. So if they don’t want to lose the advantage they have gained, they must deliver when they say they will as in the future, when this madness is over, customers will rely on the timings to make sure someone (or a neighbour) is at home.

Jenny is still knitting a quilt. She has also learned to crochet. Clever girl!

5th February, 2021. 328 days of lockdown/isolation.

Mum had her first vaccine on Wednesday, 3rd February. A District Nurse called about 15:30 and gave her the Astra Zenica vaccine. She could not give a date for the second jab as it was a surgery led operation and they could not yet make the appointments. At least she is now starting to have some protection from Covid 19 and any of it’s mutation. And we know she is in the system.

I had my chiropractic consultation last Monday. Although I only went to them to look at my right knee, they looked at my whole “frame” and took lots of readings and measurements. Not a bad thing, if they are to be believed, to look at my posture, standing, sitting and laying down to see if any improvements can be made. I will book four sessions with the actual chiropracter starting on Monday 15th February at 8am. Yes! 8am!!

ERNIE paid us £75 this month and together with winning £30 in the Cricket Club draw, this is looking like a good month. We are also saving £70 each month on the cancelled gym memberships. These will not be renewed, I would guess, until at least June/July. Goodness knows how much we are saving on fuel. My tank is still half full and I had filled the car up on 30th December for about £60. That should last way over two months.

The longer the pandemic goes on, the less likely it is that we will be going to Germany on 31st May. They may only just finish vaccinating everyone by then and although Boris would like to get everything normal by then, I don’t think it is feasible. I don’t think anywhere in Europe will let us in yet anyway. We would be travelling through Belgium, Holland and then Germany. I don’t think I would let us in!!!

Our concert tickets to see Andy Fairweather low have been shifted to April next year. Is Paloma Faith’s concert on 7th October safe? Possibly not.

I am looking at Twitter more and more nowadays. Although it is a good read and I “like” and “retweet” a lot, I don’t comment much. I am neither that politically motivated nor bright enough to make any meaningful contribution. I do love listening to James O’Brien’s broadcasts though as I find myself in agreement with most of his views and comments.

Hull City Council has just announced that the Hull City Hall is to be converted to a mass vaccination site. Things certainly seem to be accelerating. No date for commencement has been given. At the moment, the nearest such centre is in York.

Jenny and I drove into Hull this morning to bank a check in an outside ATM which allows deposits, I nearly forgot that bus lanes are operating all day now and guess what? We never saw a bus. And Hull was like a ghost town. Except for groups of losers gathering in numbers. I know they are bored. Get Netflix!!!!

2nd February, 2021. 325 days of Lockdown.

Rest in Peace, Sir Captain Tom Moore. What a final year. What a star!!!