31st May, 2021. 78 days of isolation /shielding.

I have recently watched a documentary about AI, or Artificial Intelligence. I have read George Orwell’s “1984” and although it is nearly 40 years after that date, the world as envisaged by Orwell, is nearly here. And it frightens me to death. I am only glad that I am of an age that I will not see the outcome and in particular how the Chinese will take over the world. I fear for my grandchildren.

Jenny went back to York on the bus to exchange one item at Marks & Spencer. I also asked her to bring me another polo shirt of a different colour to the one I bought yesterday. They are a really nice fit.

We were looking forward to our curry at the Madras with the Gibsons and it didn’t disappoint. We have really missed it and enjoyed what turned out to be a catch up on all our ailments.

In view of the beautiful weather, I gave all our plants a good watering. Some of the bedding plants are past their best and a few need replacing. We would like to see them all prosper but at the moment we are battling against the birds who are taking the planter liner material for their nests. As a consequence, we may need to replace some of the planters with new ones from the local garden centre.

It is interesting that Boris’s wedding was allegedly “held in secret”. How come that we saw photos almost immediately and as it was in secret, are we sure that he stuck to the rules in terms of numbers. I think we should be told.

I see the Scottish Independence supporters think that the UK will still pay the “state” pensions to Scottish retirees. Two things. First, the state pension is a UK state benefit. Scotland will not be in the UK and will not get OAP or any UK benefit. Second, our state pension benefit is not like an insurance “pot”. WE do not tuck away a portion of National Insurance payments now, to pay pensions in the future. Pensions are mostly paid for from tax/NI collected now, this year, not from a “pot” that has been put aside. It is considered by the Scots that they can continue to use the £, leave without debt, trade without any changes with the UK and EU and keep all British public sector jobs. In all of this, they are sadly deluded.