7th May 2020

The total number of coronavirus deaths worldwide has reached at least 264,679, according to Johns Hopkins University, which has been tracking the spread of the virus throughout the pandemic. The US has the highest number of deaths at 73,573, followed by the UK with 30,150 and Italy with 29,684. On Thursday, Russia saw a record daily rise in cases, overtaking France and Germany to become the fifth-highest in the world, with a total of 177,160.

Astonishingly, the Kremlin reported that US President Donald Trump offered to send medical aid to Moscow during a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. If true, this is either further evidence of Russia’s involvement with Trump or yet another example of consistently poor judgment. However, given that the statement came from the Kremlin, a source known for its enthusiasm in stirring the pot to its own advantage, I’ll take it with a pinch of salt.

It was bright, sunny, and warm today. On my morning ride, I noticed a lot more people out and about than at any time since the beginning of March. Everyone seemed to be following social distancing rules, though, during a quick spin through the park this evening, I did spot a group of teenagers sitting together. The media have been speculating that the Government will announce an easing of lockdown on Sunday, and it seems some are already jumping the gun.

Sue spent much of the day weeding around the driveway and being entertained by our local pheasants. Another male has arrived on the scene, leading to regular skirmishes for Mrs Pheasant’s attention and control of this prime bit of real estate (I put out grain for them each morning). I’ll be curious to see who accompanies her at breakfast tomorrow, though I’m not sure I’ll be able to tell whether there’s been a dramatic breakup or a simple change in alliances.

Meanwhile, I mowed the paths in the vegetable plot, fixed a puncture on my bike, and stroked the cat (again). Some would say that’s a perfect lockdown day.

Jamie has a new addition to the family. Today, he and Ruth picked up the little puppy he bought nearly eight weeks ago. From her photo, she looks utterly adorable and has been named Lana. I do wonder how Maddie the mad rabbit will take to this new family member. I suspect she won’t be entirely thrilled. No doubt the rest of the Palmer tribe is eager to meet Lana, but for now, introductions will have to wait.

8th May 2020
It was a perfect day for flypasts and festivities as the UK commemorated the 75th anniversary of VE Day. I was fortunate enough to witness a flyover by the Red Arrows shortly after returning from my morning cycle. Two flights roared over Harborough in a striking V formation, a fitting tribute to a momentous day.

Many events had been planned to mark this significant date, but due to the coronavirus lockdown, most had to be cancelled. The official government advice was clear:

“I am afraid that the terrible coronavirus emergency and consequent Government guidance means that we must advise participants to cancel or postpone the majority of the VE Day 75 community celebrations due to take place on the bank holiday weekend of 8th – 10th May. It is right and proper that people should be kept safe and healthy.”

Despite this, many still found ways to celebrate. Welland Park Road in Harborough was one such example, and I imagine similar scenes played out across the country. After all, the government has spent months invoking a wartime spirit to tackle the pandemic; it was only natural that the public would respond in kind.

Residents of Welland Park gathered at the ends of their driveways, armed with fold-away seats, drinks, nibbles, music, and lashings of 2m-distance bonhomie. The festivities kicked off at 6 pm, just after a brief shower threatened to dampen the mood but ultimately passed without incident.

During my morning cycle through the villages of south Leicestershire, I passed many houses proudly decked out with flags, bunting, and balloons in patriotic red, white, and blue. A few Welland Park residents had followed suit, adding to the celebratory atmosphere. The event proved that you can enjoy yourself, socialise, and still follow lockdown rules, even after several drinks! Gossiping with neighbours is an addictive pastime, much missed during weeks of isolation, and I think we all relished this brief respite.

The point of visiting another place or country is to experience and learn about its people, culture, and history. With most of the world under some form of pandemic lockdown (Belarus, stupidly, being the only exception), we are denied what I consider an essential freedom. Without firsthand knowledge of a place or its people, forming an informed opinion becomes difficult; we are left to rely on hearsay and the narratives others want us to believe. Even in what we consider the “free world,” much of the press and media have their own agendas.

So, it was with pleasure that one of the travel companies I use recognised this thirst for knowledge among its customers and shared the following:

Facts About Greece

• The Greek national anthem is the longest in the world, with 158 verses.
• For many Greeks, their “name day”—the feast day of the saint they are named after—is more important than their birthday.
• The word barbarian comes from the Greek barbaros, used to describe people who didn’t speak Greek and therefore sounded as if they were making unintelligible noises: “bar-bar-bar.”
• Greece enjoys more than 250 days of sunshine a year—around 3,000 hours in total.
• It’s illegal to wear stilettos at some archaeological sites in Greece, as they can cause damage. (Scientists say a stiletto heel exerts more pressure per square inch than an elephant’s foot!)
• The word tragedy comes from the Greek for “goat song.”
• The first ancient Olympic Games took place in 776 B.C. The first known champion was Coroebus—a cook, baker, and athlete.
• In Greece, extending your hand with your palm facing forward and fingers apart is considered an insult. This gesture, called the moutza, is best avoided!

9th May 2020

South Korea and Germany, two nations praised for their handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, have reported fresh cases linked to relaxed social distancing guidelines. Both countries had been among the most successful in containing the virus, yet now find themselves taking swift action to prevent a second spike after reopening parts of their economies.

In South Korea, Seoul has shut down more than 2,100 nightclubs, hostess bars, and discos after dozens of new infections were traced to clubgoers who went out last weekend. What a surprise! Perhaps there’s another lesson to be learned here: until the poisoned chalice is empty, don’t go drinking from it again!

Meanwhile, in the UK, the official Covid-19 death toll in hospitals has reached 26,345, with 252 more deaths recorded in the last 24 hours. Although face coverings will not be made compulsory in England, the Prime Minister is expected to recommend their use in workplaces, on public transport, and while shopping when he delivers his lockdown address at 7 pm on Sunday. Easy does it, Boris, let’s not commit to an initiative that could actually save lives.

The day was forecast to be a scorcher, though South Leicestershire didn’t quite deliver. Having nearly exhausted my cider supplies last night, I made an early morning trip to a nearly empty Co-op to restock these essential rations, while Sue headed to Lidl to replenish the larder with more mundane items.

Later, I spent a pleasant couple of hours rubbing out buds on the vines, encouraging the stronger grape-bearing shoots. It’s a thoughtful but relaxing task that I perform each year with my fingers crossed, especially with a frost predicted for early next week.

During the evening, part of the Palmer tribe gathered on Messenger video chat to play Murder Mansion, an online escape room game. Sarah had suggested it earlier in the week as a lockdown diversion, so at 7 pm, Jamie, Ruth, Joey, Sarah, Lee, and I joined forces to tackle the puzzles.

The Rothwells, meanwhile, stuck to their usual Saturday Movie Night and didn’t take part, probably an early night for them after an exhausting route march to exercise Harry and the boys.

Our task? Solve a murder by deciphering a legion of puzzles. It took us an hour and a half, great fun, but definitely a workout for the brain! By the end, I think we all felt mentally exhausted. There’s talk of doing it again, with the next escape room centred on Chernobyl. Hopefully, Jamie and I will have an advantage there.

Unfortunately, Sue’s sister had a fall in their beautiful garden in Buckfastleigh, injuring her foot and requiring a hospital visit. Fortunately, it turned out to be a bad sprain rather than a break. During lockdown, they have been photographing a different flower from their garden each day and posting it on Facebook; currently, they are on number 46. Perhaps peonies are unlucky flowers?

Another foray into the life and culture of a country:

Facts about Spain

• Although many foreigners consider paella to be Spain’s national dish, most Spaniards do not. Locals see it as a Valencian speciality rather than a national dish.
• Spain has no tooth fairy; instead, when children lose a tooth, they place it under their pillow for a magical mouse called Ratoncito Pérez.
• The Spanish national anthem has no lyrics.
• Spaniards celebrate the New Year by eating one grape for each stroke of the clock at midnight.
• Spain boasts more than 8,000 beaches.
• La Tomatina is a festival held in the Valencian town of Buñol, where participants throw tomatoes and engage in a large-scale tomato fight.
• A zip-line connects Spain and Portugal, crossing the River Guadiana at speeds of 70–80 kilometres per hour. Travellers ‘fly through time’, gaining an hour due to the time zone change between the two countries.
• While many assume that Greece or Italy produce the most olive oil, Spain is actually the world’s leading producer.
• Much of the 1965 classic Doctor Zhivago was filmed in Spain. As the book was banned in Russia, filming there was impossible, so a vast Moscow set was constructed just outside Madrid, with artificial snow made from dust.