19th May 2020

An additional 545 people have died in the UK after contracting the coronavirus in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of deaths across all settings to 35,341. In and around Harborough, the toll stands at 16, with just four fatalities within the town. My optimism from yesterday now seems ill-founded.

On a lighter note, Donald Trump continues to defend an unproven coronavirus treatment involving the anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine, despite studies from within his government warning of dangerous side effects. In a revelation that surprises absolutely no one, he disclosed today that he is taking the drug himself.

Late in the morning, Sue and I drove to Newbold Verdon to visit Sarah, Lee, and Mia. On arrival, we left some ‘goodies’ on the doorstep, had a brief chat with Sarah as she stood in the doorway, and then clipped a lead onto an excited Mia. While the day was still cool, we set off on a planned walk through the North Leicestershire countryside. Lee was working, busy with a video conference in his study. Six months ago, I had plotted a route on my GPS to take in the local views, but a cruise, and then a pandemic, had put our plans on hold.

We began our hike from the nearby Gothic-style St James’ Church. The entire route took us through and around fields emerging from their winter starkness. It was wonderful to walk among hedgerows bursting with fresh buds and blossoms, with sheep and cattle grazing on lush new growth. In a small pond, we even spotted some late tadpoles wriggling about at random. As if we needed further proof that spring had arrived, we came across a pair of Canada geese in another pool, proudly accompanied by their newly hatched goslings. The drake bobbed his head rhythmically in warning as we passed, but Mia took no notice.

Frustratingly, we walked by a large field of potatoes, their shoots pushing up from the soil in perfect condition, showing no sign of frost damage. How was this possible? My spuds in South Leicestershire were struggling, yet here in the north, they were thriving! Not fair.

We stopped for lunch in the corner of a field, enjoying our sandwiches and a chocolate bar. I perched on a stile while Sue sat on a light picnic rug I had carried in my rucksack, with Mia nosing between us in the hope of a few scraps. She managed to pressure Sue into sharing a little of her sandwich, but had to settle for one of her treats from me.

By the time we set off on the final stretch back to Newbold, the heat had built up, and a heavily panting Mia was struggling. She was more than happy to get back home and into the shade.

Keeping our distance, we sat in the back garden and chatted with Sarah. It won’t be long now before the baby arrives, and it is clear that movement is becoming increasingly difficult; best not attempted unless necessary. While we had been out walking, Mia, Sarah had spent her time folding plastic carrier bags into neat little triangles to save space, 61 in total.

Lee came down for a chat, perhaps also to take a mental break from work. While working from home has its conveniences, but it does mean you’re available 24/7. We left knowing that we’d be returning soon, possibly next week, perhaps even sooner.

Later in the afternoon, I set about repairing the large wall clock that hangs outside the sun lounge. It had become heavily warped over the winter and had stopped working. I cut a new dial from a polycarbonate sheet and fitted it into the clock frame. I’ve ordered a new clock mechanism and some stick-on Roman numerals online and will assemble them once they arrive.

Meanwhile, Jamie has decided to age a large piece of steak by covering it in butter and hanging it in a dark cupboard for 21 days. As if life weren’t dangerous enough with a rampant coronavirus, now salmonella is being given an opportunity too!

Today, Ellis made Sue a painted pebble, which was rather fitting, as Sue had also found a painted pebble on our walk. She placed it among the stones around Sarah’s pond.

20th May 2020

Captain Sir Tom Moore said he was “overawed” to learn that he will be knighted after raising almost £33 million for the NHS by walking laps of his garden. I think the Prime Minister hit the nail on the head when he said, “Sir Tom provided us all with a beacon of light through the fog of coronavirus.”

It’s a well-deserved honour, and I hope it sets a precedent for a wave of equally deserving accolades for those on the front line of the pandemic. For once, our archaic honours system has found a justified purpose. It’s long overdue that the days of ‘gongs for the boys’ are eradicated, with recognition reserved solely for those who have truly earned it.

If there’s any doubt, I’m in the phone book.

On the hottest day of the year so far (28°C), images of residents and tourists flocking to beaches in Southend, Bournemouth, Margate, and Brighton sparked a backlash, with one man remarking, “It’s madness, it’s like everyone’s forgotten about coronavirus.” So, it wasn’t exactly a shock when I later read the headline: “There were no new coronavirus infections recorded in London in a 24-hour period.” Obviously, there was no one left in the capital; they were all at the beach!

What do you do in a pandemic on a sweltering day? Well, I watered the vegetables, mixed some mortar, and cemented the loose rocks in the raised flower bed together before unwinding the awnings above the patio and balcony. Then I retired to the balcony with some very cold cans of Newcastle Brown and listened to the radio.

The view south across the county was utterly still, save for a single passing aircraft (a rare sight these days) and a rather brave, or perhaps foolish, crow attacking two Red Kites as they circled overhead. A little later, I spotted an irate sparrow furiously chasing after a much larger magpie, seemingly determined to land a solid peck. Has there been an outbreak of avian madness in Leicestershire, or are we dealing with zombie birds?

Sue spent part of the morning tidying up the garden before escaping the oppressive heat by retreating to the study, the coolest room in the house, for a lie-down. Later, she mustered enough energy to begin her fourth jigsaw. Lockdown really must end soon, as she’s now run out of them!

Meanwhile, despite being heavily pregnant and sweltering in the heat, Sarah (for some reason) made a mock wasp’s nest and watched it dry. She has also been selling the succulents she raised in the greenhouse, setting up a table at the front of the house with a sign offering them for 50p each. Today, she received a lovely note from an unknown neighbour after one transaction.

After finishing her gardening for the day, Charlotte cooled down with an ice lolly and watched her strawberries grow, while Jamie rounded off the evening with a BBQ.

 

21st May 2020

The number of Covid-19 patients to die in the UK has passed 36,000, following a further 338 reported fatalities. Of these, 233 occurred in hospitals, bringing the overall death toll to 36,042.

Meanwhile, data reveals that Sweden, which has kept schools, bars, restaurants, and shops open throughout the coronavirus crisis, now has the highest number of COVID-19 deaths per capita in the world over the past week. Perhaps there is a lesson to be learned here?

Like many, I find it difficult to ignore the President of the USA. I am not one of his unfortunate citizens, yet his very existence seems to enrage me more with each passing day. Today, as he left for Michigan, he was asked by the media how he was feeling. His response?

“I tested very positively in another sense. I tested positively toward negative. I tested perfectly this morning, meaning I tested negative.”

Any idea what he meant? No, me neither. Such clear thinking and articulate oratory obviously make him a shoo-in for the leader of the free world! (Irony intended.)

Another hot and sunny day in south Leicestershire. A long morning cycle ride took me through land once occupied by RAF Market Harborough, a WWII airfield from which Wellington bombers and Hurricane fighters flew. After decommissioning, it became a Polish camp, housing displaced families, some of whom were still living there in 1958. Now, it is home to Gartree Prison (where I once worked), the Leicestershire County Showground, and an ever-expanding housing estate.

None of the wartime buildings remain, but the concrete aprons once used for bombers are still there. As I followed one of these, I was surprised to come across a gentleman flying his model aircraft. How fitting! He was incredibly skilled, and I stood for quite some time, leaning on my bicycle, watching his machine perform loops, dives, twists, and turns, sometimes even flying upside down. When he brought it in for a smooth landing, I struck up a conversation with him.

Though he flew with great precision, he assured me he was a bit rusty; naturally, he hadn’t flown anything since Christmas. He mentioned that the small patch of grass used as a runway was soon to be ploughed over, but the farmer had generously provided an alternative landing strip nearby for his club. How kind, I thought, yet I couldn’t help but feel a little nostalgic about aircraft still flying out of RAF Market Harborough, even if they are much smaller than the originals.

As I cycled away along the old concrete track, I could almost hear the steady throb of twin-engine Vickers Wellingtons revving up behind me…

Sue spent the afternoon gathering leaves and garden debris, while I tackled the ivy along the garage and the side of the house. I would have liked to take off the thick frontal growth, but several nests are currently occupied, and I had no wish to disturb their residents.

As is the case every Thursday at 8 p.m., we joined our neighbours at the end of the drive to clap in support of the NHS and other carers. This evening, we lingered a little longer to watch a convoy of trucks, tractors, and commercial vehicles pass by,

decked out with flags, lights flashing, horns blaring. A wonderfully patriotic and thoroughly British display of solidarity.

Yesterday, Sarah had a visit from Abbey Rogers, her friend from Sheffield University. They sat and chatted in the garden for a few hours before Abbey set off on the long drive back to Yorkshire.

Jamie took his R8 out for a Costa Coffee drive-thru, because why not? Meanwhile, Ruth made either a toad in the hole or a potential COVID-19 vaccine… judging by the photo, it’s hard to say.