2nd July 2020

The number of coronavirus-related deaths in UK hospitals has risen by 44. Greater Manchester Police have cancelled all leave to ensure they can mount a “significant operation” as pubs reopen on Saturday, according to the area’s mayor. A wise move, in my opinion, and one that should likely be followed by other cities this weekend.

A pleasant day, with forecasted showers threatening but ultimately failing to materialise. Another row of leeks and beetroot was successfully planted, and I finally solved the issue of Chromecast refusing to cooperate with Netflix. That just about sums up my day.

Sue did a spot of shopping and brought back a couple of Brockleby pies, one of which we had for our evening meal. We once attended one of their pie-making courses and developed a taste for their range of delicacies. She spent much of the afternoon with brush, bucket, and trowel in hand, battling the weeds around the house and garden.

Charlotte travelled to Newbold Verdon to spend the day with Sarah and Alice and to help out in the garden. She took Harry along as company for Mia.

Lucas came up with an interesting idea for a school project, he designed an emergency COVID-19 tin can!

Last week, I spent some time watching our two male pheasants fighting for dominance on the driveway. It ended with the younger one usurping the old gentleman and chasing him away. The defeated bird lost quite a few feathers in the battle, and I didn’t see him again that week. Meanwhile, the victor was spotted escorting the female and her chicks on several occasions on the far bank of the river.

Today, when I spread grain under the Scots pine, the young pheasant was there as usual, waiting. However, I noticed he was unable to put one of his feet down and hopped painfully as he fed. A little later, I spotted the old gentleman sitting by the grain, his feathers splayed out aggressively. Advancing into the undergrowth, it soon became clear that the injured usurper was hiding in there. After a bit of circling and posturing, the young pheasant took to the air, reluctant to continue the feud while at a disadvantage. Whether his injury was the result of a previous skirmish or an accident, I do not know, but normal service has resumed at Willow Bank. The old gentleman did not seem overly concerned that his mate and a new family had readily taken up with his former rival. Clearly, male pheasants must be very forgiving of their female partners.

3rd July 20220

The UK’s official coronavirus death toll has risen to 44,131, with another 137 fatalities confirmed overnight. Officials in Brussels have approved the use of Remdesivir to treat severe cases of COVID-19, just days after the US effectively stockpiled the world’s entire supply. Originally developed to treat Hepatitis C, the experimental drug proved ineffective for that purpose. It was also trialled as a treatment for Ebola, with similarly disappointing results. However, it has shown greater success in treating respiratory illnesses such as SARS, MERS, and the novel coronavirus.

A cold, wet, and windy day. Friday is usually my three-hour cycling day, and despite waking late (8 am) and facing a hateful southerly wind, I decided to stick to my routine. To my satisfaction, I encountered just one dog walker and a lone cyclist.

After lunch, I visited B&M to replenish my dwindling supplies of liquid refreshments and fat balls for the bird table. While I was out restocking, Charlotte arrived to drop off a bicycle that needed attention to its brakes and gears. Before I returned, she had already left to visit her friend Christine in Harborough. Christine had just been discharged from the hospital and was in desperate need of some TLC. I spent the rest of the afternoon making a curry for the evening meal.

Sue used this miserable excuse for a summer’s day to catch up on replying to the backlog of emails in her inbox from the past few days.

4th July 2020

A further 67 people have died after testing positive for coronavirus in UK hospitals on this major day of lockdown easing. As of 5 pm on Friday, the total number of deaths across all settings in the UK stands at 44,198. Many pubs in England threw open their doors at 6 am to welcome back punters, while others queued outside salons or set off for weekend getaways, causing major congestion on the motorways.

Extra police have been deployed in Harborough to prevent trouble and stop people from locked-down Leicester travelling into town as pubs prepare to reopen this weekend.

Published today on Facebook from Market Harborough Police:
We have been out visiting our pubs today to establish their plans and operating practices. Please review the following to avoid unnecessary travel and disappointment:

• All open venues are operating a pre-booked table service. If the venue and tables are fully booked, you will not be allowed entry.
• Many venues are not opening.
• Photo ID with an address will be required for entry. You may be refused without it.
• Most venues are operating on reduced hours and will be closed by 9 pm.
• If you are asked to leave by staff, please comply. If you refuse, we will assist in your departure.
• The ‘pub experience’ will be very different from before. Social distancing will be in place. Toilets will operate on a one-in, one-out basis. Most seating will be outdoors—if it rains, you will not be allowed inside to shelter.

Please enjoy the weekend, but act considerately towards those around you. There will be plenty of us keeping an eye on things.