5th July 2020

22 more COVID-19 deaths bring the UK total to 44,220 as the nation claps for the NHS on its 72nd anniversary. Meanwhile, Kanye West has announced a surprise bid for the 2020 US presidential election.

Headline: Market town turns into ‘war zone’ as 300 ‘invaders from Leicester’ break lockdown and swarm pubs. Police enforced a dispersal order to clear crowds in Market Harborough.

6th July 2020: A further 16 people have died after testing positive for coronavirus, bringing the UK total to 44,236.

As the day was forecast to be cool and dry, we decided to embark on the walk we had postponed a couple of weeks ago due to excessive heat. Our 9.5 km circular route began from the car park of The Stag in Maidwell, which remains closed due to lockdown.

The route took us through the rolling countryside of Northamptonshire, an area we have often passed through but know little about in terms of its off-road sights and topography. This U3A walk was a real gem, one that would have been even better with Harry or Mia for company.

We first made our way through the lanes of the picturesque village of Maidwell, admiring its ‘up-market’ properties before reaching the nearby disused railway track running between Harborough and Northampton. We followed this path for about a mile, regularly overtaken by cyclists and occasionally passing other ramblers heading in the opposite direction.

Leaving this well-trodden route, we turned onto a much quieter bridleway. True to its name, we soon encountered a cheerful young couple on horseback, enjoying a hack before the approaching rain, hinted at by the darkening skies.

Passing Blueberry Farm, we paused to explore a derelict property, speculating on why such a beautiful home in a remote yet stunning location had been left abandoned and seemingly left to ruin. We later discovered the reason.

As we passed through countryside reminiscent of the Yorkshire Wolds, we were surrounded by views of neat little woods, well-managed fields, and, in the distance, the grand and imposing homes of the local wealthy. Near the top of one hill, we came across a stone bench beside a commemorative boulder, complete with a named plaque and a small fir tree. We paused here for a while, curious about the couple named on the stonework, though it was easy to see why this spot had been chosen; its panoramic views were simply stunning.

A little further along, as the track turned to gravel, we encountered a friendly farmer in his tractor, eager for a chat. He told us that the names on the rock belonged to the former owners of the mystery house we had seen earlier. They had sadly passed away within months of each other, and the house had remained vacant due to persistent flooding issues. The entire estate had recently been sold, and plans were in place to demolish the old house and replace it with an eco-home, an intriguing transformation.

Our new acquaintance would have happily talked for longer, but with dark clouds advancing rapidly, we pressed on. We had already been caught in one brief shower and were keen to stay ahead of the next downpour.

After passing three like-minded ladies and a young woman running in the opposite direction, the next leg of our ramble took us back towards Maidwell. The rain arrived just as we were picking cherries from a line of trees. Hurrying on, we found shelter under a tree near the entrance to Dale Farm, where we enjoyed the view of a small stream tumbling over a charming artificial waterfall as we ate our sandwiches. As we tucked into coconut biscuits, our farmer friend from earlier reappeared, this time in his car. On his way home for lunch in Haselbech, he stopped for another chat before leaving us for the rest of our picnic. I suppose it can get quite lonely out here!

Continuing through fields dotted with large flocks of inquisitive, newly-born lambs, we soon found ourselves back at The Stag. A sign outside announced that the pub would reopen on 14th July. For now, it was serving as a small village shop, with outdoor seating available for coffee. Tempting as it was, we opted to drive home for our hot drinks instead. The BBC weather forecast had been completely wrong today, and the clouds were gathering once again.

7th July 2020: A further 155 people have died after testing positive for coronavirus, bringing the UK total to 44,391. An Office for National Statistics survey revealed that the majority of those who tested positive showed no symptoms on the day of their test. Meanwhile, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has tested positive for the virus, despite taking hydroxychloroquine. In the UK, three pubs have been forced back into lockdown after drinkers tested positive following their reopening over the weekend.

8th July 2020: Another 126 people have died after testing positive for coronavirus, taking the UK total to 44,517. Chancellor Rishi Sunak has unveiled his ‘mini-budget’, cutting VAT for tourism businesses, pausing stamp duty, and introducing dining-out discounts in a bid to kick-start the economy.

In other news, President Trump’s niece has released a sensational tell-all book, claiming he cheated on his SATs. Well, well, who would have guessed?

9th July 2020: A further 85 people have died after testing positive for coronavirus, bringing the UK total to 44,602. From 11th July, outdoor performances of theatre, opera, dance, and music will be allowed to resume with social distancing measures in place, along with the reopening of outdoor pools. Indoor gyms, swimming pools, and leisure centres will follow on 25th July.

Today was miserably cold and wet, feeling more like late November than early July. A fine drizzle persisted throughout the day, ensuring we both remained firmly locked in and locked down!

Early in the evening, Jamie, Ruth, and Joey arrived for a visit, bringing with them Rocky, Nala, and Maddie the mad rabbit for us to look after while they jetted off to Gran Canaria at 6 a.m. the next morning for ten days. The care instructions, detailing each pet’s individual preferences, ran to several A4 pages and were accompanied by enough paraphernalia to require two cars to transport it all. The rabbit has been allocated a hutch in the garden shed while this awful weather persists, after which she’ll be moved outside. The two dogs have been billeted in the kitchen, at least until they can prove they are properly house-trained!

10th July 2020: Another 48 people have died in the UK after testing positive for coronavirus. Meanwhile, Florida recorded 11,433 new cases as Walt Disney Co. prepared to reopen its flagship theme park in Orlando. A rather Mickey Mouse decision, if you ask me…

On a day when summer seemed to be making a return, Jamie, Ruth, and Joey successfully caught their early morning flight and made it to Gran Canaria without too many issues. Masks had to be worn throughout the flight, and toilet visits required an escort from a member of the cabin crew.

Rocky and Nala spent the night in their cage in the kitchen and, much to our surprise, remained silent, no barking or howling. They were overjoyed when I took them for a walk around the garden just after 7 a.m. for the necessities. Throughout the day, in between their many walks, they seemed content to do little more than sleep.

Maddie, the mad rabbit, remains in the shed, still in his usual foul mood, regularly thumping his rear foot in protest at his current circumstances whenever anyone so much as approaches.

11th July 2020: A further 148 people have died in the UK after testing positive for coronavirus.

Donald Trump commuted the prison sentence of his former associate Roger Stone, who was convicted of lying to Congress, witness tampering, and obstruction. He was set to begin a 40-month prison sentence on Tuesday. It seems the rule of law in the USA now only applies when it suits the whims of a corrupt egomaniac.

We had another lovely day. Usually, I take the dogs for their exercise and necessary breaks, but after lunch, Sue took Rocky to meet Doreen in the park. Doreen loves Jack Russell dogs and is eager to meet Rocky.

In the evening, Sue, Rocky, Nala, and I watched Angela’s Ashes. Based on the autobiography by Irish expatriate Frank McCourt, the film follows young Frankie and his family as they struggle against the crushing poverty of pre-war Limerick.

12th July 2020:  21 people have died in the UK after testing positive for coronavirus. Government scientists have determined that the virus spreads fastest at 4ºC, raising concerns about a potential winter resurgence.

Besides having two dogs and a rabbit as house guests, I was surprised to find that we had an unexpected visitor this afternoon. While lowering the awning over the bedroom balcony, I discovered a bat flying in circles around the room. It must have slipped in during the night through the open doors. After capturing a short video of our unexpected vespertilio, I widened the doors, and it silently fluttered away. Considering that bats are thought to be the source of this pandemic, I sincerely hope this isn’t an omen!

That day, 12 people in the UK died after testing positive for coronavirus. Meanwhile, Donald Trump continued to spread misinformation, this time sharing a conspiracy theory with his 83.3 million followers, claiming that doctors were lying about the pandemic to stop his re-election in November.

Sarah posted something thought-provoking on Facebook, about powerful men having strong women behind them. But is it equally true that powerful women have good men behind them? Food for thought.

The weather was overcast as Sue and I set off for Newbold Verdon with Rocky and Nala, leaving Maddie in the shed with a couple of freshly picked carrots for company. As requested, I loaded two large tubs of woodchips into the car for Sarah to use on her flower borders. Despite skirting the edge of locked-down Leicester, the traffic was as busy as ever, with the usual queues at traffic lights.

On arrival, Lee greeted us while Sarah was bathing Alice. He soon retreated to his study when they appeared. As has become the norm since COVID-19 arrived, we chatted in the garden for about twenty minutes before heading off on a walk with Mia and Rocky, leaving Nala behind to get acquainted with Alice.

Our circular route took us through the nearby village of Desford. Mia and Rocky, getting along well as usual, were no trouble off the leads. Apart from the villages and a couple of fields with cattle, they had the freedom to roam and sniff to their hearts’ content.

Around lunchtime, we found a peaceful spot by a small stream next to a stile and settled in for a picnic. As we were finishing up, a large group consisting of two families passed by; apart from a lady with a dog, they were the only people we encountered on our ramble. Perhaps a sign that the country was beginning to return to work. A few fields further on, we passed them again, now enjoying their picnic.

On the outskirts of Newbold Verdon, we successfully tracked down a Geocache tucked away next to a stile before heading back to see Sarah and Alice. As we chatted, the rain, threatened but never forecast, finally arrived. It lingered for about an hour before easing off, allowing us to make our way back to Harborough.