16th November 2020

After testing positive for coronavirus, 168 people have died in the UK. There are 703 active cases in the Harborough area, an increase of 325 from last week. British scientists have hailed the news that the US firm Moderna’s jab may be 94.5% effective against COVID-19. Five million doses of the new vaccine could be delivered to the UK in the spring, Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced.

17th November 2020: After testing positive for coronavirus, 213 people have died in the UK. There are 785 active cases in the Harborough area, an increase of 386 from last week. A face mask that kills coronavirus and other diseases, such as flu, could be available as early as next month. The antiviral face mask was developed by a Nottingham Trent University scientist and kills viruses upon contact with an antiviral layer made of nano-copper. A study has found that mouthwash can eradicate the virus within 30 seconds of exposure.

In complete contrast to our previous ramble, this morning we enjoyed a delightful short walk (2.5 miles) from Walcote to Misterton and back, taking around an hour and a half.

Parking up in a side street in the tiny village of Walcote, our walk began through the garden of an old cottage. The entrance proved somewhat elusive, but thankfully, the accuracy of my GPS guided us in the right direction. A rather reluctant homeowner greeted us with a grumble from his doorstep, complaining that the last walkers had left the gate open. He seemed somewhat miffed that we had not made the same mistake, something Sue took great pleasure in pointing out to him.

Negotiating the stile and waymarker at the top of his garden, we set off through several grassy fields before entering the village play park. This marked the beginning of a fascinating straight pathway to Misterton Church and Hall.

At regular intervals along the route, small information boards detailed the lives of local men who had fallen during the First World War. The first board we encountered described one unfortunate soldier who, coincidentally, was born just a day apart from Sue’s mother (24/5/20). We took our time, reading each account and absorbing their stories.

Later, intrigued to learn more, we searched online for further details about the Memorial Trail and its contributors, but sadly, our research yielded nothing.

Moving on, we took a brief detour to explore and circumnavigate St. Leonard’s churchyard before heading north through fields, crossing swiftly over the aptly named River Swift, which was full and racing. Turning sharply east, we followed a muddy track that led us through an even muddier spinney, clambering over fallen trees with occasional glimpses of the river winding away some 50 metres to our right.

Eventually, we turned south, crossing the Swift again via a new footbridge before passing by some rather impressive properties. Before long, we found ourselves back in the village, changing footwear at the rear of my Fiesta, feeling slightly disappointed that our ramble hadn’t lasted longer. However, with smiles, we both agreed, this was one to repeat. What a difference a week makes, and with shingles too!

We were home before midday, just in time for lunch. Charlotte popped in briefly from work to collect a bag of wood ash that Sue had saved for the hens, as they seemed to enjoy bathing in it (a natural flea deterrent). Later in the afternoon, Jamie made an appearance, bringing a large box of surplus frozen sausages for our freezer. Every little helps.

18th November 2020: After testing positive for coronavirus, 529 people have died in the UK. There are 935 active cases in the Harborough area, up 330 from last week.

 

A worrying trend for Harborough, less than two weeks remain before the current restrictions are due to end, yet the numbers are not heading in the right direction.

19th November 2020: After testing positive for coronavirus, 501 people have died in the UK. There are 884 active cases in the Harborough area, up 331 from last week. On a more positive note, travellers from Israel, Uruguay, Namibia, Rwanda, and Sri Lanka will no longer need to isolate for 14 days upon arrival in the UK. This is good news, as we were planning to visit Uruguay in February; if Argentina and Chile are also removed from the list, our holiday may be back on!

20th November 2020: After testing positive for coronavirus, 511 people have died in the UK. There are 879 active cases in the Harborough area, up 425 from last week.

Today was chilly and damp, yet for some unknown reason, I decided it was the perfect time to wash my car. I do hope it was grateful. Once I had finally warmed up and dried off, I rewarded myself with a new pair of shoes from town. I had originally set out to buy trainers, as my cycling shoes had disintegrated. They are now burning merrily on the fire, providing a rather satisfying warmth for my toes, small comforts on a cold day.

21st November 2020: After testing positive for coronavirus, 341 people have died in the UK. There are 598 active cases in the Harborough area, up 131 from last week.

Meanwhile, major trials are set to begin this weekend for an antibody cocktail that scientists hope will protect against Covid-19. If successful, it could be rapidly deployed in care homes or on cruise ships to contain outbreaks, a potential game-changer in the fight against the virus.

It was expected, but nonetheless disappointing, that the holiday company that had arranged our trip to the tip of South America and the Falkland Islands informed us this morning that the cruise line departing from Santiago had cancelled all voyages until March. Apart from booking flights and the ship, we had made no other plans, having suspected early on during lockdown that this might happen. The vaccine or antibody cocktail simply didn’t come to our rescue soon enough. However, this is a minor inconvenience compared to the suffering of those who have lost loved ones or those who will over the course of this pandemic.

On the rugby front, Leicester Tigers sacked their coach, Geordan Murphy, a couple of weeks ago. Today, they played Gloucester in the first game of the season, and they WON! Geordan was a nice guy and an outstanding player for both Ireland and the Tigers, but as a coach, he was not. He successfully led the club to the depths of mediocrity on the field, and I won’t miss him. To top off the day, England stuffed Ireland in the Autumn Nations Cup. A day of mixed fortunes indeed!

It’s strange, neither Sue nor I personally know anyone who has caught coronavirus, let alone been hospitalised or worse. Yet, the published infection rates for Harborough peaked at over 900 this week, mirroring the trend across the country. Thankfully, the numbers now seem to be declining, though they remain alarmingly high.

Tonight, I watched the news in frustration as reports showed scuffles and violence during a demonstration against lockdown restrictions. Are these people stupid or just plain gullible? I can understand that, like Sue and me, they may not have been personally affected by this global catastrophe, but surely simple maths dictates that with such reckless behaviour, it’s only a matter of time before they are. Are they egocentric, maths-phobic, anti-scientific stooges, victims of fake news in the mould of Donald Trump? I fear so!