23rd November 2020

UK deaths: 206.  Current Market Harborough infections: 685.  Down from last week: 18.

The first hard frost of the year made for an invigorating morning bike ride, clear skies, crisp air, and frost on the grass; a perfect start to the day. The rest of my morning was taken up with buying a couple of outdoor PIR lights (LED) as replacements for a pair of energy-guzzling dazzlers at the front of the house.

The afternoon saw me driving to an appointment at Leicester General Hospital to see a sports injury consultant. Both foot and knee are now doing well, causing little pain, and it was agreed that after my next appointment with the podiatrist in December, I shall be placed on the ‘contact if necessary’ list.

24th November 2020: UK deaths: 608 Current Market Harborough infections: 781 (down 4 from last week)

Up to three households will be able to form a “Christmas bubble” and meet over the festive period. For five days between 23 and 27 December, people across the UK will be able to mix with those in their bubble, but only in a private home, a place of worship, or outdoor public spaces.

Today is a tale of two rambles. Sue and I walked from Illston on the Hill, while Sarah, Charlotte and the dogs discovered the trail that Sue and I followed last week from Walcote. It was a ‘spot-on’ day for a ramble, dry, sunny, and cool, with a slight breeze. The tiny village of Illston lies in rolling, arable Leicestershire countryside and is described as a “dead-end” village, quite literally, as it sits at the end of the road leading to it. Amazingly, it still has its pub, the Fox and Goose. Sadly, due to COVID-19 restrictions, it wasn’t open for lunch today, and as no sandwiches had been made, it was home for grub.

Our route took us over the top of several hills through a very pretty part of Leicestershire, renowned for its views. The plotted route was fairly easy-going for the most part, with just one muddy ‘green lane’ and a large field that was currently being ploughed. We decided to circumnavigate it rather than stumble across freshly turned furrows.

We came across three ramblers, an old lady on her own from nearby Oadby who was very keen to chat, covering topics ranging from electric cars to frisky horses and more. Towards the end of the trek, we met a rustic-looking gentleman searching for fungi, who, when quizzed about what he was looking for, proved to be very much an expert. We watched him gather his prizes for a few moments before moving on.

Passing through the village of Carlton Curlieu, we came across the lovely little church of St Mary the Virgin. We spent some time investigating this intriguing feature of the hamlet. Its impressive main entrance was located at the rear, though disappointingly, a rather ugly monument had been ‘plonked’ in front of the main stained-glass window. The church was locked, so we couldn’t venture inside, but an internet search later revealed that we had missed quite a treat.

Charlotte and Sarah’s Photos

 

 

 

 

Dave and Sue’s Photos

 

 

 

25th November 2020: UK deaths: 696.
Current Market Harborough infections: 843. Down from last week: 92.

On the same day that the President of the USA pardoned a Thanksgiving turkey, he announced a full pardon for disgraced former aide General Michael Flynn, who had twice pleaded guilty to lying to federal investigators, including about illegally lobbying the government of Turkey. Is this the start of Trump bribing those caught and convicted for their illegal actions in supporting his corrupt regime? I wonder why that might be.

 

26th November 2020: UK deaths: 498. Current Market Harborough infections: 819. Down from last week: 66.

It was announced today that from 2nd December, more than a third of England’s population, including large parts of the Midlands, North East and North West, as well as Kent, will move to the highest level, Tier 3, of lockdown. Sadly, that includes Leicestershire, of which Harborough is just inside the border (by metres), while over in Northamptonshire, where Jamie and the Rothwells live, it will remain in Tier 2. The restrictions that apply to the town will no doubt cause hardship for many retailers, particularly those in the hospitality sector, but it’s still not the time to play the blame game; that is for another time. It is what it is; we must get on with life as best we can, remembering there are many who don’t have that option.

On a lighter note, Florida congressman Matt Gaetz (Republican) advised Trump to pardon as much of his administration as possible, and even himself. “President Trump should pardon Flynn, the Thanksgiving turkey, and everyone from himself, to his admin, to Joe Exotic if he has to,” Mr Gaetz tweeted. You couldn’t make this nonsense up if you tried. Is he confirming that Trump and his administration are crooks, like Joe Exotic? I think he may be right.

There was another hard frost last night and, although the day was sunny, the temperature didn’t get much above 6 degrees. Sue cancelled a sit-and-chat session in the park with Bridget because of the cold. I replaced yet another PIR security light. Brrrrrrrr!

 

 

 

 

 

The tribe have been busy ‘decorating’ their homes for Christmas. However, neither paintbrush nor tree has yet made an appearance at Willow Bank, and won’t until at least December.

27th November 2020: UK deaths: 521. Current Market Harborough infections: 984. UP from last week: 105.

I sacrificed my morning cycle ride to ensure I had plenty of time to finish today’s job: changing the garden lighting. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the expected problems failed to materialise. Replacing the pool floodlight with an eco-friendly LED version went swimmingly, as did spurring off a new floodlight over the patio. The patio light was a bit of a challenge, as it meant working at the extreme end of an extended ladder, something I hadn’t done for years. I fully expected to run out of daylight before finishing, but in fact, the job was completed and working by lunchtime. Roll on next summer, please.

28th November 2020: UK deaths: 479. Current Market Harborough infections: 991. UP from last week: 392.

Hundreds of anti-lockdown demonstrators descended on central London, demanding “freedom” in the face of tough new coronavirus restrictions. I suppose every village has its village idiot, so it follows that a large city like London will have a corresponding number.

Today’s plan: Hot bath, produce my COVID-19 research samples, England v Wales (rugby), Chinese takeaway, and film night. Hmm… “It does not do to leave a live dragon out of your calculations if you live near one.” – J.R.R. Tolkien.

Well, the hot bath went to plan. I remembered to switch on the heating to warm the hot water tank in plenty of time. I even pre-read the instructions for the samples I was to supply for research. But I forgot about the dragon!

I had been asked to provide stool and blood samples for the COVID Research Group to aid their understanding of the virus. Today was the designated collection day. The hot bath was intended to dilate blood vessels and improve flow, and I decided to enhance the process with a few press-ups to really get the heart pumping. Who’s a clever boy?

With the instruction video watched, the water temperature rising, and the equipment neatly arranged on the bathroom windowsill, I began. The toilet bowl had been carefully prepped to catch falling stools and did its job admirably, a great start! After securely bagging the prize in its container, I moved on to the next stage.

A good long soak in a hot bath is so relaxing. As I lay there, I rehearsed the procedure for collecting the blood sample in my mind, feeling rather pleased with my decision to get the circulation going beforehand. No trouble collecting a sufficient quantity of the red stuff today!

After drying off and firing out 20 rapid press-ups, I swiftly lanced my middle finger, checked for the emerging blob of palmer juice, and popped on my glasses. The phial for collecting the blood is not very big, so I had placed my specs alongside the instructions in readiness.

And then… up popped the dragon!

A hot, steamy bathroom on a cold day is no place for glasses. I couldn’t see a thing! With blood flowing, I attempted to hit the target but managed only to splatter red everywhere but the phial. (Why did I do those press-ups?) Whipping off my glasses, I tried to peer through the fog and scatter-bomb the tube, with only partial success. Desperate, I grabbed my specs and wiped them… only to smear a thin red film over the lenses.

With juice still dripping, I launched another bombing run and failed again. How on earth a sufficient amount didn’t make it into the tube is a mystery, because everywhere around me was awash with spots of running vermilion.

Feeling cold and probably looking ashen, I admitted defeat. Relocating the operation to the bedroom, I cleaned my glasses, took a deep breath, and tried again. This time, with a fresh finger and a clear view, the process went smoothly. Phial filled, I placed both samples in a suitably labelled biohazard bag and posted them off.

Satisfied that I had done my bit for humanity (but feeling a little foolish), I got on with the rest of my day.

After lunch, I discovered that the only way to watch the England v Wales game was via satellite on channel S4C, the Welsh channel. Why can only the Welsh in Wales, who are members of the United Kingdom, watch two of our home nations play each other, while the English can’t, unless they sign up to Amazon and pay?

Well, up yours, Jeff Bezos! I have satellite TV, so I watched the game anyway. Of course, with the commentary in Welsh, I had to tune in to Radio Five Live Sports Extra for the English commentary. Hah!

The game went to plan, England did beat Wales. However, there was a 30-second delay between the action and the commentary. That was fine; it would have been far more frustrating the other way around. The Chinese takeaway was excellent, as was the film Hillbilly Elegy, based on the bestselling memoir by J.D. Vance. It tells the story of three generations of an Appalachian family through the eyes of its youngest member, a Yale Law student forced to return to his hometown. A satisfying end to the day.

Today, Jamie celebrated reaching a million views on his YouTube channel with a visit to the Major Oak in Sherwood Forest, accompanied by Ruth and Nala.

29th November 2020: UK deaths: 215 Current Market Harborough infections: 506 (down 79 from last week)

The UK has signed a deal for an additional 2 million doses of the Moderna coronavirus vaccine, which has an efficacy rate of almost 95%. This brings Britain’s total secured supply to 7 million doses, enough to protect around 3.5 million people.

While I chopped wood for the fire, Jamie and Ruth visited Lincoln, Charlotte decorated her Christmas tree, and Sarah photographed Alice and Mia.