1st March 2021

UK Deaths: 104. Harborough Infected: 199.

In complete contrast to yesterday, we met up with Sarah, Lee, and Alice in Welford for a short walk on a very misty and bitterly cold morning. Not surprisingly, we met a few people braving the miserable conditions during our 1.8-mile stroll, which included a single Geocache find. Afterwards, they came back to Harborough with us for lunch before collecting a car boot full of council wood chips. They then headed on to Rothwell for a short visit to see Charlotte and her family.

Today, the schools released their lists of new intakes, and thankfully, both Ellis and Joey got their first choice of secondary schools.

2nd March 20212: UK Deaths: 343. Harborough Infected: 195.

3rd March 2021: UK Deaths: 255. Harborough Infected: 211.

Late in the evening, we had a visit from Jamie, Ruth, and Joey. They had kindly baked a coffee and walnut cake for my birthday (tomorrow) and brought a card and a present. We started on the cake and opened a bottle of this year’s meagre vintage of Vinallo while watching a TV programme about Ben Fogle’s visit to Chernobyl. Jamie and I had made a similar trip a couple of years ago.

4th March 2021: UK Deaths: 242. Harborough Infected: 202.

The week so far has been cold, damp, and misty, and today was no exception. Despite the weather, COVID-19, the budget, cricket, and rugby, the clock continues to tick, and yet another year has rolled by. Today is my birthday, and the weather gods didn’t see fit to provide even a little bit of sunshine to brighten up a day I usually try to avoid by jetting off somewhere nice and warm. Late in the morning, Charlotte and Harry brought some cheer to the day when they popped around to bring a card and presents. Judiciously, they also brought a car full of wood for the wood-burner, which was much appreciated, as we were down to our last basket of logs! As they left, I helped Charlotte fill the boot of her car with woodchips (for the hens), then set about keeping the chill at bay by cutting up the wood she had brought.

5th March 2021: UK Deaths: 204. Harborough Infected: 178.

Another bitterly cold day, but it hasn’t stopped my tomato plants from popping up in their heated propagator, bringing the promise of warm, sunny summer days and red, juicy fruit on delicious salad plates! Buoyed by their magic, Sue and I chose to ignore the chill and follow the Mowsley Heritage Trail, beautifully described in the booklet we had picked up from the telephone box in the village last week.

We parked next to the 13th-century church of St. Nicholas and were pleasantly surprised to find that it was open. Fortunately for us, the church organ was undergoing a major restoration, and the restorer was busy inside with his work. We arrived just as he was taking a coffee break, and he was pleased to chat with us about the project and some of the difficulties he was facing.

Leaving the church, we passed through the Maltings onto Dag Lane before completing a circular route, taking in the roads and paths that formed the medieval village boundary. The booklet was well written, offering an exceptionally detailed description of the notable buildings we passed. Besides being a picturesque village, it has a fascinating history, which can be told through its architecture. It was well worth braving yet another miserable COVID-19 day to explore.

6th March 2021: UK Deaths: 158. Harborough Infected: 120.

7th March 2021: UK Deaths: 90. Harborough Infected: 81.

Another COVID-19 week has passed, and it has been largely a dreary and chilly one here in the Midlands. The park, town, and roads are much busier than they’ve been all winter. Masked citizens, bundled up against the cold, seem determined to get out of the house, whether for shopping or exercise. However, no real and meaningful contact with others is permitted. This world is in limbo, eager to return to normal but unsure of how to get there.

Tomorrow, we take the first tentative steps towards normality with the reopening of schools and a relaxation of the rules allowing us to meet with one person outside our family. Who knows what the outcome will be? It might be right, it might not. But the frustration of having our movements restricted for so long is palpable. It’s starting to feel like a prison sentence. Please, please get it right this time. I just want to go on holiday.