15th March 2021

UK Deaths: 64 Harborough Infected: 67

Germany and Italy have now joined Norway, the Netherlands, and Belgium in halting the use of AstraZeneca’s coronavirus vaccine, following reports of blood clot incidents.

I listened to an interview on the BBC World Service with the Norwegian medic responsible for pausing vaccinations. He openly admitted that such incidents of blood clotting are normal occurrences within the general population. In my view, the politicians are being overly cautious. But, as always, only time will tell.

16th March 2021: UK Deaths: 110 Harborough Infected: 64

Denmark has temporarily suspended use of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine, adding to the growing list of European countries doing the same. Meanwhile, the European Union’s medicines regulator has stated there is “no indication” that the AstraZeneca vaccine is the cause of the reported blood clots.

Pun of the day: The plot thickens.

Quote of the day:
The only clots to fear are the ones believing AstraZeneca Covid vaccination lies.

17th March 2021: UK Deaths: 141 Harborough Infected: 62

The European Union has threatened to restrict exports of COVID-19 vaccines in an effort to ensure it has sufficient supply for its citizens. Meanwhile, the UK has passed the milestone of 25 million vaccinations, a significant step forward.

MONOTONY: Time to escape the confines of the house and see if the world beyond the television screen and garden still exists. A short drive brought us to the 9th-century village of Winwick, where a 5.5-mile circular walk, taking in the partly deserted medieval settlement of Elkington, proved to be just the ticket.

Today, the village is home to several rather grand and picturesque houses, though the undoubted highlight is the striking Winwick Manor itself, a fine and stately sight amidst the quiet charm of the countryside.

Our route took us north through the now-familiar soggy fields, rolling countryside rich with green lanes, rivulets, and sunken valleys. It was a refreshing change from our daily view of Farndon Hill and Welland Park.

As we passed a large tree beside a small brook, eagle-eyed Sue spotted a not-so-surreptitiously hidden geocache tucked into a hollow within the trunk. We hadn’t set out on a hunt, but a find is a find!

Passing through Elkington, I checked the Geocache App and discovered there was another cache nearby. Despite the ‘hint’ being incorrect, it didn’t take us long to locate it, a small triumph along the way.

Cannonball: Turning south, it was now my turn to make a discovery. Glancing down, I noticed a ball-shaped object protruding from the side of the track we were following, likely unearthed by a passing farm vehicle. I dug it out and, to my astonishment, found what appears to be a 16th or 17th-century stone shot or cannonball. Possibly, hopefully, an artefact from the nearby Battle of Naseby. What a find!

Our path then led us to the Union Canal and the Jurassic Way long-distance trail. Aside from a solitary passing barge and a series of well-established badger setts, we encountered little else until we arrived back in Winwick.

As is our custom, we paused briefly to wander around the cemetery of the now-closed church of St Michael’s, nestled beside the manor house, before completing our circuit. Church records reveal that, during a period in the 16th century, far more marriages were performed in Winwick than there were eligible bachelors and spinsters in the parish. The inevitable conclusion is that runaway couples were eloping, not to the famous blacksmith’s forge at Gretna Green, but to this quiet little Northamptonshire village instead.

Later in the afternoon, I set about removing the soil from the greenhouse in preparation for replacing it with a fresh batch. Sarah spent the day working down at the allotment while Lee continued the renovation of his van.

18th March 2021: UK Deaths: 95 Harborough Infected: 60
Only five million out of the ten million Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine doses ordered from India’s Serum Institute (SII) will arrive in the UK this March. CEO Adar Poonawalla explained that the delay stems from the Indian government temporarily halting vaccine exports.

19th March 2021: UK Deaths: 101 Harborough Infected: 56
A total of 660,276 vaccinations were administered nationwide on Thursday. The UK will begin piloting the use of COVID-19 certificates to reopen sporting events to fans. Across Europe, use of the AstraZeneca vaccine resumed after the EU drug regulator confirmed its safety.

One headline today gave me a chuckle:
The Italian army is accused of foul play after a tank accidentally fires rounds into a chicken farm.
The Italian military found itself in a flap after one of its tanks fired live shells into a chicken farm during a night exercise, and dozens of chickens were tragically lost. Fowl play, indeed.

20th March 2021: UK Deaths: 96 Harborough Infected: 59
Police clashed with anti-lockdown protesters today as thousands descended on central London. Every society has its share of selfish or gullible fools, but it’s their manipulators who truly deserve blame.

As it promised to be a fairly decent day, I spent the morning potting on forty ‘Speckled Roman’ tomato plants in the greenhouse. The afternoon was reserved for rugby, though it didn’t quite live up to expectations. In stark contrast to last weekend, Leicester Tigers lost to Exeter, and England was beaten by Ireland. As if that weren’t enough, Wales was heartbreakingly defeated by France in the dying seconds of their match, and later in the evening, England lost the deciding T20 cricket match against India. With optimism draining fast, I wasn’t too surprised when Jamie rang.

He and Ruth had taken the dogs for a walk around Pitsford Water but returned to the car park seven minutes after closing, only to find themselves and several others locked in. Meanwhile, Sue was collecting our traditional Saturday fish and chip supper in preparation for a Netflix film night. Unfortunately for the stranded duo, I had spent a liquid rugby afternoon with Jim, who had brought along several beers, leaving me in no state to drive.

Sue was none too pleased upon her return to hear the news, but she did her duty and headed out again to rescue them. Regrettably, Ruth’s Mercedes had to be left locked in overnight. By the time Sue got back, I had already eaten my hot cod, chips, and mushy peas. Though the microwave revived her portion well enough, it was too late to begin a film, so we just put the TV on instead.

21st March 2021: UK Deaths: 33 Harborough Infected: 62

The UK recorded its third consecutive day of record-breaking COVID-19 vaccinations, with 873,784 jabs administered in the past 24 hours. Despite this success, tensions with the European Union continue to rise. The European Commission has again threatened to block vaccine exports to countries, including the UK. According to Mrs von der Leyen, 41 million vaccine doses have been exported from the EU to 33 countries in just six weeks, more than 10 million of those have come to the UK.

Pfizer has since warned the EU against such measures, pointing out its heavy reliance on key vaccine ingredients manufactured in Yorkshire. There really is no alternative; an amicable resolution must be found. EU politicians, through a mix of sloth and ineptitude, have found themselves at the back of the queue, a position that could ultimately cost thousands of lives. Now is the time for unity. The rhetoric from all sides must shift from threats to cooperation. Only then might people regain some confidence that these leaders are capable of guiding us out of this pandemic.

Back on the domestic front, Jamie and Ruth were up bright and early to retrieve the stranded Mercedes from Pitsford Water. After successfully reclaiming the vehicle, they dropped off Rocky and Nala at Willow Bank before heading south to a specialist garage in Swindon to collect Jamie’s car. They returned mid-afternoon to pick up the dogs. A busy day for them, but all seemed to have gone smoothly, mercifully so after yesterday’s series of small disasters.