• A Birthday in the Fog of COVID

    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… Continue Reading

  • From Roadmaps to Rotavators: A Week Toward the Light

    22nd February 2021 UK Deaths: 178. Harborough Infected: 171. Boris Johnson revealed his ‘roadmap’ out of lockdown: Pupils in England’s schools will return to class from March 8, and from April 12 at the earliest, shops, hairdressers, nail salons, libraries, outdoor attractions, and outdoor hospitality venues such as beer gardens will be allowed to reopen.… Continue Reading

  • Warm Winds, Muddy Boots, and First Vaccines

    15th February 2021 UK Deaths: 230 Harborough Infected: 205 The new variant of the coronavirus first detected in the UK last autumn is not only more infectious but also 30-70% more deadly, based on a study by the UK government. As if by magic, our week-long winter wonderland, its white, powdery landscape blanketing everything in… Continue Reading

  • A Week of Ice, Anecdotes, and Vaccination Hope

    8th February 2021 UK Deaths: 333  Harborough Infected: 355 We woke to freezing temperatures and falling snow, which continued throughout the day. Even a few brief sunny spells in the afternoon couldn’t stop the snow flurries, and a brisk breeze meant that any ventures outdoors were decidedly short-lived. Today was Mia’s sixth birthday, and among… Continue Reading

  • From Sulby Abbey to Naseby: Escapes in a COVID Winter

    1st February 2021 UK Deaths: 406, Harborough Infected: 359. Residents in London and other parts of the UK will be offered urgent tests after more than 100 cases of the South African variant were detected. Last night, I was idly passing the time on my laptop, searching for interesting features in the local landscape using… Continue Reading

  • A Week of White Landscapes and Dark News

    25th January 2021 UK deaths: 592. Current Market Harborough infections: 281, down 243 from last week   Moderna has announced that its COVID-19 vaccine is effective against the new and more infectious variants of the coronavirus found in the UK and South Africa. Meanwhile, López Obrador, who has faced criticism for his handling of Mexico’s… Continue Reading

  • A Week of Mud, History and Pandemic Realities

    11th January 2021 UK deaths: 529. Current Market Harborough infections: 476. DOWN from last week 51. So far, 2.4 million jabs have been administered across the UK. On a slightly warmer day than of late, Sue and I met Sarah, Alice, and Mia at Fosse Meadows Country Park. Taking advantage of the current Covid restrictions, which… Continue Reading

  • Frost, Footpaths and a Nation in Crisis

    1st January 2021 (New Year’s Day) UK deaths: 613. Current Market Harborough infections: 448 (up 152 from last week). An eight-year-old child in England tragically died after testing positive for coronavirus. A sobering start to the year, and not the fresh beginning we were hoping for. A dull and frosty morning saw Sue and me… Continue Reading