Morning all. Still overcast, but not quite so cold at 5°C. A series of little tasks await, but no great projects to be grappled with today. Internet and phone working well, and the outside light needs only a little adjustment of the sensor timing and direction. Think I will get the wood burner on the go and take it easy. Have a good day everyone.
Morning all. I have just seen a glimpse of the sun, but it didn't last for more than a minute. First time for a week, and according to the météo it is unlikely to become a regular visitor for a few more days yet. The good news though can still be found in the media. New covid cases have decreased from 20,000 a day to 5,000 a day over the past month. Restrictions on people flying into the country from China are being extended for another two weeks. Have a good day everyone.
Meanwhile, in the UK the daily total is on the increase - this was up from around 80K the week before.
and millions of people arent testing too since the govt removed access to free kits....Our son had it over xmas and the only reason any of new is that hhe had a pcr test taken by researchers who visited him tow days before ....but none of us knew the result to the 28th.... he had no diea he was positive.. just felt under the weather
Morning all. Brief glimpses of the sun, but a brisk northerly is keeping the temperature down to a chilly 2°C. Autoroute tolls are going to rise by 4.75% in February, which is not popular. You have the choice of using them, or taking the routes national. As an experiment I once travelled to Cherbourg, avoiding all tolls. It took forever and I have never repeated it. There is a huge difference in what you pay depending on the route you take. When I go to the ferry at Dieppe I pay €15 currently, but taking different autoroutes would cost €50. Multiply this by two for the outward and return journey makes the difference noticeable. Have a good day everyone.
We still have some tests. We test of we feel a bit under the weather or if we've felt at risk. I want to see my mother at her care home today, first time I have been allowed in without having to mask up. For a long while I would test before setting off on the 67mile drive and present the test to the receptionist.
Morning all. Quite a frost overnight, but the plants in the garden seem to have survived. It has walls to three sides that do soak up some heat when the sun comes out, and despite water for the birds being frozen, nothing seems to have suffered. The great tits really are bullies, pushing the blue tits aside when it comes to the feeders. With the cold weather, they are getting through the peanuts and fat balls rapidly. Even the bread crumbs that are not popular in warmer times are being eaten up. The bag of seeds designed for wild birds gets left, although the robin will search the ground for spillage. Have a good day everyone.
Morning all. Cloud cover again, but it feels slightly warmer. Amazed to see yesterday a roundabout with daffodils in full bloom. This is not right for the end of January, but a sign that better days are just around the corner. I have some down the fields that I haven't bothered to look at yet, but now will check them out on my next visit to the compost bin. Have a good day everyone.
Evening all. I've been a bit tied up since Christmas with the family trip. The family all went home this evening and left me behind in quarantine because i have Covid. Bit of a bummer but I've had worse. Consequently the stats will be delayed for at least another week. It could be longer because my travel insurance company can't get their colective arses into gear and book a flight for me. Flights to NZ are absolutely chocker so once I'm allowed out I may have an extended holiday at the insurance company's expense.
Oh dear! Not sure if that is bad news or good news. Hope the covid is a mild dose and has no lingering effects.
Morning all. Grey, but dry, and the temperature may hit the dizzy height of ten degrees today. Small signs have started to appear on lampposts in the towns about reduced lighting times. No one seems to be in the least bit worried by this, so you have to wonder, are they really needed in more normal times? Have a good day everyone.
Thank you for all your good wishes. I'm fine apart from being a bit tired and being stuck on my own. As I said, I've had far worse. Getting very sick in Beirut during the Lebanese civil war with what turned out to be hepatitis was worse, especially as I had to hitch-hike out to Damascus the long way round or I'd have ended up in a Terry Waite situation. I was young then and did stupid things. I plan to turn this trip into a book exploring tourism theory from a personal point of view. I want to make it very clear to the idiot marketers that memorable tourist wxperinces are not necessarily good experiences.
Morning all. At long last we have a decent start to the day. Mild, little wind, and the sun shining out of a partially blue sky. I have been collecting logs from the fields and bringing them up to the house, and putting back lids that have blown off the water butts and compost bins. Taking stock of where to start now on reinstating the veggie plot. A couple of elm trees have been taken down, they were dying, but it has opened the light onto the area. All of my anti-deer fencing was taken down while the trees were felled, so lots to do. This coffee break is welcome. Have a good day everyone.
Morning all. The start of another week, and hopefully I will be able to do some more preparation for the growing season. Yesterday was a good day to be outside and lots of jobs were completed. No rain is expected for the next few days, so will my rotavator start is the big question. Last year it was very reluctant and needed "quick start" to help it. I must go and see what is sold here as my supply from England has expired. Have a good day everyone.
Desperate times if you live in Turkey or Syria, with so many asleep in their beds when the earthquake struck.
