Author: siskinbob

Formerly employed by MOD and IBM, now retired

I Was Framed


So I was experimenting. It’s amazing how simple mirror effect can totally change the subjects appearance.

RIP Captain Sir Tom Moore


After his herculean money raising effort, 100 year old Captain Sir Tom Moore has succumbed to Covid-19.

BBC News – Covid-19: Captain Sir Tom Moore dies with coronavirus https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-55881753

Words cannot describe the way, in which this gentleman has inspired folks, of all generations and all walks of life.

All credits to GQ Magazine / Photographer Gavin Bond

Captain Sir Tom Moore, we salute you 👏👏👏

Australian City of Perth In Lockdown


This just goes to prove that you cannot let your guard down, not for a moment where this pandemic is concerned.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-55877150

10 months clear of any locally acquired Covid-19 and just one individual can undo all the good work done by the many. Clearly there was a lapse of attention or judgement and that is all it takes.

It seems that a security guard working in a hotel, has been tested positive for Covid-19, possibly with the UK variant.

One should also keep in mind, Australia has not yet started to roll out the vaccine. March appears to be the soonest estimate for vaccinations to start.

Supplies of the vaccines also look to be in jeopardy, as the EU plans to impose restrictions on exports. Restrictions, on vaccine exports, are being put in place to cover shortfalls brought about by the EUs own bureaucracy and ineptitude.

This is potentially a double whammy for WA residents.

EU Bully Boys and Liars


The EU was late to the vaccine table, late placing orders, late signing contracts.

Three months late !!!

To compensate, the EU Bully Boys, tried to steal the UKs contracted orders. They are insisting that vaccine producer, Oxford-AstraZeneca, fulfill EU order shortfalls by diverting the UKs vaccine supplies.

http://news.sky.com/story/what-is-article-16-and-why-did-the-eu-make-a-u-turn-after-triggering-it-12202915

And, while they are arguing with the vaccine suppliers, they thought it would be prudent to effectively shut down the border between the UK and Ireland. The very sticking point that nearly collapsed the Brexit agreement.

They, the EU, invoked Article 16.

This they did without warning and without informing any of the parties involved i.e. UK, Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland.

Following a flurry of communiques, the EU has made a u-turn, claiming their actions were a mistake, an oversight.

Well that’s just Bollocks !!!

Issuing the paperwork to invoke Article 16 would have required signatures at a very high level.

So, the EU are Bully Boys and Liars.

To me this indicates that the EU, still upset that we had the temerity to leave their club, intend to punish us for Brexit every chance they can.

View From The Conservatory


A, relatively, peaceful afternoon, was disturbed by the raucous sounds of this helicopter hovering close to the road at the back of us.

Initially, we thought it was an air ambulance. However, a quick flash of its side, emblazoned with the word “ELECTRICITY “, gave the game away.

This is one of five helicopters operated by Western Power Distribution. What this one was looking for is anyones guess. Under normal circumstances these helicopters are used for the maintenance and repair of networks and also during emergency and fault conditions.

Still, it gave us a little excitement in our otherwise boring, pandemic, blighted lives.

View From The Conservatory


It’s forecast to be a cold night. But for the time being, this is the effect of the moonrise, with a little bit of mist just to add a bit of mystery.

A Shot In The Arm


This morning we journeyed down into Portsmouth so my wife could have the first of her Covid vaccinations.

I won’t say that we breathed a big sigh of relief but we have probably relaxed a little.

My wife has been closeted away since last June, when we got back to the UK. Since then she has become really concerned about the covid statistics and the implications. Not just for her but for all of us.

She hasn’t ventured outside of our home more than, perhaps, half a dozen times. Most of those excursions have been of a medical nature.

Having the jab does change your perspective a little.

Of course we know that the vaccine doesn’t cure Covid, or prevent you from becoming infected. And, of course, it doesn’t mean you can go out freely. We are, after all, still in lockdown.

What it does show, is that we, as a country, are heading in the right direction, albeit slowly.

Rather these baby steps, than trying to run full tilt, lifting all the restrictions, only to fall flat on our faces. I personally think that the restrictions should not be lifted until at least 75% of the population have been vaccinated.

I’m rather hoping that, by the time the restrictions are lifted, my wife won’t have become a total hermit.

If nothing else, we know that she will be going out again in April, which is when the second jab is scheduled.

View From The Conservatory


Yet another Squirrel photo. Nothing much else to say really.

These little critters are always stealing the bird food. I don’t really mind as I have several feeders around the garden.

Given the cold weather, I would prefer them to eat, rather than starve.