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.

More Selfish Idiots


Unbelievable !!!

http://news.sky.com/story/hundreds-caught-at-illegal-rave-in-east-london-as-police-hand-out-fines-worth-16315600-12197138

Despite the pandemic dominating the television news programs, throughout the four countries that make up the United Kingdom.

Despite every newspaper carrying the painful story of the deaths, caused by the pandemic, on their front pages.

Despite pleas from Boris Johnson and his team of ministers, medical and scientific experts.

These absolute morons and many others like them around the UK, continue to defy the rules and regulations put in place to try and control the pandemic.

Plainly, the threat of fines doesn’t deter them from putting their pleasure ahead of the nations health.

Boris gets a lot of flak regarding the governments actions over the last, nearly, 12 months. Charges of acting too slowly, too late, not enforcing the tiers or lockdown strictly enough.

But it doesn’t matter what the government does while these fucktards are out there.

Here’s a thought. Perhaps the police should have put padlocks on the outside of the rave site. The organisers had already padlocked the doors from the inside. This was an opportunity to quarantine all the attendees. They could have been locked inside for 14 days. Making this a combined quarantine and jail sentence. Then they could be let out, one at a time, each being given a temperature test before being allowed to go home.

View From The Conservatory


Not so much, from the conservatory, more from within.

My wife stuck these butterflies, perhaps a dozen or so, on our bi-fold doors. Shortly after our conservatory rebuild was completed. The butterflies comprise two pairs of wings. One set sticks flush to the glass and has a reflective backing which catches the sun and is further reflected on the inside of the double glazing. The other set of wings stand proud, giving some depth to each individual butterfly.

Their purpose was to help prevent our grandchildren from running into the large clear glass panels. The butterflies seemed to have carried out their accident prevention role, perfectly.

However, there has been a war of attrition, as child after child has discovered the butterflies and ripped off their upper wings.

The photo shows the last intact example, flying proudly, just out of reach….. for the time being.

View From The Conservatory


squirrels_cropped

These are just two of the four squirrels that were tearing around in our garden.

Sadly, the one on the left has lost most of the skin and fur from the top of his head. It was looking very sore from the nose up to between the ears. Possibly had an encounter with next doors cats.

Apologies for the poor quality of the photo, I did try to clean it up a bit. This was taken on my phone, from about fifteen feet away and through the double glazing, hence the reflections.

Oval Room – Blaze Foley


I was just listening to a Tidal playlist, and heard the song Oval Room, being performed by John Craigie. My immediate thought was that this was aimed a Donald Trump.

After a little research I discovered that the song was written over 30 years ago and released as the B-side of a single in 1984. The original inspiration for the song was Ronald Reagan.

The lyrics of this song can be applied, in some ways, to almost any of the US presidents who have been in office since that time.

However, I believe this song resonates most closely with recently departed Donald Trump.

I tried to find this song on YouTube. However, the examples that I found, featuring Blaze Foley are pretty poor sound quality.

Congratulations Joe Biden


Welcome to the 46th President of the United States of America.

Joe Biden, you have a huge task ahead of you.

Good Luck

Quick, Change The Locks


BBC News – Trump leaves White House for final time ahead of Biden inauguration https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-55728852

Finally, he’s out ….. Hooray !

One thing to note, the guns for the 21 Gun Salute were pointing the wrong way. They all missed.