Tag: UK

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.

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


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.

If Only He Had A Brain Cell


So this man said he had travelled 100 miles, whilst under lockdown, ‘for a McDonald’s’

BBC News – Covid-19: Man said he had travelled 100 miles ‘for a McDonald’s’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire-55695408

He travelled over 100 miles to a town that does not have a McDonald’s !!!

Not only that, police discovered there was no valid insurance in place. This meant his vehicle was not legally on the road.

As a result his car was confiscated.

The man was fined £200 for his “flagrant breach” of lockdown regulations, making an unnecessary journey away from his home area.

In addition to the loss of his vehicle, presumably he also incurred the cost of getting back home.

Had this guy had at least a single brain cell he would not have brought himself to the attention of the police.

He deserves the full weight of the law.

A Rare Bird


Pre-pandemic the skies over Hampshire were fairly busy, with flights descending into Heathrow, or heading further north, interspersed with those heading to a myriad of international destinations.

Latterly, as we all know, the number of flights worldwide are very much reduced. So much so that the sound of a flight, mid evening, triggered my curiosity.

Courtesy of flightradar24

So, flying overhead was this flight.

Originating in Spain from Madrid and heading into London Heathrow, with just 10 more minutes flying time.

I’m guessing that the, near silent, Hampshire airspace will become quieter still, as fewer people are prepared to travel when the UKs new rules are activated on Monday.