The beginning of the New Year was set to be a “bit of a breather” follow the mental hype of Christmas, which actually, this time, was certainly not unpleasant. I received a goodly number of Christmas cards, and messages of good wishes, all of which served to alleviate any random regret of being on my own. There was a general feeling of thank heaven we have seen the last of 2020; 2021 couldn’t be any worse!” I remain sceptical! And, hasn’t 2021 started brilliantly! The long overdue lockdown is nonetheless unwelcome and I have become ever-more reluctant to leave the house. I am so thankful for those who carry out my regular shopping and laundry chores; but right now, I have to do my own housework (aw, diddums!)
My oversized T.V. keeps me up to date with the outside world, as well as entertained to an extent I would have never thought possible even ten years ago. YouTube and Netflix has an infinite menu, and I have to guard against spending much of my waking hours in front of the thing. But, as my readers will have ascertained, I do spend some time typing out these blogs. 2020 does have one thing in common with 1975; these are the only two years I have documented each day. It’s a pity; if I had taken notes in the same way e.g. since leaving school, there would have much more detail to look back on, and possibly, write about now.
In that outside world, the Covid situation is as bad, if not worse than right at the beginning of the pandemic, and for the last two days, U.K. deaths from the Coronavirus have been in four figures. The news seems to report with a kind of artificial solemnity (which I am sick and tired of) the difficulty in delivering the much welcomed vaccines. And our government has set the seemingly impossible task of having almost 14 million vaccinated with the first dose by the middle of February. Assuming the U.K. population is 66.5 million, theoretically, we should all be dealt with by August, by which time, the virus could be on it’s way out anyway. (I may well be “very wrong” about this). I would, however, had been happier and more reassured if the second inoculation was not rescheduled to twelve weeks following the first dose, instead of after up to three weeks, as announced originally.
Further afield, in the U.S.A, the country seems in turmoil with (like the U.K.) increasing Covid casualties and political upheaval. I was taken aback as I watched in disbelief as the Capitol got stormed.
Today, the News announced the highest number of deaths from Covid-19 since the start of the pandemic. Two young women were fined for driving to “beauty spot” for a regular walk. This is now in contravention of very recent legislation. That means no more trips to Parsley Hay for my favourite walk along the High Peak Trail. And apparently, I could be questioned over walking into town. To be frank, the last time I felt this kind of unease was during the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962.
Nevertheless, I do welcome more or less being confined to home, and the opportunity to continue “stock-taking” my humble archive.
It promises to be warmer next week. With luck, I can stroll around the estate without violating any newly established rules.
Many thanks for reading. David, 23.54hrs 8/1/21.
David's Cruise 