Lockdown Fallout

 Thursday. 7.05 a.m. I've been out with Alfie.

2.15 p.m. I've been to the Oaktree Centre as I have for quite a few months now, helping to set up and pack away the gear for the Acorns playgroup. Then, at 10 o'clock, into one of the side rooms for Bible study. I drove home and had some lunch, watching an episode of Bargain Hunt, which I hadn't seen in ages. It's been running on BBC1 since about 2000. Two teams of two have one hour to find three antiques at an antique fair or in an antique shop and then sell the items for a profit, which, if they win, they keep. Each team has an antique expert who helps them decide which items to buy and then, once the teams have bought their three items, the experts go off with what cash they have left and then buy another bonus item which the teams can either decide to sell or reject. The profit, or loss, is added to the cost of what they sell. More challenging than it seems. Along the way you learn about various items and at the midpoint of the show the presenter, in this show, it was Charlie Ross, goes somewhere local to the site of the antiques fair, such as a country house, museum or other historic site and gives a talk about some aspect of that place or a style of antiques, furniture, pottery or whatever.

Friday. 5.15 a.m. I'm wide awake because there is a sound coming from one of the nearby flats. I can hear music, possibly a television on, and a voice. I look out of my door and a man comes out of the flat. I thought I could hear the sound of one of the alarms going off, which all the flats in Dexter House have. I don't know what is going on. I will no doubt discover during the course of the day.

6.05 a.m. I've done some more transcribing my handwritten writing onto word processing. I was awake, so  I thought I'd do some more. It's going well. Now I need to find a way to incorporate this into the rest of my writing. I have some ideas, but at the moment I'm not sure where it's going. Time will tell.

7.20 a.m. So, we're now being able to read the WhatsApp messages which were sent to the then Health Secretary, Matt Hancock to various members of the government during the COVID-19 lockdowns. And which are currently being published in The Daily Telegraph.  It would appear that some ministers as well as government scientists attempted to stop lockdowns because they believed that they would not help the spread of the virus. Also, the use of face masks was said to not be effective. It seems we've been treated like infants and the collateral damage caused by lockdowns, not least the financial damage, caused by closing down businesses, such as pubs, shops, theatres and a whole host of other places of work, not least the mental health damage which has been caused and the destruction of school children's education as well as their mental well-being. We became a police state at one point, with police having the power to fine members of the public for doing innocent things such as taking their dog for a walk, having a picnic or merely having a cup of coffee. There really was no logic to this, because the virus would surely be dispersed by the breeze in the open air. It wasn't like having people crowded together in a confined space, such as a room in a house, an office, or even a lift in a tall building, where people could be in close quarters with other people.  I think people became like sheep, they didn't question any of the lockdown restrictions or lockdown in general. All of these smack of Nazi Germany or life under Stalin or any communist regime. Then we read that certain members of the government, who should have known better, were contemptuous of those who got caught contravening the lockdown regulations. Of course, we then had to find out that Boris Johnson, when he was Prime Minister, along with many other members of his Government, was caught holding parties in 10 Downing Street. Johnson had to own up to all of this and had to pay a fine, although he did his utmost to wriggle out of the truth of all this. You would imagine that members of the government, which forced through the various bits of legislation which set up the regulations, which included people not meeting in groups of around six, with no parties allowed etc would have known that such a party was illegal. Or did they wave it through without thinking and then, if they had a party, no one would find out? Except someone took photographs which proved they did. Shows even more contempt for the public.

All this had a marked effect on my mental health. I lost my lovely wife, Carol, to cancer in December 2018. I spent most of 2019 attempting to come to terms with being on my own and building a new life for myself, starting volunteering at Camphill (which I have mentioned in these posts on many occasions.) But then, having everything held in suspended animation in the early part of 2020 when the first lockdown was introduced. I ended up having to use antidepressants (which, incidentally, I have stopped taking.) Being shut in my flat, not seeing anyone, not being able to go to church, although services were relayed via Facebook, and we had Zoom meetings (although, having access to Zoom was brilliant, and I learned very fast how to use it, and I still do, for certain events which are put on  Zoom.) But, generally, it was very difficult for me, not to be able to interact with other people.

Another Day Older!

Saturday. 7.30 a.m. Well, it's my birthday today! I'm not going to be in the flat all day. I'm going to Aylesbury, to an archaeology conference on the finds which have been made during the building of the HS2 rail line (High-Speed 2.) It should be fascinating. I just have to find the place where it's being held, as I don't know Aylesbury all that well. I shall put the postcode in my satnav and trust it will get me there.

Sunday. 1.50 p.m. An almighty rainstorm this morning, about the time I was due to leave in my car to get to church to set up chairs for the service at 10.30. I got somewhat soaked as I walked to the car, on a few yards, but the downpour left me wet, so I had to dry my glasses on a tissue before driving off.

I should have mentioned it yesterday. That is my trip to Aylesbury, to attend the archaeology conference which was held at The Gatehouse, which is part of Aylesbury Vale District Council. The actual conference was in what is called The Oculus. This is a stunning circular space which has wooden baffles on the walls to help deaden the sound. At first, when I walked in, I thought they were either some form of seating, folded up or even shelving of some sort. But it was obvious that they weren't for that use. The seats are obviously moveable and can be arranged in any sort of configuration, but yesterday they were facing the stage, such as it is (not in what I'd call a theatrical stage at any rate.) Although, saying that, I think it could well be used for theatre, and in particular, theatre-in-the-round, if the seating was reconfigured. 

It was actually easy enough finding The Oculus. I had a look at Google Maps, so I had a good idea of where it was. Also, my SatNav came in handy. I have to admit, once I had found the place where the conference was, I had to go round the block once and then went into the car park which was right next to The Gatehouse. Mind you, I made sure you didn't have to pay and asked whether the gate would be locked. It wasn't, but, knowing my luck, there was the possibility of being locked in or fined for not having the appropriate ticket attached to my car.

The archaeologists who have been employed to do the work on the various sites along the path of the HS2 rail line have now completed their work, they have all dispersed and, by now, are probably working on other projects, so this was the final chance to learn what had been found. We heard about farms and some really fine houses which have now been demolished as well as a church at Stoke Mandeville (St Mary's) which, after examination, showed that there had been activity there going back to the Iron Age, through the Roman period and up until the time the church was constructed and then demolished. There were a few other sites mentioned, one at Southam, which I drove through only the other month when I came home from Kenilworth Castle as well as another site fairly close to where we were at the conference, Fleet Marston, which is on the A41, the road we used to drive along on our way to Waddesdon Manor.

Monday. 9.50 p.m. I have been having problems with opening the door which leads out of Dexter House onto the path on Strudwick Drive. There has been a problem with it on another occasion. You have to push on the catch and it won't release the door. So, because our S.H.O., Barbara, isn't here today, I have rung Mears to inform them of the problem. As this would be an exit if there was a fire, it must work.

Yesterday evening we had an almighty thunderstorm and torrential rain. I heard the crash of thunder but wasn't sure whether it was actually thunder. There were noises of fireworks being let off also, so I did wonder if it was that, but no doubt the rain put those idiots off. Why do people think it's acceptable to let off fireworks like that? In a public space. It's not even November yet. Apart from anything else, it's a waste of money. There is a sign on Oldbrook Green that says, the use of fireworks on the green is not permitted, but, like dog fouling, what's the point of all these notices and by-laws, if they aren't policed?

I'm glad that Boris Johnson has withdrawn from the election (or whatever the process to elect a new Conservative leader and Prime Minister is called). I can't imagine how he thought he could just walk back into Number 10 as if nothing had happened, but now the field is clear for Rishi Sunak to take the pole position and get the keys to Number 10. No doubt there will be some sort of announcement regarding all this around 2 p.m.

2.15 p.m. It has just been announced that Rishi Sunak has been announced as Conservative leader and, hence, Prime Minister. Boris thingy withdrew and the only other remaining candidate, Penny Mordaunt' withdrew from the election just before 2 o'clock.

Repeat of Leadership Race

Friday 8.00 a.m. I didn't wake up until 7.25, so, as you can see, it's barely thirty minutes later I'm writing this. I suppose it's good in some ways, but I had to get my washing in as usual, although it went in somewhat earlier because I have someone telephoning me at 9.30, and I will have to have the dried washing back in the flat before that. It has been a bit of a marathon and attempting to get my head straight, as you can imagine (or, perhaps you can't!). What I mean is, when you've woken up, your head is often swimming. Attempting to think properly, having woken up. Well, it was a bit of an effort, but I made it.

Boris Johnson has apparently put himself forward as returning as Prime Minister. Please, don't go there. We really can't have that idiot back in 10 Downing Street. He was thrown out by his own MPs over the 'so-called' 'Partygate' scandal and an enquiry regarding the fact that he possibly lied to Parliament.  It hardly seems possible that we've had three Prime Ministers within three years!

12.20 p.m. I have been to Sainsbury's, initially to go to Lloyd's pharmacy within the store to pick up a repeat prescription and to buy one or two items. I have been eating easy peelers, and small, juicy oranges, from the time when the first covid-19 lockdown was announced in March 2020 and haven't stopped eating at least three per day. I think the vitamin C which they contain has helped boost my immune system and prevent catching the infamous virus. I have more recently started taking a liquid supplement called Vitabiotics Feroglobin, which has iron, ginseng and other ingredients in it, basically to help counteract tiredness. It tastes quite pleasant, with an orange flavour, and it's easy to swallow. Also, at the recommendation of my doctor, I take vitamin D tablets.

Before going to Sainsbury's, I went to the ESSO fuel station in Childs Way to top up the car with diesel. As I'm driving to Aylesbury tomorrow morning, I thought it might be advisable to put more fuel in the car, even though the fuel level was reasonably healthy. I also get Nectar points there, so that was an incentive. But then, in an attempt to get to Sainsbury's, I had to contend with some of the grid roads being shut off for road resurfacing and by the time I got to the traffic lights near the store, there was a long queue of cars and they took a great deal of time to change. I may have mentioned this before in these posts, but some of the traffic lights seem to take an inordinately long time to change.

More of The Same?

Sunday. 7.40 a.m. It's raining, although it's very light. In fact, I would so as far as to say it isn't really proper rain, more like drizzle. I will need to take Alfie out again before I go off to church. The kitchen is tidy. The washing up from yesterday evening is done and there's not much more to do. There is nothing worse than coming home to a pile of dirty pots and pans in the sink.

2.15 p.m. We did go out and then I went to church. On the way home I went into Tesco in Oldbrook Boulevard and got a sandwich in one of those offers where you get a sandwich, a drink and a snack.

3.55 p.m. Now watching the Jubilee Pageant, which is on BBC1. Some incredible creations moving along The Mall. Extremely colourful and dramatic. This is the final event of the four-day special weekend. A lot of amazing floats, really clever and funny. Just shows that we can produce this sort of thing as good as anywhere else in the world.

I have signed up to Britbox. It streams through my Fire TV stick on my television. A lot of BBC, ITV, Channel Four and 5 material, particularly what I  would call 'classic' comedy, such as Dads Army, Some Mother's Do 'Ave 'Em as well as drama series. I'm surprised there's Shakespeare, from the RSC, material which is from 'live' recordings which have been streamed to cinemas in the past. The first couple of weeks is free, then £2.99 a month and then £5.99 a month thereafter. 

Monday. 6.20 a.m. I was out a good bit later than I have in recent days.

So, Bojo (Boris Johnson) is to face a vote of no confidence this evening. The required 54 Conservative MPs have handed in letters to the 1922 Committee, which is what triggers the vote, which is to happen sometime tonight. I think it can't happen soon enough as he can't be trusted, and if you can't trust your Prime Minister, then he must go. As regards the so-called Partygate Scandal, which is behind this confidence vote, and the fact that he and many of his ministers as well as civil servants, broke the Covid-19 rules by holding parties within Number 10 Downing Street, while the rest of us in Britain followed these rules more or less to the latter, then he must go. But the question is, if he loses and is forced to resign, who will replace him? Frankly, in my opinion, the regulations were unnecessary and people should have been able to make their own minds up as regards their behaviour to have people fined was a step too far. Also, if the PM didn't understand the rules he had enacted into law, then how could you expect the members of the public to understand them? 

11.25 p.m. The British Museum currently has an exhibition I would have liked to go to on Stonehenge. I also knew they were publishing a book and thought, rather than visit, which would have been quite a strain, knowing my health issues, unfortunately, I would buy the book. I looked on the British Museum website but couldn't get it to function (not good as they will lose customers.) and I attempted several times to buy the aforementioned book. I then searched several online bookshops and avoided Amazon (as I give them plenty of custom as it is!) I then went on the Blackwells website and found the book, which I ordered last week (I think possibly Tuesday or Wednesday. The four-day Bank Holiday has obviously disrupted the delivery (and I had several emails from the courier company telling me it had been dispatched etc and then this morning another saying it would be delivered before 11.30 a.m. I heard footsteps on the stairs and realised it could have been someone delivering my parcel, which it was. A large, very well wrapped parcel marked Blackwells and inside, a somewhat spectacular book all about Stonehenge! Really well produced and presented and will keep me interested as it's a subject which intrigues me and I visited with Carol a few years ago and where we joined English Heritage, which manages the site with the National Trust. 

Tuesday. 5.40 a.m. Another really mild and quite beautiful morning. A mist hanging over Oldbrook Green and the rising sun glowing through the mist. I was lost in thought as I walked around, with Alfie sniffing every blade of grass. Suddenly I was approached by another dog, which I see regularly, with a lady I have spoken to on several occasions. This dog jumped up at me, which jolted me out of my thoughts.

Yesterday evening at 9 o'clock, the news came through that Boris Johnson had won the No Confidence vote, although many of his MPs had rebelled. He keeps on saying he can now 'move on,' but it means he's not in a safe position. Around 40% of his MPs don't support him, which isn't a good place to be in. He is, in effect, hanging on by a very thin thread.

What's To Become of Boris?

Tuesday. 6.30 a.m. Alfie wasn't expecting his usual early morning outing. He was asleep on my bed, curled up on my pillow and when he did awaken, he didn't make a noise, which is so unlike him as he usually makes a lot of noise as soon as I pick up his lead and make my intentions to go out with him.

Wednesday. 10.15 a.m. I had a knock on my door on Monday morning. I was to have an eye test. I couldn't believe it was a year since the last one. But what time? Today, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. I haven't been given a definite time, so will have to wait and see.

Boris Johnson has been handed a fixed penalty notice by the Police because of having a birthday party in Number 10, Downing Street. It seems absolutely ridiculous that he made the rules regarding lockdown and now he's been 'done' for breaking his own rules. But did he actually frame the legislation? Thinking about it, it would have been some Whitehall civil servant who wrote the legislation and then the Government signed it off. Was it necessary? In all honesty, no. We should never have had to be locked up like criminals and made to feel guilty about 'killing granny' as they kept telling us at the almost daily press briefings. We were told by the scientists that there were going to be more than 50,000 deaths from covid, which turned out to be a total fabrication. All predicted, by flawed computer modelling.

But Boris was handed a cake for his birthday. And Boris obviously can't ignore such things as cakes. He's like a naughty boy (think Billy Bunter, or for that matter Mr Toad, the central character in 'Wind In The Willows'.) He can never resist temptation. How is he likely to react to being confined, such as during lockdown? He can't tell the truth. Does Boris not realize that all this 'Partygate' business was more than likely a set-up, a trap to catch him out? Have a search, and discover which newspaper broke this story. Which newspaper, and particularly with what political leaning, broke the story of Boris having a party in the garden of Number 10. I think it was the definitely left-leaning Daily Mirror. Most likely in an attempt to dislodge him from his position as Prime Minister. Can you see where I'm going with this? The problem with Boris is he can't see he's being got at deliberately. He goes on acting like an idiot, and as a result, he's heading for a fall. But who took those incriminating photographs in the first place? When that photograph of the party in the garden of Number 10 was taken, where was the photographer? It must have been from a window of one of the buildings opposite Number 10. And what are those buildings? Most likely those belonging to various governmental departments and ministries. So, one can work out that no doubt the photographer was a government employee, possibly a civil servant who must have had contacts within the media, links to The Daily Mirror. See where this is heading? It doesn't take a Sherlock Holmes to work things out, can it?  On top of Boris Johnson getting clobbered by The Police for not adhering to the lockdown rules, how many civil servants also got their collars felt? Will we ever know? I bet we won't. Busy hiding in their ivory towers.

So, before I end this piece on the ever-accident prone Boris Johnson, will he be forced to resign? He's not likely to go himself. He's most likely to be forced out with a 'no-confidence vote from his own party. Then, who is going to replace him? For all his faults he does have a certain kind of charisma, even if it's the sort of 'upper-class twit' sort of charisma, as I've mentioned before, a combination of Mr Toad, Winnie The Pooh and Bertie Wooster. He doesn't fit any sort of role model, though, that's for sure. But when he goes (when not if as far as I can see.) he will be the first British Prime Minister to be forced out of office because of a birthday cake. Not going to look good in biography at some stage in the not-too-distant future. Most Ministers resign over such things as marital infidelity, links with spies, or some other misdemeanour or other but definitely, I can not recall one being removed from office over a few potato chips, a slice of birthday cake and a glass of cheap M and S plonk!

Please Release Me!

Tuesday. 10.05 a.m. From this Thursday, 24th February, all restrictions imposed by the Government to reduce the spread of coronavirus, will be removed. A day of celebration, surely? A day to throw off the shackles and not be forced to wear a face nappy (a good description for face coverings or whatever you want to call them.) It seems that the powers that be had let CONTROL go to their heads. The population, in general, have just rolled over and let their lives be controlled, mostly with fear being used as a weapon. We all know that 'coronavirus hasn't gone away.' Well, that's what the scientists are telling us and that's what Boris Johnson said at yesterday's press conference. But surely any virus mutates (which is how we came to have the omicron and delta variants.) Then we need to build up natural immunity, which is what the human body does (Doesn't need much intelligence to learn this. Pay attention, to those at the back of the class!) But treating us like infants is really an insult and we do need to be able to make our minds up if we're going to do such-and-such, for example, washing our hands regularly and wearing, or not wearing, face coverings. Surely, that goes without saying. Over-cleaning can have the opposite effect, as it can kill off natural flora which fights bacteria. Look at what's happened with the over-use of antibiotics, hence M.R.S.A. But now the government wants people to start going back to work, those who are employed in offices and other workspaces where people gather. Some hope of there being a race back any time soon because we've been frightened into submission by the scientists. It won't be easy to change people's habits.  After all, who is running the country, or, at least, supposed to be running the country? It seems we've been controlled by scientists, who don't very often get things right, particularly the vast numbers they tell us are going to catch the virus and how many are going to die from it. All this after they have number-crunched and come up with a figure which turns out to be so over-the-top as to be unbelievable, and our government just rolls over and does what they say. These people are paid eye-watering amounts of money, yet they get things wrong. Boris Johnson should just tell them to get lost and just remove the crazy restrictions.

I've been to Sainsbury's this morning. I had a few items I needed, one of them being sugar. They have had it in the same position for I don't know how many years. I went up and down the aisles, back and forth. I was at the point of giving up when I discovered it moved to an entirely different place along the back wall. No sign on the old position, telling customers where it had moved to, which is too easy. Just very annoying to have to find it myself. 

I emailed my MP about the Partygate scandal, that is, the discovery that there had been parties within Number 10 Downing Street during the time we were not supposed to meet up with other people in large numbers to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. I wasn't expecting to get a reply, but I didn't really expect to get a personal response! I am somewhat impressed that I got a personal response, not some prepared email that everyone gets. He has since emailed me again about the further situation regarding Partygate. To be honest, I think the whole thing has been set up to discredit Boris Johnson. As the photographs of Boris Johnson and other ministers in the Downing Street garden were first published when the story originally broke, in the Labour-leaning Daily Mirror, it seems to me there was a definite plot going on, even though the parties broke lockdown regulations. Then, who took the photographs? They must have been in a building over-looking Downing Street. Will we ever be told?

1.20 p.m. I have made some chocolate cookies. I'm not entirely sure if they're really successful. They taste great, but they might have needed a bit more cooking at a slightly higher temperature to be entirely successful. I think they should have been crisper than they are. A bit chewy but really tasty.

Mark, who cares for one of the tenants in Dexter House, has helped me dispose of the broken up boxes and packages I had in the cupboard in the kitchen, which I mentioned earlier. He has taken them to the area where the dustmen come to collect rubbish. So the cupboard/pantry is more or less empty, save for one or two items, such as the old electric kettle and toaster which I can take to the tidy tip for recycling, along with the old toilet seat which has been sitting against the kitchen wall since it was replaced months ago. It's good to have dealt with all this stuff that has been cluttering up the flat for so long.

One Law For Them . . .

Saturday 15th January. 8.15 a.m. I was somewhat surprised by thick fog as I took Alfie out this morning. As I write this, the BBC Breakfast weather forecast has said that there is 50-100 feet visibility. I can believe it. I don't have to go anywhere in the car, so I won't have to drive through it.

Sunday. 7.45 a.m. A dark and dreary morning. I took Alfie out as he kept on scratching on the bathroom door when I was using the toilet. I took the little pocket torch with me. We weren't outside long, so the torch wasn't necessary. It needs a new battery installing because the light from it is too weak to be of any use.

It looks as if Boris Johnson's tenure as PM is on the line. There have been revelations about Christmas parties being held in 2020 when we were in lockdown and, under Government laws, such gatherings weren't supposed to take place. Boris is attempting to wriggle out of any responsibility for such events (there are several which have come to light, but one clearly showing him attending one in the garden of Number 10. ) There is an inquiry underway, but as it stands, Boris is still PM and as such should have taken responsibility as a leader. One minute he goes on the Downing Street press conferences and announces new measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, and behind the scenes, he is allowing gatherings. Real hypocrisy. A definite case of 'do as I saw, not what I do', or, 'one law for them and one for us.' Only time will tell whether he leaves Downing Street as Prime Minister.

2.30 p.m. I've been to church this morning. Sunny and bright as I drove up Chaffron Way. It's still extremely sunny as I took out Alfie. The hall was packed. Phase 2 of the building project (for the Oaktree Centre.) has been revived. 

I got back from church, parked the car, and I thought I heard the fire alarm going off within Dexter House. I hoped it wouldn't be that, but as I walked inside, it was all too obvious that it was. The doors along the corridor leading to my flat had shut (which they do automatically when the alarm goes out, presumably to contain smoke if there is a genuine fire.) I'm never sure whether it's an emergency or some sort of fault with the system. There was definitely no sign of smoke or even flames, no smell of burning. Had someone burnt their toast, left a cigarette burning in an ashtray, or forgotten something in their oven? You never can tell. The sound is deafening and as I entered the flat, Alfie started barking. He really doesn't like the noise. I have to admit it is deafening. I suppose it has to be if it's going to wake people if they're asleep if there's a fire. We're supposed to remain in our flats if there is a fire. Which I'm not doing. That was the instruction given to the tenants of  Grenfell Tower in 2017 and look what happened to them when there was a terrible fire? I have always taken Alfie with me when the alarm goes off, and we go and stand outside the front door until the fire service gives the all-clear to re-enter the building. The din continued for several minutes, after which I pressed the emergency alarm and was told that someone was coming to sort out the alarm, and around 5 minutes later the noise stopped. No doubt it was caused by a fault with the system, which it always seems to be, unfortunately.

Monday. 1.45 p.m. It was icy when I took Alfie out as usual around 7.30 this morning. I intended to go to Sainsbury's, as I needed items to form my lunch when I go to Camphill tomorrow, so I had to spend a good ten minutes defrosting the car. Fortunately, I had bought a fresh can of antifreeze spray from Homebase when I went there the other day, so it didn't take too long.

I am continuing with my writing, which requires transcribing onto word processing. It may have to wait until I can rely on my MacBook to behave itself. It seems fine at the moment, but it has a habit of shutting itself down. I have no idea what's causing this, but I still think the only solution is to purchase a new model which will have the newest version of all the software on it. Unfortunately, the MacBook doesn't have enough memory to install the latest version of the operating system. It is over seven years old, which is supposed to be the average life of a computer, so I reckon I've got plenty of work out of it over the years and it has done good duty.

Revolting Tories

Okay, okay, it's a bit overdone to use that for a blog post title, but I will explain later.

9.50 a.m. It was cold and windy yesterday.  As I've mentioned in earlier posts, Alfie doesn't like cold, wet, windy, rain, and so on. You can't blame him. Yesterday I took him out mid-morning. He wasn't out for more than thirty seconds, turned tail, and beetled back indoors. But part-way along the corridor he did a naughty on the floor! Not like him at all. Not even as a puppy. He was easy to house train. But as an adult? No! He has had accidents in the middle of the night, but not outside the flat. I had to pick it up and we head to dispose of it in one of the bins within the boundaries of Oldbrook Green. (why can't there be a bin for this use further back towards Dexter House?) Quite a jaunt, but nevertheless, it had to be done. 

This morning, around 9.15, we went out again and Alfie did his business on the grass. I was in the process of picking it up in one of the disposable bags I carry in a pocket in my trousers, was just turning round to walk along the path to the bin across Oldbrook Boulevard and onto the Green, when a young man shot towards me on one of those electric scooters. I barely had time to stand aside as he hurtled past, narrowly avoiding being hit midships and possibly causing real damage to my person. No attempt to slow down, apologize or take evasive action. It really shocked me, particularly as you can't hear these scooters as they rush about. Just dangerous.

Okay. Boris Johnson gave another of the by now regular press conferences regarding the pandemic from 10 Downing Street. We are going to have to endure the reintroduction of some restrictions and new regulations, such as the wearing of masks in confined spaces, such as in shops (also, within the common areas in Dexter House.) Also, he said we have to 'work at home where possible.' You have to wear a mask in shops and offices, 'but don't cancel Christmas parties.' This doesn't make a lot of sense. Why in shops, offices and indoor areas? This includes theatres, which I trust doesn't mean the performers, just the audience. But I hear that some of Boris' Backbench MPs are threatening to rebel against the new restrictions. Why is the reason for my blog post title? 'Revolting Tories.' We shall have to wait and see how this plays out. Meanwhile, we will have to put up with 'Plan B' as these new restrictions are called, as they will be in place until around the end of February, all because of the omicron variant of the covid virus. Such is life.

So, if there's supposed to be a 'plan B,' and that doesn't work, does it follow that we can expect a 'plan C,' a 'plan D' and so ad infinitum? Please tell me NOT. We can't keep panicking when a new variant comes along. As mentioned before, all viruses mutate. That's the nature of viruses. We just need to stop this aimless race against a hidden 'danger.' There are dangers all over the place. Just crossing the road is a danger, so in getting in a car, walking along the street. You can't possibly live totally risk-free. So let's just get back to some sort of normal.

Then we have 'Partygate.' It has been discovered that there was a Christmas party in 10 Downing Street over the Christmas period, 2020 when the country was put into Lockdown. A video was discovered which showed staff laughing and mocking the fact that a party was held, regardless of lockdown, and seemingly not under social distancing restrictions. Boris Johnson has attempted to deny anything happened, but after the various gaffes, he has made it's difficult to believe the man. I think his days as Prime Minister are limited and it has now been revealed that there were TWO More parties held over Christmas 2020, one being at the Ministry of Education. Heads will roll and have started to roll. Is Boris going to come clean? I fear not.

Friday. 1.05 p.m. Not quite as cold as earlier in the week. The sun is shining, but there's a slight nip in the air.

Monday. 10.15 a.m. I'm going to rest this blog until after the Christmas break, so, once this post is completed, I won't be continuing with it until well into the New Year, so goodnight and God bless. Have a lovely Christmas!

Death of Duke of Edinburgh

(Friday)The whole television schedule today has been stripped across all channels, BBC1, BBC2, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5, with coverage on the death of the Duke of Edinburgh. None of the usual progrmmes appear to be on. They have completely stopped regular shows. I think it's out of respect, but more likely protocol in such an occasion. Not surprising really, considering the important role he has played in the life of this country, as consort to HM Queen. Newsreaders and reporters are wearing black mourning. Men in black suits with black ties. Boris Johnson, Prime Minister, appeared outside 10 Downing Street, to give an address in response to the Duke's death. Also, condolences from other political leaders of all major United Kingdom parties. I'm glad that the Royal Family have said that they don't want the public to buy flowers, to leave outside Windsor Castle, but instead to donate money to charity in remembrance of the Duke of Edinburgh. This seems a good idea,  considering the amount of flowers which were laid outside after the tragic death of Diana, Princess of Wales in 1997. Just think what could have been done with the money which was spent on them.