Author: June

Yesterday I had a moan but today I’m starting with a clap or two. I’ve read that Poundland are rewarding their staff for their work during the current pandemic. The company will be giving employees an extra week’s holiday, they will be doubling staff discounts and will be closing all stores on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. The MD Barry Williams said he wanted to thank employees because they were the real heroes of the business. Sounds good to me.

Tomorrow Tuesday 28th April there will be a one minute silence at 11 am in memory of all key workers who have died in the coronavirus pandemic. I’ve set my alarm and I hope you will too. Downing Street also announced that £60,000 will be paid to families of NHS and Social Care workers who have died of Covid-19. Elsewhere the Jenner Institute in Oxford will be testing their new coronavirus vaccine on more than 6,000 people. They had previously carried out trials on a vaccine for an earlier coronavirus and found it to be harmless to humans. The scientist at the Jenner Institute say that if they can get emergency approval ‘a few million doses of their vaccine could be available by September’. Tests have been carried out on monkeys at the National Institute of Health in Montana with positive results.

Kids in China are being made to wear one metre wide hats for school to help them maintain social distancing. They look like fun as parents seem to have been very creative. There were helicopters, helmets, cowboy hat but all with a wing sticking out either side. We could try that when we send ours back to school. In fact everyone could wear one when they leave their home.

Not much going right for Virgin lately as thousands of Virgin Media users went offline today. They keep offering me a line into my apartment, I’m glad I refused. A man in north east London has given himself a tattoo every day in lockdown. I’m sure it’s a little less painful to write a blog.

BoJo is back in office and appearing at the daily press conference. Until now the government representatives make their statements and then invite questions from the press via video link. From now on members of the public will be able to ask questions too. You or we will need to submit questions to the government web site, an independent polling organization will choose one question each day. The person who sent in the question will be contacted by 3pm and asked if you would like to record a short video of yourself asking the question which will be shown during live broadcast. I contacted Jeremy Vine a couple of times but never managed to speak to anyone. I’ve got a funny felling this will be even harder. I think I’d rather speak to JV anyway, I’ll keep trying.

Sorry to inform you that tomorrow will bring rain so maybe have a lie in as you won’t have to water your garden. I hope my son’s newly planted veggies don’t get washed away. Sleep tight, nighty night.

 

Two people getting on my nerves at the moment are Posh and Richard Branson (Why doesn’t this guy have a nickname). Posh’s face is bad enough but the poor love is all upset because people are criticising her for furloughing her staff. ‘It’s not fair’ she whines. She’s now punishing her fans by not posting on twitter or instagram or whatever. Why would they want to see how she spent several thousand pounds on her kids birthday parties from her net worth of 350 million and now she wants UK taxpayers to help her out. She should go and hide away with her friend in LaLa land. The Virgin boss who is worth 3.8 billion pounds is asking the UK government for 500 million for a company he has registered offshore and therefore doesn’t pay tax. Denmark and Poland have said there will be no government help for companies that are registered in offshore tax havens. It’s time that all companies operating in the UK were made to pay tax and most of the loopholes were closed. In the meantime lets copy Denmark and Poland.

The POTUS seems to have fallen out with another of his friends, namely China and its leader Xi Jinping. Until the end of March he praised the Chinese leader saying that he was doing everything he could to control the pandemic and that the two leaders enjoyed a great relationship. However, since April 1st he has criticised XI Jinpeng and even WHO for a lack of transparency regarding COVIOD-19 even insinuating that the pandemic should never have happened.

I’m still wondering how I can get a reduction on my council tax. But, I’ve been for a walk today which didn’t cost me anything. Quite a few people wandering around the clifftop but the beaches were pretty empty. It all looked very beautiful with the sun shining and plenty of spring flowers. I’ve had a lovely FaceTime catch up with some family members, I enjoyed that and a few phone calls.

BoJo arrived back in Downing Street today, it was said that his entrance was low key and through a back entrance. I wonder if he was expecting or hoping to catch someone doing something naughty. Meanwhile in the Isle of Man some lockdown restrictions have been lifted. Some tradespeople can return to work , non essential journeys can be made and kids can kick a football with family members. Social distancing is still to be observed. This brought back another reminder of my misspent youth. After my stint at trying to become a top model (not very successful) and working in the Whisky-A-Go-Go (slightly more successful) I went off to work in the casino in the Castle Mona, Isle of Man. The weather I remember was mostly dreadful but the job was definitely fun. I’ve had my moan so now it’s time for bed. Good night you isolating tax payers. sleep well.

If I want to be honest sometimes at this hour of the day (usually very late), I do not feel like blogging.  But the nurses are working all through the night as are the ambulance drivers and the police and it would be pathetic to say I can’t write a few words before I go to bed. Also in the morning when I get some feedback I’m always glad I did. I’m amazed and more than a little surprised to see how many people follow and some even say they enjoy it. So thank you one and all.

Seeing the grown up grandchildren yesterday, not able to go out, Uni shut down, no clubs, no friends unless it’s online made me feel quite sad that they’re missing out on a part of their growing up. Also made me remember my life at their age. Having been brought up mainly in Essex I decided in the early sixties to leave home and went to live in a studio in Notting Hill Gate. I just remember life being very different, very easy in many ways, and of course fashion and music was exploding around us. Getting a job was no problem, there was plenty of work. I was trying to become a fashion model and in the evenings worked at the Whisky-A-Go-Go to keep my days free for visiting the fashion houses. I’ve read ideas that the Whisky opened in the 70s but I was working there in the early 60s. It was busy, it was fun and I can’t imagine being made to isolate.

On our roads drivers are taking advantage of lack of cars and speeding. Police have seen 150 mph and well over 100 in London. I had noticed that there is plenty of stupid driving here in Bournemouth, more so than normal. In the Channel migrants are still being picked up by coastguards. Yesterday 75 in five dinghies were taken to centres where they were put in quarantine.  Trump has unfollowed Piers Morgan on Twitter for criticising him regarding his remarks on curing the virus with disinfectant.  This was followed by a tit for tat response when Piers unfollowed Trump. So sad they were such good friends. And while on the subject of the POTUS the New York Daily News has given him a new nickname calling him a Total Bleach Bum. We should have a competition for the best moniker.

That’s all for today, keep reading, keep isolating and most of all keep smiling, our very own BoJo will be back in office on Monday and now before bed I’m going to catch up with my friends in Texas. Nighty night, Don’t let the bugs bite. 😴💤😴

The thing is this, since I finished writing yesterday just after midnight, it has been my birthday. First one in lockdown, and hopefully the last (in lockdown) but in spite of still following government guidelines it managed to be fun. Lots of phone calls and FB posts, some lovely family photos were added even showing me when I was very young (thank you everyone) and then a group chat with friends that I often see on a Friday so we had a Zoom virtual reunion thanks to Lynn who set it up. Six of us chatting and almost felt normal. My daughter Sam popped over with Alex and Jack bringing cards, flowers and gifts as well as a balloon. Then Elena visited with Elizabeth and Alice and they brought a cake (made by Alice, photo posted) and more flowers and gifts. Social distancing was maintained at all times and I felt very spoilt. Still more phone calls later made it a proper celebration.

The POTUS has been at it again. Yesterday he heard that disinfectant could kill COVID-19 so asked if it couldn’t in some way be injected into people. The response was shock and horror from everyone, everywhere, could someone really be suggesting this? Today he back pedalled fast and said no he didn’t really mean it it was just a joke or sarcasm. Funny he’s never been known for a sense of humour or irony. My sister who lives in Australia and phoned today to wish me a happy birthday mentioned that he is also referred to as a cockwomble. That’s a new one on me.

In Suffolk a closed library has been thoroughly cleaned with disinfectant by their regular cleaner. When she returned the books to the shelves she put them in order of size, so they looked nice one presumes.  A librarian said the cleaner was lovely and it was an honest mistake so they wouldn’t want her to feel bad about it. No, of course not, that’s why they informed the BBC. Elsewhere a neighbour who fell asleep and didn’t go out to clap was shamed by her neighbours on FB. Self righteous indignation at work again.

Captain Tom’s single You’ll Never Walk Alone has reached number 1 in the UK charts. A news item says that when in a few days he reaches that ripe old age of 100 he will be the oldest person to be ‘top of the pops’. They might not have realised that he already is the oldest. I’ve been wondering how he’ll be able to pick out the Queen’s, birthday card from the 70+ thousand he has received. When Captain Tom was younger the Queen was sending out telegrams which would have been delivered by bicycle. Maybe there will be a special mail van this time. Good night everyone, thank you for a lovely day in isolation but not. 😴💤😴

For some reason daily life seemed calmer when I was busy and had a timetable with people to meet and a few responsibilities. Now with nothing much to worry about and spending the day faffing around and pretending  to be busy I can feel a bit lost. I never was very self motivated for long, I have to have a project. Truth is, I’ve got a few in hand or at least in my head but I’m not doing much with them, except telling you about them.

Captain Tom has received Pride of Britain award for raising the staggering amount of 28 million pounds. Furthermore several artworks which have been carried out to immortalise him will be auctioned for charity. I can’t imagine what the final figure raised by Captain Tom will be.  I watched the video of when he was told he had received the prize and am amazed at his humility and how quick his brain is at 100 years. He absolutely understood everything that was said to him and chatted with the presenters as if he were 20 years younger..

The POTUS hasn’t got enough to worry about with COVID-19, he has instructed the US navy to shoot down and destroy any and all Iranian gunboats who harass US ships at sea. I think the world can do nicely without a war in the Persian Gulf.

Just to let you know and in case you missed it, several couples have married using the video app Zoom. I believe the couple in each case were together, just the guests attending the ceremony remotely. I’m not sure if they’ll have to marry again after isolation to legalise the event but I was told when I was young and impressionable that marriage was made in heaven. There, I’ve got that sorted.

Back in the family (mine that is), it seems that my stepson Colin Arthur in Cheshire and my grandson Christian Blandford in Kent have been having a remote bread making competition. Now I have to say that in true Arthur/Blandford family tradition they are both good cooks. Photos of the two entries have been shown on Facebook and I wouldn’t mind a slice of either or both. I wouldn’t however like to be the judge. I decided this evening to make myself an apple pie, old fashioned plate pie, because I had some apples that I wanted to use up. I don’t think it would have won any competition but it wasn’t bad. Now, of course, I have quite a large pie to get through and here I am on my own, Oh dear.  Nearly time for bed. Sleep calmly and wake in the morning ready to carry on. Good night. 😴💤😴

 

 

It’s been a busy day for me and others. The House of commons has reopened with the majority of MPs attending remotely via Zoom. I hope they don’t (or may I hope they do) get bombed like I did by a porn site. That would make fun watching when you tune into Today in Parliament. The new leader of the opposition Sir Keir Starmer did what he was voted in to do, oppose. He obviously, because that’s what he’s meant to do, accused the government of making all the wrong decisions regarding Covid-19. Hindsight is a wonderful commodity.

There’s a couple who met last November at a remembrance day service. They got on really well and started dating but then coronavirus hit and they realised they wouldn’t be able to meet up when lockdown came, so they decided to move in together rather than isolate alone. They are really enjoying their isolation and say they have now fallen in love and they are both 97. It’s never too late to be happy. Someone else who’s happy is the winner of Euro millions. He won 58 million and said he can now retire.

Now here’s what I’ve been up to. I went for a walk and popped into Boots as I needed some indigestion tablets. I couldn’t find what I wanted so asked a member of staff for something for my bloated stomach, ‘oh’ she said in a very loud voice ‘do you mean windeze’?  So much for diplomacy. I decided as the weather is warming up I would make some Gazpacho soup, something I love and which is also very healthy. I will add a recipe section to my nannyjune blog page as granddaughter Lou said she would like me to after I blogged about meatballs yesterday. Now I would like to mention that our Lou is an NHS nurse and loves a bit of the ‘good life’. She grows veg and stuff and makes her own pickles and jams etc. She’s married to Ben and they have two lovely boys. So recipe section coming up within the next few days.

This evening I’ve been watching GB Sewing Bee. I used to do a lot of sewing and it made me want to get my machine out again. I’m going to be busy aren’t I?  I’ve also thought that this is a good time to write a bucket list. Not that I’m thinking of kicking it any time soon but it’s going to be hard to do certain things from now on, at least for some time so I need to think about it. I realised that I’ve not yet seen the Shard in London so that might be number one or even number fifteen, it doesn’t matter. What does matter is that I do something. And you all sleep well, nighty night 😴💤😴

The Queen (and there’s only one as far as we’re concerned) was 94 years old today. She decided to make it low key because of the coronavirus and indeed it almost passed without being noticed. It’s reported that she received a video call from the Sussexes who ignored her wish for low key and informed certain members of the press. Presumably not the ones they dismissed yesterday.

BoJo is easing back into work this week and started with a conference call to the POTUS. (I love this word it makes me think of hippopotamus or walrus) He and Trump discussed the G7 response to COVID-19. This doesn’t sound like the easiest way to get back to work after an illness. It seems they also discussed a mutual trade agreement, let’s hope there is some trade to agree on. Over here Cath Kidson has closed all stores and will from now on only trade online. How many more, doesn’t anyone realise I like going shopping.

I keep seeing in the media that since the lockdown certain restaurants have released the secret recipes for food items they sell  Pizza Express are sharing their margarita, McDonalds share cheeseburger, its mcMuffin and other delicacies and now IKEA has released the secrets of their meat balls. I am astounded that not only do people need a recipe for such simple quick food but that they would want to make them. If I’m making meatballs they’re going to be Italian with a thick tomato sauce and served on spaghetti. Parmesan or Parmigiano cheese sprinkled on the top.

Gwyneth Paltrow is auctioning her Oscars dress to raise money for coronavirus relief. Wonder if that will be on Ebay? I’ve got a couple of dresses I could flog off. Having seen a film today of the queues of New Yorkers waiting for food handouts she might need to sell more than a dress. We really can’t imagine a society without some form of NHS or social security. It’s happening in the wealthiest country in the world.

Friend called today and was telling me about her daily visits to her allotment. Never wanted one before but I felt strangely envious. nothing to do with the veg she might be growing, it’s just about having somewhere to go. Not much to write about today I’m afraid but I could supply the recipe for meatballs although you should all know how to do that. Sleep well my lovely readers. Good night 😴💤😴

 

I can’t help thinking that life is like a SciFi. movie. We’ve all seen them, empty streets, parks etc. people scuttling along, faces covered by a mask and only communicating by electronic device. They arrive home and talk to their family by video ‘no, mum, I’m fine really I am, I just popped out to buy coffee, yes, I’m being careful, of course I am’. Who would ever have imagined that we would all be taking part in a movie and I wonder who would have the starring role?  My money’s on Captain Tom. It’s a no brainer isn’t it?

In the news Prince Phillip came out of retirement to thank all the key workers for their vital and urgent efforts in keeping the country going in crisis. On the other hand Harry and Meghan came out of hiding to say they will have zero engagement with some UK newspapers and a couple of other publicity stunts. Not much change there.

Also in the news is the fact that US oil prices have turned negative. In other words the producers are paying the buyers to take their oil. They are worried that they will not have enough storage space if they don’t offload somehow. It would be good news for us drivers except we don’t have anywhere to go. Elsewhere at a press conference Trump told a female journalist ‘keep your voice down please’ when he didn’t like her question.

In the UK an RAF plane took off for Turkey to collect the essential PPE supplies that had failed to be delivered. Also a plane arrived in Scotland from Chine carrying new PPE equipment. As far as I can see it is for Scottish hospitals.  It’s also been reported that some people have extracted their own teeth as dental surgeries remain closed except for emergencies. I have to wonder what constitutes an emergency.

Today I was watching a video on YouTube it was the Zorba the Greek dance (or syrtaki) and I found that there are tutorials online as well. So I’m thinking that maybe here’s something that I can learn in lockdown. This could definitely be useful. One or two little problems such as the dancers at one point bend with one knee nearly touching the floor, not sure if I could get down and I know for sure I couldn’t get up again and as the dance goes on it gets faster and faster, oops that could get embarrassing. But, I think I should try, no pain no gain. Don’t try this in your sleep please. Good Night 😴💤😴

 

I’ve noticed that my daily blogs are getting longer which is strange as they should be getting shorter taking into account that I’m doing less and less each day. I wonder if that is good or bad. Am I the only one who’s beginning to get bored? I think that the first thing I want to do when all this is over is meet a friend or friends for lunch. It would be great to be able to make a plan to do something, anything. Hey ho, not today. I’m sad to say there’s almost no news to comment on either. It does seem that couples are beginning to argue and fall out at home and our leaders have even said that one of them should be allowed to move out and stay with friends or family when it gets too bad. The web site Illicit Encounters is reporting a rise in the number of married people striking up affairs since the lockdown and other sites aimed at those wanting a bit of something naughty on the side also report a rise in the number of spouses using their sites. I’m not quite sure how these affairs take place in lockdown. Maybe I’m just old fashioned.

What’s happened to Bojo? There’s no news about him either other than he’s resting at home with his partner. It seems as if the journalists are just like the rest of us, fluffing around all day doing nothing. There’s either fake news or old news which really means no news. There is of course Coronavirus news but you don’t want to hear about that here.

There’s nothing much on the tele either, is there? (I’m definitely beginning to sound like a grumpy old woman) I don’t know what you’re all watching but I’m having a struggle to find anything. Dawn French said she is going to do a special episode of Vicar of Dibley. Again I wonder how that’s going to happen remotely. If we stop and think about it, there won’t be any new programmes for quite a while because producers can’t make them. We might start finding other things to do that doesn’t involve sitting on our backsides. People are taking up new hobbies aren’t they? I haven’t started any yet unless you include becoming a blogger. There is my singing but I seem to have forgotten about that recently, must have another go tomorrow. Perhaps I should just have a go at Illicit Encounters and turn myself into a modern woman, I’m sure there’s something I could learn. Might bump into one of you there….   Nighty night, sleep tight 😴💤😴

 

Our very own Captain Tom Moore finished the 100 laps around his garden today and his fundraising reached 22 million pounds. He released a single along with Michael Ball singing their version of ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ and as he walked those last few laps he was accompanied by a guard of honour provided by The 1st Battalion of the Yorkshire Regiment. I don’t think this is the last we’ll hear of Capt. Tom

Yorkshire has been busy during lockdown. An artist has painted her town with murals paying tribute to the NHS. She sets out in the early hours in Pontefract and paints on the side of buildings as part of her daily exercise. Still in Yorkshire a mum does a daily 7 mile run around town dressed in a different costume each day. People cheer her as she passes and she says she likes to brighten up people’s day. Not in Yorkshire but at home in Bristol Banksy in lockdown has been painting his bathroom. No, not a new coat of white paint but his signature rats running all over the place. hanging from light pulls, squeezing toothpaste, unravelling toilet rolls and peeing on the toilet seat. His wife doesn’t like him working from home.

We have been told that parks and cemeteries can remain open. That’s good news and means I can visit Mary Shelley’s grave which is just along the road from me in the dead centre of Bournemouth.  I went past there today on my way to collect a prescription. Boots the chemist was open except when I arrived it was closed for lunch, I went for a stroll through the gardens and called in again on my way back. I also bought a brush to put the hair dye on so I can now look forward to getting properly spruced up.

In the US in Georgia police were called to a car crash where a pregnant woman has given birth at the moment of impact. As the officers arrived she told them she had given birth but they couldn’t find the baby.  After a frantic search the baby was found under the seat still attached to the umbilical cord. Mother and baby are doing well. Still in the US Harry and Meghan took their dogs for a walk today, they were wearing bandana masks and carrying sanitiser. Meghan’s dog got tired and she decided to carry it and where her hand was stuck between it’s legs I think she might be needing something stronger than plain old sanitiser when she gets home.

Back here alcohol sales in supermarkets and off licenses are on the rise and recycling bins are overflowing with empties. Now may I remind you that not only will alcohol compromise your immune system but it was not in the government list of essential products (even though off licenses were classified as essential business) it was classified as a ‘luxury item’.  Sleep well my friends 😴💤😴