Category: Blog Post

Although I’ve called this six long weeks I find it hard to believe that we’ve actually been in lockdown for that length of time. I can’t see that there’s been anything beneficial in it for me personally except of course that I haven’t caught Covid-19 but, maybe I never would have done or maybe I would have and recovered and become immune. Who knows? For the planet there possibly or probably have been benefits. The air is a lot cleaner and in some cities which were highly polluted the level of toxic air is greatly reduced.  It’s spring so maybe more birds and wildlife have not only been born but managed to survive and hopefully less plastic rubbish has been thrown into the sea. All these things will no doubt benefit us all in time.

The president of Belarus has declined to put his country’s citizens into lockdown. He has claimed that they can avoid the illness by drinking vodka and having saunas. Well, if one demon doesn’t get you the other certainly will. Oops, just seen that you only need to drink 50ml of the alcohol per day. The leader has also given the advice that working in the fields and having breakfast on time is the best way to stay healthy. What time is on time, I usually have mine between 10.30 and 11.30, will that do? But then I don’t work in the fields or anywhere else and I don’t drink alcohol. No hope for me.

I’ve been watching Netflix as promised. I’ve seen three episodes of The Crown, not sure what I think yet as it seems a bit slow, maybe it will liven up in time. Also I keep thinking that the Queen’s hair is too long so I’ve checked it out. Just right for when she got married but by the coronation it was quite a bit shorter, these details are very important. I’ve also had a look at Unorthodox which I had read about and which has been recommended, I’m definitely enjoying that. I’ve also read that the Sussex couple who are now living in LaLa land will release their biography in the summer. It will ‘navigate their life from the wedding till they stepped down from royal life’. It will no doubt be a short story.

I started this blog on the first day of lockdown and never thought that it might go on this long. It’s taken on a life of its own (similar to the coronavirus really) and somehow I can’t go to bed without doing an update. As the talks go on of a possible relaxation of isolation I wonder if I will continue into the future. I think maybe I will but perhaps not daily, more like a weekly column. Que sera sera.  Sleep well everyone, this too shall pass.

Isolation is a perfect breeding ground for fake stories and conspiracy theories. Stories abound about different celebs (most of whom I haven’t heard of), the royal family and anyone who is mildly famous or even infamous. There is a conspiracy theory that coronavirus was a US biological  weapon taken to China by a government employee who went to Wuhan to participate in the military world games. Although it has been shown to be fake news the story will not go away now that it is on internet media. Now of course the POTUS is saying that he has proof it came from a laboratory  in Wuhan and blah blah blah. Another story is that BoJo did not have Covid-19, this story seems to have started in the blog magazine Dorset Eye and came from someone in the labour party. Although doctors in St Thomas’ Hospital have confirmed that he did have the virus the good old mag for people of Dorset by the people of Dorset knows better.

Piers Morgan is being tested for Covid-19 and awaiting results. He will not be appearing on GMB until he fails to show symptoms. Madonna has tested positive for coronavirus antibodies meaning she has been in contact with someone who has the illness. In spite of this she attended her friend’s birthday party. Several people went to the party via zoom but Madge went in person and took a cake which she called a Covid cake for her birthday friend Steven Klein (not sure who he is either!).

Some shops, stores and food outlets have said they will try opening some of their premises to see how it goes. Names mentioned are John Lewis, Greggs, Homebase and others. Haven’t seen Bournemouth or Poole mentioned in any of the lists but looking at Bournemouth town centre even before lockdown, I would be surprised if any opened ever again. I might have to think about moving to a town that is a town.

Apart from not being able to go to the hairdresser, cinema, gym etc, our tv channels are running out of new programmes as due to social distancing they can’t produce them. We are going to have to watch vintage programmes. That’s funny we seem to have been doing that for years with the odd new one thrown in.

It is being discussed whether older Britons should be allowed to go out once lockdown starts to be lifted. I personally believe that for my physical and mental health I need to be busy and meet other people. I’ve spent several years now making sure my brain keeps active, that I can still be of use and offer something to the community at large and I certainly know that I need contact with my family and friends. I know many others like me. Has anyone got a soapbox I can borrow?   Time to dream, night night 😴💤😴

I’ve just done some late shopping at Lidl. I go there because it’s near where I live and they open till 10 pm and if I go an hour before closing time it’s not busy, no queuing and very few people inside. The trouble I always have is with their self service till. At that time of night it’s the only option. As soon as I put my own reusable bag on the machine a bell rings and I have to wait for the nice young man to come and help. If I take more than 10 seconds to scan an item, the bell rings etc. etc., then when I put a second bag on the bagging area, well you know what happens. I mutter and swear almost under my breath all the way through the process and by the time I finish I’ve become best friends with the nice young man.

Today I read about a nurse of 63, Philomena Cherian, who died of coronavirus after 40 years of working as a nurse and was very nearly retired. Every case is sad but somehow this lady who had worked for so many years caring for others and then died of this dreadful illness has made me extra sad.

Joe Wicks confirmed that his wife will be taking his fitness class on Monday (possibly there will be a surge in male viewers) as he has had surgery on his hand. It seems that following a previous surgery wires in his hand have become infected and he had to visit hospital to have the wires removed. Sorry girls but no doubt you can catch up with some previous sessions recorded on youtube.

Kim Jong-un has reappeared. Maybe I was correct yesterday and he was sunning himself on his luxury yacht. Also photos of him opening the new fertilizer plant have been published. You can all breath a sigh of relief now.

Boris Johnson has confirmed that while he was in  ICU contingency arrangements were being made in case he died.  We’re glad you didn’t BoJo and you were back home in time for the birth of your baby. He and Carrie Symonds have named baby Wilfred Lawrie Nicholas Johnson, the third name chosen for the two doctors who saved him and both coincidentally called Nick.

More secrets from the royal household this week as a new book of memoirs is about to be published. It tells stories of Princess  Diana sunbathing naked on roof of her home Kensington Palace and being caught by two builders on one occasion. Stories and gossip go back as far as Queen Mary and up until the present time.  The staff seem as if they have been very willing to tittle tattle about Meghan, of course, who shouted at one of Kate’s staff members. It has already been well documented that she was not the most popular person in the royal family but we all know about Chinese whispers.

That’s enough of my gossip column for today, it’s supposed to be a blog. I’m going to watch the first chapter of The Crown. I’ll report back tomorrow. Sleep well

Not that it makes any difference if it’s Friday, Tuesday or any other day they are all bleeding into one and the same, it’s today and today happens to be Friday and this week has managed to get on my nerves. The weather hasn’t been too good so I haven’t been out for a walk every day and besides, going for a walk because it’s good for me isn’t my idea of fun any more. Makes me think though and I take my hat off to all our Spanish family and friends of a certain age who haven’t even been for a shimmy round the block. It must be seven or eight weeks now. Many of them don’t use the internet and Spanish tv. well, let’s just say it’s not the most in the world. How many programmes from there do you see on tv here? I rest my case.

In another part of the world, flamingoes have taken over Mumbai while its residents are in quarantine. Although the birds migrate there every year scientists say numbers are up probably due to the amount of space in lockdown and the city has turned pink. Reports show that animals are reclaiming the world, turtles in Florida, Lions in Africa and I’m here to tell you that seagulls will take over Bournemouth if we don’t fight back soon. I’ve got my broom at the ready.

Lockdown is gradually being relaxed around the world and reports coming back are varied. Germany say that a second wave of the virus could be about to take off. Italy allowed some easing two weeks ago and will continue to relax measures from Monday. France is similar to the UK and looking at relaxing sometime in May. Everyone is watching what happens and hoping that lifting restrictions will be able to continue. All seem to agree that change must happen slowly. In Turkey a young woman celebrating an end of lockdown climbed rocks in a national park and ignoring a safety barrier posed so her friend could take a photo. Sadly her foot slipped and she fell over 100 feet to her death.

In North Korea they seem to have lost their leader Kim Jong-un. The Korean state media say that he appeared with much fanfare to open a fertiliser factory, no pictures have been seen and it has not been independently confirmed. Other reports say that he has died and that his sister will be taking over as leader. Still another report suggests that he is in a luxury yacht images of which have been captured by satellite. Your guess is as good as mine but I’m going for the yacht, he’s in lockdown there.

My son has bought me a subscription to Netflix to add to my Sky and Prime viewing. I might watch something now before going to bed, if anyone wants to recommend anything? I’m a terrible viewer anyway, too critical and it’s a good thing I live alone or maybe that’s why I am alone…. Happy viewing everyone, you’re probably watching your Netflix in bed. Sleep well, night night

First of all my apologies to Captain Tom yesterday as I posted that he was 98 when he was in fact 99. Today however, and as you all know, Captain Tom celebrated his 100th birthday. The army promoted him to Honorary Colonel, the Queen sent him a birthday card which was delivered to his home by The Lord Lieutenant of Bedfordshire, Prime Minister Boris Johnson recorded a message wishing him a happy birthday and thanking him for lifting the spirits of the nation. His fundraising reached 30 million pounds and the MoD organized a fly past in his honour. He truly has become a national treasure as well as being a perfectly nice gentleman.

Posh back pedalled from furloughing her staff and expecting the tax payer to help out so she could keep her money in the bank. Takes courage to admit to a mistake. Still be nice though if she could learn to smile.

My daughter and son in law celebrated their 23rd wedding anniversary today. They both forgot it and she couldn’t remember how many it was when I called to congratulate them. Sam, it’s 23, I know because I was with you in Barbados with Sandy and such a lovely day. Congratulations to you both.

I forgot yesterday to mention that I joined my Spanish conversation group online for the first time since lockdown. John Hanson our group leader organized it and it went very smoothly indeed. We are going to continue every Wednesday until we can go out again. His group certainly has helped me to remember my Spanish that I learnt all those years ago.

BoJo tries to sound positive when delivering his speech and Piers Morgan continues to be negative. Easier for Piers who has the benefit of hindsight. Even I could tell the government what they should have done but nobody is going to pay me the enormous sums of money for doing so like GMB are doing for Piers. So shut up Piers, even a 100 year old man has raised money and the spirits of the country while you just sit there looking smug and being negative. Although I have to admit I’ve not yet tuned in, I just pick up comments from news online. Maybe I should also shut up.

Fortunately the neighbours didn’t shut up and there was plenty of clapping for the key workers tonight at 8pm. Even where I am, although I can’t see people I can here them and there seemed to be more this week. That’s all I’ve got today I’m afraid, I’m about to go online to the US so I need to get going. Sleep well and dream sweet dreams.

Congratulations to Carrie Symonds and Boris Johnson on the birth of their son, Not the first to be born to a PM in office at 10 Downing Street but the fourth. They’ve not had an easy nine months awaiting the arrival of baby BoJo, with Brexit, elections and then covid-19 to heap stress on this couple. I’m hoping they can settle down and just enjoy the new arrival.

Today was also the 9th wedding anniversary of Kate and Will so more congratulations to them and hope that they manage to have a happy day. All festivities and celebrations will need to be subdued this year.

Michelle Obama has made a documentary which will be released on May 6th about her book tour which promoted her biography Becoming Michelle (great title). Unfortunately it is to be shown on Netflix so unless you have paid up you probably won’t get to see it. I must say that I am an Obama fan.

A French doctor, Christian Chenay, who is 98 years old is still working as a GP in Paris. (Same age as our Captain Tom). He said one of the reasons he keeps working is because there is a shortage of GPs in rural and low income areas. Another reason is because he enjoys his work and not only meeting people but helping them. The last reason is that he believes that if he stops being active he will go downhill. That’s funny, our queen apparently said this week that if she stops she’ll probably drop. Congratulations to all our active and inspiring  nonagenarians worldwide.

I’ve been working, with the usual help, on my nannyjune.com web site today. It seems to be working well with sections and links etc. and tomorrow I hope to add my first recipe which will probably be gazpacho as I’ve already mentioned that in a previous blog. Take a look if you have time and tell me what you think, constructive criticism welcome. It rather looks like congratulations to me and my IT man.

Last but not least on my congratulatory journey are the men in the Lake District. I watched a BBC programme this evening called The Lake District, A Wild Year. Very beautiful scenery, to be expected of course, the changing seasons and the wildlife but also some amazing people. There was the rock climber who alone climbed great heights to rescue lone sheep that had become stranded. He swung around on the end of a rope to rescue them. and then the guy who builds and repairs dry stone walls, again alone, manhandling great lumps of rock into perfectly beautiful structures. I’m here to tell you girls that they were well fit. Congratulations to them and something for you to dream about, sleep well, night night 😴💤😴

It’s been announced today that there will be massive Covid-19 testing for people aged 65+ and those leaving their homes for work and their family members if they show symptoms.  More importantly all NHS and social care frontline workers, hospital patients & care home residents will be able to get tested whether or not they have symptoms. Seems a bit like shutting the gate after the horse has bolted but I suppose it’s better than nothing.

British Airways will make 12,000 staff redundant, SAS (Scandinavian airways will cut their personnel by half. John Lewis said it’s unlikely they will open all their stores after lockdown and this is the tip of the iceberg as far as redundancies go. Let’s hope that British entrepreneurs will find a few new initiatives here at home and create a few new jobs.

We are now going to be allowed to visit our local dump with garden waste. Social distancing will need to be maintained  and you will need to be the proud owner of a garden – supposedly. People will definitely be excited about having this outing on their agenda, bet you never expected that to happen.  Meanwhile a church in Florida remains open during lockdown because the pastor believes that faith will cure coronavirus. Other churches remain open because the pastors have convinced their followers that it is their right to have religious freedom. I hope they stay alive long enough to enjoy it.

Under EU smoking regulations menthol cigarettes are to be banned in the UK. In fact any flavoured smoking product will be banned from May 20th. I’m really glad I stopped smoking.

I keep thinking about cooking different things and today for some reason I was considering meatloaf. Not something I’ve made a lot of in my life and not something I even like very much but there I was looking up the recipe. I realised that I didn’t need details of how to make it as I already knew. Now I don’t know whether to give it a go or not. Am I the only person doing this in lockdown? I’ve also been updating my nannyjune.com website, with the help of my son of course. I’ve now got different sections apart from the blog. There should be, recipes, short stories, artwork and that’s for starters. Except I haven’t started to add anything yet, it’s on my todo list.  There is talk of lockdown beginning to open up in two to three weeks so if I don’t get a move on with my todos I’ll have to stay at home while you’re all out enjoying freedom.

I think all of Britain who was able to stopped today for the one minute silence. Well done everyone, together we can do this. Good night

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.