Went for an earlyish ride on Tuesday. On the OS map there seems to be a footpath from the other side of Green Park to Southcote lock.

 I tried from the south side a few weeks ago but you get to some fishing lakes and it peters out. Thought I'd try it from north end but the field near the lock is muddy and pretty much impassable. So carried on along the canal and went round. Had a zoom with Penno, Kevin and Adrienne in the evening.

Wednesday's ride was checking out a change in my round Reading off road route from Charvil to The George on Wokingham Rd. There are some good tracks by the Loddon.

Bumped into Davy and Howie on their bikes in the Oracle Business Park. Tried to take photos of a blackbird getting food from Kelvin's garden.
Had a virtual Hop Leaf with Kelvin and Andy in the evening.

On Thursday I did the ride out on the A4 and over to Whitchurch and Mapledurham. Took a few more garden photos when I got back.
Did the NHS clap then had a zoom with the first Thursday drinking guys. Dave Kirkham and his wife and one daughter have had the virus. He had 3 really bad days. JR also thinks they have had a mild dose. Karen lost sense of taste and smell. Dave reckons he started with it the last time we met up. Russ had been stranded in Florida and had to pay for another flight back as BA cancelled all theirs. He hasn't been able to get the BA money back yet.
Tried to take photos of bees on Friday. They hang around the wisteria arch. This is about the best one I got.

The fact that Friday was a bank holiday because of 75 years after VE day had passed me by somehow. A socially distanced street party was planned. We initially thought we'd just show our faces to be sociable but ended with a table and chairs outside with a beer for me and GnT for M. It was quite good fun.
Chatted to Nepalese guy who lives in the flats next to Kelvin. He had previous worked in Wuhan and Italy!!!!. Works for Huawei. Steve and Derek across the road had made some spritzers with elderflower liquer which were very nice. Mark led a rendition of We'll Meet Again. After we went out supporting local businesses and bought flour from the Wolseley St Baker and beer from The Castle Tap. There was actually a queue inside. 

There was another street party going on down Coley Hill and ours was still alive so had a glass of fizz with Roger. Had beers in the garden followed by chicken casserole and telly. Did nod off a bit though.

A good start to the day on Saturday. Finished the Guardian prize crossword quite easily.

A swarm of bees appeared at the bottom of the garden. This is the 3rd year running round about this time of year. As last year they were coming from a hole in the walnut tree a few doors down. This time they settled in the judas tree.

Went for a drive to the West Berks Brewery to get supplies for me, Andy, Kelvin, Roger, Tony and Neil Latchford. They had lots of orders waiting to be collected. Took Andy's round and had a socially distanced chat. He gave me the bottles of Westvlereran for me and Kelvin he's been promising us for about 2 years.

I mention to Roger we were having a greek themed evening so he brought round some ouzo.

Had a skype with T,S,J and A followed by a zoom with the Luton lot.

Planned to go for a walk on Sunday but the weather turned so changed our minds.

I did a recording of Behind Blue Eyes to see if I could temp the Luton guys into a Soundtrap collaboration. Got a nibble of the same from Dave O'Neill and suggested Norwegian Wood or Maggie May to make use if his sitar and mandolin. M cooked some really nice steaks for tea. Boris announced some easing of the lock down that we aren't too sure about due to the the vagueness. From Monday people who cant work from home are encouraged to go back but should avoid publc transport. From Wednesday unlimited exercise, drive to exercise, sports within family groups enjoy parks without exercise. From 1st June at the earliest phased reopening of schools and shops From 1st July at the ealiest phased reopening of hospitality and public places. Social distancing to be maintained and all dependant on the infection rate, R, not getting above 1. Its between .5 and .9 at the moment. Increased testing and tracking to be introduced to help with this.

Dont think it will make much difference to us for a while.