Monday, May 17, 2021

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Coronavirus - Sunday 19th May 2021

Went for a swim early afternoon on Monday. Amy has been for another scan. Everything normal but long legs and a head not like James'.
On Tuesday morning we went into John Lewis to test out some sofas. First time I've been for probably about 6 months. Then I did a ride out Bradfield way but took the track at the top of the hill alongside the Englefield Estate. Bluebell country.
Also a nice little lake containing some large carp. Not been down there before.
M had some photos taken for the book launch and was given a few copies. Although its not until 10th July they've started sending out ones that gave been ordered. Its calked Coley Talk. On Wednesday did the Bracknell ride as far a Hurst and then looped back via Sonning, Dunsden Green and Caversham. Picked up a few things from Waitrose. I noticed a couple of mother and baby groups in Christchurch Meadow, one exercising, one not. I guess at the moment they have to meet outside. Also these mothers and babies.
Fixed a puncture on my MTB. Had a goolie zoom in the evening. Lazy day on Thursday  did some recording and popped out to buy some strings. Went to the Fox and Hounds in the evening with Penno, Kevin and Adrienne. Another lazy day on Friday due to staying up late watching youtube. Did manage a swim in the afternoon though. Finished off recording Yer Blues on Saturday then settled down to watch the cup final. 21,000 fans, looks like a third for each team and local residents and key workers. Liecester won for the first time. Chelsea had a list mjnute goal disallowed by VAR for offside. Tom has had his first jab. Pfizer. Another lazy day on Sunday, mainly down to the weather. I did manage about an hour of weeding between the rain though. There are concerns about an Indian variant of covid.
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Monday, May 10, 2021

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Coronavirus - Sunday 9th May 2021

On Tuesday M noticed that wood pigeons had been attacking the wisteria so she sent off for some spray. I the mean time I came up with an old fashioned solution.
It was still a bit dull and windy in the morning but brightened up in the afternoon so did the Theale, Pangbourne, Mapledurham ride. Schools were leaving in Theale and noticed the parents waiting in a socially distanced queue. The wood pigeons were back on Wednesday so but put another old cycling jacket. Had some heavy rain and hail later on. Splatters on thr hearth in the front room as a result
 Had a goolie zoom in the evening but only me Rick and Ian on. Greg suffering from the after effects of his second jab. Assume John still suffering from his move. Went swimming on Thursday morning and noticed a large tent being errected outside the sports centre. It turned out this is for this evenings count for the local elections. That prompted us to go and vote on the way back. Hand sanitiser on the way in and asked if we had any covid symptoms. Social distancing and single use pencils which seemed like a bit of a waste unless they can sanitise them or maybe just wait until any infection has died out. Nobody taking numbers either. Quite a lot of people voting though in what traditionally would have been a quiet time. Maybe peoples routines are different at the moment. Got an email from Mike Rowbottom about possibly having musical get together. He also mentioned getting aband together for Bunkfest but I will be at EOTR
 Had first Thursday drinks at the Fox and Hounds. They've changed their outdoor area to be a bit more open. I guess it needs to confirm to some rules. Quite busy, good service, good beer, felt safe. On Friday cycled to the Ascot Brewery with Kelvin and Andy. The last bit of was meant to be along the Blackwater Valley Path but it wasn't really suitable for cycling so we went by road which wasn't so good. The brewery like many is in an industrial estate. 
Not particularly attractive but the beer was good, they let us eat our sarnies and were all very friendly. It was starting to fill up with gentlemen of a certain age as we left. Got the train back from Blackwater. M was on an online symposium on Friday evening and Saturday about parishes. I did a bit of research on animation software and started learning Yer Blues for the next goolie soundtrap project which we've decided to have a go at. The election results were a bit delayed and mixed. Labour lost the Hartlepool bi-election and quite a few council seats but did well in the mayoral elections. Also did well in Wales. Pro-indepence parties have a majority in Scotland. It seems like people in power have done well probably because of the success of the vaccine roll out. Everyone forgetting how badly we did initially. Good start to the day on Sunday, didn't get up til after 12. A bit of a lazy day after that but watched Palm Springs. Watched Palm Springs.

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Tuesday, May 04, 2021

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Coronavirus - Monday 3rd May 2021

Went for a ride out to Henley with Kelvin on Monday. Had a pint next to the river at the Angel On The Bridge. Stopped off in the garden at the Jolly Anglers on the way back. A nice spot in the sun but no real ale. Pool not quite finished.

Bogs very classy. Parts of it are a bit like a building site. 


Went for a ride to the Andwell Brewery with Kelvin and Andy on Tuesday. Tried to find a ford down a track nearby but couldn't unless this was it.


The brewery was in quite a nice setting by the river Lyde but the beer was a bit ordinary and flat. Downloaded the QTap app to order and pay and minimise contact. When we got back to Reading we went to check out reports that the Hop Leaf had been repainted. Chatted to the decorator and they are reopening in a month or so. Great news. Under new management but still Hopback and therefore still Summer Lightning. A very lazy day on Wednesday apart from housework. Cooked pizzas so decided we needed wine so went to the shop for the first time in ages. Goolie zoom in the evening, good fun. John is moving to a new place on Friday, his birthday. Went for a swim on Thursday morning. Downloaded a cartoon app called Cartoon Animator 4. I think I should be able to animate Pic with it. We were going to start a new goolie soundtrap of Yer Blues but its got 3 tempo and 4 time signature changes so maybe not. Went to the hygenist followed by the dentist on Friday. There were 2 assistants with the hygenist. When they had finished assisting they took off their plastic gowns and put them in the bin. They then returned about 10 minutes later with fresh gowns. The amount of plastic and paper used during the pandemic doesn't bear thinking about. Also noticed some sort of extractor system that looked new and was very noisy making it almost impossible to hear what the hygenist was saying what with the hi tech mask and all. Had to wait outside between appointments. They haven't set up any kind of shelter for if its raining. Went swimming early afternoon. A lazy day on Saturday. Cooked the Xmas ham. Had a society walk on Sunday organised by Clare. 2 groups of 6 and one of 4 so  I led one of the sixes. It was based round the King William at Hailey. Really good walk and we managed a pint at the pub after. Had a zoom beer and cheese session in the evening with T, S, J and A. Tom has had his hair cut and was a bit worse for wear after a game of disc golf. A good session though. This was in lieu of the Reading beer festival that is normally held on the early May bank holiday. Followed by a lazy bank holiday Monday but I did go for my second jab.
No problems this time, very quick, friendly and efficient. They said they had been short of the vaccine and had had a fairly quiet period but back to normal now. For the same reason they are only doing Moderna at Reading at the moment. The day started off quite sunny but now its cold, raining and very windy.
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Monday, April 26, 2021

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Coronavirus Sunday 25th April 2022

Went for a swim on Monday morning but the water was very cold so cut it a bit short. Had my firdt haircut since this lockdown began. Didn't realise you had to book as previously it was just walk in. On Tuesday I cycled out to Wraysbury to visit the ford I hadn't been able find last time. This time with success.
There's also an interesting bowls club next to it. 
The middle of Windsor Great Park is still closed to cyclists. Got a train back from Staines. Ate my sarnies and christened the new thermos. I'm assuming you can eat and drink on trains even though it means removing your mask. More or less finished my annimation on Wednesday but it nay need some tweaks. Went to the Fisherman's Cottage in the evening with Kevin, Adrienne and Penno. They have cubicles in the garden with lights and heaters so not as cold as the other night at the Castle Tap. Staff not always wearing masks though. Kevin has retired. Went for a swim on Thursday morning. Much warmer this time. M is back up to 30 lengths. Finished the animation but haven't let it out yet. On Friday went for a ride with Graham and Andy. Did a loop round Reading to the Lodden Brewery. Quite busy and they were fully booked later on doing pizzas from a van.
 Their urinals reminded me of EOTR.
M went up to Manchester on the train on Saturday for more University Challenge. She's staying over a couple of nights as if they win they will go on to do a quarter final. I cycled out to White Waltham to find the Stardust Brewery. Unfortunately it was shut but there was a cricket match going on which hinted of normality.
Saw sand martins at  the Kennet mouth. As no red wine came in the shop I popped into the Stanlake Park vineyard shop to buy a bottle. It was a bit expensive and wasnt going to bother but a wedding party arrived as I was leaving so stayed in the shop to let them through and changed my mind. Quite a nice outdoor winebar. When I got back to Reading I went to the Phantom Brewery to buy a couple of cans. Very busy and a nice vibe so will have to go sometime. Not cheap though. Very busy out, quite a lot of traffic and activity by the Thames. Tom and Sally have been to test drive an electric Fiat 500. Didn't think much to the wine. On Sunday I went bird spotting on Fobney Meadow. Saw a few lapwings doing their crazy flight. One came close enough fir ne to hear its wing beats. Also lots of swifts. Instead of following the regular footpath I turned left and followed tge edge of the field then along the Holbrook towards Southcote Junction. Found wheee the hole in the fence gad been to get to the disused railway line. The fence has been repaired but you can still get through. In fact it looks like the top row of barbed wire can easily be unclipped. M let us know how she got on at UC but I'm not supposed to mention it.

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Monday, April 19, 2021

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Coronavirus - Sunday 18th April 2021

Woke up to snow on Monday morning. 
Today is the start of more lockdown easing. Pub gardens are open as are all shops and things like gyms and swimming pools. We did a Mansfield Rd walk. Got a bus to Caversham then a circuitous route to the Lodden Brewery where we stopped for a couple of pints.
Each household had to sign in using the app. The snow had more or less gone by then. An interesting mainly urban walk back though Caversham Park Village and other bits of Caversham I've not been to before. Tried to get into the garden at the Nags Head but there was a queue that didn't seem to be moving so gave up. Steve Snook was in there. Walked about 10 miles in all. Slight contrast in weather on Tuesday morning. 
Went for s swim and it was quite cold. I assume they didn't keep the pool fully heated during lockdown and its taken a while to warm up. On Wednesday went for a ride to the Black Horse for few lunchtime pints.
Had a goolie zoom in the evening. Greg's James and partner have bought a flat near Putney. John's James has passed the first part part of his motorbike test. The plan is that he, William and John will be able to go to the TT as soon as its safe to do so. Had a bit of a lie in on Thursday. Worked on animation for most of the day. Popped into town to pick up a game from Eclectic Games that Sally had ordered for Christmas. 
M cooked a fine chilli. Met Bobby, Fiona and Kelvin in the Castle Tap garden. Stayed until we just got too cold, 4 pints worth. Worked on the animation again on Friday with a swim in the afternoon. It was a bit warmer this time. A glorious day on Saturday my main activity was digging up ground elder. It was Prince Phillips funeral. Limited to 30 people like everyone else. A good start to the day on Sunday, finished the everyman crossword before we got up. Went for a ride, mainly to see what the hospitality activity was like. The Oracle was very busy as were most pubs I went past but it was a bit varied. Some heaving some just busy. Went down a track near this place just outside Shiplake.
Had a game of Sherlock in the evening with James and Amy. It was very difficult all based round an old newspaper article we hadn't read. A bit annoying, cant see how anyone was meant to pick up on it.
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Monday, April 12, 2021

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Coronavirus - Sunday 11th April 2021

Did the ride out along the Bath Rd, across to Pangbourne and back via Mapledurham to test out the mountain bike. Went down to the river near Hardwick Stud, last time I tried it was flooded.
Quite a few people out probably because the schools are on holiday and there's nowhere to go. It was a bit nippy with a hint of snow. The footpath to the Kennent mouth had finally been reopened.
On Wednesday went out for a ride to Blue Tin Farm with Kelvin and Andy. Had takeaway coffees and they let us eat out sarnies a bit reluctantly. It was very cold and my hands were so numb I couldn't change gear. Had a goolie zoom in the evening. John is moving to a new flat in Collingham near Wetherby. Had a bit of a musical day on Thursday recording the music for the next animation. Did a ride out to Yattendon on Friday with Kelvin and Graham. Kelvin checked his phone when we stopped for lunch and discovered Prince Phillip had died, aged 99. TV completely taken over by this in the evening. A lazy day on Saturday. Did some more recording. My new mic stand arrived so I dont have to use the camera tripod. Made pizzas inside, watched a couple of movies. A good start to the day on Sunday  did the Everyman crossword in about half an hour. Another lazy day doing music and animation prep.
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Tuesday, April 06, 2021

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Coronavirus - Easter Monday 5th April 2021

Groups of up to 6 or 2 households can now meet outside again from Monday so did a Mansfield Rd walk. M was supposed to come but had to wait in for the curtain man from John Lewis. There was me, Kelvin, Roger, Sue and John. Got a train to Mortimer and did a circular walk taking in Silchester, just over 8 miles. It was meant to be lovely warm day and after a dull, chilly start it didn't disappoint, wore shorts for tge first time this year.
Tuesday was even hotter so went for a ride out to Hartley Wintney with Kelvin, Andy and Graham. There were lots of cyclists out. Did about 36 miles. It was still warm enough to sit out and have a beer when I got back. The hotest March day since 1968. The magnolia tree across the road is at its best.
It was meant to be sunny again on Wednesday but remained cloudy. Fairly quiet day. Dug up the old rosemary bush out front. Phoned Danny in the evening and then had a goolie zoom. Tom and Sally had been asked to do lateral flow tests by the cpuncil for some reason. Both negative.
Lateral flow tests are the quick ones you can do yourself but they aren't as accurate as PCR tests. On Thursday I finished my first stop motion animation. Had a gigs and ale call in the evening. We decided the next one should be live. Tom and Sally came on Good Friday, great to see them. We sat in the garden and had the first pizzas of the year from the pizza oven. It got very cold though so we figured it would be better to move in. They had had -ve tests and we've both had jabs so we thought it would be safe. Had a bit of a lazy day on Saturday. Started on my next animation. Easter Sunday was another really nice day. Not as hot as Tuesday but very sunny. Got out sunshade. Cooked slow roasted lamb for a late lunch. Had a beer and cheese tasting with T, S, J and A. It was my bithday present from J and A. 4 beers, Fyne Ales Sunrise Bliss with cheddar, Saison Dupont with a smelly brie, La Trappe Isid'or with gruyere and Five Points Railway Porter with stilton. All really good. I think the porter and stilton won. On Easter Monday we did a society walk that I organised. It was the one I'd done for October but we had to abandon because of flooding. There were 15 walking so we had 3 groups of 5. That was the plan anyway but Nick and Becky went to Cookham Common instead of Crookham Common. It actually snowed a bit. Watched Reading beat Derby 3 1. We're still 6th but if Bournemouth win their game in hand we'll be out of the playoffs. Warwick won the University Challenge final.
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