Monday, August 30, 2021

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Coronavirus - Sunday 29th August 2021

Rick and Jeanette left on Monday morning. Rick emailed to say they had got back and Jeanette was feeling a bit better and they had both done LFTs which were -ve. On Tuesday we popped up to the university for a walk and look round the Harris Gardens. All the folk we know who live in that neck of the woods walked their during lockdown. Very pleasant. Afterwards I went for a ride to check out the festival site. It seems enormous, not sure whether its because of covid or that it just is these days as I haven't been for while. The campsite goes almost to Scours Lane where there's a temporary bridge to get people to the campsite on the Mapledurham side. 
There's also a serious fence.
M had a couple of clothes deliveries, each with a free pack of masks. They must be trying to get rid of them. Met up with Kevin, Addrienne and Penno at the newly reopened Hop Leaf. Hasn't really changed apart from removing some clutter and a lick of paint. Penno's son Jack has just recovered from covid.
On Wednesday we walked the Thames Path from Marlow to Maidenhead. Very pleasant. Spotted this splendid newly mawn lawn.
Went for a Mansfield Rd walk on Thursday got a train to Wargrave then back from Twyford via the Stanlake Winery and The Heron. Had a goolie zoom in the evening. I'd planned to go cycling with Kelvin and Graham but one of by back teeth broke last Friday and although it doesn't hurt my tongue has got very sore as a result so going to the dentist instead. Did a short ride Sonnong way. Spotted this Peachy.
This popular view point seems to be having some issues.
Came back down Caversham Rd. All the shops are trying to cash in on the festival as usual and a house down there had a 'welcome back' sign in the window. Even John Lewis are getting in on the act.
Went to the dentist's in the afternoon and they fixed the tooth in no time. We had our first fig from our tree on Saturday. 
Checked out the camping gearfor EOTR, finishedmy Country Jo song and passed on to Pete Scoggins, a bit of a lazy day. A good start to the day on Sunday, finished the Everyman crossword before we got up. Did a bit of an urban walk in the afternoon to take in the effects of the festival. Fairly quiet apart from Caversham Rd. Parking in Kings Meadow.

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Monday, August 23, 2021

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Coronavirus - Sunday 22nd August 2021

On Monday I arranged a meeting with Alice Elliott who is the website manager for the Reading Cycle Campaign as I may be taking over from her. I noticed a problem with the website which I mentioned to her and later it was taken down.

M was on University Challenge in the evening. They were up against Strathclyde. They were always ahead mainly because she got the first 2 starters but it was close until the end when they pulled and won by 175 to 110. Lots of positive comments from all over including on YouTube. On Tuesday morning had a zoom meeting about the RCC website. A bit of a nightmare as it keeps getting hacked so quite a lot of effort required trying to prevent it and fixing if it happens. Went for a walk with M afterwards. In the evening went to my first Reading game. It felt quite safe as it was quite sparsely populated in GU9. A wore amask to get in and out butnot many did. They've changed the South Stand so the away supporters are on the west side. It was quite crowded down that end as we were playing Bristol City. 0 2 down in 14 minutes but it was quite an exciting finish as it got to 2 3 with about 10 minutes to go.

There's been a lot more reaction to the University Challenge episode including this.
Did the ride along the Kennet and back through Mapledurham on Wednesday afternoon. Lots of boats on the Kennet and Southcote lock closed for repair so lots of boats moored down stream after Fobney lock. Saw a grassnake. Preparations for Reading Festival well underway including the campsite near Mapledurham. Popped into The Last Crumb on the way back. Had been warned off it by the FT guys but seems OK. Got back about the RCC website and said I dont want to take it on until the problems are sorted out but would be prepared to help with that. Went for swim on Thursday morning. Had a bit of a late night watching Our Friends In The North. Went for a swim on Friday afternoon. On the evening noticed Nubya Garcia was on BBC4 at The Proms so watched that. It was very good. Rick and Jeanette came on Saturday. Jeanette had a bit of a cold so they had done LFTs before setting off (both -ve) and checked with us it was still OK to come before setting off.  Took 'em to Sweeney's in the evening where we haven't been for ages. Did the Lodden Brewery walk in the afternoon on Sunday followed by pizzas. Jeanette took a turn for the worse, dont think its covid though.
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Monday, August 16, 2021

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Coronavirus - Sunday 16th August 2021

Had a bit of a lazy day on Monday. In the evening we went to the new cinema called The Reading Biscuit Factory to see Summer Of Soul. Its an interesting place, got a bar and stuff. It was a bit quiet but if was a wet Monday evening. As far as covid goes the staff were all wearing masks. In our screen there were probably about 15 people, about half wearing masks. We chose not to. There was no one near us on our row but there was a couple in front and one behind, neither wearing masks. So its probably the riskiest place I've been for a while covid wise. The film was exellent though. Did a good ride out to Skirmett on Tuesday with Kelvin and Graham. We had planned to have lunch at The Frog but they were full which must be unusual for a Tuesday. Went to The Stag And Huntsman at Hambleden instead. We popped into the Loddon brewery on the way back for some supplies. That was quite busy too. Presumably this busyness is because people are not going abroad on holiday. Kelvin's grandson Reuben had got his A levels. 2 A*s and an A. He's taking a gap year then going to Bristol to do film studies. There was a bit of a kerfuffle about him getting his results as a mate had tested +ve for covid but he'd done a test and was -ve so had been able to go to the school. We went to Andy's for a beer afterwards. He's doing remarkably well after his hip hop. Spent most of Wednesday tidying the house and garden. Went round to Peter and Fiona's in the evening. Brillant Turkish themed meal that it must have taken all day to prepare. Felt slightly hungover on Thursday morning but managed to go for a swim that made us feel better. Checked out my covid pass in the NHS app and shortly afterwards got an email from EOTR saying you need proof of 2 jabs, negative test or immunity to get in.
I started a song writing collaboration with Pete Scoggins as a result of a drunken conversation the previous night. We went to Judy and Mike's in the evening with Bobby and Fiona. Judy's daughter Tara was there who we hadn't seen for ages. She now lives in Malaysia. She'd been stuck in Thailand for several months because of covid. She was just about to head off to Barbados for 6 weeks to avoid having to pay tax here as well as Malaysia, its one of the few places she can reasonably get to. She's hoping to go back as she really likes it out there but a lot depends on covid. She had nanaged to bring her dog with her. Went for a swim earlyish on Friday morning. Ian and Fran arrived late afternoon and Tom and Sally just after 7 in their electric Fiat 500. Had a little drive. Odd as electric cars dont have gears so its like driving and automatic. Great little car. We all went to Cote for meal which was good. Then back for drinks in the garden. Tom and Sally went off late morning on Saturday as they had stuff to do. We did the walk that takes in the Loddon Brewery in the afternoon. Came across a possible bit of Peachy graffiti and a dragon in Clayfield Copse.
 I cooked pizzas in the evening but they weren't up to my usual standard. Dough a bit wet and oven not hot enough I think. Played 6 Nimmt after. Ian and Fran left after a late breakfast. Chilled out for the rest of the day, it had been a busy week.
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Monday, August 09, 2021

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Coronavirus - Sunday 8th August 2021

We went to visit Martin on Monday. He's in the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability in Putney. 2 visits are allowed a week, each for up to 2 people. It doesn't have to be close relatives anymore. We needed to do a lateral flow test but could do it at home and show the result. Had to wear masks all the time we were there and they even provided us with new paper ones. He was sitting up which I didn't except. He's lost weight since last time I saw him which would have been March 2020. He breathes normally but has a tracheostomy by which I guess he's fed. It also needed to be cleared whilst we were there as I guess swallowing can be a problem. His mouth was open which was a bit off putting. Mentally he seems pretty much the same. The place itself is excellent on the face of it. Staff extremely friendly and helpful and you got the impression he is very well cared for. Felt OK going up to London and travelling on the tube. The vast majority if people were wearing masks. Fell foul of the off-peak ticket restrictions on the way back so had to pay for an upgrade. It doesn't take long to start getting pissed off with the railways again. Very quick journey though, 22 mins. We won another gold in the team 3 day eventing. Had the new settees delivered.
We won a couple of golds in sailing. On Wednesday we walked the Thames path from Windsor to Maidenhead. Spotted this church near Boveney run by The Friends of Friendless Churches.
Had a nice lunch in the restaurant in Bray Marina. Spotted this on the way into Maidenhead
Tom Dean won gold in the 200 m freestyle and in the relay. Apart from a bit of mask wearing and hand sanitising things almost felt back to normal. We won a gold in show jumping. Went for a swim early on Thursday. Had first Thursday drinks at The Fox And Hounds in the evening. We probably got more golds but didn't watch. Went for a swim on Friday afternoon. Bit of a lazy day on Saturday. Thought I might be able to watch Reading away at Stoke but you cant anymire if you live in the UK. They lost 3 2. M did her ghost pubs of Coley walk in the evening for a few people down the street. I joined for a few pints after in The Castle Tap. A good start to the day on Sunday, finished the Everyman crossword before we got up. Went over to Brendan and Lynda's for eats in the garden in the afternoon. Their lad Dan is getting married in the states in November. They're hoping to go but not sure they'll be able to. Dan can as he's going to live out there.
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Monday, August 02, 2021

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Coronavirus - Sunday 1st August 2021

We may not have had much rain yesterday in Reading but they did in London. This was Sally's sister's garden.
Waited in for the new sofa to arrive from John Lewis but it didn't arrive. The same happened with the snuggler. It could be down to the high number of infections as contacts are having to isolate. Having said that numbers are down for the sixth day in a row. Did the walk from Clayfield Copse taking in the Lodden Brewery. We won 3 gold medals over night. Decided I needed a few more photos of graffiti for my video so went out for a ride on Tuesday to take some.
When I got back I discovered there are more Banksy's and some good  stuff out at Loddon Bridge so will have to go out again. We won another gold (and silver) overnight in the men's 200m freestyle. Braved the showers and cycled out to LB on Wednesday. There's some great stuff there including this and its easily accessible.
Reading also seems to have a Banksy clone named Peachy.
We won another gold medal overnight for the 4x200 mens freestyle. Andy went in for his hip replacement. Went swimming on Thursday morning then finished my video, I think. A sign arrived for The Three Brothers Taverna.
Went to Tony Andrews' leaving do at The Manor in Bracknell in the evening. I was a bit dubious about going because of 1) Covid 2) felt out of place at the last leaving do 3) haven't been out with a large group of people for a while, but it was fine. Possibly had one pint too many. Also first time I'd been to a Wetherspoons since the Brexit vote. A bit hungover on Friday for the first time in a while. Went for a swim in the afternoon. Showed my video to M. Need to make a slight tweak before I release it. Andy is out of hospital and can get upstairs. Won another gold in the women's BMX and silver in the men's. Bought some animation software on Saturday. Won golds in the triathalon mixed really and swimming mixed medely relay. Did a society walk on Sunday organised by Hilary. Started off in the Thatcham Discovery Centre, along the Kennet and up to Greenham Common. Really good walk. Had lunch at The Six Bells in Beenham. Our first walk with a proper lunch since March 2020. We won another 2 golds. Pommel horse and BMX gymnastics.

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Monday, July 26, 2021

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Coronavirus - Sunday 25th July 2021

Today is so called Freedom Day as the majority of covid restrictions have now been lifted. Stuff like mask wearing and social distancing are no longer mandatory in most situations. There are no limits on the numbers of people that can meet, people are no longer encouraged to work from home and most businesses can open as normal. Infections are still very high but hospitalisations and deaths are low due to the vaccination program so the idea is we can get through it without it screwing up the NHS.
Its a bit of a gamble and no doubt other countries will be paying close attention. I went for a morning ride along the Kennet to Theale and back via Mapledurham. It was good to see that there were a lot of people still wearing masks in the town centre. There was a bit of a kerfuffle with the Goolies WhatsApp group. Roy left because he got woken by a message from John around 4am. All sorted now though and he's back in. I have it muted anyway. Went for a bit of a walk down Nob End after tea. On Tuesday I put up some more signage in The Three Brothers Taverna area.
Went for a ride out Henley way in the afternoon. It was so hot the tarmac had melted in places. Popped into Waitrose on the way back and everybody was wearing a mask except 2. One was a shop assistant so probably exempt as all the others were wearing them. The other was sitting down by the exit waiting leave. Sitting with someone else who was wearing a mask so again possibly exempt or taken off because just leaving. Didn't do much on Wednesday but had to go to BnQ.  Most people wearing masks but quite a few not in spite of a customer announcement asking people to. M has finished her PhD for the summer so celebrated. Started on a new song.

Went for a swim early Thurday morning. Chilled and worked on my song. Did an evening ride with Kelvin and Andy. We met on the pedestrian bridge over the Thames where a few kids were jumping off then headed out to the Black Horse. A tractor and trailer full of people drinking turned up. They said it was a works outing from Woodcote and we figured they were probably from Langtree School. There were in fact 3 tractors.
We chatted to the drivers. They are based in Sonning Common and do it every couple of weeks. All for charity to avoid all sorts of regulations. They'd done one pub already and were going to finish at The Cherry Tree. The bogs haven't improved. 
We then headed for The Sun at Hill Bottom and had some fine pizzas. We finished up at the Fox and Hounds in Caversham. Still table service outside which is good. All the pubs felt safe. Andy was being very cautious as he has his hip op next week. He  has to be tested before hand and him and Jeannie need to isolate. We bumped into Harry Pearson in the FnH. He'd been for a run and a dip in the river. M had been up to London to meet Mark Kieran and we got back at the same time so we had a night cap in the garden. Went for a swim on Friday afternoon. M made some fine focaccia. The Olympics started today in Japan, a year late, with no crowds and against the wishes of most Japanese. Finished my song on Saturday and started on a video. Did an Ottolenghi for tea.
A lazy day on Sunday as heavy rain was forecast but never materialised. Worked on my video. I'd had an email earlier on in the week about an American band called Della Mae coming on tour to the UK. Got another today saying the tour has been cancelled as people from the US are no longer allowed to come to the UK.
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Monday, July 19, 2021

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Coronavirus - Sunday 18th July - 2021

A bit of a lie in on Monday. There has been
 online abuse of Rashford, Sancho and Saka for missing penalties, there was also a bit of trouble at Wembley and in central London last night. So a triple whammy. Did the walk to Southcote lock in the afternoon with M. Went for a walk down to Nob End on Tuesday. Not been there for a while. The last time was probably in the spring and the cows weren't there but they are back now. Managed to get through to Fobney Meadows, cows in there too. Its very overgrown including the footpaths. Still a tiny bit of lake in the middle. On Wednesday did an evening ride with the old Nortgate gang. Cycled back from Wokingham taking in a few pubs. Great fun, I'd forgotten how good evening rides are. Forgot my lights though. Went for a swim on Thursday morning and worked on my song. Had a Goolie zoom in the evening. Tom and Sally got their new car on Wednesday
James and Amy got there new mode of transport today (Friday).
Went swimming in the afternoon. Lovely day. Lovely day on Saturday too. Had a catch up with J and A in the evening and did a BBQ. A good start to the day on Sunday, very sunny and finished the crossword. Went for an udban walk in tge afternoon. Not as busy as I expected in town. Stopped off for a pint at the Castle Tap on the way back. Had our first courgettes of the year fried as a starter.
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