Happy Birthday, Sir.

Most tragedies reveal characters who might otherwise have remained unknown. COVID-19 is no exception.

Captain Tom Moore is one such. He offered to walk around his garden, with his Zimmer Frame, to raise money for the NHS (The UK's free health system).

He's raised almost £30 Million; a staggering result.

Today is Cap't Tom's birthday; he's 100.

I hear on the news this morning that he's been upgraded to 'Honorary Colonel'.

Happy birthday.

Whenever 'Lockdown' is relaxed.

What will happen when our governments decide to relax their rules on lockdown?

Obviously people will leave their homes much more. They will go to the shops, to pubs, to restaurants, to concerts, and possibly to large sporting events. In fact they will go anywhere where people tend to gather in crowds.

The only question will be, is this the best way to stop the spread of COVID-19?

Is allowing people to mingle again socially, rather than staying at home, really the best way to halt its spread?

People are going 'stir crazy'; that is for sure. They want their liberty, and they want to get back to meeting their friends again; but if it's at a heightened chance of spreading or catching the virus, is it really worth the risk?

Gathering in crowds again is certainly NOT going to 'reduce' the risks, what one doesn't know is, if it'll increase them. Only time will tell.

So, what will I be doing when things are more relaxed? I shall continue as I am now; I shall wear a mask when around others, I shall only go shopping once every two weeks, and I shall continue to avoid as many people as possible.

Haddock's comes alive.

Work advances at Haddock's. Most of the Tomatoes are now in, plus some Potatoes, the Aubergines and Peppers.

I've also sowed a row of Carrots and my first row of Beans. There's also a couple of rows of  Red Onions, and a few salads.

The few remaining crops from last year are still producing healthy leafy greens by the bucket load. We have Perpetual Spinach, Curly Kale, and Swiss Chard. All are now 'bolting', but still offering daily pickings of beautifully tender leaves; it'll be a shame to take them out, but they'll soon have to go.

I've also dug a new patch, specifically for Pumpkins and Butternuts. 

The whole lot has been well fed with compost, and liberally sprinkled with Horse manure pellets. It's now time to cross our fingers and wait patiently.

There is some hope around.

RIP Stella 1924-2020.

My cousin Stella died yesterday from COVID-19.

She was 96, and had been in a care home, somewhere near Shrewsbury, I think.

She is the first person that I know to have died from this wretched virus. It brings it all much closer to home.

96 was a good innings; it's a shame that she had to bowled-out by this awful COVID.

Terroirs de gueuletons: Woodcock.

In France there is a 'Brotherhood' for just about everything; they dress in robes and chains, and hold extravagant ceremonies. In this case Arthur and Vincent meet-up with the Confrérie de la Bécasse à la ficelle. This roughly translates as 'A bunch of bon vivants who like to get together, drink a lot, and cook Woodcock by dangling them from lengths of string in front of an open fire'.

One would never find a simple 'Woodcock Club'; it has to involve something complicated and different to make it special. France is like that!

So, any excuse for a grande bouffe and piss-up, whilst also tucking-in to Wild Boar testicles; amongst other things.

I must say, those Bécasse do look very good. As the testicle chef says at 2.25mins 'mangez bien, buvez bien'; it's good for the heart!

He's been in demand again!

Last time I think it was a supermarket; this time I'm not too sure, but I think it's a high rise student accommodation block. I do know it's NOT a new Virus Hospital.

You really can't hold the lad down. Yes, Kimbo returns to his duties as 'ribbon cutter extraordinaire'. There were swathes of admiring crowds and photographers, as well as a red carpet. Prince Charles was obviously too busy.

Personally I've never been asked to open a tin of beans, let alone a building; but Kimbo seems to be in regular demand.

OK, I'm banging his drum, and I'm sure you're going to berate me about 'pride coming before a fall', but I AM very proud of all three of my children, whether they cut ribbons or not. And I'm not afraid to say so!

Just in case Tesco, Leclerc, or Waitrose are unaware; I AM AVAILABLE.

And before you moan about 'social distancing'; I'm assured that this took place about 6 weeks ago.... he just didn't tell me.

From Depression to Elation in 1½ hrs.

Yesterday morning began with dark clouds, and a feeling of doom. If it's not one thing it's another. First Brexit, then Covid, then a burst bloody pipe! As they say, bad things arrive in threes.

Just to make matters worse, the burst was about a metre underground, somewhere between the meter on the lawn (where our plumber is, above), and the interior on/off tap. We'd imagined diggers, piles of earth, and mess mess and more mess.

Jean-Pierre (our plumber) is a bloody genius. Rather than dig up the whole garden, he passed a new pipe inside the burst one, connected it up, and Bob's your uncle. Of course it was a tad more complicated than that, but basically that's it.... invisible, painless, mending.

He's a wonderful chap our Jean-Pierre, he's the plumbing equivalent of one of those small country car mechanics who can fix anything with a good kick and a length of wire. 

We are so lucky to have him. Thank you, thank you, thank you. You cannot imagine the feelings of relief we felt! 

"The hills are alive, with the sound of running water, tra la la....."