Sunday, January 24, 2021

Picking up.

 


The UK managed nearly half a million vaccinations yesterday. That's nearly 300 every minute, day and night. If that rate can be maintained then 75% of the population should be done by the end of April. The British government seem to have  developed a belated understanding of how important it is to get this under control. Here in France things are picking up a little - they did 45,000 jabs yesterday - but there's still no sense of urgency. The dual problem seems to be a shortage of vaccine and effectively storing it at super low temperatures .

A postman I've never seen before shows up at the gate. The cover of Private Eye this week quietly prescient. The postman wears a mask, as do I. An escalation in the C19 psychology that started during the week. Before then delivery drivers and the post people were notably mask less.


It's rained heavily overnight. The water in the little stream was crystal clear yesterday afternoon but this morning is cloudy with stirred up mud. Sophie isn't entirely sure about the noise the waterfall is making. She looks behind to make sure I'm there to rescue her should there be any 'unpleasantness' when she has her drink. You can never be too sure with water.


After that it's a brisk cross country walk back to The Rickety Old Farmhouse to enjoy the warmth of the kitchen and some of 'The Fonts' muesli with yogurt. All in all not a bad start to the day.

And a Scots song for Burns Night tomorrow. Usually played as the first dance at a wedding but none the worse for that :https://youtu.be/-skrVk5TYWU?list=RDrmxqjzCxNEE&t=8

And maybe something like this to keep out the cold ? :https://ncnean.com/collections/all-spirits

Definitely not Scotland. A restaurant with a view :https://www.palazzomanfredi.com/en/aroma-michelin-starred-restaurant/

Something topical and inspiring :https://twitter.com/mediazzzona/status/1352988822263492610

And this : https://twitter.com/KevinRothrock/status/1353094473950121984


11 comments:

Virginia said...

Oh My Goodness! The view of the Colosseaum! And the menu! In 2019 we had a trip to Greece, amongst other places, and had a wonderful meal at a rooftop restaurant with a view of the Acropolis. Unforgettable, with the sinking sun colouring it red. "Next year, in Jerusalem" - or perhaps the following year. Keep well, keep safe. Ear scratch for Sophie please.

Virginia said...

I've remembered its name. Cafe Avissinia. Much less expensive than your Roman one though Angus!

Yamini MacLean said...

Hari OM
Quite the eclectic mix of links there this morning, Angus! Snow on the street beneath the Hutch this morning. It won't stay long, but is pretty for now. Not to mention treachourous for early morning dog walkers! YAM xx

WFT Nobby said...

Bertie commends Sophie's cautious approach to water. He wore his thick arran sweater to the park this morning. Ice on the pond thick enough to bear the weight of an adult. But at least it's warmer than Yakutsk!

Coppa's girl said...

Not sure what we'll encounter on our walk this morning, but definitely not a muddy stream or a waterfall. It should be a little warmer today, +15º, when it's been as low as 5º in the past week.
Inca, too, agrees with Sophie that you can't be too careful around water. It has a funny habit of sliding around when you least expect it! Not only that but it wets your paws too, so best to keep away whenever possible. Good advice from a Labrador?

Lisa in France said...

Yes, wonderful links today! Another good use for Google Translate. And maybe the Scotch whiskey for my husband. Someone had recently been selling him on the wonders of Japanese whiskey, which has quite a buzz these days. He bought something highly-recommended and has been bitterly disappointed. If he'd read the reviews, which recommended this whiskey as pairing well with sushi, he would have been on notice!

Angus said...

I don't want to appear insular but Japanese whisky is an acquired taste. Angus is of the belief that MacAllan is what God drinks. It's certainly what Mrs.Thatcher used to pour for Mr. Gorbchev when musing by the fireplace in the British Ambassadors residence facing the Kremlin. She used to drink ( shudder ) Baileys. Angus has laid down a stock of Mac 25 year old which has over time become magical 50 year old in time for Christenings.

Angus said...

An Arran sweater is very sensible in an Aberdonian winter.

Angus said...

Saw Ms.Sturgeon on the Marr Show this morning and the sight of her garden and bins covered in frost was a reminder of home.

Angus said...

We have been told of a hotel in Jerusalem that has a wonderful wine list - I think it's called the American Colony and is much frequented by that quiet scholarly interesting type of American tourist. Perhaps in 2022 ?

Angus said...

Forecast to rise to 12 degrees here mid-week. Can't come a minute too soon.